New Cupra owner. Couple of Questions

[mardon]

Hello,
I’m Mark from the Wirral. I’ve just swapped my remapped 55 plate Fabia VRS for a 54 plate Ibiza Cupra TDi. I love it! Even though the VRS was remapped the Cupra is faster and the breaks are superb as is the handling (compared to the VRS anyway). Fuel economy seems pretty much the same too which is a bonus.

Couple of questions. The Cupra seems to pull off differently. It’s like I have to give it a little more power than the VRS. It also wont sit as happily in 5th at lowers speeds as the VRS. Is this just due to the tourque curve being different as the car isn’t remapped? I don’t think its the clutch as when you do boot the car it drives fine. No hesitation or apparent slip. (saying that I don’t think i’ve ever felt clutch slip to know what to look out for).
The second question is get a strange vibration from the engine when in lower down the rev range. Any idea what it is? I’ve read about the i/c hose against the fuel filter. Is this different on the cupra as its has a FMIC?

Cheers all

 

[EdButler]

As the Cupra has a slightly larger turbo, that and the fact that the intercooler is MUCH bigger could be to blame as at lower revs it wont have enough exhaust gasses to spin up and the boost circuit is larger.

Also with your old map, it was likely it felt slower because it was tuned to the car and not surging (torque spike); a well tuned map on the Cupra should make it feel smoother with better bottom end response.

Vibration as in a rattle or is the car shaking? If the IC hose is rubbing you will be able to see the marks. If not you could have a broken engine mount.

Hope this helps, im after a Cupra TDi myself

 

[mardon]

When pulling off the car does shake more than the VRS (like when you catch a car in the wrong gear). Its not a huge amount though.

The other vibration can't be felt in the car. You can just hear it. Where do I look in the engine bay?

 

[T. Spark]

Hello and welcome to SCN mate (as per briskoda thread!)

The most common (for me anyway) is the drivers side engine mount on the side, look near the coolant type bottle mate.

 

[mardon]

Hi mate, thanks for that. It needs a service so i'll get them to check that. Its coming upto 50k now and its a 54 plate. Do you think a timing belt is a good idea?

 

[T. Spark]

Its 4 years old, so yeah needs a cam belt + service = alot of money

 

[mardon]

yup Gotta be done.

Getting a price for a service, Belt, Water Pump and Front Disks and Pads. Think this is gonna hurt! Where is the best place to get disks and pads?

Buy buy coilovers for a while then...

 

[mardon]

Oooh just had the quote back.

Full service
Front Disks and Pads
Water Pump
Cambelt Kit
Labour

+ use of a courtesy car.... £710 inc VAT

Think i'll go to the garage I got the car from and say if I pay for the disks will they fit them for free as it should have had them when I bought it. That'll save me a little money.

 

[T. Spark]

Id have asked them (like i said on briskoda I believe) to do all that before you bought it

 

[EdButler]

Do it yourself with a mate/dad - there's a cambelt guide on Briskoda and Discs/Pads will be a piece of proverbial!

Just take it somewhere for a oil change so they can stamp the book and you're done!

You'll feel soo much better and you'll be about £400 in pocket for only 5 hours work including tea breaks!

 

[mardon]

I had to knock them down in price to get a strait swap so they wouldn't have done a cam belt etc.

I have a few mates that are good with cars. Your right I'll do it myself. I'll pay the £115 for full servies and diagnostic to be safe.

Cheers for the info. I'll do a search for the guides.

Any tips on the best place to get parts? Was having a look for the disks/pads and couldn't find them.

 

[Mr Cellotape]

The Cambelts not due till 60K, just had mine done. Got it qouted by lots of SEAT garages and then Irfan's service dept blew their quotes into the weeds. However I can see your a long way from Irfan.

Try an independant garage for the cambelt that speacialises in SEAT/VW/AUDI/SKODA, it's not something you want to mess up and apparantly the water pump is a must. Some garages recommend changing the pump for one with a metal impeller.

Hope you enjoy your Cupra TDI as much as I have for the last 3 1/2 years.

 

[kriso]

The Cambelts not due till 60K, just had mine done.

60k or 4 years

 

[Mr Cellotape]

His would have to be an early 54 plate reg (2004), mines a late 54 plate (registered 2005).

 

[kriso]

Could be, mine is early 54 plate (December). Only 3 months away

 

[mardon]

Could be, mine is early 54 plate (December). Only 3 months away

Maybe I should do the breaks myself. Wouldn't want to mess anything up!

Such a pain because I really wanted to get it revo'd or custom remapped. Its just no fun spending a wedge on your car and geting no gain

 

[Mr_Dave]

Random off-topic question, you weren't mardon from PGAC too were you?

 

[mardon]

Certainly was

Still miss the Gti!

 

[Mr_Dave]

Thought it may be
Remember the days of PGAC based Gears of War, awesome!! haha

 

[mardon]

Lol what a game! I need to get back on live and have a blast on that and Call of Duty. PGAC is a good club. I had some good times. I want to go to Trax next year to see who's still a member.

Just got off the phone £350+VAT for a Revo. 195BHP and 300 Tourque! Nice. I need to start saving big time!