MG600 wrote:
Good work Mal. I actually realised I drove past your house recently as the Calibre and one of Chev's was on the drive. Rushing to a meeting so couldn't stop !

Out of interest, if yours stays with an Octavia VRS, what bhp do you think its putting out ? Or what spec is the motor ?

The Short answer is . .  I don't know . .  the plan is to get it rolling roaded after Billing. I've no idea on the full spec, the car was originally built (along with the engine) in 1988, and wherever possible the parts from the sportpart manual were used. It does have a big valve head, its been ported and polished, high lift cam, twin Weber 45's etc etc etc, but I do have a rolling road sheet for the car from 2002 where the spec was apparently the same, and it peaked at 188bhp, I'd be very surprised if it hasn't lost a few horses on the way . .  especially given that the carbs need properly set up. The car was originally built for sprints and hillclimbs and hence is fitted with a four speed box and I've no idea what diff, but the aim seems to have been for acceleration as opposed to top speed. My plan at the end of the season is to rip the engine and box out, rebuild the engine as it currently has oil leaks from the sump and crank seal, and replace the box with a gartrag 5 speed and go from there.