2019 Leon Cupra (290) Hatch - Build Thread

[Adam1101]

Build and general ownership thread for my Leon Cupra 290 in Mystery Blue

The modifications list will get updated in this post as time goes on.

Modifications -
Pipercross foam panel filter (Installed)
Aluminium DSG Paddles extensions (Installed)
Exhaust Modification - Res Delete (Installed)

DSG Gear Knob Carbon Fibre Covers (in the pipeline)
Stage 1 Tune (Potential)
Upgraded Intercooler (Potential)
APR open carbon Intake (Potential)
Dogbone/ Lower Engine Mount (Potential)

 

[Adam1101]

I picked up the new car on Friday, from Kendal Seat. After the 1 hour or so drive home it was safely tucked away in the parking garage, where it pushed the old car out of its home! Absolutely love it, the power delivery is something I still cannot get my head around. I can't begin to imagine what a mapped car is like! I was even more excited at the fact I was setting off to the amazing Scottish roads the next day!

 

[Adam1101]

Me, my other half and the Cupra headed up to Scotland for a long weekend. The car handled the 255miles to Scotland like a treat, hooray for cruise control! The occasional blast when a clear patch of road opened up really showed me what it was capable of! The drive along the A817 and surrounding roads was amazing, I never thought a car like this could hold the roads like it did!

Even with a rainy Scotland, the Cupra still looked amazing!

The amount of fuel this thing drank during the trip however, was not amazing! But this is the sacrifice for such an amazing car. 4 fill ups later and we were heading home!

 

[Adam1101]

Update

During the awful weather a couple months back, I thought I'd show my neglect for the car during this time!

This was taken in the Yorkshire Dales sometime in January/February.

 

[Adam1101]

During the middle of Feb, I decided to bite the bullet and get some paddle extensions. I really wanted the paddle extensions that are full replacements that you can get on the VW MK7R however, the Cupra doesn't have the same style paddles unfortunately! I saw these paddle extensions online for £30.00 however, did a bit of digging on AliExpress and boom, same exact ones, £8.00 with delivery! Bargain.

I think that they finish off the interior, just wish they were full replacements! I dread the time when they need to come off however!

Nice and thin profile and lovely aluminium finish.

 

[Adam1101]

During the lockdown and pandemic, I decided it was time for a bit of breathing modification for the Cupra. I treated it to a new Pipercross panel filter, I know not massive amounts of performance improvement however, I have noticed sharper throttle response! Until the funds become available for a full R600 Box, this will have to do!

Stage 1 of the job, removal of the Airbox cover (I know my engine bay is filthy, I have cleaned it but there's better things to clean at the moment!

Following recommendations I decided to remove the snow grate underneath the air filter too as this has been shown to increase airflow!

As you can see, 17,000 miles of dirt has accumulated on the old air filter.

There is always conflict as to whether aftermarket panel filters improve air flow and performance however, just this image shows the difference in restrictive filter material!

And finally the Pipercross goes in! The fit and finish of the Pipercross foam filter is great!

 

[Marko_33]

Hey,

i have the exact same Cupra but in white. I am considering doing the exact same mods.

Are you worried of water hitting the air filter now that you removed the snow grate?
Please report on the performance after the new filter. Why did you choose Pipercross instead of BMC/K&N for example?
I am also considering drilling dome extra holes on the “closed” side of the air intake for a more direct air flow.
Cheers

 

[Adam1101]

Hey,

i have the exact same Cupra but in white. I am considering doing the exact same mods.

Are you worried of water hitting the air filter now that you removed the snow grate?
Please report on the performance after the new filter. Why did you choose Pipercross instead of BMC/K&N for example?
I am also considering drilling dome extra holes on the “closed” side of the air intake for a more direct air flow.
Cheers

Hey man,

To be honest it hasn't really crossed my mind as a worry as the air is brought in from bottom to top, meaning if any water did get in, it would just sit where the snow grate used to be, which is what would happen if the snow grate was there anyway! Secondly, the aftermarket filter is tiny in comparison to the original filter meaning the only chance water is going to drench the filter is if the filter base fills with water which is extremely unlikely! So I wouldn't personally worry about it!

Now I've heard mixed reviews regarding the drilling and smoothing of the other side of the intake, some say that it causes turbulent air flow in the intake causing less air flow due to the design of the intake. It's not something I have done personally and I don't know much about it but what I do know is that air is fed into the engine from the intake and people have created the hole that you're speaking of and blanked off the engine feed. I know a few people that have done it and there's been no issues.

Regarding filter choice, I've always gone for K&N on all of my previous cars however, I thought I'd mix it up a bit with a foam pipercross and to be honest its a great part, very well built and Pipercross are well known in racing etc. so a trusty brand!

Performance wise, there is an increased throttle response for sure and the intake noise is definitely louder when on wide open throttle, you can really hear the air being sucked in it whistles!

Hope that's somewhat helpful bud.

Cheers

 

[Marko_33]

Thanks for the feedback!

After much research I decided to take out the snow grate. I will not be drilling the extra vents, as some people raised concern regarding the turbulent airflow as you said. I must look deeper into this and I do believe the stock air intake is adequate for now.

Regarding the sport air filter. Does it get dirty fast? And have you noticed any small particles that the filter might be allowing through?

P.S will be getting my res delete in a couple of days. Are you thinking about it or any other mods?

 

[Adam1101]

My New Years Eve consisted of installing a new dashcam that I was gifted for Christmas. Put it this way, I will never, ever, remove the side dash trim again in my life, after it took me 40 mins to get the thing back on correctly! But all in all, a nice quick and tidy installation.

During initial cable routing with my plethora of trim removal tools haha

Piggyback fuse installed in place of the 12V socket fuse, retaining the original switched live orientation.

Previously discussed side access to the dashboard with irritating panel! Will tidy cables up at some point, but will do for now.

Final placement of the NextBase 422GW (1440p). Might play around with the location in the coming months.

 

[Adam1101]

Recently had the resonator deleted to increase the volume of the GPF Cupra! Had it over a month now and can confirm it makes a huge difference! Can actually hear the car when pulling through a tunnel! Would reccomend.