Dave,
Don’t go for the stage one, go the full monty. If you go stage one, you’ll likely keep wondering what a stage two would be like.
The kit was a straightforward install but there were a couple of things that need some thought and planning.
I changed the clutch with the car on axle stands. It’s was a workable solution but I wouldn’t want to have taken the gearbox off and on without a gearbox cradle for my jack.
Drilling and tapping the sump for the oil return feed required confidence, and a mains powered drill. Flushing out the sump took time.
I overfilled the sump before I drilled it, so the oil draining would hopefully not allow too much swarf to enter the sump and used plenty of grease on the drill bit.
Bit messy but a strategically placed bowl was all that as needed.
I flushed cheap oil through the sump to clean it out, I had loads of left over bits from services over the years and came in very handy. Used white spirit as well to begin with in a pressurised squirter.
Probably the most time consuming part was taking my time and being careful to route the intake and coolant pipes.
I took the front bumper off as it was only a few extra bolts and I would recommend that for access, but it’s not a requirement to do so.
Getting the exhaust manifold bolts torque setting was a challenge due to access. I found that tightening up with the gearbox removed meant I could get to some from below the car, some from through the wheel arch (covers removed) and some from the front of the car with the alternator removed.
Again that is not strictly necessary to remove the alternator but does make life easier.
Gearbox bolts were straightforward, only one at the top of the bell housing required some thought.
It took me three weekends, relaxed and not under any pressure. I think I got through 3, maybe 4 packets of Jamie Dodgers in total.
The gearbox and diff had their oils changed a couple of years ago and I do low miles a year. Over Christmas I’ll change them again out of sympathy.
I have not noticed any issue with diff, gearbox or driveshafts. My gearbox is fine and I do make use of full throttle in second on a regular basis. I went for the loud exhaust and love the top end noise.
Not once, have I been tempted to turn off the traction control, i drive in all weathers and in the wet it’s essential, along with common sense obviously. It works for its tea in cold and wet weather.
I’ve travelled from Wiltshire to the outer Hebrides and back in it, roof down all they way, it was epic. The exhaust is quieter at about 85 than 70, (so I’ve been told, wouldn’t know myself)
The only issue I had, was that it ran like a bag of shit after the install.
Full throttle was hilarious but constant light throttle would just have it surging, traffic was a definite no no. Felt like pulling away with no choke, engine revs just dropped into a hole unless you used revs and slipped the clutch.
I traced it to a failed coolant sender, which is much easier to replace than it looks and just co-incidence.
The remote mapping worked great as well, that was the thing that I had the greatest concern over, but it was all good.
The bbr kit is good quality, I had no fitting issues, everything fitted, couple of phone calls while fitting it, always returned calls very quickly, responded to emails quickly…
Mines a 2006 but I’m planning on buying a 2015 nc and transferring the kit over.
Oh, if you haven’t done so, sort the suspension first if you are on standard at the moment, it’s very very easy to get up to speed quickly, I’m not a mad ass and always stick to red ringed limits and NSL, but I do find that the thrill of accelerating quite addictive, that has shown that things can be a bit “bouncy” at times.
Not had any issues with brakes, they are completely standard and I find them perfectly capable for the road, that’s probably down to my driving style.
Hope that’s useful.