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Improvements to Cupra 280 to make it track ready?

Snowman

Active Member
Mar 16, 2014
306
24
I will hopefully pick up a Leon Cupra 280 2014 with about 32000miles and DSG tomorrow.
I plan to do some track days with it and will upgrade tires and brakes but need some advice what else i should do.
What pads do you recommend? The car will run the stock brake setup, 340mm discs in the front.
I will add a dogbone insert, torque arm, or whatever people call it. But which one should i add if i still want to be able to use the car for everyday?
I have read about an airbox mod, where you modify the intake and airbox and this should be perfectly fine for 400hp+. However i cant find the link for the mod... Can anyone point me in the right direction?

What else should i look at replacing with the Cupra?
Ive done some tracking earlier but im not a very fast driver and this car will be 60-40 road-track.
 
LouG said:
Why not try the car in stock form, then see what you're not happy with? An intake and airbox mod will not give you 400hp.
Click to expand...
This is my second Cupra, i tracked the previous one but didnt do any upgrades.
I didnt write that it would GIVE me 400hp, i wrote that it would be FINE for 400hp+. Ie not be the limiting factor unless i go above 400hp which i have no intention of doing, so i dont see the point in spending lots of money on an intake if i can make some small mods to the stock one.
 
@Snowman as @LouG said try the stock car, it is well set up for people like you and me (like a bit of fun on the track but not professional driver)

The stock air intake is good for 500 bhp although it would not be the best at that range. What I did on my original 280 air intake was open up the right hand side of the air intake (the bit that sits right at the front of the car) as the original one only had the left side opened.
Many have taken out the snow grate at the bottom of the airbox (I never had one of those) and get a good air filter.
If you want more then some do actually drill into the box but personally never found the need for it.

The DogBone mount is all about stopping wheel hop so a good upgrade for both track and road use.

Rubber is important for both grip and keeping the power down on the tarmac, if you find you are suffering from brake fade due to heat I would suggest the Audi Brake ducts as they do help keep the disk's cooler and if you are again finding issues I would recommend using 5.1 dot fluid rather than the 4 dot that comes as stock.

Depending on age and service history make sure engine oil is changed when it should be and that the DSG Has had its oil change.
Normal checks to ensure the Spark Plugs and coil packs are still working as well as can be expected.

You are good to go for a lot of fun.

The only other things to mention are VCDS/OBD11 or even Carista to modify the XDS and LSD Settings to give you more fun on the track.

Enjoy and let us know how you get on.
 
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theoldboy said:
@Snowman as @LouG said try the stock car, it is well set up for people like you and me (like a bit of fun on the track but not professional driver)

The stock air intake is good for 500 bhp although it would not be the best at that range. What I did on my original 280 air intake was open up the right hand side of the air intake (the bit that sits right at the front of the car) as the original one only had the left side opened.
Many have taken out the snow grate at the bottom of the airbox (I never had one of those) and get a good air filter.
If you want more then some do actually drill into the box but personally never found the need for it.

The DogBone mount is all about stopping wheel hop so a good upgrade for both track and road use.

Rubber is important for both grip and keeping the power down on the tarmac, if you find you are suffering from brake fade due to heat I would suggest the Audi Brake ducts as they do help keep the disk's cooler and if you are again finding issues I would recommend using 5.1 dot fluid rather than the 4 dot that comes as stock.

Depending on age and service history make sure engine oil is changed when it should be and that the DSG Has had its oil change.
Normal checks to ensure the Spark Plugs and coil packs are still working as well as can be expected.

You are good to go for a lot of fun.

The only other things to mention are VCDS/OBD11 or even Carista to modify the XDS and LSD Settings to give you more fun on the track.

Enjoy and let us know how you get on.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your reply!

I will replace the brake fluid for Motul RBF600 since ive used that on my previous cars which ive tracked.
All regular maintenenace will be taken care of :)
Which dogbone mount do you recommend? A previous car had a very stiff one that transferred way to much vibrations into the cabine.

Also are there any guides to adjusting the LSD?
I was under the impression that the Cupra's didnt use XDS since they have the VAQ-diff, isnt this correct?
 
Cupra has both LSD and XDS.

The XDS System (my understanding) is the car using the braking system to control stuff (and everything I have seen says minimise this for track use)
The LSD is the Haldex system that distribute power between the driving wheels
The car also comes with a Torque Limiter in 1st, 2nd and 3rd which again uses the brakes to stop wheel spin, I have turned this off.

I found this article the best at showing what needs changing and what to think about https://drivetribe.com/p/performance-vcds-tweaks-Dky7b-PTQpqIwVFrasMoeA?iid=eeV1FzgzSEe5gXa8gfGfIA
 
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Personally I went with the Revo full mount setup (Engine, Gearbod and Dogbone) but there are many threads on her about stock / stage one cars and what people have used.
 
theoldboy said:
Cupra has both LSD and XDS.

The XDS System (my understanding) is the car using the braking system to control stuff (and everything I have seen says minimise this for track use)
The LSD is the Haldex system that distribute power between the driving wheels
The car also comes with a Torque Limiter in 1st, 2nd and 3rd which again uses the brakes to stop wheel spin, I have turned this off.

I found this article the best at showing what needs changing and what to think about https://drivetribe.com/p/performance-vcds-tweaks-Dky7b-PTQpqIwVFrasMoeA?iid=eeV1FzgzSEe5gXa8gfGfIA
Click to expand...
Thanks! I will look through the link once i have picked up the car!

Do you have much vibrations and noice in the car after the upgraded mounts?
Did it improve traction and feel alot?
 
Bearing in mind I went to stage 3 from stage 1 I was happy the mount kit did not cause me to be uncomfortable when crusing in the car as a normal saloon. However it transformed the car when being used on full power. Wheel hop is very well controlled (you still have to manage your right foot) but very much less effort that without. Transforms the car you are much more in control of the power.

We have a couple members in Sweden who have done this including on the 4 wheel drive cars just to improve the way the car handles.
 
theoldboy said:
Bearing in mind I went to stage 3 from stage 1 I was happy the mount kit did not cause me to be uncomfortable when crusing in the car as a normal saloon. However it transformed the car when being used on full power. Wheel hop is very well controlled (you still have to manage your right foot) but very much less effort that without. Transforms the car you are much more in control of the power.

We have a couple members in Sweden who have done this including on the 4 wheel drive cars just to improve the way the car handles.
Click to expand...
Stage 3 as in new turbo and stage 3 software? What turbo did you go for then? :p
 
Yes Turbo, Software, Intercooler & Pipework and recently baffled sump to keep temps down.

Turbo is Revo IS38 ETR
 
theoldboy said:
Yes Turbo, Software, Intercooler & Pipework and recently baffled sump to keep temps down.

Turbo is Revo IS38 ETR
Click to expand...
Ah thanks!
Going a bit offtopic now, but i assume you have the 4drive?
Where did you get the turbo?
 
Come to the next annual meet and there may be a few Stage 3 cars there
 
Snowman said:
This is my second Cupra, i tracked the previous one but didnt do any upgrades.
I didnt write that it would GIVE me 400hp, i wrote that it would be FINE for 400hp+. Ie not be the limiting factor unless i go above 400hp which i have no intention of doing, so i dont see the point in spending lots of money on an intake if i can make some small mods to the stock one.
Click to expand...
Got it.
 
I am running stage 3 since 3kkm having done around 8kkm before on stage 2 and 4kkm on stock before taking stage 2.
Stage 3 is the best there is. Not only in terms of pure performance but as a whole thing. This is how cupra should be from the start.
If you consider going to 3 I would skip all the steps between and would take it straight to 3.
 
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