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moresauce

Member Since: 18 Feb 2012
Location: UK
Posts: 50

Trip to CSK

So just a couple of weeks ago I dropped my 110 off to have a few upgrades done, here are my thoughts, hopefully of use to others considering upgrades etc.

Before deciding exactly which company to use I had a few questions to ask and Chris @ CSK was always quick to come back on email and gave the information I was after and clearly understood what I was trying to achieve. So after working out a price and deciding to do a bigger upgrade than initially planned I booked in to leave my defender with Chris for just over a week.

The mods I went for are as follows:

1) Full soundproofing

2) Suspension upgrade (initially was just after Bilstein shocks but on Chris's recommendation I went for shocks, steering damper, slightly lowered springs and upgraded antiroll bar.

3) Full dinitrol extreme rustproofing - basically giving the 110 the protection it should have had from the factory!

4) Alive remap including ATRIC unit

5) LED interior lights

6) Fitting upgraded headunit

7) Fitting wipac crystals and upgraded bulbs

When you arrive they are a chatty bunch and always interesting to see what other vehicles they have in, happy to drop you off back to the nearest station which is only about 5 minutes up the road and is a direct service straight into London. The lift to the station also means you get a chance to ride in there amazing 6 wheeled Defender!

Coming back to collect was equally painless, work explained well and a general chat about Landies etc. Pay the bill and off I go.

So how have the mods improved the Defender?

The suspension has really transformed the handling, so much tighter, smoother, hard but still more comfortable than standard and now feels far more planted to the road.

The soundproofing has made a big difference to all the small noises and general reverberation and particular the doors and rear tub, using a before and after on a very basic Db meter app for iphone shows a improvement of at least 10db in the cockpit and in the real world by ears tell me it;s a great improvement!

The rustproofing seems to have been done perfectly, no overspray and in every nook and cranny, my 110 was in good condition underneath with no corrosion or damage and so this was a preventative measure and I'm sure it will do its job.

The remap seems to have made the engine more responsive and quicker off the mark, have yet to do enough mileage to see if it also improves the MPG, but if it does that is a bonus. Not had chance to use the ATRIC unit at all but really to keep on standby to read fault codes and if I ever need to store the map or return the car to standard.

LED interior lights, really simple mod but just gives much better and crisper light.

The headlights I know will be a worth while and inexpensive upgrade as I've had them before

New headunit is a Alpine 196 DAB with bluetooth etc , really good functional unit, would recommend it.

So all in all i can recommend the above upgrades and say I'm glad I went for them, it was worth it. I will also be using CSK again in the future.

9th Aug 2016 10:07am

custom90

Member Since: 21 Jan 2010
Location: South West, England.
Posts: 19535

I know Chris well, he does a good job and sticks at it too.

9th Aug 2016 1:45pm

Ryderoo

Member Since: 28 Aug 2015
Location: South Bucks
Posts: 1655

2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 HT Santorini Black

^^^^^ I had Chris do my Dinitrol extreme and Soundproofing. I can highly recommend

He did a quality job, gives value for money he is a top bloke. Cheers Simon

I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you

2015 Urban Truck 90 XS Santorini Black Hard Top - Reluctantly gone
2020 Discovery 5 Eiger Grey 3.0 SE
2021 Defender S D250 Santorini Black 110 Hard Top on the drive

9th Aug 2016 2:47pm

megatoad

Member Since: 07 Jan 2012
Location: Hertfordshire
Posts: 358

2006 Defender 110 Td5 XS CSW Zambezi Silver

Great to see this thread as mine is booked in with hime next week.

Looking forward to meeting him after all these years in the forum. He who dies with the most toys wins

Defender 90 & 110, S1 80", Disco 1, S111 88
LRSOC & CVLRC

11th Aug 2016 12:25pm

superspoons

Member Since: 16 Apr 2012
Location: Herts
Posts: 314

1998 Defender 90 V8 Petrol 50th Auto Atlantis Blue

Another thumbs up for Chris and CSK. He did some work on the 50th I restored 3 years ago and his service was exemplary. Good to see his quality of work and customer service has not diminished over time. Recommended to all. Cheers,
Superspoons

11th Aug 2016 2:44pm

DSB

Member Since: 02 Mar 2014
Location: Northants
Posts: 54

2013 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Indus Silver

Agree with other comments, a pic of my trip to Chris for Dinitrol, he also did the DRL's.

Click image to enlarge[/URL]

13th Aug 2016 8:42am

Cold_n_Wet

Member Since: 15 Oct 2012
Location: Bergen
Posts: 244

How did you find the sound proofing ?

Do you have before and after pictures ?

Cheers
Glen "Rafiki" 2007 110 STW - Rolling rebuild.

13th Aug 2016 11:27am

moresauce

Member Since: 18 Feb 2012
Location: UK
Posts: 50

The soundproofing makes a real and noticeable difference and makes the cabin a far more pleasant place to spend time. Of course there is still engine and wind noise but it is much improved and the 'tinnyness' has gone from a lot of the noise as had reverberation. The doors also close like a 'proper' car with a thud!

I think it gives a rough 10db reduction across the board.

It terms of pictures, there are a few on CSK's website - www.cskautomotive.co.uk/sound-proofing

The install is very professional with it looking factory fit and no obvious signs of it being fitted and all the factory carpets, roof lining etc put back perfectly.

Hope this helps

16th Aug 2016 3:24pm

Cold_n_Wet

Member Since: 15 Oct 2012
Location: Bergen
Posts: 244

Thank you "Rafiki" 2007 110 STW - Rolling rebuild.

16th Aug 2016 10:22pm

custom90

Member Since: 21 Jan 2010
Location: South West, England.
Posts: 19535

I've only Dynamatted my seatboxes and front floors so far.

I checked the DB. Levels as best I can, far from scientific but IIRC there was a 2 - 4 DB difference on that alone.
So 10db difference for a comprehensive fit sounds about right to me.

Doesn't sound much on paper, but in reality it really is!
It also makes things feel and seem more solid too.

16th Aug 2016 10:26pm

megatoad

Member Since: 07 Jan 2012
Location: Hertfordshire
Posts: 358

Well I can confirm Chris is a thouroughly good chap.

I picked up the 110 three weeks ago, the underseal tratment looks excellent as well as the freshly repainted rear cross member.

As for the remap and EGR deletion, I now have seen the light. The TD5 is so much more responsive to drive. Not racing through the gears, that still feels stillted with a narrow power band compared with my 300tdi D1 and the wifes 2.2 TDCi 90, but when you are cruising around and put your foot down gentlly it surges forward and races up hills that previously needed a run up.

I will certainly be recommending CSK to others He who dies with the most toys wins

Defender 90 & 110, S1 80", Disco 1, S111 88
LRSOC & CVLRC

5th Sep 2016 3:08pm

custom90

Member Since: 21 Jan 2010
Location: South West, England.
Posts: 19535

This thread makes for good reading.

I've always admired the quality of Chris's Dynamat installs, I can't think of many places that would complete such a neat job to be honest. Diesel$ Live$ Matter. ⛽️🛢️👨‍🔧🧰⚙️ RED, WHITE & BOOST! 🇬🇧

18th Dec 2016 6:11pm

walfy

Member Since: 29 Aug 2007
Location: Frome
Posts: 2639

Why??

because it is full of compliments about CSK rather than unhappy customers?

I don't see the harm with both threads myself. They are both full of honest reviews of a company.

We like to bash dealers because we see them as a faceless organisation but for some reason we don't like to bash smaller companys.

Either way, I've never had work done by CSk so can't comment on his workmanship. But as the reviews so far are 50/50, I don't think I'd travel to Sussex to get work done.
I'd rather drive to Wellington and stick it in my mates garage for any work

110 D250 SE HT
110 USW SOLD
RRE HSE Dynamic Gone, wife killed it
VOLVO XC60 R Dynamic with some toys

Polaris RZR 900XP SOLD

18th Dec 2016 9:34pm

custom90

Member Since: 21 Jan 2010
Location: South West, England.
Posts: 19535

I'd hardly say google reviews at 4.7% of 5% is 50/50 or poor.
The majority of his customers are not on here.

But you're right regarding keeping it local if you live this way, it's. Long long way. Diesel$ Live$ Matter. ⛽️🛢️👨‍🔧🧰⚙️ RED, WHITE & BOOST! 🇬🇧

Last edited by custom90 on 18th Dec 2016 9:43pm. Edited 1 time in total

18th Dec 2016 9:38pm

walfy

Member Since: 29 Aug 2007
Location: Frome
Posts: 2639

Didn't do google reviews. Honest reviews from forumers is better than a google review. You never know if it's someone who he has

off in the pub giving a poor review or a family member giving a good one. 110 D250 SE HT
110 USW SOLD
RRE HSE Dynamic Gone, wife killed it
VOLVO XC60 R Dynamic with some toys

Polaris RZR 900XP SOLD

18th Dec 2016 9:43pm

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