Ibiza Cupra Front End Swap

[e_cupra]

My Ibiza Cupra...

Where to start? Has a long story behind it but let’s start with where I’m up to with it at the minute.

So I had the bright idea of swapping from the facelift to pre-facelift front end as I have always liked the pre-face models better but have always been put off when a good friend had a lot of issues with the ones he owned.

Start point:

Current standing (22/12/2020)

I’ve had to completely re-wire the loom for the headlights and fog lights and this is still a work in progress as I’m still not happy with the job that’s done.

But as for that it has been a very straight forward process. Plenty more plans for the build and not just leaving it with the front swap.

Got the Seat Sport side skirts waiting to be sprayed and fitted but as you can tell they aren’t the only parts that need spraying. Yes the bumper and bonnet are going to be colour matched to the car.

Projector conversion for the headlights is looking likely for the new year but I’m still unsure on this as of yet. Half cage, bucket seats and harnesses planned for a change to the interior as well as the steering wheel and some other custom bits which I’m keeping up my sleeve for now.

As with any project plans could change but I will update this thread to keep anyone who’s interested in the loop.

Any questions I’m more than happy to answer as best I can.


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[Syphon]

Hi - wow cool project de-facelifting it. I like them both personally, but do think the pre-front has the edge

Interested how this progresses!

Cheers,

Scott

 

[e_cupra]

Hi - wow cool project de-facelifting it. I like them both personally, but do think the pre-front has the edge

Interested how this progresses!

Cheers,

Scott

Hi Scott,

I’m unsure if it has been done before as from my research before jumping into this led me to believe that it’s not been done as of yet.

I agree with you on liking both but there is just something about the pre-front that gets me.

Will have more content coming soon as I’m due to be finishing up the wiring which I have heavily documented in case anyone else is looking to do the same.


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[Syphon]

Yes I'm not sure if it's been done before, it if had there's a good chance someone on here would have done it.

How do you fancy putting a guide together on the process for other members in our resources section? I'm sure a step-by-step process would be of interest to others who might be looking to do the same thing? If you need any tips on putting a guide together @Lozzy15 is our resources master

Cheers,

Scott

 

[e_cupra]

I did look on here extensively before going ahead with it as I thought the exact same! I’ve had plenty of my issues and concerns sorted with a quick gander on this forum.

I’ll be definitely up for doing a guide on it! I’ve been heavily documenting each step and once complete I’ll be more than happy to release a guide. Most likely need a few pointers as I’m a bit of a newbie to this forum stuff.


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[Syphon]

Awesome thanks. Your best bet is to keep a log in a reader's ride thread and when you're happy @Lozzy15 can help with setting up a guide.

Cheers,

Scott

 

[e_cupra]

Appreciate that Scott! Will keep taking pictures as I go and making notes for the details.

Then will put a guide together.


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[e_cupra]

So early Xmas present for the Cupra, and myself I guess...

Excuse the fact the car needs a good clean

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[Deleted member 128267]

This is Wicked, sure this conversion ain’t been done before as I did search extensively for it!

 

[e_cupra]

This is Wicked, sure this conversion ain’t been done before as I did search extensively for it!

Cheers mate!

Yeah I keep digging but nothing to be found, even on the foreign forum pages like turkey and Greece where some of the maddest builds exist for the Ibiza platform.

Pretty cool to think I could be the first.


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[e_cupra]

So these past few days I have been experimenting with carbon fibre. I’m completely new to any composites and thought I’d give it a go.

The whole process went pretty smoothly and I think it’s a case for me to get more practice in and I will nail the techniques to make the process quick and easy as well as having a really good looking outcome.

Putting them back on the car was such a good feeling, especially the fact I had done the work. It may only be a skinned part but none the less I loved doing it and was super happy with the outcome even if it wasn’t perfect.


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[Nicholas Ellis]

So these past few days I have been experimenting with carbon fibre. I’m completely new to any composites and thought I’d give it a go.

The whole process went pretty smoothly and I think it’s a case for me to get more practice in and I will nail the techniques to make the process quick and easy as well as having a really good looking outcome.

Putting them back on the car was such a good feeling, especially the fact I had done the work. It may only be a skinned part but none the less I loved doing it and was super happy with the outcome even if it wasn’t perfect.


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Do the other bit of door trim to match and that will look spot on ? ??

 

[e_cupra]

Which bit mate? I didn’t do the underneath as I have another idea for that, when I fitted them I did think to do the top bit where the window buttons are.

Got plenty of carbon fibre left so I am looking to do more parts but trying to keep it looking like it was optional extra from the factory so not wanting to go over the top.


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[Nicholas Ellis]

Which bit mate? I didn’t do the underneath as I have another idea for that, when I fitted them I did think to do the top bit where the window buttons are.

Got plenty of carbon fibre left so I am looking to do more parts but trying to keep it looking like it was optional extra from the factory so not wanting to go over the top.


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the bit circled in red, agree with the factory extra type theme, too much would spoil it

 

[e_cupra]

That bit I 100% agree with you on!

I will get onto doing that bit next for sure, I’m gonna be doing some more experimenting soon as I’ve got a few ideas and there isn’t much on the market for the interior.


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[Nicholas Ellis]

That bit I 100% agree with you on!

I will get onto doing that bit next for sure, I’m gonna be doing some more experimenting soon as I’ve got a few ideas and there isn’t much on the market for the interior.


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Given me the idea to carbon skin my front splitter. Gonna look into get a starter kit and practicing on some smaller items first

 

[e_cupra]

Go for it mate! Definitely start small but there’s so many possibilities with it and it can turn out really good.


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[e_cupra]

So here’s a recent purchase, one I wasn’t expecting to come across at all however very lucky indeed.

A set of genuine Cupra Pre-facelift xenon headlights. When I purchased them I was quite optimistic if they would be the genuine thing but when they arrived and I could see the black internals. So I was quite happy and then to find the bulbs all in place even more of a bargain, now they have been tinted and I am planning have the tint removed and then have the headlights restored to get them really cleaned up, unsure if I would have the tint redone though?

Got plenty coming up now that the weather is getting better and I’ve got everything that needs doing listed and I am much clearer on where the build is going to go once this de-facelift has been completed.


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[e_cupra]

Damn it’s been a while… It’s been a hectic year and unfortunately I’ve not made the progress I expected with the Cupra and the front end swap.

With a job change, house move and a million other smaller things going on in my personal life ive finally got to the place where I can start focussing on the project again.

From where I left off I still had a headlight to wire in and it was left till last for a reason. The original 14 pin connector had been cut at the wires so it was largely a guessing game but with a temporary connector and some solder I got it up and running.

At the same time as sorting the headlight I did notice some other issues to sort.

The aftermarket intercooler is leaning into the radiator and that certainly needs fixing, common issue from what I’ve seen but it now means I have a proper reason to change out the radiator and at the same time an intercooler upgrade will be sorted.

The smaller problem is a crack on the underneath of the windscreen washer fluid reservoir. This is a nice easy fix apart from the fact one of the nuts is seized on doesn’t help but that will get sorted easy enough.

Still much to do and more things getting added to the never ending list! But I’m now working to a timeframe that I’ve set myself to have it back on the road by April 2022 as a birthday present to myself. A very expensive one.

Will be keeping a good log of the build on here as more gets sorted and completed.


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[e_cupra]

Latest modification, something I saw a while ago done on an Ibiza Cupra out in Turkey I believe and since then I’ve seen it here and there. I finally caved and done it myself.

Swapped the gear knob over to the more updated Polo GTI gear knob. The look is so much better even with the crusty breakers yard one that I found, that will be addressed in the future.

For anyone looking to do this it was fairly straightforward and quick too. I’d say a good cordless drill will make life a million times easier but if you don’t have one a rotary tool would do but just bear in mind the space you’re working with. I’d also recommend to disassemble the gear knob entirely as this helps you see exactly what you’re doing and where you need to make a hole.

So the previous gear knob uses a release pin that lifts the selector from the right, this is what allows you to move into a different gear when depressing the button on the side of the gear knob. When converting to the Polo gear knob the release pin lifts from the front. So easy as it sounds, simply drill a hole large enough for the release pin and that’s it. Go as central as possible as too far to the left or right could mean the plastic gets weakened too much to the point where it would snap.

Once you’ve drilled the hole, simply enough pop the new gear knob on and you will need to push the button in so that the release pin engages properly. Once you’re at this point it’s a case of building the gear knob back up again which the only awkward bit is the retaining springs seen above.

Once done will look something like the above! A smart upgrade if you ask me and brings something new to your interior. Pointer #1, finishing it up with a gaiter you will need to modify the gear surround and potentially custom a gaiter up. Not too difficult though especially if you recycle the gaiter you already have. Pointer #2, take your time when making the new hole for the release pin, start smaller than you need and then go to a sanding bit and you should be good.


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