Leon Quattro (Revisited)

[AntneeUK]

Guys,

I've just been reading up on this old thread to get some answers to some questions about the 4WD Leons, and it's not 100% answered everything for me.

There is talk in there of various mods that can/could be done to a FWD Leon to make it 4WD, as well as making a LHD Cupra 4 in to RHD, but my question is probably simpler:

Since the A3 and Leon share a common platform, is it not possible to put the S3 running gear in to an LCR to make it a Leon Cupra Quattro? I'm not asking whether it's worth doing, or how much it would cost, but rather how complicated you think it would be. Am I not right in thinking that the engine is the same and therefore the gearbox etc ought to fit? Am I making this too simplistic?

I gather the S3 and LCR do not share the same rear suspension however, so how would that affect things?

Why the questions? Well I've always wanted an LCR, and I've finally got my hands on one as of three months ago, and I really like the car, but I can't help but feel that if I put the power I'd like to into the car, then FWD will be unsuitable. I work with a guy who has a Graham Goode Focus ST putting out about 300bhp and it's too much for FWD really. I'd like to go +300bhp in the LCR, but not while it's FWD.

Discuss

 

[lordgibbness]

Yeah I'd probably opt for a RWD car if I was going over 300bhp. BMW 135/335i, Nissan 350/370z or E46 M3 aren't bad choices... In fact I think one of those could be my next car (not for a couple of years yet though)

 

[AntneeUK]

Agreed, but I'm curious about the possibility of an LCR Quattro in the mean time. I'm far from done with the LCR yet

 

[GrahameS]

Would it not be simpler to try and fit the running gear from a Leon 4 to an LCR or am I missing something obvious. (Apart from sourcing issues maybe)

(I dont really know much abotu the leon 4 to be honest)

 

[RobDon]

The floorpan of the 4WD models is different, due to the space required for the propshaft and rear diff and axles etc. To fit 4WD into a 2WD Leon would require alot of cutting of the floor and also a 4WD donor car to take the floorpan from.

 

[ibizacupra]

cut rear floorpan out of 4wd, wled it into leon 2wd shell and viola.. OR find a Leon SuperCopa ex-racecar and use its floorpan as it was a cupra4 shell used as a fwd car

 

[AntneeUK]

GrahameS, the Leon 4 used a VR6 engine if memory serves, so the gearbox etc would be incompatible with the LCR engine

 

[DPJ]

GrahameS, the Leon 4 used a VR6 engine if memory serves, so the gearbox etc would be incompatible with the LCR engine

Plenty of 1.8T Leon4s (LHD)

 

[Hilla LCR]

I like the sound of an LCR Quattro.....mmmmm

Can you not drop the engine from an LCR into a Leon4?

 

[RobDon]

The 4WD Leon came in 1.8T and V6 guises in Europe.

It can be done to make a 4WD RHD Leon but it will cost alot of money and you'd need a top fabricator as ALOT of welding and cutting is needed. Find a written off Audi S3 or TT and get cutting!

 

[JamJay]

Real shame we didn't get it. On the plus side I guess we got our LCR with Brembo's & 18" wheels as standard where as the rest of Europe had to pay.

 

[RobDon]

Might be easier and cheaper to buy a LHD 4WD Leon and convert it to RHD (if possible).

 

[mattdavies]

Might be easier and cheaper to buy a LHD 4WD Leon and convert it to RHD (if possible).

I dont se why it wouldnt be possible you would have to use s3/A3 steering rack most likely but apart from that would just be dash and pedal adjustments.

 

[Gezz]

Surely the easiest thing to do would just be to buy an Audi S3 or a 1.8T Quattro?

 

[Markyboyt]

I dont se why it wouldnt be possible you would have to use s3/A3 steering rack most likely but apart from that would just be dash and pedal adjustments.

plus the hole for the steering to pass through the bulkhead.
Also the connectors on the wiring loom would be at the opposite ends of the dash.
Plus any points where components mount to the bulk head would be in the wrong place.

 

[Fl@pper]

I dont se why it wouldnt be possible you would have to use s3/A3 steering rack most likely but apart from that would just be dash and pedal adjustments.

the bulkhead and all it's attatchments comes on one large panel so they can have one shell for left and right hand drive so not a bad idea with some fettling and checking i guess

Surely the easiest thing to do would just be to buy an Audi S3 or a 1.8T Quattro?

well that would be the better idea even a 4motion golf, or just leave it LHD, gonna be rare anyway

now if you were gonna leave it RWD ?? then that would be different
.
.

 

[mjt]

The 4WD Leon came in 1.8T and V6 guises in Europe.

don't forget the diesel

the Cupra 4 was either the V6 or the tdi 150
all the 1.8T 180s are just 4s, as are any other v6s and TDIs built after 2002

the floorplan is completely different on the 4x4, like my boot is a bit smaller than a 2wd.

the easiest thing to do would be to drop a LCR lump into a donor 4. and then if you want to faff about changing it to RHD, go for it. it's much more trouble than it's worth though, especially as you can get the S3, which is pretty much what you want, but with better seats

 

[brightsideteeem]

Anything is possible really at the end of the day. Depends on how deep your pockets are really

 

[JamesL]

there are companies out there who specialise in just converting LHD cars to RHD. would be a lot easier than cutting and chopping

 

[clifford]

4X4 LCR conversion

I was wondering if anyone has either had or known of anybody that has had the running gear off of the audi tt (4x4) fitted onto there LCR. I wasnt sure weather the chassi from my LCR was the same as the TT or built by seat. The handling of my the cars awsome but i feel it would be so much better in awd and a little more power

Cheers Clifford