Here's a full write up from its time at Stealth Racing and a bit leading up to it
Right so all started with the car using more and more oil, i was aware that the car had an oil leak but the amount it was was using didnt add up to what was being dropped. So i took the plunge and decided that it was about time that the engine got a big bit of loving for once and for all. A phone call later and the car was booked in for the 2nd of March 2013 at Stealth. My list of work that i wanted doing was as follows
1. Full bottom end rebuild
2. OEM Water pump (Stealth to supply)
3. OEM Oil pump (Stealth to Supply)
4. New oil sump and gasket (I’ve supplied)
5. OEM Alternator (Ive supplied)
6. Alloy crack pipe has a slight leak from the drain plug would like this changing back to a standard oem plastic one (I’ve supplied)
7. 6 X rear brake lines fitting (have had these made up already correct bends in them etc)
8. Rear brake bias valve (I’ve supplied with new bolts and tension spring)
8. Rear bushes (I’ve supplied with new bolts and nuts)
9. An annoying noise from rear ns brake when i reverse almost like the brake is binding, Also has now started making the noise going forward.
10. Handbrake cables (I’ve supplied)
11. Inlet manifold and smaller inlet need fitting (I’ve supplied with new gaskets, new temp sensor(installed) and new stainless bolts)
12. Rocker cover gasket (I’ve supplied)
13. Oil cooler gaskets (I’ve supplied)
14. New expansion tank (I’ve supplied)
15. New HT leads (I’ve supplied)
16. One of the rear most coolant pipes looks a bit worse for wear can you change for the one I’ve supplied
So the day came to drop the car off after a little over a 2 hour drive down from Stockport i had made it to Stealth, met Vince for the first time and armed with my ready prepared list of things i wanted doing (the above) i left the car looking forward to the day that id get her back.
About a 3 weeks/month later i got a call from Stealth expecting it to be the news that she was ready the phone was picked up instantly but i could tell from the tone of voice that this wasnt good news. The bottom end had been sent away for the rebore and upon boring out to the oversized piston size there was still a lot of damage left on the bores. Anyway Vince and Co had two used 2.8 bottom ends on the shelf they said they would get one of them stripped down and sent off to the borers. Also the head rebuild that i had done at PSI Tuning was not very good either they had replaced the seals but not the valves :scratch: so more cost and work. A bit downhearted after the call i thought that well these things happen and id rather it be done properly so it would last for years to come .
A couple of weeks passed and i got an update from Vince that all the brakelines/handbrake cables/bushes etc were on the car and they were just waiting for the bottom end to be returned to them from the borers.
A month or so passed and i got another update from Vince that the engine was in the car and had been running for and hour but when they first started the car there had been noises from the top and the bottom end, top end noise turned out to be tappets and the bottom end noise after much head scratching (considering everything bottomend was brand new VW) turned out to be main bearings apparently they swapped them out for some OEM+ ones and the noise instantly went away. Vince then said the car was running "Sweet" which made me smile and that he wanted to keep it another week to put some miles on it before giving it back to me which i said was fine.
Anway roll on to 25th May 2013 Pick up day
Hopped on the early train from Stockport - Leamington Spa with the old butterflies in my stomach in the anticipation on being reunited with my car. Arrived at Stealth at around 10am spoke to Vince for a matter of minutes and he said "bet you've being dying to drive her, havnt ya?" with a quick nod he handed over the keys and said take it for a spin take aslong as you want. Got in and took it down the country road near stealth and was blown away by how the car felt feels really eager to go (which it wasnt before) and felt so planted which i put down to the new rear bushes. Anyway 30m minutes later i was back at stealth to pay the bill and given instructions on how to run the engine in ie not going over 3.5K revs etc. With a shake of Vinces hand and a thanks and a sorry from Vince (for how long it took) i was away with the mileage on 75 miles and a big grin on my face.
Anyway a few pics after a few hours cleaning i can now lift my bonnet up and be proud of it
I cant thank Vince enough it now perfect and thats how its staying.
