Well, the poor engine in my VTS has had a hard life, its done 110k miles and I would imagine not many of those would have been sympathetic miles

It uses oil, and just recently ive noticed it smoking more.
But.......in a few weeks time I shall be picking up a reconditioned engine
Its not yet been run and the head is off. Its had all ne bearings and rings and the head has been cleaned and had new valve stem seals.

I've just got to put the head on and get a few bits to finish it off. I could wait until I've got all the bits for boost, but I don't...

Had enough of the racket the supersprin makes its too noisy for me. I'll sacrifice the bit of extra oomph it made for a quieter drive.
Besides the bore is too small for the boost I'll be going for next year.
I'll be using a 2.5 inch custom twin silencer system possibly with a sports cat.
I think half my problems with the supersprint was the fact the rear silencer is about knackered.
But for now the standard system with cat is back on.
Its due mot in may anyway so it can stay on till I'm ready to boost.

On Monday had to do a "Safe and fuel efficient driving" course for work. Now the fun of driving lorries is being taken away from me too

The company spends £8m a year on fuel for our site and they have decided that if each driver can save 5 percent on fuel a year they'd save £400,000 a year.

I was actually surprised at how much fuel I waste. I was averaging 5.5mpg on a set route, and after the training I was getting 8.9mpg. On a truck 9mpg is really good considering the 40 tonne fully loaded weight. The trick is to drive sloooooow
Keep the revs...

Times are hard, its so annoying. I have loads to do on the vts just to get it running right

The idling is steadily getting worse which I suspect is down to a combination of coolant temp sensor, icv, plugs and crap oil. Its way overdue a good service.

The supersprint decat / middle section has highlighted the fact that thr rear box is goosed and has loose baffles.

I'm driving very steady with it at the moment to save the engine from too much stress.
The next bit of cash to be spent will be on oil, filter and plugs I think ASAP! And that's...

Went down to Stew (sexy_gt) to pick up a replacement door mirror. He lives about two mins away from me and I found him out in the cold lounging under a xsara.
Had a quick look round his "Aladdins cave" of saxo bits and spied a replacement tailgate I'll be going back for

Got back with the mirror which is going to need repainting, but I just needed it on for now, had to put it in the oven to get the original black plastic cap off. Then clipped the silver cap on and got it on the car, it will do for now.
Its far too cold in the garage to do much, but I've...

The Mrs used the car today and came back saying she had broken it!

The bad news was she had snapped a handbrake cable (she's as hard as Sarah Conner)
But the good news is the rear brakes aren't hanging on anymore, so it must have been the cable that was seizing and not the calliper.

I still have some handbrake on the o/s so looks like I'll just need to sort new cable(s) out.

Also today (20th) the drivers side door mirror gave up completely, flopping around like a dead rabbit. It had been bodged up badly and needed replacing anyway. I can get...

The standard system had cracked between the cat and first silencer, as I had the supersprint middle section it seemed pointless repairing the standard system.

The spring bolts from the downpipe had not been off in a loooong time and consequently one of them sheared, luckily I had a selection of these bolts kicking around.

The supersprint system looked well made although I though it should be a larger bore (same as standard) but I'm used to working with turbo cars that have larger exhausts anyway.

The new system didn't come with inserts for the spring...

I wanted a 106gti initially, but this came up at the right time. The long term plan is to restore the vts to a high standard, looking stock (sleeper) with standard S alloys.

This will probably take me the next twelve months to achieve as I only really have weekends to get anything done.

The first thing I've done is put the supersprint exhaust on, as the standard centre section was a bit ropey and bodged up.
*Removed supersprint, too noisy. Repaired and refitted standard system*

*Added content*
Next job is a major service, engine oil...

This is not so much a blog, but more of a record of progress made to the vts, a more in depth version if you will.
I'm not making it for all to read as such, but so I know where I'm up to on the project.

W197 BNW citroen saxo vts
110320 miles, quartz silver (EYCC)

I've owned this car since boxing day 2011, but as it was sorned I waited until the first week of Jan before taxing it. Its a local car that was advertised on here for £600 it had 5 months mot left and came with some goodies.
A BMC cda filter on it and some coilovers (of unknown brand)...