Daan

Since aquiring a q-plate, I have informed my insurance broker (a well known broker in 4wd insurance) about the change and they said, yes no problem. Now my insurance is up for renewal, and I phoned them to renew it. I Have been with them since 2002 and informed them of every mod I have done to the car in order to stay squicky clean. I decided that in order to make sure everything is ok, that they confirm to me what is actually on the policy. The reply was this: you changed the engine didn't you? No,there is a lot more to it, and I confirmed this right from the start and send you pictures in 2002 and later in 2003 when I clarified the roll cage. The reply was: o, we dont keep files for that long. We then came to the agreement that I would send an email listing the complete spec once again. I did this and phoned them the next day. Reply: no problem, your covered. Good, I said, could you sent me a confirmation of all this and that you agree to the mods black on white. No, we never do that was the answer. Ok, could you reply to my email to say that you agreed to the mods on my car and that it is insured as such. hmmmmmmm, can I put you on hold for a moment? About 10 min later I got a gentlemen on the phone asking me if the car was ex mod. No, was my reply. O, we can only do MOD cars on a Q -plate and you are only allowed tyres up to 32" he said (Norwich Union policy). These rules have always been like that and the fact that they agreed to all my mods in the past, but dont want to put it in writing makes me feel pretty uneasy. They clearly just take your money and worry about the rest later. I doubt any of the mods are passed on to the insurer, and that would have big consequenses when there is a shunt. Currently empty handed and starting to phone around but its not easy on a Q. Daan

I am not sure about how they compare in capacity, but the one problem you are facing with this setup is the hoselengths: more length means more volume for the turbo to fill, which increases the turbo lag, so it takes longer for the turbo to kick in.

All looking lovely John, but I would remove the lifting eyes-its dead weight you carry around! Daan

have you discounted a viscous fan?

Machine mart; cheap and cheerfull but it works for me. daan

a what?

Not a very nice finish. Having said that, with a turbocharger presurising the airflow, porting isnt going to make a big difference. The inside of a normal tdi turbocharger doesnt look much better. Still, show us the result when your done!

I thought I recognised them! I bought them originally of simmonites. Daan

Good job this is happening and I Hope that the winner is actually taking this price. When I competed in the extreme 4x4 sport events this price was also on offer. I needed it but finished 13th. The winner never wanted to use the entry, so it went in the bin. Not knocking the idea, just mention my experience. Daan

Has yours got a brake booster? My s3 never had a solid pedal until I swapped the booster. daan

how about a manual box?

Mike, I am currently trying to solve the same problem. Having seen the TD5 installation and its height, I think the problem of it getting mashed is basically the same. So I am constructing a tank guard at the moment with the tank in the original position. You can remove the stoneguard/double skin and get acces to the tank as such if it needs repair (using the good old grinder).

Police, someone stole my engine, really! O, just fit another engine and ring the car with the registration of the new engine, and everything will be fine. That is a rather brave ebay advert and not one I would bid on .

This thread is worhtless without pics. Daan

I personally am not a fan of airbags as a spring for reasons that Simon mentioned (they can go wrong). However, has anyone tried airshocks in this application? I am sure they need a much higher pressure, but in theory, it should work just as well. daan

I wouldnt bother spending to much time on it myself. I have picked up my dashboard in pieces for pennys at old sodbury. daan

Based on what? An SVA build is a lowvolume type approval, emisions are not part of this, or at least not when I did it. Daan

Not particularly heavy, but very big: I have been towing this around the country for about 5 years, in my jonger (rowing) days. When loaded up, it is larger than an arctic, and try driving this through london centre is not my idea of fun. My old pug did a pretty good job, but with the landy it was much more stable. Problem was, due to the height of the landy you cant use the middle shelf, so thats 3 boats less. You are allowed to tow these; there is a an exemption of the rules regarding dimensions for trailers meant to transport vessels propelled only by oars. It did go wrong only once, driving around midnight through london, doing a sharp left. A truck driving behind me didnt realize how far the tail swung out and he had 2 boats sticking through his left side window. It could have been nasty if it was LHD! Daan

On more picture, from the other side: Daan

This photo shows some of the endresult. As dave88sw mentioned, the fuelfiller is making things harder, but not impossible. its all achievable with a jigsaw, saw, rivetpliers and a bit of allyplate.

That is a shock absorber, yes. There is also an exhaust manifold, but that obviously should not be there. Daan

Always a highlift in the car I reckon, use it as a jack, use it to break beads of the tyre when you fix the puncture, use it to hit irritating people who highlight other peoples fockups for as long as they live round the head (Did I really write that?, moderator edit please, oh is it you nigel!?). Still, under the floor is better I reckon. daan

I would start with finding the vin as mentioned before, because then there is a history known. Find out the whereabouts of the VIN before you go to the DVLA. If the VIN is not known, than what you have is a ringer, which could have been stolen. In that case youre in a bit of a problem. In any case, if you go to the DVLA, make sure you have all the paperwork, the invoice and all the details who you got it from etc. I dont think you need the VOSA at all, the DVLA are the ones you need for this. It takes some guts to walk in the DVLA office, because once you told them the story, there is no way back. But it is the choice of having a lot of trouble now or really big trouble later. Daan

Another vote for elmdon, they know their motorsport stuff. Not going for T45 will? Daan

A roof is a disposable item. And you are just plain lazy.