Where to put £700?

[Will_s87]

Hello,

I have recently acquired a 2004 LC. 100k
I have ~ £700 to spend on the car, I'm not really sure where to invest my money, the cambelt was changed @ 45k.
The car runs pretty smoothly although occasionally it seems to hesitate @ 2.5-3k revs. throttle response feels a bit flat.

my rough idea was to replace the old K&N air filter with jetex open cone, pop in a TIP. check all the hoses are okay and replace any that are leaky.
Beyond that I was really after some suggestions; remap? exhaust? suspension & bushes?

What would you do?

thanks,
Will

 

[andycupra]

most on here will say the belt needs doing.

standard answer is a remap.
id personally not bother mucking around with tips, cone filter etc, just a new panel filter.

Dog bone mount, (rearward engine mount) can be upgraded, dont go for hardest bush though.

anti roll bars front and rear are an excellent handling mod. however so would be a spring shock replacement if its original suspension. Again personal, but id not go coilovers.

 

[Will_s87]

most on here will say the belt needs doing.

standard answer is a remap.
id personally not bother mucking around with tips, cone filter etc, just a new panel filter.

Dog bone mount, (rearward engine mount) can be upgraded, dont go for hardest bush though.

anti roll bars front and rear are an excellent handling mod. however so would be a spring shock replacement if its original suspension. Again personal, but id not go coilovers.

Thanks Andy,
the current filter is a KN cone which is sitting on the bottom 1/2 of the old air box. I thought it would be easier to get a new cone filter and scrap the bottom half of the airbox, rather than trying to find another top.
I've read a couple of people saying that smoothing the airbox + low resistance filter gives better torque..

I'll get the cambelt done, Is there anything else you might suggest replacing whilst the engine apart, waterpump I expect?

rear coil springs are recent, I think the shock absorbers are old..

cheers pal.

 

[Alexis27]

I'd change the N75 valve and DV valve to a Forge. They tend to go after 10 years or so anyway, so I'd replace as a matter of course. Then a decent service of course. That's £275.

Then you should have an engine you know will take a remap. Which will probably be about £300.

 

[mty12345]

Yeah water pump and tensioner as a matter of course when you do the cambelt, which i would do ASAP. Then my choice would be a panel filter and exhaust if you've got enough left over.

 

[andycupra]

as above regards water pump and tensioner.
pick up a spare coil while at it and have tools in car needed to change these just in case.

 

[mty12345]

as above regards water pump and tensioner.
pick up a spare coil while at it and have tools in car needed to change these just in case.

+1 i always keep a couple of coils in the boot as well.

 

[cupraslayer]

In my bank ????

 

[vwbassett]

Unfortunately sounds like you need to put the money it into maintenance and get the cambelt done afterall what would the point be in having the mods if the belt snaps a few months later. As for tuning i was pretty happy with mine after a remap, tip, dump valve, filter and catback probably around £1k for 40bhp and a shed load more torque

 

[minute]

I would do the following:

Cambelt
Forge DV
Jetex cone filter
Badger5 TIP
Boost gauge and pod
Torque app and OBD2 reader
Osram Nightbreakers ready for winter

 

[Will_s87]

Anyone recommend a good garage in Staffordshire for cambelt?

 

[paulos44]

Midland VW in Cannock.....what they dont know about the VW 1.8 turbo engine isnt worth knowing.......I paid £300 for cambelt,water pump,tensioner and idler pulley....ie. The lot.

 

[Will_s87]

Thanks Paulos44, handy info to know!