Project OEM+

[WEZ1963]

CAR: Seat Leon LCR MK1 2005 in Black

MAIN MODS: Forge 007 DV, Badger 5 TIP, Jetex Cone with Heatshield, Cobra 3 inch turbo back unresonated exhaust with sports cat.


THE BACKGROUND

This thread is long overdue mainly because I've changed my mind that many times over which direction to take it in I've given myself a headache! Anyway, I'm a firm believer in things happening for a reason and the imminent purchase of a new house means cash isn't going to be as "disposable" as it once was and therefore a plan has now been decided upon (finally!)

Now at a spritely 52 years of age I don't think I fall into the "typical" LCR owner bracket but with age can sometimes come wisdom (honest) and this like my last car (Fiat Coupe 20V Turbo) will be a long term "keeper". The main reason for all the indecision mentioned above is that the LCR came "slightly modified" already and it was a choice of leave it as is or carry on down the modifying path (a very slippery road as a lot of you will know). The house purchase has decided the immediate to medium term future but I had already made a couple of changes.

More info to follow.

 

[WEZ1963]

When I started looking for an LCR I was looking for a late model car with the optional Recaros and the double din dash. These are obviously thin on the ground so when I went to view this particular car that didn't have either, the overall condition sold it to me and a deal was struck.

In these situations, eBay is always your friend and after a patient few weeks a full double din dash was sourced for the princely sum of £30.00 The matching lower console came from the same breaker for £20.00 and a brand new, leather armrest completed the ensemble for £32.00 from a Seat Dealer (new old stock).

Having discovered that the optional Recaros were changing hands for @ £400.00, I decided to go a different route and sourced 2 front seats and a matching rear seat from 2 different eBay sellers who were breaking MK4 Golfs for £100.00 total. The fact that everything was made by Recaro and was finished in sumptuous black leather was the clincher. The "Brucie Bonus" was the built in heating elements in the front seats. . Now at that price there has to be an issue which was the outer bolster on the drivers side was worn (an £85.00 fix) but even so, £185.00 for a black leather Recaro interior has to be a bargain?!

At this point the car was coming together how I wanted it but a direction still hadn't been decided upon. Cue house purchase and Project OEM+ was born. I decided to get the the LCR how I wanted it which meant "sensible" mods whilst retaining a standard look. My one deviation from this path was a genuine SeatSport Lower Rear Spoiler which I found and fitted just after buying the car and still love now.

 

[tonycane]

Sounds good, I sold my lcr awhile back to a guy in Liverpool who was replacing a much loved fiat coupe....

 

[WEZ1963]

CURRENT SITUATION

Now this is probably an age thing but the whooshing noise from the Jetex Induction Kit was seriously p*ssing me off so it was swapped out for a standard air box and panel filter which also helped return the engine bay to a stock looking place.

The unresonated Cobra exhaust is incredibly loud and I'm undecided on getting a centre box fitted as I love the burble but feel like an ageing boy racer at times. I need to hear a resonated system to help me decide as I don't want to ruin a lovely soundtrack.

The leather Recaros are fitted and look original and the double din is now home to a Pioneer Sat Nav system.

FUTURE PLANS

Most of the things listed below have already been sourced so no big future expenditure should be needed.

Fit genuine Seat Headlight Protecters - sourced
Fit Osram Nightbreaker Bulbs - sourced

Source Kufatec Wiring Harness for heating elements in Recaro front seats
Source Heating Control Switches for above
Source matching leather door cards

Fit Hybrid Audio upgraded front component speakers in stock locations - sourced
Fit Genesis subwoofer in custom rear panel - subwoofer sourced
Fit Alpine 5 channel amplifier in custom rear panel - amplifier sourced
Source custom rear panels for above
Source 2 stage sound deadening for boot and front doors

Fit Forge Shortshift - sourced
Fit poly bushed dogbone mount - sourced

UNDECIDED ITEMS

Centre silencer box
Boost Gauge in custom steering column pod
Stage 1 remap
Uprated ARB's front & rear
Poly bushing as originals wear out

The final aim is to end up with a car that incorporates everything I like whilst looking like it came from the factory, hence OEM +

I'll get some pics up once I get chance but comments welcome, especially on undecided items!

 

[WEZ1963]

Sounds good, I sold my lcr awhile back to a guy in Liverpool who was replacing a much loved fiat coupe....

Lol; how you doing mate?

It's your bloody fault this has taken so long; you sold me a car with a cracking spec to start with!

 

[tonycane]

Only did the basics, the next stage for me was poly bushing everything, some chunky anti roll bars and a fmic for a stage 1+
Really miss this car, can't find another in decent nick now, there's more being stripped than sold.
Get some pics up. Did you go ultimate dubs?

 

[WEZ1963]

Missed Ultimate Dubs due to work but doubt I'll hit any other Shows this year as main focus will be on the house.

Pics to follow mate; you've not forgotten what she looks like have you?!

 

[WEZ1963]

Just a quick update;

Well the house purchase has gone through and we're now settling in.

On the car front, bulbs and headlight protectors are now fitted. I'm still undecided on a centre silencer for the exhaust but if I do go ahead it won't be at Cobra's price of nearly £230!

The leather Recaro's are coming out to be sold as I've managed to source a set of original LCR Recaro's with the rear seat option for a good price.

Car will be in for a service this month when I'll get the quickshift and dogbone mount fitted too.

 

[Daniel M]

Sounds like a good project but pictures are needed