Sparkie's Mk1 LCR Black Edition

Gokiwi64

Geriatric Member
Apr 26, 2014
1,379
722
Hockley, Essex
They do look poo, I totally agree but its the difference between getting my car on the drive (not to work on mind you ) and leaving it on a busy road ......unless I went monster LCR stylee.
 

Sparkie

Angling Adict.
Sep 25, 2009
2,554
780
Middlesex
Couldn’t help myself.
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Coupled with some new TT pedals that I want, the footwell will be crisp again.


Badger5 Custom Map + TIP,
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Sparkie

Angling Adict.
Sep 25, 2009
2,554
780
Middlesex
So thought I’d update as it’s been a while.
Bought new mats.
What a difference that makes.
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Recently weighed the drivers seat to check its true weight as I thought I’d save 2 or 3 kgs changing it over.
I was surprised.
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Look to be saving 10+ kgs.
Passenger seat will be coming out for brands as you can’t take passengers due to Covid.
Save another 21kgs. Result.

So I was bored of having cars pulling away from me exiting corners.
Due to the Leon’s open diff
, I’m spinning the wheels going nowhere, while the car I’ve gathered in opens a gap again.
Hopefully I’ve rectified that with a costly upgrade.
Gearbox out and off to
TSR.
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Had a Quaife diff fitted.
Problem once Case was opened,
Worn case near main bearing.
Apparently a common problem on these boxes.
Shame as it’s not done 66k yet.
Had to drop extra cash to have it shimmed as well.
Gutted.
TSR were pretty good.
Turn around was slow tbh.
I had to chase to be told the case was worn and did I want to get another box etc?
That was after 5 + days so guessing they hadn’t started it by then either.
Communication I’d give them a D.
They took my number.
Knew I was in a hurry. Knew I had to drive 2.5 hrs each way.
So when it was ready he sent an email. Go figure.
Useless.
Cost me half a day as I’m not on emails regularly and tbh was waiting on a call. so pretty unimpressive.

While subframes off the car is needing a cv boot.
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Front drivers and passenger locking mechanisms being replaced with OEM parts too.

One more present waiting to be delivered before Brands Hatch Indy Circuit on the 11 th.
Last time there, the car and I managed a 59.02 which I was super happy with.
Hope that the diff will reduce this further.
I’ll post times after the event.



Badger5 Custom Map + TIP,
3”Custom exhaust, FMIC, Bosh 550’s, BC Coilovers, ARB’s +loads more.
 

vwtrev

Flying Banana
Oct 29, 2015
256
65
Essex, united kingdom
M8, sounds like you've had a bit of a bad experience there, feel your pain (as you know my LSD gearbox experience already).

Never heard about a worn gearbox on these cars before. Must be your driving ;)

Hope your not paying big money for the door locks, (after all they are the crap one's that need replacing) the one's I got from Ebay working just fine after a couple years, could have given you the link.

Trev.
 

Sparkie

Angling Adict.
Sep 25, 2009
2,554
780
Middlesex
@vwtrev Tbh I didn’t get a price on the locks. Just wanted to do the job once and get another few good years from them.
Yeah re box apparently it’s a thing. Should be good to go but with my luck it’ll explode next week on track.
Seems to be the recurring story with this car.
All the big expensive parts have failed one by one and ended up costing a small fortune.
Car is like a new one off the line.

Anyone want a Leon for about 10k?


Badger5 Custom Map + TIP,
3”Custom exhaust, FMIC, Bosh 550’s, BC Coilovers, ARB’s +loads more.
 
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vwtrev

Flying Banana
Oct 29, 2015
256
65
Essex, united kingdom
In all honesty, mine has been one of the most reliable cars I've had, despite been drive round a few tracks, then I have changed most of the mechanical parts, bar the engine parts.
 

Sparkie

Angling Adict.
Sep 25, 2009
2,554
780
Middlesex
Last present for a while now.
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479c30f7f311c07e9fc2e2c8493bd59b.jpg



Badger5 Custom Map + TIP,
3”Custom exhaust, FMIC, Bosh 550’s, BC Coilovers, ARB’s +loads more.
 

Sparkie

Angling Adict.
Sep 25, 2009
2,554
780
Middlesex
So how was Brands?

Good fun. Too hot. Diff was great.
Needed air con. Power drain and heat soak.
1 Mate didn’t get there which sucked.
Need another visit to another track now.
Fancy Thruxton.
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Badger5 Custom Map + TIP,
3”Custom exhaust, FMIC, Bosh 550’s, BC Coilovers, ARB’s +loads more.
 
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vwtrev

Flying Banana
Oct 29, 2015
256
65
Essex, united kingdom
Nice, what you turned on your aircon, must has slowed you down by 1 second a lap :)

Was you quicker with the diff? how where your tyres? I did Thruxton in 35 degrees the other year and my tyres melted in to the garage floor after a run.

Thruxton is quick, feel faster than Snetterton weirdly as its got a long curvy straight.
 

Sparkie

Angling Adict.
Sep 25, 2009
2,554
780
Middlesex
Nice, what you turned on your aircon, must has slowed you down by 1 second a lap :)

Was you quicker with the diff? how where your tyres? I did Thruxton in 35 degrees the other year and my tyres melted in to the garage floor after a run.

Thruxton is quick, feel faster than Snetterton weirdly as its got a long curvy straight.

Yes buddy I did 6 laps with no air con and I melted into the tarmac lol.
Unpleasant.
Yeah down on power so times weeent the best.
But feels great with the diff.
I’m after having a go at Thruxton next. Meant to be one of the fastest circuits in the country.
Tyres were struggling in the heat. Track had to be in the 40’s east.
When everyone started reducing pressures before we went out, everyone found their tyres were hugely over inflated. And that was just from driving to the track and then leaving them parked up for an hour.
Mine are normally 32 on road but we’re at 35.5 average. And hadn’t been driven for 40 mins.
Every car was the same.
Crazy hot.


Badger5 Custom Map + TIP,
3”Custom exhaust, FMIC, Bosh 550’s, BC Coilovers, ARB’s +loads more.
 
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Sparkie

Angling Adict.
Sep 25, 2009
2,554
780
Middlesex
Your car is way too clean for a track car :)

Yeah Nizza said same when he saw it in the flesh.
Only just cleaned it and removed all the rubber splatter from Brands yesterday, lol.

Smacked my alloys this morning !!!!

Badger5 Custom Map + TIP,
3”Custom exhaust, FMIC, Bosh 550’s, BC Coilovers, ARB’s +loads more.
 
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Reactions: vwtrev

Sparkie

Angling Adict.
Sep 25, 2009
2,554
780
Middlesex
Car looks great mate, good work so far!

Have you got a link for the interior mats? Mine badly need changing

Looked everywhere but can’t find any emails or anything.
They may have been on FB.



Badger5 Custom Map + TIP,
3”Custom exhaust, FMIC, Bosh 550’s, BC Coilovers, ARB’s +loads more.
 
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