Modifying my 1.9 150bhp FR

[johntheboy]

Just wondering what people think about a few things im considdering and to see if people have followed similar avenues, just thoughts at the moment though....

Re-map: To take it between 180bhp-200bhp (not sure how much the torque would go up by) so its quite safe as I travel 400-500 miles a week (around 25k a year). Would possibly be a Revo. However Ive heard a few pople mention the clutches when it comes to mapping the diesels as they tend to not be able to handle the power/torque very well or even if they dont break they wont be able to transfer the power very well if its a standard one. However am I right in thinking with a remap and an improved clutch I will be looking in the region of £800-£1000?

Cupra R Backbox: Looks a tad nicer than the FR twin pipe one however I think these are around £300 from the stealers and id imagine hard to come by 2nd hand. Also would it give better performance to a slight degree, allow the car to run smoother or increase in engine tone?

Air Filter I dont have the best knowledge as to what's best to do with diesels and air filters/induction. With petrols its fairly streight forward but is there much available for diesels and is it worth even adding?

Brakes The brakes are good but not brilliant and are a let down in comparisson with how well the car handles. What should I be looking for in the area of a decent (without going over the top) upgrade? I doubt just getting green stuff's would be worth it and going fr better calipers and disks would be a better option?

Any opinons are very welcome!

Thanks!

 

[Andrewcupra TDI]

going down the same avenue , put a green cotton airfilter on which has made a difference,

back box wont make any differnce , unless u have a full system or decat , to go with it

brakes are upgradeable , to the other vag cars that came with bigger brakes lcr brembos etc

best off searching the forum for the individal things lots of topics and depates about each one

 

[devonmikeyboy]

back box wont make any differnce , unless u have a full system or decat , to go with it

Wrong. Back box is the only real restriction in the TDI exhaust system. Just fit a free flow rear backbox if you want to save cash as all the after market uprated exhaust system flow the same way under the car with the same size bore plus maybe 1mm from the stock system.

 

[dannyFR+tdi]

Air filter wise i would recommend just a panel filter (K&N, Piercross,Greencotton)

Exhaust wise i have a turbo back miltek system that give a throatier sound and also seems to help the turbo spool up earlier now

Brakes- Try searching through 312mm threads on here they seem to be best for the money and 256mm rear upgrade could be a thought (Im doing both when the parts turn up)

 

[cordoba lad]

I've done the 312mm front and 256mm rear upgrade, have had the setup on now for two weeks made a real difference don't have to brake as hard to stop and have the feeling that there is now a lot more in reserve should I need it.

Cheap must have mods wise get the lower S3 strut brace the amount of difference it makes on its own is amazing and if you are feeling a bit more flush with cash and don't mind drilling a few holes get the upper S3 brace again the car is as different again with that fitted. Gives you so much more feel when cornering, makes the car more adjustable mid corner should you need to, not sure how I managed before.

 

[dannyFR+tdi]

Cordoba lad do you have a S3 lower strut on your car

 

[cordoba lad]

I've got both Upper and Lower for good measure.

 

[dannyFR+tdi]

Thats just greedy!!

Do you by any chance have a product code for the lower brace??

Do you think it is worth getting??

My plans are once the brakes are sorted to get ARB's Coilovers and some euro alloys

 

[cordoba lad]

Mate for £24 or so its definitely worth it. I got a bargain both upper and lower braces for £24 on Ebay the fixings cost another £6 or so. And it has stopped the dash from rattling as much bonus.

Part Numbers

8N0 199 403B Brace
N 104 176 01 M10x50mm bolt
N 908 106 01 M10 rivnut

My only tip is to do one bolt at a time and start the rivnut collapsing before positioning in the hole. If you don't you'll find it just turns.

I found the ride quality to be better once I fitted the larger brakes again a real bonus.

 

[dannyFR+tdi]

Think i may have to invest in one of these then but wouldnt be fitting it myself

 

[cordoba lad]

They are a absolute doodle to fit the hardest part is to remove the undertray which is 10 screws.

 

[dannyFR+tdi]

Is there any drilling involved

 

[cordoba lad]

Nope none what so ever with the lower brace. The holes are already there just waiting for you to fit the brace.

 

[dannyFR+tdi]

Ive no excuse not to order one now then

 

[SHADY-NINJA]

sorry to butt in .
do you need to drill holes to fit the upper strut brace??

 

[Phillc]

:

sorry to butt in .
do you need to drill holes to fit the upper strut brace??

Yes holes need to be drilled.

 

[johntheboy]

£24 for the lower brace? Sounds like a bargain. Would the Cupra R back box be worht it then or just look for an after market back box? Anyone reccomend web pages or prices for filters? Do most people go for the green cotton filters? Also... this is probably a stupid question but do people tend to tell their insurance companies about mods small or large? My only worry is that I had a crash and the insurance company goes... 'ah strut brace, your insurance is void' Id hate to think if anyone was hurt that they wouldnt be covered by my insurance. But then again Insurance companies just see £££££££££££££ when you tell them. Viceous circle.

 

[Andrewcupra TDI]

Wrong. Back box is the only real restriction in the TDI exhaust system. Just fit a free flow rear backbox if you want to save cash as all the after market uprated exhaust system flow the same way under the car with the same size bore plus maybe 1mm from the stock system.

of course i forget im a tractor driver in me derv , i was thinkin petrol which is all bore ,

but yes lots of posts on the mufflerectomy - but for me it just sounds as if it will be tooooo loud

so will be looking at a quite system , resonated i think is the quitest - correct my if im wrong

i also can vouch for the strut braces , lower one fitted easy , done mine with an airgun , clamped straight away

yet to have drilled and bolted the upper one , just looks good 4 now !!!

 

[Husbandofstinky]

so will be looking at a quite system , resonated i think is the quietest - correct my if i'm wrong

Correct. Recommend Milltek.

 

[johntheboy]

http://www.pipercross.net/fastroad/product.asp?m1=39&m2=128&app=362
http://www.pipercross.net/panelfilters/product.asp?m1=39&m2=508&app=2395

No idea on prices but these are what I found from pipercross, no idea on prices. Green cotton filter is just under £80. No idea if that just a panel filter or a complete induction system.