Track toy

[davidif]

I'm looking to run a 2nd car for the odd A/B road blast and maybe a track day or two. I was looking at either a mk4 Ibiza TDI Sport/FR or a mk1 Fabia VRS as I've been a 'diesel man' for quite a few years and run a TDI mk2 Fabia as a daily.

On reflection I think I'm better off with a petrol!

Looking at either mk1 Leon FR (currently preferred) or a mk1 Octavia VRS both 1.8t

Budget is quite tight and the Leon's seem quite a bit cheaper and,I'm guessing maybe slightly lighter. Looking at spending no more than 2k and the car doesn't need to be a minter but straight & reasonable paintwork etc. this will leave up to 1k for upgrades.

How suitable is the mk1 FR as a casual track toy? And what mods do people recommend?

I am thinking brakes(are they 312s standard?),suspension/ARB's and a remap all advice & suggestions appreciated.

 

[Applemobile]

i certainly wouldn't consider it to be track toy material. A light easy to chuck about high reving petrol is what i would look for. Something like a clio 172 would be within your budget.

 

[AdamRoutley]

track toy I would be thinking S2000, or something cheap and fun pref rwd

 

[cupra-db]

If you are on a budget dont get anything VAG
Clio mx5 325i 328i
Costs a few quid to get a leon interesting enough on track.

 

[davidif]

Maybe I have overplayed the trackday aspect. In reality it will be more of a A/B road toy. I'm a bit too used to high torque diesels and therefore don't really fancy a hi revving N/a petrol.

I've previously had various proper track toys to include a Caterham 7 superlightR with 190bhp & 600kgs.

 

[davidif]

Given my budget I'm still convinced that a LC is the right toy at this point in time.

A remap should see 210bhp and surely the handling can't be that bad?

What sort of mods do people do suspension wise and maybe to the brakes?

 

[cupra-db]

Your going to buy an lc and spend money turning it into an lcr.
whats your budget?

 

[hyphon12]

If I was you I'd consider an Ibiza 1.8T, could be more suited to being a dedicated track toy. I remember seeing one at Cadwell Park a year or 2 ago running 300bhp and it was embarassing Evos and Imprezas.

 

[davidif]

Your going to buy an lc and spend money turning it into an lcr.
whats your budget?

Hoping to pick up useable car for 1500 or so and then spend up to 1k,firstly ensuring the car is thoroughly serviced, then brakes,suspension and finally a remap. I don't think I'd get a LCR for that budget.

 

[cupra-db]

Hmm. Well you seem to have your mind made up. You could always strip it.
Free performance for the win!!!
Brake better
accelerate better
Corner better

 

[Sam fr]

could possibly buy my Leon FR if i buy it back from the write off and track it haha, they handle fine with a decent suspension they handle even better i never had any handling problems

 

[cupra-db]

Let me ask. For 1 k what mods are in mind?
I mean specifics not
Brakes
Suspension
Remap

 

[davidif]

Let me ask. For 1 k what mods are in mind?
I mean specifics not
Brakes
Suspension
Remap

I haven't got any specifics. I am looking for advice and suggestions from the knowledgable people on here.

As to the brakes for example, do early LC's have 312mm front discs as if not it would be an early upgrade?

Suspension- I'm not bothered about extreme lows and perhaps ARB's would be next on the list.

 

[Applemobile]

I still think it takes a lot of power and handling mods to make a leon fun/track worthy. Ibiza would be a much better car to me.

 

[cupra-db]

Couldnt agree more.
Im not trying to be unhelpful here but 1k wont make a very interesting leon.
Brakes i wouldnt use anything less than lcr brembos
Suspension you will want coilovers of some sort plus at least a rear arb
And a remap is going to be min of 250
You will run out of money.
You could buy a k03s ibiza with those bits on it for 2.5k surely???
Clio 182s are quick but your not keen.
You will end up with a fairly oem leon and they were not built for speed.
Like i said it takes a couple of quid to make them interesting.

 

[Sprogpole]

Maybe I have overplayed the trackday aspect. In reality it will be more of a A/B road toy.

Stage 1 map
DS2500 front pads
Good tyres
Rear ARB
And a service

That should see you right for that!!

 

[cupra-db]

Standard suspension?
Oem fluid?

 

[davidif]

Stage 1 map
DS2500 front pads
Good tyres
Rear ARB
And a service

That should see you right for that!!

These mods for starters and then springs/dampers or coilovers.

 

[cupra-db]

Rbf660 or similar. Full system flush
Trust me!!
If you dont upgrade the fluid the brakes will be terrible on track.
Pads are ok for light track use but not great if hard on them on track.

 

[Sprogpole]

Rbf660 or similar. Full system flush
Trust me!!
If you dont upgrade the fluid the brakes will be terrible on track.
Pads are ok for light track use but not great if hard on them on track.

That's a bit much for basically fast road usage!
Fresh OEM or most any Dot4 will be fine with uprated pads. Unless you'll be doing massive ammounts of repeated braking on a track.