View Full Version : Jabbasport: The aftermath of a day of madness
So. You want to know how i got on? Well for those who didn't read my posts - yesterday i went to Jabbasport, in Crowland EA.
Here's the story, the results and my (as ever) controversial opinions :)
It took about an hour to drive to Crowland, past huge queues of traffic and some puzzled policemen with speed traps as we all drove past at < 40mph in a 60 :) I'd made sure i had optimax in the tank for the Sunday meet, so it was still with me on Monday.
Eventually found Cuttons Close (blink and you'll miss it) and pulled into Jabbasport. It's a small company, with few staff, but boy do they have time for the customer...
Met up with Mike - otherwise known as the mad professor. Having spoke to him previously for 40 plus minutes on the phone it was good to put a face to the voice, and he proved even more knowledgable in person than i'd imagined. Your first impression of the workshop is of people who like the tinker. Mike's golf is jacked up in one corner, with many bits of engine around it, there's Corrados everywhere (they do lots of supercharger work) most of them quite nasty in terms of how they've been looked after (sad really it's a good car). I popped upstairs to a small office above the workshop, the walls are plastered with letters from folk who've had mods, and love what Jabbasport have done with their cars. Impressive.
I'd opted for the Boost Controller plus remap for my car - it gives you the ability to switch back to stock plus adjust boost *as you drive* - there's no need to pull over to play with this. It's a tidy unit, and looks totally anonymous once installed. First step was to find the ECU - it's under the windscreen wipers, so these plus surrounding plastic are removed. Once done - Mike said "what's this?" I looked over - and er.. there was some weird-ass bug on my ECU (not in it). By that i mean the hardware kind - as in the ones that have six legs! Nice to know SEAT are fitting these 'extras' for free isn't it? Bug removed, duely squished under the boot of Mike, time to move on. Next thing noticed was the soundproofing over the ECU was missing clips, in fact it's just hanging into the rain gutter, probably sucking up water over the ECU :( Mike fixes, with spray glue :D As it turns out it wasn't the only thing not fitted so well - Mike noticed that a screw was missing under the dash - and (top man) puts one in for me. I start to wonder if rebuilding my car properly is going to cost extra ;)
Boost controller fitted (i'm being coy about how, but you're welcome to talk privately) onto the Rolling road!
Intial run of the car (weird watching your wheels spin and the car stationary) and Mike looks a bit puzzled. Ask why and it's because SEAT have used the same colour wire in the loom (oh good god). A bit of fiddling and we're back on track. First run pulls 220bhp, i'm grinning like a fool already :) Some twenty (or more) runs later - i've never seen a man more obsessed with getting the best out of a 1.8T - i'm pulling...
Wait...
240 BHP WITH 335nm of torque
And i've got the dyno to prove it. Mike casually mentions it's too warm in the RR room and on the real roads it'll be higher :) My face is begging to hurt from grinning like a mad fool!!!
It doesn't stop there tho as mike takes a heck of a lot of time and effort to get the torque curve just right - no sudden dropoffs. And by that i mean it - there is *no hole* in the powerband on my car.
All in all mike spends over NINE HOURS on my car - questions about customer service become ridiculous :) These people are the BEST.
How's it drive? Well, i got home a lot quicker!! Actually, i'm a little lost for words (no, really) as to how to describe it - it's utterly different from the original map. Perhaps the best way to describe it is as tho you had twin turbos - the midrange is phenomenal, but there's a massive top end to the car at the high end of the rev range. It's amazing. Sixth is silly - it's now an overtaking gear. And yet the car is smooth, refined and happy to dawdle about in traffic. This monster likes to play, but it's quite happy to doze. MPG is looking to be better too (despite my lead foot) - a nice suprise.
I have no question in recommending Jabbasport - nor do i think REVO could of in anyway matched the quality of the map for my car (IMHO). Better than that, Mike really knows the limits of the engine (there aren't many according to him - he really loves the 1.8T) and pushes relatively low pressure into the engine - but look at the results :)
Life just got better. How cool is that for a mere 600quid?
Jimmyboy
04-03-2003, 11:12
Sounds impressive mate. What sort of wear on the turbo and the engine does this inflict? Would it significantly shorten the life or not make much difference?
I'm V. impressed with that. I'm still swaying between Jabba and REVO but this review has opened my eyes.
Any idea if they have done a Leon R yet? Do Jabba hazard a guess what they may achieve on one?
Where is the boost controller sited? Is it visible to people in the car?
Here's to many enjoyable miles with your new toy :cheers:
WOW! Impressive figures Dangel, higher than I would have expected, but I guess your std engine is as strong if not stonger than mine.
335Nm = 247lb/ft for those interested. Nice :D . See if you can get the plots posted, I'd like to see the torque curve.
It's good fun isn't it? Overtaking in 6th is amazing - just squeeze and go. PM please about your boost controller, I'd like to know what it looks like, where mounted, how easy to remove etc, etc. ;)
Originally posted by Jimmyboy
Sounds impressive mate. What sort of wear on the turbo and the engine does this inflict? Would it significantly shorten the life or not make much difference?
No, as i said the pressure levels are very low (the engines limit is about 1.5 [1.6 blows it up]) - i'm pushing a mere 1.15 at most :)
Jimmyboy
04-03-2003, 11:26
That sounds good so if it not near the limit then I guess the life of the engine etc shouldnt be affected any more than if a car has been driven hard.
Are you concerned about warranty issues?
Originally posted by MARRA
Any idea if they have done a Leon R yet? Do Jabba hazard a guess what they may achieve on one?
Where is the boost controller sited? Is it visible to people in the car?
Here's to many enjoyable miles with your new toy :cheers:
Yes they've done an R (but then they've done all things 1.8T - they've done S3s/TTs). I think (although i could be wrong) but 270bhp is certainly possible on that engine.
You can't see the boost controller as a passenger (back or front) it's very discreet and can be easily removed in about 20 seconds (i'll time it if you like ;) )
Originally posted by Getgaff
WOW! Impressive figures Dangel, higher than I would have expected, but I guess your std engine is as strong if not stonger than mine.
335Nm = 247lb/ft for those interested. Nice :D . See if you can get the plots posted, I'd like to see the torque curve.
It's good fun isn't it? Overtaking in 6th is amazing - just squeeze and go. PM please about your boost controller, I'd like to know what it looks like, where mounted, how easy to remove etc, etc. ;)
I'll attempt to scan it in today, but it might have to wait (i have a job to do sadly) Trust me when i say it's smooth and there's no big dropoff at the top end - Mike spent *ages* getting it just right. No substitute for specific mapping eh? :)
Oh, BTW i was only pulling 185bhp previously, and the engine had less than 4k on it :eek:
Originally posted by Jimmyboy
That sounds good so if it not near the limit then I guess the life of the engine etc shouldnt be affected any more than if a car has been driven hard.
Are you concerned about warranty issues?
Mike reckons the std parts are up to 310bhp (with IHI turbo) and he should know ;) I don't have any worries about it blowing up - one of the reasons i chose jabbasport was to get things done just right for my engine.
Warranty? It's invisible IMHO :D
Oh and one more thing - i went out in Jabba's demo Ibiza - 350bhp IHI turbo. Oh. My. God. It's sooooo good. It was running on 'low boost' but it scared the life out of me - what was even more amazing was the lack of traction problems - it's just so drivable. It just feels like a huge V6 - no lag, just power.
;)
LEO LION R
04-03-2003, 11:43
A nice bit of reading there, sounds like the best tuning option possible, just one hell of a treck for us in Scotland.
you say it is possible for 1.5 bar, but i thought the Cupra had a K03 turbo which topped out at lower than 1.5 (K04 territory is 1.5) ?
£600 and that includes VAT & switchable option & boost controller, makes REVO positively extortionate at £880 for similar !:eek:
:cheers:
:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:
185bhp to 240bhp!!!! Holy Undercrackers, that is some feat. +55bhp for £600. Great value for money.
Jabba or REVO, Jabba or REVO? Decisions, decisions... :)
Black20VT
04-03-2003, 12:25
Hi Dangel,
Originally posted by dangel
I'd opted for the Boost Controller plus remap for my car - it gives you the ability to switch back to stock plus adjust boost *as you drive* - there's no need to pull over to play with this.
It sounds very impressive and you sound extremely pleased!
Just a couple of questions;
1. If you remove the boost controller, for say, a visit to the dealer, is there temporarily a hole where it once was?
2. If you set it back to stock mode and remove the boost controller, would the dealer be able to spot the upgrade? Ie. The replacement chip?
:dunno:
One thing I like about the idea of REVO, is it stealthness. How does he Jobba mod compare? (I still have 2 years warranty you see?
:cheers:
Dangle
I am booked in for remap and boost controller like you have!
Jabba have been waiting for the encryption code for my ECU as they are different on the R’s
Mine will be the first R to be done at Jabba I think!
Does yours automatically revert to stock mode when the variable boost knob is removed?
The reason I am going down the Jabbasport route is I really want to be able to adjust the boost on the move!
:D
Originally posted by Darren
Dangle
I am booked in for remap and boost controller like you have!
Jabba have been waiting for the encryption code for my ECU as they are different on the R’s
Mine will be the first R to be done at Jabba I think!
Does yours automatically revert to stock mode when the variable boost knob is removed?
The reason I am going down the Jabbasport route is I really want to be able to adjust the boost on the move!
:D
When? When? When?:cheers:
MARRA
I booked it up last year but to be done on the 15th Jan this year…
Jabba have been waiting on the codes which they now have and I am booked in now on the 14th of this month…
Revo through a real spanner in the works when they launched the SPS remaps and I have thought long and hard about it! Driven the misses round the bend should I shouldn’t I!!!
She wants to be able to turn it down when she gets in it (which is rare)!
When she drives her mini she is flat out everywhere! She jumped in mine one day on a Monday morning to go to work and I had a call at lunch time saying that she had scared herself shitless.
:D
I'm like you, I was all for APR end of last year, then REVO came along but had to wait that long for all the info. etc. to come through and in the meantime I'm being drawn towards Jabba.
At the moment I'm like that little kid on the McCain advert - REVO or JABBA? Daddy or chips? REVO or JABBA? Daddy or chips? It's driving me crazy, I think I'll sectioned long before getting it done.
:confused:
Originally posted by LEO LION R
you say it is possible for 1.5 bar, but i thought the Cupra had a K03 turbo which topped out at lower than 1.5 (K04 territory is 1.5) ?
The KO3 and KO4 are so similar is silly - hence the reason why Jabba aren't bothering with KO4 conversions - you won't gain enough. The 1.5 limit (which i believe REVO push...) is for the engine, so yeah it's more than likely the KO4 can only push that much. It's the same engine tho, so i wouldn't want tolerances so close to the edge...
It's driving me crazy
Same here. I've quickly drawn up this, please feel free to add to it:
REVO
+ stealth technology
+ simple switching between programmes
- expensive
JABBA
+ chip specifically mapped to suit the engine
+ high power gains
+ £200 plus cheaper than REVO
- not wholly stealth
For me these are the only 2 companies worth considering. The problem is for the price of a REVO program I could upgrade my brakes AND have it Jabba'd.
REVO or Jabba? Daddy or chips? Ah b*ll*x, you've got me started now...
Originally posted by Wannabe
Hi Dangel,
It sounds very impressive and you sound extremely pleased!
Just a couple of questions;
1. If you remove the boost controller, for say, a visit to the dealer, is there temporarily a hole where it once was?
2. If you set it back to stock mode and remove the boost controller, would the dealer be able to spot the upgrade? Ie. The replacement chip?
:dunno:
One thing I like about the idea of REVO, is it stealthness. How does he Jobba mod compare? (I still have 2 years warranty you see?
1. No, there's no cutting in the dash to fit it :)
2. Of course if they open the ECU it's going to be obvious, however ECU problems usually mean they just buy a new unit it and swap it thesedays - and the VAG ECUs have dropped massively in pricing (according to Mike).
REVO is obviously less apparent, that's it's pro. It's con is the generic map. Personally i'm ok with the Jabba route - i don't feel i'll be hassled by my dealer because of it.
Originally posted by Darren
Dangle
I am booked in for remap and boost controller like you have!
Jabba have been waiting for the encryption code for my ECU as they are different on the R’s
Mine will be the first R to be done at Jabba I think!
Does yours automatically revert to stock mode when the variable boost knob is removed?
The reason I am going down the Jabbasport route is I really want to be able to adjust the boost on the move!
:D
AFAIK they've already done an R (a yellow one at that) so it should be fine. The MY2003 had the same problem (wait for new codes) but i had no problems :)
Stock mode is easy to set yes :)
Originally posted by Getgaff
Same here. I've quickly drawn up this, please feel free to add to it:
REVO
+ stealth technology
+ simple switching between programmes
- expensive
JABBA
+ chip specifically mapped to suit the engine
+ high power gains
+ £200 plus cheaper than REVO
- not wholly stealth
For me these are the only 2 companies worth considering. The problem is for the price of a REVO program I could upgrade my brakes AND have it Jabba'd.
REVO or Jabba? Daddy or chips? Ah b*ll*x, you've got me started now...
...you'll need the brakes :D :D :D
...you'll need the brakes
Tell me about it! You end up arriving at hazards far, far faster than before. The smell coming off my brakes during my last 15min rag was incredible :D
I have to say I'm quite jealous of all of you who have the K03 sport turbo's, so much more power available. I'll have to be content with my 2000 Leon and its' standard K03 and only 210 BHP.
Thanks for the post Timbo - very interesting reading. Would appreciate a PM about the boost controller. Did you find out anything more about MY03 vs MY02 differences? I think I might just have to give Mike a ring ;)
Peter
PS: I have the AUQ engine - supposed to have the K03 with the K04 impeller
PPS: whereabouts in Cambs are you? Any chance I could take a look at it (boost controller)?
:cheers:
Originally posted by dreamer
I have to say I'm quite jealous of all of you who have the K03 sport turbo's, so much more power available. I'll have to be content with my 2000 Leon and its' standard K03 and only 210 BHP.
Hey, that's as much as a Cupra R :) Still nice..
Originally posted by PeterS
Thanks for the post Timbo - very interesting reading. Would appreciate a PM about the boost controller. Did you find out anything more about MY03 vs MY02 differences? I think I might just have to give Mike a ring ;)
Peter
PS: I have the AUQ engine - supposed to have the K03 with the K04 impeller
PPS: whereabouts in Cambs are you? Any chance I could take a look at it (boost controller)?
:cheers:
Peter: PM me and i'll sort out a 'viewing' no problems whatsoever :) No-one's really sure what the diffs are but i'm sure of: wheels, exhaust (better i *think*) and KO3/KO4 hybrid (but this may have been available pre-03 and post 00 if i'm reading right..
LEO LION R
04-03-2003, 14:12
180HP charger : K03, max. pres. 1.05 bar, can be pushed to 220HP on SUL
210HP charger : K04, max. pres. 1.56 bar, can be pushed to 256HP on SUL from nfnot @ http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=12347&highlight=K03+K04
some other interesting reading about the turbo's
http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=12776&highlight=K03+K04
and best info of all http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=8770&highlight=K03+K04
:cheers:
REVO or JABBA? Daddy or chips?........
Nearest REVO is 295 miles round trip, JABBA is 500+
But I'll have those lovely dynoplots to show the wife that it's money well spent. Do you get a before and after graph? If so I'll have to get some new picture frames for the mantle-piece.
Daddy or chips? REVO or JABBA?............
Originally posted by LEO LION R
180HP charger : K03, max. pres. 1.05 bar, can be pushed to 220HP on SUL
210HP charger : K04, max. pres. 1.56 bar, can be pushed to 256HP on SUL from nfnot @ http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=12347&highlight=K03+K04
some other interesting reading about the turbo's
http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=12776&highlight=K03+K04
and best info of all http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=8770&highlight=K03+K04
:cheers:
LEO good info but doesn't add up for me cos mine peaks at 1.15 bar :D 1.56bar :eek: a bit close to bending bits of engine methinks...
Glad to hear you're enjoying it Tim. We'll have to meet up sometime, as we're so close.
LEO LION R
04-03-2003, 16:22
LEO good info but doesn't add up for me cos mine peaks at 1.15 bar :D 1.56bar :eek: a bit close to bending bits of engine methinks...
I think you are right, but i just can't (and don't know) the info about it.
If the K03/K04 hybrid was as good as or better than the K04 then i imagine that they'd only use that one.
240bhp / 247lbft is very impressive indeed from a Cupra, from a standard 185bhp engine.
Same sort of overall increase result in upgrading as Revo for the Cupra R, 210bhp to 265bhp & 199lbft TO 287lbft = + 55bhp / + 88lbft (Yours + 55bhp (60) / + 74lbft ) for a lot less money and idividually tuned, not generic.
:cheers:
Pagnobito
04-03-2003, 16:41
All this talk......
I um and er about which one........
Well I've gone and booked my pride and joy in for a little fettle at Jabba.
GIVE IT SOME!
Originally posted by whelme
Glad to hear you're enjoying it Tim. We'll have to meet up sometime, as we're so close.
Oddly enuff it's looking like a mini-meet for thur as PeterS and GetGaff both want a gander... Maybe i should organize something informal eh?
Originally posted by Pagnobito
All this talk......
I um and er about which one........
Well I've gone and booked my pride and joy in for a little fettle at Jabba.
GIVE IT SOME!
Tell Mike I sent you :) You know it makes sense...
Originally posted by LEO LION R
LEO good info but doesn't add up for me cos mine peaks at 1.15 bar :D 1.56bar :eek: a bit close to bending bits of engine methinks...
I think you are right, but i just can't (and don't know) the info about it.
If the K03/K04 hybrid was as good as or better than the K04 then i imagine that they'd only use that one.
240bhp / 247lbft is very impressive indeed from a Cupra, from a standard 185bhp engine.
Same sort of overall increase result in upgrading as Revo for the Cupra R, 210bhp to 265bhp & 199lbft TO 287lbft = + 55bhp / + 88lbft (Yours + 55bhp (60) / + 74lbft ) for a lot less money and idividually tuned, not generic.
:cheers:
Yeah it's very confusing this turbo business. I'm astonished at getting that much from a std. cupra :) At least with Jabba you *know* what you got, not just an estimate and all that. Different engines give quite different results!
I know Mike said 270bhp for the R engine is do-able :)
To say my car is quick is an understatement tho... woof YEAH BABY!!!
Pagnobito
04-03-2003, 16:54
When I was talking about gettin mine booked in Mike said he had just done a Leon R and it came out at 272BHP, and a flat torque curve of 255lb/ft.
I want some of that. I may say that you sent me dangel, but I was sort of thinking about this for a while ;)
Black20VT
04-03-2003, 17:17
Hi Dangel,
Originally posted by dangel
1. No, there's no cutting in the dash to fit it :)
2. Of course if they open the ECU it's going to be obvious, however ECU problems usually mean they just buy a new unit it and swap it thesedays - and the VAG ECUs have dropped massively in pricing (according to Mike).
Does that mean they've changed the way the controller is fitted? From what I can remember when I went out in the Jabba'd Ibiza about a year ago now, it had a hole cut in the plastic trim that it fitted through.
Do you have any photo's of the boost controller in place and out of place that you can post up?
Also, how do you put the car in stock mode? Does it happen automatically on the removal of the controller, or is there some other way?
What happens if on the off chance the dealer was to remove the ECU? Wouldn't you be back to square one with Jabba?
Sorry for so many questions, I'm just really interested. It's a shame Jabba aren't present on here like REVO.
:cheers:
Oddly enuff it's looking like a mini-meet for thur as PeterS and GetGaff both want a gander...
Heh - I mentioned it to CambridgeBlue too - he's also keen to come along, mentioned bringing along VAG-COM.
I'm pretty flexible as to when - just need to check with my better half.
Peter
PS Timbo - you going to post them there plots? :D
Originally posted by Wannabe
Hi Dangel,
Does that mean they've changed the way the controller is fitted? From what I can remember when I went out in the Jabba'd Ibiza about a year ago now, it had a hole cut in the plastic trim that it fitted through.
Do you have any photo's of the boost controller in place and out of place that you can post up?
Also, how do you put the car in stock mode? Does it happen automatically on the removal of the controller, or is there some other way?
What happens if on the off chance the dealer was to remove the ECU? Wouldn't you be back to square one with Jabba?
Sorry for so many questions, I'm just really interested. It's a shame Jabba aren't present on here like REVO.
:cheers:
I'm not going to say too much about the BC unit but it is inconspicous and can be easily removed, and there's no holes
in your dash.
I'm sure jabba would be sympathetic to ECU failure anyway...
Jabba would like to be on here (i'm sure), but when and if you go there you'll see how busy they are and how little time they have (poor old mike doesn't have enough R&D time as is).
CambridgeBlue
04-03-2003, 17:25
Yep I'm up for it, can bring VAG comm if it's b4 Friday. Can't bring my car sadly as it's only got 3 coil packs :-(
Mark
Hello Mark :wave: . A VAG-COM fiddle would be nice :)
...you'll see how busy they are and how little time they have (poor old mike doesn't have enough R&D time as is).
I suspect they'll be even busier after today ;)
CambridgeBlue
04-03-2003, 17:31
Hi Getgaff
VAG comm has to be before Friday though as I'm changing jobs and have to hand laptop back on Friday :-(
How does Thursday suit people?
Thursday's good for me.
Edited to say see here for more details. (http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14638)
Originally posted by Wannabe
Hi Dangel,
Does that mean they've changed the way the controller is fitted? From what I can remember when I went out in the Jabba'd Ibiza about a year ago now, it had a hole cut in the plastic trim that it fitted through.
Do you have any photo's of the boost controller in place and out of place that you can post up?
Also, how do you put the car in stock mode? Does it happen automatically on the removal of the controller, or is there some other way?
What happens if on the off chance the dealer was to remove the ECU? Wouldn't you be back to square one with Jabba?
Sorry for so many questions, I'm just really interested. It's a shame Jabba aren't present on here like REVO.
:cheers:
There's no holes on the Ibiza either, I'll e-mail you some pics of mine.
Originally posted by CambridgeBlue
Hi Getgaff
VAG comm has to be before Friday though as I'm changing jobs and have to hand laptop back on Friday :-(
How does Thursday suit people?
Hey there Cambridgeblue :) Yeah follow getgaffs link for the meet, most welcome, esp. with vagcom too :) Whooo!!
:cheers:
Why all the mystery with the boost controller??
Anyway, Mike extracted 228bhp from my otherwise, virtually stock Beetle. And it goes very nicely :) Gonna go back some day soon for the boost controller to be fitted. So I am curious to know more about it. I dont come here to read half a story you know, I want the whole thing. So, out with it! :D
Paul
Black20VT
05-03-2003, 19:13
Hi Dangel,
Originally posted by dangel
I'm not going to say too much about the BC unit but it is inconspicous and can be easily removed, and there's no holes
in your dash.
Why can you not say to much or show me pictures? :dunno:
I've seen the boost controller both physically and on photos, but I've not seen one removed.
Can you not do a couple of pictures of the controller in place, and removed. I'd like to see what I'm getting for my money if I go down that route.
Just wondering what's it's like in stealth mode.
:cheers:
Chris.
REVO or JABBA? Daddy or chips?.....
At the moment I'm edging towards JABBA just for the individual tuning aspect of it. Plus the £280 left in my pocket.
The only problem is the 5 hour journey each way, but that's the price...
I've noticed that JABBA deal with Bailey re-circ. valves, are they as good as Forge valves. Or should I fit a Forge valve before going?
I'll leave my final decision 'til after Darren has had his R fettled, if he would be so kind as to give us a load of feedback as Dangel has. (Plus scanned dynoplots)
:cheers:
Originally posted by Darren
Will do MARRRA:D
Top man:cheers:
MARRA
I have postponed my JABBA day.
I am running with the Revo trial at the mo!
Still keeping my options open…
Back to REVO or JABBA? Daddy or chips?....;)
I'll wager that you go for REVO, it's in now and if you like, which you are bound to, then you'll keep.
Have you got the bodywork sorted yet?
Daddy or chips?... I think I'm still edging towards JABBA as I want the proof of the power gains and I've never seen a rolling road in action. Only problem is the 5 hour journey each way:(
:cheers:
Originally posted by Pagnobito
All this talk......
I um and er about which one........
Well I've gone and booked my pride and joy in for a little fettle at Jabba.
GIVE IT SOME!
When are you getting yours done Mike?:cheers: