MK2 Leon Track Car Build..... Gathering Intel

[phil_monk31]

Hi Guys

Ok I dont come on here much as I dont have a lot of spare time, but I am hoping you nice people can assist me in gathering some information for an up and coming project.

I have a MK2 LCR at the moment, but due to buying a house I am going to have to sell it soon to reduce some outgoings to make the mortgage lender happy.

So for a few months my daily will be a 1.2 Deawoo Kalos lol

After we manage to get things sorted I will be looking to build a track car. I have done a few track days in the LCR and it is good but the bill at the end and the impact on the car I drive every day is too much.

its not going to be started till the end of the year or the start of next year, but I want the time till then to gather information and opinions of people.

I will be starting off with a 2007 LC base car, I am planning to spend as little as possible on the initial car as most of it will be gutted and sold, Seats, Wheels, suspension, etc

I will then be having the car prepped, roll cage installed, suspension upgraded, carbon panels (if available) and so on. The engine will be the last thing done. I have been advised the car will be completely different and i should do a session or two with standard (ish) power to come to grips with the handeling and the feel with the car, and then increase the power.

I know a lot of people on here have done fast road cars, so any advise or recommendations would be appreciated.

 

[Al]

This is pretty much the position I am in to be honest.

What you might also want to consider is starting with a Leon FR2.0 TFSi and The only difference (other than the BWA 2.0T K03s engine (the 2007 Cupra has the 2.0T K04 engine)) is the front suspension and brakes set up - and you can buy Cupra/Uprated parts for that.

Thereafter, you will have a car that changes gears quicker in theory - and having seen them work in practice, you really never do miss a gear. Downside is the driver involvement is reduced.

Thereafter, you could start playing with the engine. You can pick up a Cupra engine for a grand if you look about and a new turbo K04 turbo is £800 these days. All the same bolt ons on the K03s engine is good for high 200's bhp wise and approx 360 with the K04.

What I would suggest other than this is;

1) Uprated brake fluid
2) Scrap the sound deadening off the floors - it weighs loads.
3) Replace battery for lightweight battery as it weighs loads
4) Scrap the air con and put on a shorter belt - it weighs loads and blocks air flow to the cooler.
5) Figure out what electrics you dont need (windows, rear wiper etc) and cut out the wiring as it weighs loads.
6) Uprate the brakes - the standard brakes are ok although wont last on proper track work. Uprated calipers and 2 piece discs replace the standard discs and calioers that weigh loads
7) If you are going for out and out track car, dump the cat and be cautious of noise limitations on some tracks if you go custom exhaust. No cat and lighter material replaces the original exhaust which weighs loads.
8) Consider finding used track tyres which will cost you less to replace
9) Get a map like Revo that can be adjusted/tuned by yourself to suit the conditions. Invest in VAGCOM and regularly check the car by logging it etc
10) Regular oil changes. Consider doing one after every hard track day

And have fun!

 

[Al]

Re-read what I wrote above. I mean the Leon FR 2.0T DSG rather than an FR 2.0T manual.

 

[AndrewJB]

Plenty of people have converted road cars to fully blown track cars

SEAT UK -Peter Wyhinny's VWR Cup car
Gary Duckman - Production Touring Cars
McMillan Motorsport - 2x For Production Touring Cars
DNA Tuning - Production touring Cars


All these cars started life as Leon Cupra road cars

 

[AndrewJB]

For example Gary has just sold his championship winning car

http://www.racecarsdirect.com/listing/44966/sold.html

 

[RobH]

Get rid of the house and buy a R8 gt ultra lms

Seriously though if your starting from scratch again like above just buy one, that was only £13k plus spares thrown in aswell. Part of the fun is building it but if your on a tight budget thats the way to go.

 

[phil_monk31]

Al thanks for the info, I assume your talking about the DSG box? I am not sure the box will last long with the power I am aiming for in the end.

Doing some research the FR is an option but there are small differences in the engine construction. The Cupra has quite a few small upgrades that dont matter on the road but would on the track. I have a list but not on this laptop.

Budget isn't a problem after I move, its not now TBH but the mortgage people are funny with affordability etc. I want to build one myself not just buy someone else's. for a start I wouldn't have the same confidence in a machines someone else has built. How would I know it was safe?

Andy - I know people have done it already I am just trying to plan what needs to be done. The place I am using is very experienced but say they havent done a Leon before, I just want to make sure I am not missing anything.

 

[AndrewJB]

What i meant buy saying its been done alot is.. there's a few people to ask for advice

Who you using phil?

 

[fa11ows]

It really depends what you aim to achieve in terms of "track car". For example my mk1 Cupra had uprated millers oil,ate super blue brake fluid,EBC grooved discs, yellow stuff pads, eibach front arb & neuspeed rear arb and finally a CG lock for the seat belt.

If you look at the above list it only cost circa £500 (that inc miltek catback too) but was on standard springs/dampers and only had 188bhp on rolling road. Took rear seats and spare wheel out

This set up did 52 laps of Donnington Park, 3 sprints at Curborough and 14k road mileage! Didn't miss a beat and was sold with same tyres it started with too...you don't have to spend big to have great fun on track. Get some advice and pro training like I've been having...makes more of an impact instantly...have fun

 

[RobH]

The question is, do you want dsg? If so then i would say its easier to transplant a Cupra engine into an Fr than it is a DSG box into a Cupra.

KPM do some quality track car builds btw.

 

[Al]

Cupra engine and turbo in to an FR DSG would be faster than a Cupra. Regarding huge power through the front wheels - on a track car you'd probably waste anything more than DSG could handle through wherlspin.

No way a manual could change through the gears as quick as DSG though

 

[phil_monk31]

Andy - I will be using Unit 18. I am still undecided if this is the way to go. I may change my mind and just put the money into a nice GT car that I could use on the track now and then.

if I do go for the track car I dont want DSG, it just takes something away and i think will cost far too much to maintain and fix when it goes wrong.

fa11ows - Sounds like you had what I would call a fast road car. if I go for a track car it will be just for track use. I will most probably transport it to and from the track as i cant see it being road legal with all the new MOT rules which it might fall under if its classed as a kit car, if I change it that much from the original spec.

After researching as well there are so many variants of the Cupra engine as well. Different crank and systems and slightly different fule systems as well. As the engines have been out it would appear they have changed ever so slightly to resolve things.

 

[AndrewJB]

CDL engine FTW

 

[joostdeblok]

CDL engine FTW

Just wondering... why? I heard the CDLA has some better thermal management and it is more economical but I never found the mechanical changes compared to the (older) BWJ engine.

But seem to tune as easily so I cant see any big changes on crank/rods/pistons/turbo/fuel pump or injectors.
Although there are some real fast Golf R's on the internet running 380/390 bhp, than again there are also some Cupra guys on this forum running this on a BWJ engine. What are the rumours and what are the facts?

BTW, not blaming/flaming the newer Cupra R guys but just wondering

 

[Al]

If I recall correctly, the biggest change between the CDL and BWJ is the inlet camshaft.

Block head bottom end crank fuel pump valves rods pistons all the same (travelling in Poland though and going by memory rather than with facts in front of me)

BWJ engines can run the same power - the Golf R lads are probably running Water Meths on top of S2+ modifications. Those cars use the CDL engine same as the 2009-> Cupra/R/S3.

 

[anthony37]

 

[Al]

You going to try something other than a straight line with this high power S3 Anthony?! Upgraded the tranny yet so it doesn't get smoked with some heavy launching?!

 

[jimbo_h]

Andy - I will be using Unit 18. I am still undecided if this is the way to go.....

Oooo unit 18, very local to me. If you do decide to do this I'll pop down and have a nosey if u dont mind.I'm sure Ali will do a top job (he always seem to have something interesting going on) Its a great idea BTW.

 

[AndrewJB]

Jim, Phil is one of his regular customers i believe

 

[anthony37]

Howzit Al hows you doing? I think I will only do some 1/4 runs then track days only. Learnt from my mistakes in the past. I might revurbish the bearings tho. LOL