Cupra 280 trackday upgrades

[cs8]

I have DSG 280 Cupra and would like to make some upgrades for a trackday time improvements

I don't have Performance package, so what could be reasonable (price) upgrade beside some good tyres? I don't want to invest much or make heavy mods to the car.

- lighter wheels - which ones?
- brake supgrade?

 

[Major Tom]

Tyres is a must. I upgraded front pads before my first track day so dont know how the oem ones are.

 

[simonsaunders]

If you want to drive at 9/10s and make an occasional and sympathetic foray on track, not much.

Unfortunately, all the obvious choices do not make pads for these yet. With those massive discs, some CLs or Pagid RS* would be great. But as you're out of luck, just make sure you've got loads of meat on the pads and learn how to brake properly (late and hard, not early and elongated).

Watch the oil temp closely... It gets hot under there!

A CG lock will help you stay in your seat.

Drop your tyre pressures so that they match the recommended road pressures once hot.

After that, respond to what the car is telling you and be nice to it.

If you're looking at doing loads of track days (e.g. one a month) and / or want to drive at 10/10s all long, then take whatever money you have and build a dedicated car. The Leon will always be a big, heavy car to track and therefore expensive in consumables and modern cars are not cheap in the first place.

Oh, and insure it on track too. A little off could cost a fortune to fix, especially if all the airbags go off.

A £20 tuition session will make you seconds faster around the track. If you're looking for safe speed, it is always a sound investment.

Check out Dales postings on Bridge to Gantry for more inspiration / advice. That guy hustles a Leon around the 'Ring very quickly with next to no mods.

 

[cs8]

I do a couple of track days per year since I don't have a proper racetrack near home.
Cupra is already a fast car as stock and I know I could still improve my track knowledge.

To save some money, I have 18" alloys from the last gen Cupra for the winter tyres. Do you thing putting some good track tyres to that wheels would be a good option? Or should I stay on 19"? Or buy something lighter?

Regarding oil temp, I got 127°C on the fast lap. At the end of the day during the summer, you can see that the brakes did some heavy work.

 

[simonsaunders]

I do a couple of track days per year since I don't have a proper racetrack near home.
Cupra is already a fast car as stock and I know I could still improve my track knowledge.

To save some money, I have 18" alloys from the last gen Cupra for the winter tyres. Do you thing putting some good track tyres to that wheels would be a good option? Or should I stay on 19"? Or buy something lighter?

Regarding oil temp, I got 127°C on the fast lap. At the end of the day during the summer, you can see that the brakes did some heavy work.

127'C is HOT. Time for an oil cooler really.

Awesome GTi do a conversion to RS3 Brembo calipers on standard discs, might be a good option for a brake upgrade. Probably opens pad choice out too. Wheel choice may become critical.

On a road car, I always question dedicated track rubber, more G-loading will accelerate wear elsewhere...

 

[Lentäjä]

First of all practice how to drive, many tracks offer driving lessons by pro drivers.
That will make you faster than any other modification.

Second i recommend to buy suitable tyres for trackdays, does not make a huge difference if they are 17", 18" or 19" but they offer much better grip versus roadtyres and do not start to slip when heat up.

Third enjoy!

 

[Nobziller]

You can get ds2500s which are a cracking pad and last ages, I would recommend 18s as if you stick to 235/40/-8 you get a slightly bigger sidewall. Change your brake fluid too to rbf600.
Taken mine on track a few times, and it's cracking. Mine undergoing bbk and suspension work, and 500hp before my next day but love them!!