I haven't come across any car south of Rs 30 lakh (no offence to any other vehicles/owners) that can handle as well as my tuned and modified Yeti.
BHPian M35 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.
I have a thread on the ownership of my Yeti but I think she deserves a separate thread for the extensive modifications she has received recently, both in terms of performance and aesthetics. My Yeti is probably the only one in India (if not the world) with a Stage-3 map and the beautiful and hot Java Green colour makeover.
The Skoda Yeti can be an ideal project car, provided that money is not a limiting factor. By ensuring regular preventive maintenance and paying close attention to details during the upkeep and services, my Yeti has been a reliable and dependable companion throughout my ownership. Yes, I did have to replace the ABS module once and the notorious ABS sensors a few times.
I have always believed that the Skoda Yeti was a concept ahead of its time. Even today, I have not come across any car in the south of the 30 lac price bracket (no offence to any other cars/owners) that can handle as well as my Stage-3 Yeti. With its hot Java Green outfit and aesthetics, the bar has only been raised higher!
The build in brief:
Performance:
- Bilstein B6 shocks on the OE spring (@Pete’s Kochi)
- 312mm upgraded brake kit (Brembo Xtra) – including rotors, shackles, carriers, pads and associated hardware(@Engineering Exponents, Bangalore)
- Headlights and Fog lights upgraded to LED (@Automall Kochi)
- Custom seats bolstered with added under-thigh and lumbar support (@ LeatherMan, Palakkad)
- Lenso Jager alloy wheels- 17” with Continental SportContact rubbers (235/55/R17) (@Automall Kochi)
- Downpipe (@Grid7 in Thrissur)
- Intercooler upgrade (Garrett)- (@Engineering Exponents, Bangalore)
- Turbo upgrade (@Engineering Exponents, Bangalore)
- K & N filter
- Stage-3 ECU map – Wolf Moto/Kochi
Aesthetic:
- Android HU upgrade with Apple CarPlay and Android auto and reverse camera and a host of other features yet to explore! (@Galaxy Car accessories Kochi)
- Spare tyre powered Sub-woofer- MQB (Import)
- Custom front grill – DIY and finished by Grid7, Thrissur
- Full Body Paint- Java Green (@Grid7 Thrissur)
- Headlights, Taillights, reflectors, fog lights – blackening around the edges (@Grid7 Thrissur)
- Ful body Graphene coating -3-year package (@Grid7 Thrissur)
Two major upgrades have been recently completed on the Yeti: the Stage-3 hardware and a full paint job in Java Green, along with detailing. These upgrades took approximately a month each and were performed by two exceptional experts in the automotive industry: Jayanth of Engineering Exponents in Bangalore and Robin of Grid7 in Thrissur. Without their expertise, the Yeti would not have undergone these upgrades.
The Big Brake Kit Saga!
I have documented the details of the Stage-3 build in my ownership thread.
The most challenging part of the process was installing the brake kit. The B6 on my Yeti is the 50mm version, while the imported brake kit required the 55mm version. The engineering team was able to source most of the necessary hardware, but the 5mm mismatch needed to be addressed. Eventually, they created a custom converter sleeve (50mm to 55mm) to fit around the B6 shock absorber. Due to this issue, the brake kit remained idle for 4-5 months back in Kochi as FNGs out there were unable to install it.
The Java Green story!
I was looking for a Decat-downpipe for the Stage-2 map when I stumbled upon Grid7@Thrissur. Impressed with their attention to detail, I contacted them about a possible makeover. Due to their busy schedule, getting an appointment was tough. Choosing the right colour was also a challenge. I was fascinated by Nardo Gray, Mocha Latte, and Python Green, the latter being very sporty yet a bit flashy. After several discussions, Robin suggested Java Green, which I found on the Audi R8, and it suited Yeti better. The next day, I got the car to Grid7, and the work began a week later.
The Grid7 charges a premium compared to others that specialize in painting. If you can afford it, you should choose the best, as you don't do these every day.
The subtle black touches
The detailing done on the headlight, fog light, tail light assemblies and also rear reflectors etc has been impressive cosmetically. The front headlight assembly had to be opened up followed by subtle black painting around the reflectors before putting them back together. The rear lights had inner edges finished in black. The result is that those dull-looking glass areas and those reds now blend well with the green.
The front grills
I had the slots on the upper front grill widened by cutting alternate spikes. That needed to be finished with the ABS-based mesh attached behind. The same mesh has been fixed in front of the newly installed intercooler too.
The finished Yeti in VRS Green
Let the pictures speak for themselves!
The legal will have to be done this week at the local RTO. Enough green for now. It will be very tough to maintain this for sure!
Here's what GTO had to say about the matter:
You got taste, man! Love the choice of model, wheels, colour & your clearly meticulous approach. Still no car like the Skoda Yeti on our roads & I am a big fan of driving old, timeless machines.
Congratulations on an incredible makeover.
Here's what BHPian gururajrv had to say about the matter:
Your Yeti looks epic, definitely one of the coolest Yeti I have seen in a long time. The Java green makes the timeless design pop. Great taste and kudos to the patience to ensure she gets the best of treatment.
This is giving me a lot of ideas for my Slavia sometime down the line.
Cheers and wishing you loads more fun with your upgraded Yeti.
Here's what BHPian ssjr0498 had to say about the matter:
Congratulations on the upgrade, the car looks really nice!
That said, you mean to say any other "SUV"ish car south of 30L price bracket right? If not, I guess you got carried away a bit too much.
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