OliverJ's Leon Cupra R : OZ AP Racing upgrades...

[oliverj]

As you hold this man's word in high respect perhaps ask him before you set your mind on changing these. If you don't spend the money on these you can get those R888's and alloys you've spoken about.
Or give Gary at Piper a shout about that exhaust system

He he, I will have to pass it by him (like a missus) as he is logical and keeps me on the ground. Plan is to get the R888s and new wheels around Christmas as they will be not in such demand due to weather and hopefully cheaper - I can then start to prepare for my track career next year! I'll most likely get one of these as they are such great value:

http://www.circuit-days.co.uk/content.php?page_id=25&ttl=Circuit_Days_-_Annual_Memberships

The exhaust I am happy to hold off on as I have a new rear courtesy of Seats bizarre warranty. Maybe something to sort when I start to make the car more track focussed. It is comical how people comment that I make no noise when i go past them on the track - Ghost Driver!

 

[oliverj]

Its fair enough that thoughts your havcing about the handling of the car, I'm very keen to find out what the ideal set up is for the LCR.
Initially I really wanted to get uprated springs and shocks and keep the same ride height but am finding it very difficult to even find the spring rate for the standard springs.
I asked one of the big suppliers on here about it, they didn't know even though they sell an uprated suspension system for the LCR????
How can you sell an uprated suystem if you don't know what the standard spring rate is???
But TBH with the front ARB changed to 23mm R32 one and KWV3's fitted I don't think it will fall short of the ideal set up for our cars.

Midnight manouvers would be good, isn't that what the 'B' roads are for

Wouldn't it be nice if manufacturers released a car and a spec sheet of exactly what was the best way to optimise it. My instructor's colleague has a 911 996 GT3 and he takes it to Tech9 : http://www.tech9.ms/index2.html

He races in competitions and won first in class at Donington recently but his last service (including overhaul and replacement of certain parts) cost him a non-too shabby £9K!!!! His GT3 is so focussed it has plates on it to completely dial out all understeer, the spec list is phenomenal - I would love a go in it one day or maybe hopefully even own my own

There is a Bugatti Veyron the next road down from me, I have spotted him only once but i am keen to make friends with him. he has a child with the woman who lives opposite me and a handsome collection of (rumour has it) 13 super cars!!!!

There are some great roads around Nottingham and Loughborough that I have vented some frustrations on.

 

[oliverj]

Now there is an offer........if i'm free i'd love to meet up

I need full approval from the wife first so try and give me some notice....

Well I spoke to Donington yesterday and due to me not booking in time I am 12th on the reserve list for 14th September. There is a chance I will get on track as they do get cancellations so I will let you know.

All you need is a helmet and I think £35 to them as an additional driver. If I book with Circuit Days they don't charge for extras but their next Donny day is November!

You could just tell the missus you are going shopping

 

[Ruddmeister]

Ok, we'll compromise - let me do a few more days at Donington with the car as she is and see if I can improve her handling through my driving technique, if not I will get the ARBs upgraded but at least then I should be capable enough to feel the difference...

I'm in a philisophical mood.......

In your mind it appears you think ARB's are an 'add on' that makes the LCR something it's not, something to mask your ability behind the wheel and perhaps a bit of a cheat?.

In my mind ARB's allow you to utilise the grip of all 4 tyres better thus making more of what you already have, it's not about masking a bad setup but more about optimising the componenets of the original. The additional grip and balance of the car with ARB's will then in turn give you confidence in the ability of your car and through confidence your driving will improve.

That's my view anyway

I hope it's not 14th Sept as the Saturday before I am on the beer big time on the Saturday and will be in not fit state to drive..........or that's the plan

 

[Willie]

I'm in a philisophical mood.......

In your mind it appears you think ARB's are an 'add on' that makes the LCR something it's not, something to mask your ability behind the wheel and perhaps a bit of a cheat?.

In my mind ARB's allow you to utilise the grip of all 4 tyres better thus making more of what you already have, it's not about masking a bad setup but more about optimising the componenets of the original. The additional grip and balance of the car with ARB's will then in turn give you confidence in the ability of your car and through confidence your driving will improve.

That's my view anyway

I hope it's not 14th Sept as the Saturday before I am on the beer big time on the Saturday and will be in not fit state to drive..........or that's the plan

I see it this way aswell.
Like I was trying to say with the cold slicks, whats the point of holding your self and the car back??
All you'll prove to your self is that you can handle a car that has sub standard handling, then you'll improve the handling and have to prove to yourself all over again that nyou can handle a car with good handling.

I know why you don't want to fit these truely

It's all down to your guy who has the standard LCR's

You want to prove to him that you can handle the standard car, which is fair enough

 

[oliverj]

I'm in a philisophical mood.......

In your mind it appears you think ARB's are an 'add on' that makes the LCR something it's not, something to mask your ability behind the wheel and perhaps a bit of a cheat?.

In my mind ARB's allow you to utilise the grip of all 4 tyres better thus making more of what you already have, it's not about masking a bad setup but more about optimising the componenets of the original. The additional grip and balance of the car with ARB's will then in turn give you confidence in the ability of your car and through confidence your driving will improve.

That's my view anyway

I hope it's not 14th Sept as the Saturday before I am on the beer big time on the Saturday and will be in not fit state to drive..........or that's the plan

It makes perfect sense what you say - I see no reason why I shouldn't give the ARB's a shot. I am actually quite excited about better utilising the handling and improved balance. I have noticed a more spritely feel since removing the back seats etc but she also feels a little squirrely now and not quite so sure-footed. I do believe I may have lost some rigidity in the shell?!?!?!!?

Thank you for your patience

No word as yet on the next Donny day but I will give you plenty of notice (it is provisionally the 14th Sept - next one will be Oct sometime). Be great to meet up.

 

[oliverj]

I see it this way aswell.
Like I was trying to say with the cold slicks, whats the point of holding your self and the car back??
All you'll prove to your self is that you can handle a car that has sub standard handling, then you'll improve the handling and have to prove to yourself all over again that nyou can handle a car with good handling.

I know why you don't want to fit these truely

It's all down to your guy who has the standard LCR's

You want to prove to him that you can handle the standard car, which is fair enough

He he - ganging up on me won't help as I will just report you to one of the admins

My man has shown me how capable the car is in his hands and it is appears like she is a different car when he drives her. He is so smooth and slick with shifts and direction changes, it feels effortless and she responds to it beautifully. Then we swap over and I may as well be driving with my feet tied!

I am handicapped by my own impatience and frustrations to achieve what he has!

I am keen to learn the hard way and appreciate the addition of upgrades to better improve the performance when i understand what I am improving and can feel the difference.

I will concede and look into the ARB's with a view to fitting some soon. I do feel like I need to tighten the rear up again and I may replace the tyres before the next Donny day. My confidence took a bit of a kicking considering how lame I was during the afternoon sessiosn last week - it was embarassing.

I need to get back on the horse!

 

[Willie]

One of my mates wqas doing a 1/4 mile sprint at the weekend with his 330BHP ish MK2 Leon Cupra. One of the sprintsd he was up against a ITR with R888's, he has Good Year Eagle F1 Assymetrics. Surprisingly enough he got better traction, a better start and a better time.

I'm going to continue to use these initially for my track days and see how they pan out.

I know the forces, traction need etc is very different between a 1/4 mile sprint and a track day but found this very surprising.
Infact of all the FWD car hes seemed to get the best traction of all of them. This was only matched by a Astra GSI with slicks

So I was right then about your track man and your car then

 

[Ruddmeister]

He he - ganging up on me won't help as I will just report you to one of the admins

LOL you could try and report it but I may just have to abuse my powers and delete your objections

 

[oliverj]

One of my mates wqas doing a 1/4 mile sprint at the weekend with his 330BHP ish MK2 Leon Cupra. One of the sprintsd he was up against a ITR with R888's, he has Good Year Eagle F1 Assymetrics. Surprisingly enough he got better traction, a better start and a better time.

I'm going to continue to use these initially for my track days and see how they pan out.

I know the forces, traction need etc is very different between a 1/4 mile sprint and a track day but found this very surprising.
Infact of all the FWD car hes seemed to get the best traction of all of them. This was only matched by a Astra GSI with slicks

So I was right then about your track man and your car then

Interesting stuff young man! Maybe it is worth me looking into the GoodYear F1s... the Michelins are expensive although very capable but I would like to get something more track focussed rather than an all rounder and keep the Michelins for the road. I'll look into some costs as the the OZ ultras should be back in stock soon and as we are edging towards the end of the year there may be some bargains to be had!?!?!??!

I am impressed with 330BHP through the Cupra! I hope he has upgraded the standard brake set-up? It seemed daft to me to resolve the issue of the Brembos warping the Leon Cupra discs so they decided to downgrade the callipers as a resolution!

Yes, you were right

 

[oliverj]

LOL you could try and report it but I may just have to abuse my powers and delete your objections

The way i see it I am screwed either way

The good news is I am now the proud owner of a CBT! I passed yesterday after an intense day on a Honda CG 125! Next step is my Direct Access, theory test and then the sky's the limit!! Watch this space.....

 

[oliverj]

I'm in a philisophical mood.......

In your mind it appears you think ARB's are an 'add on' that makes the LCR something it's not, something to mask your ability behind the wheel and perhaps a bit of a cheat?.

In my mind ARB's allow you to utilise the grip of all 4 tyres better thus making more of what you already have, it's not about masking a bad setup but more about optimising the componenets of the original. The additional grip and balance of the car with ARB's will then in turn give you confidence in the ability of your car and through confidence your driving will improve.

That's my view anyway

I hope it's not 14th Sept as the Saturday before I am on the beer big time on the Saturday and will be in not fit state to drive..........or that's the plan

Sunday 9th November booked for Donny!! That gives you time to devise a cunning plan to get permission from the missus!!

 

[Willie]

Interesting stuff young man! Maybe it is worth me looking into the GoodYear F1s... the Michelins are expensive although very capable but I would like to get something more track focussed rather than an all rounder and keep the Michelins for the road. I'll look into some costs as the the OZ ultras should be back in stock soon and as we are edging towards the end of the year there may be some bargains to be had!?!?!??!

I am impressed with 330BHP through the Cupra! I hope he has upgraded the standard brake set-up? It seemed daft to me to resolve the issue of the Brembos warping the Leon Cupra discs so they decided to downgrade the callipers as a resolution!

Yes, you were right

It's a MK2 Leon and the brakes are way better than the LCR's

 

[oliverj]

I think we might be having another disagreement, the brakes are very grabby and the same as those on the Golf R32 aren't they?

I would not dispute their overall performance against the stock set-up on the LCR but not sure if the callipers are comparible....

 

[oliverj]

How can a set of brakes that cost £555 at dealer prices be better than those that cost £1K (for the Brembo GT kit)....

http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?t=186468

Over to you!

 

[Willie]

The brakes do seem over servo'd but are very good

There we have an agreement.......
For once

 

[oliverj]

From reading reviews they do say that once you get used to the braking force it can be controlled very effectively... I think they would need some attention for track use - not sure if the standard disks are up to it and they are not as pretty as the Brembos...

 

[Willie]

Aye, that another thing on my list of jobs to do.
Refurbish my calipers and change the pipes, might even get braided hoses

 

[oliverj]

I have asked for a cost from the dealer in the posting below for new callipers (looks like he can do some good prices), if they are reasonable I may consider just swapping and sorting mine then selling on. If not I will look towards replacing with something else.

http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?t=186468

I would look to put some Goodrich on mine when I next have major work done. Might be able to sort the ARBs before my next full day at Donny in November. Be nice to do one or two before then but need to see if there are any spaces. Your list of jobs on the LCR is growing

Have you made a decision on the gear box yet?

 

[Willie]

Gear box will be staying as it is just now. I will re torque these bolts and keep an eye on these.
If I had known this was going to be a problem I would have coated it when I bought the car.

Goodridge sounds like plan. Kepp everything tight