Track day cupra

Spohrage

Active Member
Dec 13, 2015
11
0
Hi all

I'm new to the forum and first post. I want to spec up my cupra for a track day and I am soiled for choice so not sure what is best. I can imagine this has been discussed a million times. I have just bought my cupra so I'm still new to the cupras and what is best.

I have already fitted Mitchelin pilot sport 3 tyres which are amazing but want to reduce the body roll and improve the handling.

I am going to fit powerflex poly bushes all round front and back, Eibach 25mm ARB front and back.

The bit I would like to know is what would be the best choice for coilovers for a track day, would the AP coilovers be alright or would it be best to spend more and get some thing better.

I also want to convert my brakes over to the LCR brembo brakes, will they fit straight onto the cupra or will it need extra fittings to work? If anyone know a good conversation guide could you please link it.

I want to upgrade the brake lines to braided lines but not sure if it worth getting the Black Diamond set or spend more for the Goodrich set.

Any help with this would be very much appreciated as I don't have the largest of budgets so want to see where I need to save a bit more and what I can get now.
 

irf

Feb 5, 2014
579
1
Welcome to the forum.

I've got an LCR and don't know much about the cupra but what I would suggest is 2 things.

Firstly, don't go mad on trying to do 101 mods to get your car 'track ready'. Get out there and do some track days and you'll see where the weaknesses are and where you need to spend money.

Secondly and I know this slightly contradicts the first point but spend any money first on making sure the car will actually survive the day rather then making it fast.

What this would be is more then likely a fmic to keep intake temps down, an oil cooler for obvious reasons and as you've suggested above, brakes. Don't forget the brake fluid.

Oh and the michelin are probably a very good road tyre and while they won't need changing straight away, I'd imagine you'll want something a bit more hardcore.
 

Spohrage

Active Member
Dec 13, 2015
11
0
Thanks for the suggestions, forgot to mention that the car is mainly for road use and some friends are planing a trip to nurburgring later next year so just want to get it ready before then.

I have done a bit of vigorous diving in it and love it but have noticed some problems. It understeer quite badly around bends and the brakes are finished as they feel real spongy. Would the standard calipers be OK for the occasional track day if they were reconditioned and with ferodo ds2500 pads?

The coilovers are mainly for lowering the car about 35mm so want to find a decent option for all round use.

My local vag specialist [the phirm] side that I did not need to change the intercooler as it was adequate for the car, they said that adding a larger fmic will just create a load more lag.

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk
 

irf

Feb 5, 2014
579
1
Again, I can only go on what I know and I don't know much about the cupra so hopefully someone else can chime in.

For the under steer a rear anti roll bar works well for turning in but you'll probably still get some power under steer going on. For that, proper tyres will help and experience with a diff in different more powerful cars suggests that it would get rid of it completely but they're not cheap.

Can't say anything about your standard calipers but with mine at the 'ring and ds2500s in May the car did seem to cope okay but I think there was one lap where there was a LOT of traffic coming back in to the car park so I couldn't do the usual cool down routine and ended up with pad deposits which caused a vibration.

For another track day at Combe which is harder on brakes I went with carbotech xp10s with zero issues but they squeal like a pig and the mrs drives it. I've had to change the pads and gone with ds2500s again but also fitted TT RS brake ducts so hoping they'll cope. Bear in mind though that this is with four pots and 323mm size discs so a little bigger then what you currently have.

I'd be surprised if your current intercooler is capable enough for track work, not many standard intercoolers are.

Fwiw even with a 10 row oil cooler and a heat exchanger from a B5 S4 my oil temps peaked at 121 degrees C. Without that they would have gone a whole lot higher.
 

Hb69

Active Member
Jul 16, 2011
193
0
Kent
I have a cupra track car, has had quite a bit spent in modifications, it handles surprisingly well now. Brakes are standard pads and ferodo ds2500 pads with ate superblue fluid, never experienced any fade. I was using the standard intercooler up until April, never noticed an issue with the standard sidemount. Still need a rear arb to improve the handling more though.Suspension, I personally wanted height and damping adjustability so went for spax RSX coilovers.

As said before, I wouldn't spend time and money getting any car ready for track, as long as it has an Mot book a day and give it a go!
 
Last edited:

JackK

Active Member
Aug 9, 2015
37
0
South East
The Side mount Intercoolers are restrictive on the air flow and inefficient at cooling, adding a FMIC will reduce your intake temps while also reducing the turbo lag as it provides a much better flow then the Side mounts.
 

Spohrage

Active Member
Dec 13, 2015
11
0
Thanks guys for the advise, I would like to change to a FMIC but if is the same size as the side mounted one. Does anyone know of one that would be good?

I think I will stick with the standard calipers just get them refurbished as will be loads cheaper than replacing with brembos, need to sort the brakes as the do not work properly anymore, they are not biting properly anymore so not stopping the car properly.

Still want to put coilovers on as want to drop it 35mm for looks so the spax rdx is a good option.

I'm going to fit the poly bushes because I Alan I really want to for the fun of it, I enjoy working on the car.

Will do the rest of the performance mods in the coming years as they will cost loads considering I won't be going to track days that often, doing all the current mods just to beat my friends civic type r fn2. My car is faster but his handles a lot better.

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk
 

JackK

Active Member
Aug 9, 2015
37
0
South East
If you want a easy full kit that isn't too expensive and fits with the standard crash bar or fog lights the airtec fmic is probably your best option. Bigger option require modifications to the crash bar and sometimes removal of fog lights. I think there are cheaper options out there such as the wellycooler but think you have to buy the piping etc separately.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Hb69

Active Member
Jul 16, 2011
193
0
Kent
I've fitted a forge intercooler, new they are over £700 but there's bargains to be had on Ebay and classifieds on here. Definitely more suitable for track use than the standard one.

IMG_20150408_085402.jpg


Polybushes make loads of difference, dogbone, top mounts and rear beam bushes are the ones I noticed made the most difference.
 

mty12345

Active Member
Jun 17, 2011
4,115
680
bristol
I'd be thinking about fitting a baffeled sump too. Otherwise your oil can surge away from the pickup pipe under heavy cornering.
 

Spohrage

Active Member
Dec 13, 2015
11
0
Will add the sump to my wish list of things to do later along with the LSD, full milltek exhaust and half role cage.

Contimplating replacing the SMIC to a bar and plate SMIC I have found on eBay, not sure if the extra money and work fitting a FMIC will be worth it.

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk
 
Adrian Flux insurance services - discount for forum members.