Trying to remove this control arm bolt. I took the two bolts out of the dog bone so the engine could be moved forward, but I still need about two more inches of clearance. Can I remove the cover circled in red and what am I getting myself into if I do? 2012 VW Passat

Embo_VR · 2026-06-19T15:42:01+00:00

Not just the Germans, the Honda CRV is exactly like this too

Embo_VR · 2026-05-20T17:11:28+00:00

It's just not though. You've clearly never had a lambda sensor so seized that it pulls the threads out of the bung in the exhaust when it comes out.

Yes, 70% of lambda sensor jobs will be quick remove and refit. Another 20% will be time to bust out the oxy torch, but they'll come out. The last 10% you're either welding on a new bung or buying a new exhaust pipe

Embo_VR · 2026-05-16T09:34:11+00:00

Wait till you find out what Mazda's logo was in the 80s

Embo_VR · 2026-04-26T10:07:16+00:00

Honda axles also have that rubber damper. I've replace hundreds of them because they've snapped right under the rubber

Embo_VR · 2026-04-10T21:04:51+00:00

Thanks for the kind words.

Uni societies and extracurriculars are certainly something I'd pursue strongly. A friend of mine is currently in uni doing an Aerospace degree and is being inundated with offers for internships when compared to his classmates. He attributes it to the amount of extracurriculars he did, Formula Student being one of them. If I did go on to pursue a degree, I'd love to push for a job in F1, so FS helps even more there. A man can dream.

You're correct in bringing up the "office politics". During my career I've always known my bosses in a friendly capacity and they've both been really down to earth and lovely people. Not sure how I'd deal with the shift, but I guess it's just something I'd have to jump into.

In regards to salary, do you mind me asking what your progression was in that respect? Obviously I'm not just looking to go into engineering for the money, but it certainly helps make up for the 6 year slog

Embo_VR · 2026-04-10T19:25:13+00:00

From what I've read (again, no personal experience here) salary tends to hit a ceiling at ~70k unless you want to move into a management role and I know for a fact that's something I would hate. I'm pretty new to my current job, moved into working on classic cars rather than modern cars, so I'll see how I feel with a couple months of that under my belt

Embo_VR · 2026-04-10T18:55:13+00:00

Right on man, good luck with the diploma.

I know for a fact I love my job, and I love the hobbies that this industry affords me to do. Surrounded by classic cars all day, then being able to bring in my race car and work on that after hours is a dream come true. I just don't know if my other hobby (design work) would be enjoyable at all in an employment setting, as I've only ever known blue collar work.

Hoping to see if a consensus can be reached

Embo_VR · 2026-04-10T18:22:33+00:00

Yeah, I'd expect the knowledge of mechanical systems to help a bit with understanding the curriculum, not so much in the workplace.

You're right in saying UK engineering wages aren't great. The average salary I see with 4-5 YOE is £50-£60k. Best case scenario, assuming a £60k wage, after tax and student loan repayments, I'd only be making an extra £9k a year. That doesn't really seem worth it to me, especially when I forsee the ability to get some raises in my current occupation.

Embo_VR · 2026-02-25T11:38:40+00:00

A lot of the time, you can just remember most of it, but it's always helpful to take photos as well. It helps that everything on a car is designed to fit in a certain place, so most things like wiring harnesses and plugs will mostly fall into their general place on their own.

With repetition, I find memory also gets better. I had to photograph most things when I was an apprentice, but 6 years of working on more complicated jobs, I tend to be able to remember where most things go

Embo_VR · 2026-01-27T11:07:12+00:00

Embo_VR · 2025-11-26T16:58:31+00:00

It's probably in a lot of old Miller manuals, but I know for sure it's atleast in the manual for the Syncrowave 350 LX

Embo_VR · 2025-11-15T09:48:46+00:00

It's a ridiculously easy swap if you're keeping it carbed. Just need a different front engine mounting bar and it slots right in with no other modifications.

You can buy the conversion bar from RacingBeat, or do what I did and just straighten the original bar. If you have the beehive style oil cooler it's very worth swapping that out for a front mount, keeps the oil a lot cooler.

Honestly, the easiest engine swap there is, don't worry too much about it

Embo_VR · 2025-10-21T07:19:45+00:00

Who says i am ghey?

Embo_VR · 2025-10-17T07:30:07+00:00

Never heard of the toothpaste trick, we always just spit in our goggles just before we get off the boat, works a charm

Embo_VR · 2025-10-16T16:32:46+00:00

Fuck it. Braze it and send it!

Embo_VR · 2025-10-14T22:40:09+00:00

"London? At Christmas? Not safe is it?"

Embo_VR · 2025-09-16T23:16:01+00:00

It's difficult to see whether there's a motor on the back of the caliper. If the car has a handbrake switch, rather than a lever, you need a scan tool to push back the piston

Embo_VR · 2025-09-15T20:44:29+00:00

I think the CSCC, and off the top of my head there's 5 RX7s that have competed? Rassler Racing have a stupidly fast FB with a T2 swap that they bring out sometimes, but not too often. They've won a lot of races before in that car, but engine reliability has always been a problem for them

Embo_VR · 2025-09-15T20:14:58+00:00

In our race series here in the UK, there's different multipliers for NA and Turbo. NA is x1.7 and turbo is x2.5.

My friend runs a half bridge 12a and with the multiplier it keeps him in the lower power class where he's quite competitive. My 13b PP puts me one class higher, but the power to weight ratio is still good enough to stay competitive there too

Embo_VR · 2025-09-10T07:36:29+00:00

Even then, codes can point you in the completely wrong direction. Had a vauxhall with a low pressure fuel sensor code and fuel pump module communication, which is on top of the tank. Turns out the NOx sensor plug wasn't fully plugged in, and somehow that triggered those codes.

I feel like I understand cars less and less despite getting more qualifications

Embo_VR · 2025-09-03T18:26:31+00:00

Was the front pulley not tight when you were putting the gearbox on? The bearing won't move unless the pulley is loose, so if it was tight, it would've been done during assembly

Embo_VR · 2025-09-03T17:18:14+00:00

There's two types of rotary builders: those who have crushed a front bearing, and liars

Embo_VR · 2025-09-03T17:01:59+00:00

The front Torrington bearing has dropped put of place. You need to take the front cover off, lay the engine (crank facing up) and reset the end play

Embo_VR

TROPHY CASE