Down with EGR

I had my EGR delete kit arrive today from Brickwerks.  It contains a fibre gasket and a nicely machined stainless steel plate.  I set to work this morning on fitting it.

Removing the 2 screws using a Torx bit was easy.  They weren't that tight and I managed not to drop them.  I then slid the plate in place.  It was impossible to fit the gasket as well do I have chanced it for now  (Ill look for any tell tale leaks later).

It wasn't all trouble free however.  I dropped one of the screws into the engine bay... Those of you who have looked under their T5 will now that there is a plastic underbody fitted!  20mins later I recovered the screw and put everything back together.

It definetely makes a difference to the transient performance of the vehicle (as expected..  I am an engineer of the engine variety..)  We will have to see what, if any, MPG gains are had.  Ill keep you posted.

After fitting I took a trip to Cannock chase and did the short trail (follow the dog) as I didn't have much time.

Bertha's first Modification

I'm saving up some money for the first major purchase for Bertha.  The first thing I intend to do is get her lowered by 40mm.  I have done some research and discovered that either H+R springs or Eibach are the way to go.  I've also taken some advice and am planning to run T28 springs rather than T30.  This should give a slightly softer ride and possibly will make the vehicle sit a fraction lower.

The handling and look of the vehicle should improve BUT the main thing for me is getting the vehicle into the car lift.... yes.... car lift!  I have an underground car park and the height of it is about 1995mm...  Bertha is about 1990mm as standard.  Call me chicken but I don't to risk it until she is well lower than the roof!  I have lined it up and wow is it close!

Oh, one other thing, I have fitted some wheel trims which I sprayed black.  I do intend on eventually replacing the wheels with 19" black alloys.  These will suffice for now.

Bertha Arrives

I've been driving a VW golf (1996 diesel) for the past 4 years and have recently past 206,000 miles.  I drive  a long way to work every day and the old girl was starting to show her age.  I am a keen mountain biker and have fancied a VW van for a long time.

I recently sold by Porsche 997 C2S as well.  Why you may ask? Well,  I wasn't driving it and it was 4 years old and had no warranty...  I do love sports cars and I'm sure Ill have another one day, but, for now I will be concentrating on the project that is Bertha.

Bertha was purchased from the Volkswagen dealership in Peterborough as fairly standard Red Transporter Panel Van T30, 1.9 104PS.  She is a short wheelbase variant and has central locking, barn doors at the rear, one sliding door and it currently ply lined.

I have big plans to evolve Bertha into a very comfortable, stylish and practical vehicle.  She will be used for the daily commute,  camping, mountain biking and trips to my homeland of Wales.