Cupra R - too quiet.

[Vtec220]

Really getting to grips with the Cupra R now - just back from a spirited drive, pushing it through the corners - the only thing I dont like atm is its too quiet, for me anyway - there is a lack of a distinctive engine note when driving hard - would be cool if it sounded like a vr6 or something! - anyone else have opinions on this. Cheers.

 

[jedi knight]

How about drilling some holes in your exhaust, that might give it some noise

Only option I think is to change the exhaust and maybe some kind of air-filter, no doubt a Cupra R owner will tell you shortly.

 

[MarkE]

20VT engine is not noted for its engine note - IIRC, it was described as a "flat, tuneless bark" in one review of the LCR and that pretty much sums it up. Even the Cupra Championship race cars sound pretty ordinary*


*although that new one is a bit more like it

 

[sixpot]

Really getting to grips with the Cupra R now - just back from a spirited drive, pushing it through the corners - the only thing I dont like atm is its too quiet, for me anyway - there is a lack of a distinctive engine note when driving hard - would be cool if it sounded like a vr6 or something! - anyone else have opinions on this. Cheers.

I was also feeling exactly the same about my LCR after coming from a Golf VR6 with all the noisey bits!!
So I've now rectified it by having a turbo back Blueflame exhaust system, BMC CDA induction kit, Forge 007P re-circ dump valve, and a stage 2 APR remap done, and now I think it sounds better than the VR!!

 

[CupraJay]

Simple. change the exhaust, and fit a filter if you must.

Off the shelf is usualy the best option, or you could visit an exhaust specialist.

I took my car to pro-speed in cardiff, and had a stainless steel, Mandrel bent exhaust system, including down-pipe, with a revo st-2, and a filter...the car roars and sounds stunning when your foot is down...Sounds nice on tick-over to. Buts its quite subtle untill your foot is down. Just how i like it.

 

[Tantrum]

Bloody Hell sixpot! That must sound psychotic when hammering it thru tunnels!

 

[CupraJay]

Its nice...fortunatly, i live by such a tunel..half a mile long. Regular trips through that tunel are appreciated.

Il be going through it tomorow on my way to westec to fit an intercooler. I look forward to the difference.

The exhaust is a simular set-up to that run on big BHP Skylines. oh, and it also has a sport cat.

 

[Tantrum]

The best sound i have ever heard was my brothers 996 porsche 911 turbo with one off fire spitting turbos flyin through a tunnel in germany that was almost a mile long. but by the sound of your LCR you are close to that!

You should get a recording and put it on line! It will definitely beat my TDI mate

 

[CupraJay]

The best sound i have ever heard was my brothers 996 porsche 911 turbo with one off fire spitting turbos flyin through a tunnel in germany that was almost a mile long. but by the sound of your LCR you are close to that!

You should get a recording and put it on line! It will definitely beat my TDI mate

Lol...never be close to that....my cupra sounds nice..but not porsche nice. Those flat 6's make a lovely sound.

Tell you a car that surprised me, my m8s astra VXR, stage 2...that sounds incredible...fair play to it. A sound recording might not be a bad idea actually.

 

[Tantrum]

my brother runs his own tuning company, he has the new 997 turbo now, god that sounds good. we should run a sound recording contest for Leons. What did you think of the astra vxr, i hear it torque steers quite a bit.

 

[foxes]

My LCR has a Forge turbo intake pipe,coupled to a green filter & Forge D.V.

Sounds brill when changing gears. You can hear the turbo spooling-up- (darth vader syndrome)!

 

[CupraJay]

my brother runs his own tuning company, he has the new 997 turbo now, god that sounds good. we should run a sound recording contest for Leons. What did you think of the astra vxr, i hear it torque steers quite a bit.

To be honest, Jeremy clarkson said that on top gear, and since every1 says it..But its not that true. It manageble...And now its running over 300 ft-lbs torque...and its still ok. Needs a diff though to get the power down fully.

 

[Ruddmeister]

The only thing about changing the exhaust system is that it costs £600-£1,000 makes a tiny difference to the performance (less than 10bhp and maybe better spooling) and the onlt other benefit is it's a little louder.

I could never warrant that kinda money for such little gains.

IMO the money is better spent making the LCR go round corners better cos std suspension is shocking

 

[CupraJay]

The only thing about changing the exhaust system is that it costs £600-£1,000 makes a tiny difference to the performance (less than 10bhp and maybe better spooling) and the onlt other benefit is it's a little louder.

I could never warrant that kinda money for such little gains.

IMO the money is better spent making the LCR go round corners better cos std suspension is shocking

But, your forgeting one thing...the first part of tuning ANY car, should be helping it breath better, and expel gasses better. An exhaust and filter on any car should be first step. Hence thats why stage 1 tuning usualy includes these items.

With an exhaust, downpipe and sport cat, a bit more than 10 bhp is added...and then you are set to add more power later on...An exhaust will compliment all engine mods and in my opinion, is essential.

 

[Ruddmeister]

But, your forgeting one thing...the first part of tuning ANY car, should be helping it breath better, and expel gasses better. An exhaust and filter on any car should be first step. Hence thats why stage 1 tuning usualy includes these items.

With an exhaust, downpipe and sport cat, a bit more than 10 bhp is added...and then you are set to add more power later on...An exhaust will compliment all engine mods and in my opinion, is essential.

No afraid not the first mod on a turbo car is a generic remap/phase 1 remap.

The exhaust tuning theory works great on some cars but the LCR exhaust is a very capable system for over 300bhp.

If you want proof I can show you an SCn rolling road day, two Revo'd LCR's and one is running a full Miltek exhaust....from memory there was about 3bhp difference and 10lbsft torque.

I can also get you VAG COM logs to show the std airbox with a bit of 80mm diameter pipe shoved in one end and a green panel airfilter flows as much G/s as a £180 induction system.

Even with a remap to take advantage of the mod's (plus a 4bar FPR e.g. Revo stage 2) you are lucky to make 10bhp extra.......why I hear you ask?......because the K04 turbo is maxxed out.......if it can't shift more air then you can't flow more.

This is why no K04 LCR has got above 300bhp even with loads of mods (FMIC, Exhaust, Remaps galore etc)

 

[Tantrum]

Gotta agree with Jay on the fact that all other power modswill be ultimately limited by how easily the engine breathes.

However Ruddmeister makes a very solid point power is only any good as long as you can take it through the windy stuff. For proper 'spirited' driving you need to be able to corner confidently and brake later.

THe bhp increase from a zorst and filter depend upon when it is done. If you do it to a standard engine you probably will only get 10 bhp increase but once you have remapped the ecu and made some other engine mods (which you of course have mentioned to your insurance company) then the increase in bhp will be proportionate to that.

think i keep contradicting myself here......

 

[Tantrum]

Ruddmeister were you at the SCN rolling road day featured in Golf+ looked like a wicked day!

 

[CupraJay]

lol..slightly. I do see rudemiesters point. But id still go with an exhaust as a good solid step. Agree with you on the air-box...as in a magority, air box's help produce more power, if not the same as an expensive filter kit. By filter, i ment up-rated panel filter. Sorting a cold air feed is always a winner though.

I agree to disagree with rudemeister as his points are valid..but i beleive so are mine.

 

[Ruddmeister]

Ruddmeister were you at the SCN rolling road day featured in Golf+ looked like a wicked day!

Don't know where was it?

 

[Ruddmeister]

I agree to disagree with rudemeister as his points are valid..but i beleive so are mine.

I also have threads which I will dig out, one guy CoxW on these forums went the route you suggested (He had the LCR splashed the cash)

I had my LCR and went my route and we tested the cars back to back.

Both CoxW and I agreed that the money was better spent my way.