Cordy SE Tdi 130, some advice for a newbie please :)

[beefy]

Hi

I have been visiting this site for a few months now but I have never actually made a post.

I dont really know very much about cars when I open the bonnet. I would however like to modify my car.

Can some people who know more about cars than me advise me in what order should I tune my engine?

I have read about people adding new injectors (like the tdi cupra injectors) etc into there car and getting 200bhp+ with a remap etc (which I would like to have ) tbh I wouldn't really know where to start doing this, I wouldn't trust myself.

I am also wanting to remap my car, I live just outside glasgow and the closest place I could find was star performance in Kirkaldy, are they any good? Would star performance do any other modifications for me.

Also if I got my car remapped first and was to then make further modifications would it be recommended to get it remapped again, or does it not matter?

I am also hoping to, in time get sports suspension fitted to my car. Is there anywhere in the glasgow area that are good for things like that?

I also read that post about the silicone dielectric grease on TDI engines. Is this hard to do? I am doing a car maintenance course at nights once a week in college to get a better knowledge of my car under the bonnet. I asked the lecturer about doing this and he said the pins in the MAF were very delicate and could be bent easilly so he wouldnt' recommend doing it. He said "if it isnt broken dont fix it"

I know I will probably have to spend quite a lot of money as I will have to pay for labour for people to make most modifications to my car as I cannot do it myself but I know how I want my car to feel/look.

I am basically looking for any advice you guys are willing to give. I do not know anyone who has a modified car so I am starting from nothing.

Thanks in advance.

 

[mrcoyote]

Welcome

The guys at Star have a pretty good reputation here so I shouldn't worry about taking your car there. Personally, I'd make sure the car will go round corners and stops properly before adding more power to the engine as the brakes and standard suspension on the MK4's aren't the best in the world. Take a look at the stickies in the MK4 Ibiza section for a few ideas.

 

[Sisson]

Have a look at the sticky's at the top of the mk4 section lots of info there for you...

 

[sssstew]

Can some people who know more about cars than me advise me in what order should I tune my engine?

do the engine mods first, then a remap to take into account for them. so exhaust, injectors, intercooler, larger turbo etc before a remap.

I am also wanting to remap my car, I live just outside glasgow and the closest place I could find was star performance in Kirkaldy, are they any good? Would star performance do any other modifications for me.

i think star are a sponser on here, keep an eye out for their banner ad.

Also if I got my car remapped first and was to then make further modifications would it be recommended to get it remapped again, or does it not matter?

as stated before, other mods first, remap last.

I also read that post about the silicone dielectric grease on TDI engines. Is this hard to do? I am doing a car maintenance course at nights once a week in college to get a better knowledge of my car under the bonnet. I asked the lecturer about doing this and he said the pins in the MAF were very delicate and could be bent easilly so he wouldnt' recommend doing it. He said "if it isnt broken dont fix it"

its easy, unplug the connector for the maf sensor, put in grease, plug back in and out a few times, read the thread in the TDI section.

 

[beefy]

thanks stew

 

[m0rk]

PD130 Cordies are one of the all time 'stealth' SEAT's - especially remapped

Definately one for my list of next cars - given you can (and will need) bigger brakes, wheels & suspension - and a good value remap will see you at about 180bhp/300lbft (although, don't be woo'd by promises of more power.....)

 

[beefy]

My gf says my car is an "old mans car". I dont listen to her though, I like it.

I love the speed of it through the gears. It feels amazing when I rev it to 4750 rpm then change to the next gear and it seems to accellerate even faster. Even with my car just being bog standard 130bhp I can honestly say that it felt just as fast imo through the gears as the Cupra 1.8 20v. Maybe im just biased towards my car though. It definately felt faster than the Ford Fiesta ST. It is quite amusing when people look at you as if you shouldn't be over taking them in a "family saloon car".

I honestly cant wait to get it remapped but I think I will get new injectors, exhaust, suspension, wheels etc before getting it done.

I had a fun day yesterday, was passenger in a Jaguar XK8 auto 0-60 in 5.2 seconds. That was quite amusing, i actually felt that the stopping time was more impressive than the accelleration.

That was totally eclipsed when I was a passenger on a 1000cc 130bhp motorbike. 0-130 in 10 seconds. We were doing 120 on a country road.

Made my little cordy feel a little sluggish

 

[spons]

1. Remap
2. FMIC
3. Bigger Charger
4. Oil radiator
5. Sport camshaft (not sure if I called it properly)

You don't need to change "injectors" they will handle up to 240hp (AL series), after 2002 they were the same as in 150pd (at least in cars sold in PL). The clutch may be a problem if over 400NM of torque.

You will need to adjust remap after each mod, but it should be quite cheap.
To reach ca 170-180hp you will only need FMIC & remap.

 

[redcupratdi]

to get over 200bhp from a 130pd you will need ( to change turbo simply)

Front mounted large inter cooler 200-600 pounds
hybrid turbo £850 plus fitting
REmap £500 should get a RR with that.

so 2k plus will get you there.... but 170-80 bhp from just a remap is another 1.5k for hybrid exhaust and intercooler worth 20-30hp?


exhaust is questionable as i have 205bhp form standard 2 inch exhaust. maybe take one of your mufflers and catalytic converter out.

 

[redcupratdi]

if you feel it is quick enough now just get a remap and be happy... no point throwing money at a car for little gains.

 

[beefy]

Thankyou for the advice

I will think about what to do. I will probably look into getting new suspension/brakes/wheels first (make the car safer before making it faster).

Thanks again

 

[muddyboots]

I will probably look into getting new suspension/brakes/wheels first (make the car safer before making it faster).

A very good plan, you'll feel much more confident in the car and have more fun when the brakes are up to the job.

What size wheels does the SE have ? If it's 15", you'll need at least the 16" from the Sport to clear a 312mm brake conversion.

 

[Sisson]

Go for a full on Cupra replica..

Will look awesome IMO

 

[beefy]

I was actually hoping that I could replicate the Seat Ibiza Vaillante (obviously I could make the front very similar but the back would be different)

I dont even know where i could get bumpers like that though. Does anyone know any companies that do custom bumpers?

 

[m0rk]

Go for a full on Cupra replica..

Will look awesome IMO

:nods:

Very very close to what I want to do

 

[Sisson]

If you want some Mk4 Ibiza Cupra rims, give me a shout...

 

[beefy]

just curious, how much?

i am quite interested, although unsure....

i must say I like the wheels u have in ur pic, r they RS4 alloys or something like that? I was looking at them on ebay with tires for about 500-600 brand new.

What size wheels does the SE have ? If it's 15", you'll need at least the 16" from the Sport to clear a 312mm brake conversion.

They are 15" (look far too small imo). I am hoping to get 17"

You could easilly run up a massive credit car bill doing this lol.

I now want:

New wheels
New suspension
New brakes
I would like to have the wheel arches widened
An FMIC
A remap
New bumpers
A new arial (a fin arial like the ones on the new BMW)
New exhaust
Maybe a new turbo.....

I better start saving lol. I am getting excited thinking about it already. I first need to change my insurance as Direct Line do not insure u25's if they modify their car at all

 

[redcupratdi]

just keep all standard part because you'll get no more money when selling on, and best to keep so you caan put back to standard and sell"aftermarket bits" on there own.

 

[dave.stretty]

Hi Beefy,
Welcome to the stealth club. As you say the cordy really is quick as standard, but a bit (or a lot) more is always nice. Brakes and handling aren't great though.
My first change was to add chrome bling to interior and mirrors and grill, and a fitted leather steering wheel cover from Issota (to keep airbag). Next was 35mm lowered Apex spring kit and 7x16 wheels with 195/45/16 tyres. Better handling but terrible ride!!! Changed tyres to 205/50/16 improved ride. Anything bigger fouls arches. Loses the "on tip toes" look as well. Not done anything to brakes, just don't slow down as much (oops - bang!!!)
Engine wise, fitted a k&n air filter and blocked off egr valve, then bought a plugin resistor for £30 off Ebay. This was excellent, very good boost from 1500rpm right thru to 4500rpm, and very smooth, no downside. No RR figures but dropped 30-70 time (the only real measure of performance) from ~8.3 secs to ~7.3 secs.
In the search for even more go had a remap from Performance Torque, Wolverhampton for £200. Lost a little at the very bottom end but much better from 1750 - 4500rpm. 30-70 dropped to ~6.5secs. Also alittle smokier on full throttle. Unfortunateley 2000miles later clutch started to slip at full throttle in 4/5/6 gear 2000rpm!!! Looks like an expensive clutch upgrade soon as I'm not prepared to lose the massive shove (and grin) i now get.

Oh, also fitted a JVC avx 1 dvd head unit and steering wheel remote which sounds great.

So far only cost about £800 excluding JVC which can't be bad for a real stealth flyer.

By the way mine is the darkish metallic grey which looks great with chrome. I'l have to get a piccy on. Even my 16year old daughter thinks it's a cool car.

hope this is helpful,
cheers Dave E