Just realised i've never posted this on here...

Originally Posted 25/11/2008

Purchased 24th November 2008 - factory standard 2.2 SRi Hatch in Polar Sea Blue - 2001 X Plate with air-con 🙂
Bought it as a replacement for my XE'd Mk3 Merit - it was getting a bit tired and rough around the edges so I had been looking for a new car for a while 🙂 This Mk4 popped up at my old man's dealership - had been on the forecourt for 8 months so got it for an absolute steal!

It is in immense need of a big smack from my detailing stick! Will be tackling that as soon as I get a day or two of good weather (and some free time obviously). Don't have any massive plans for the car, just a bit of tidying up and some nice bits to keep me entertained until I can afford / have the space to build a 'proper' track car 🙂
Ordered up a load of bits from LMF to freshen it up and today placed an order with Courtenay for 308mm front brakes (my discs are shagged), TC Switch and a few other bits.

Proper pics and updates soon!

Originally Posted 26/11/2008

Small 'progress' update - finally took a few new pics since I got it home. Excuse the quality - they were taken on my Blackberry with its amazing 2mp camera LOL.

Interior is nice and clean 🙂

Engine bay looks pretty shit tbh... removed the plastic cover.

And my first 'proper' mod! Fairly common one amongst Mk4's but it works well!

Also fitted LED sidelights and some new wipers - flatblade type on the front.

Waiting on my bits from LMF, Courtenay and Car Audio Direct now 🙂

Originally Posted 30/12/2008

Finally an update from me! Not had chance to get any pic uploaded so here we go... fitted most of the bits I ordered last month to the car, after having a nightmare with half of it!
First off my headunit was faulty, so had to be replaced.
Then the 308mm brake upgrade I ordered from Courtenay (brakes on car were shocking!) has incorrect - Vauxhall had sent them one wrong caliper carrier so I had to my some standard discs just to keep it on the road. Major PITA.

Either way, did my smoked side repeaters, LMF rear lights, Alpine headunit, debadged the rear, few interior bits etc... Then bought a Scorpian back box from flatout (cheers petal!), panel filter, vec c intake, breather mod and thats pretty much how she sits...

It wasn't me guv!

The old rattlebox is still sat around sulking, now with no insurance and will be sorn as of January 1st. Folks seem to be coming around to letting me keep it at home so touch wood it'll be here to be transformed in to my track toy, leaving the Mk4 as my 'sensible' daily.

Finally got around to fitting my bigger brakes - painted up the discs with high temp paint. Stops the bells / edges from going rusty / crap looking.

Mocked up the calipers and new carriers on to the hubs for painting...

All together. Looks loads tidier with the calipers painted, also made sure the pads were clean so they show up quite nicely! Discs fill the space behind the wheels well so i'm happy. Not noticed a big difference yet but not really given it much stick tbh!

Have got my poly front engine mount bush to fit, TC switch sat downstairs and am looking for some wheels to tart it up a bit - followed by a 30mm drop on some springs, speaker upgrade then it'll be done. Will get a full detail when the weather warms up and will colour code rub strips / handles.

More soon, maybe.

Originally Posted 15/02/2009

Finally an update! Actually got some stuff done on the ol' girl this week!

Clicked over 60k so MUST get it in for the cam chains ASAP. An engine failure would be a nice excuse to do something silly, but I could do without the expense at the moment!

Had some money sat in my Paypal account after breaking my old Mk3, Beer + eBay got the better of me and voila... the mod load s of 2.2 owners seem to be too scared to do?

Fitment was piss easy... 10 minute job including a phonecall!

The result? Well i've done a good few miles with it on now, it seems a little smoother, deffo not any slower, doesn't get warm to the touch (even after a good thrash) and the noise is MENTAL! Fairly quiet when driven 'normally' - ****ing loud when you boot it. I daresay i'll get bored and pull it off within a few weeks, but for now its fun setting off car alarms with induction noise!

As the weather has improved a bit in the last few days I thought i'd give it a wash - a full detail is imminent, been taking it to the local Afghans for the last few months which hasn't really done the paintwork any favours. Hey ho!

Still cleans up well!

Had my tints done last week - medium on front, dark on rear. I know a lot of people will consider it to be a chav mod but i'm happy with them 🙂

Finally got around to swapping my headlights over today - easy job save for a dead torx bolt on the passenger side arch.

Before:

After:

Seems to have made the front end look much more modern / clean. Loads nicer than the standard lights 😃

Then as I was on a role with actually doing stuff I decided to stick my poly engine mount bushes in place.

Gear change is a lot nicer now, can really feel the benefit 🙂

Current Spec:

Engine / Tuning:
Z22SE
Scorpian Backbox (likely to be changed for new system with hidden tail pipe soon)
Pipercross Induction Kit
Redbitz Remap
Ghetto Oil Catch Tank (old milk bottle)

Chassis:
Poly Engine Mount Bush
308mm Front Brakes with EBC Redstuff Pads

Exterior:
Debadged Rear
Badgeless Grille
Coupe Headlights
Jewel Rear Lights (looking for all red units to replace)
Smoked Side Repeaters
Tint Devil tinted Windows

Interior:
Chrome Heater Control Rings
Alpine Headunit