New FR 150 owner - what upgrades ?

[Richardl]

Hello,

I've just bought a 2005 Leon Fr Tdi 150 and wondered what are the common tweaks owners make to them, suspension, brakes, motor, interior etc.

I had a 2002 Golf Tdi 130 which was a bit soft so I changed the springs and ran a Tuningbox on it which was great.

I am planning on using the same Tuningbox on the new car which will hopefully give another 25bhp or so.

cheers
Richard

 

[jonjay]

Welcome to the site.

My first bit of advise is don't get a tuning box, your better of with a remap. All a tuning box does is pump more fuel into the engine which can cause a whole host of problems.

Easiest mods to do initial are:

Dogbone mount (a must for dervs)
Green Panel Filter

Big mods:

Anti Roll Bars
Suspension
Brakes
ECU Remap and Clutch (clutches are a weak point on the TDI's so best to get both done at same time)
Exhaust

 

[Richardl]

Thanks Jonjay, so there are quite a lot of mods then. Which of the big ones are really worthwhile ?

Can you tell me what a dogbone is ?

Richard

 

[magicoi]

I just did a search on google for 'dogbone mount' and i think the first link gave a complete guide to chnging one with pics!! Fantastic.

I had no idea what a dogbone was before but now i know exactly. Have a look mate!!

Not being funny with this post btw, hust think the guide will expolain much clearer than a written post could

 

[Richardl]

Gosh, a dogbone mount is exciting. Think I'll wait to see if I need one but it sounds like they make quite a difference.

I'll run the car for a while to see what's not up to scratch, I suspect the brakes will be one of the first thing to change.

 

[slick]

Well all i say is do a search on either, my forum name, Unclefesters or jonjay for details on mods to 150 TDI Leons..
But i think between all three of us, your find nearly most mods available to the Leon TDi.. from simple mounts to Porsche brakes and Quiaffe Diffs on the leon...

Welcome to the site also!

 

[devonmikeyboy]

Welcome to the site.

My first bit of advise is don't get a tuning box, your better of with a remap. All a tuning box does is pump more fuel into the engine which can cause a whole host of problems.

Easiest mods to do initial are:

Dogbone mount (a must for dervs)
Green Panel Filter

Big mods:

Anti Roll Bars
Suspension
Brakes
ECU Remap and Clutch (clutches are a weak point on the TDI's so best to get both done at same time)
Exhaust

Dog bone mount : Pointless unless the car is highly tuned
Green panel filter : Pointless. Only done for loader induction noise and very slightly quicker turbo response. No power gain when added to a stock or remapped car.
Clutch : Is a weak point but no point getting one unless you need one as the stock clutch can last a week or years before needing replacement depending on luck and driving technique.

More power :Get a remap as there are plenty of companies out there.
Handing : Front upper strut brace first then uprated rear ARB if you still want more.
Brakes : Lots of opions do a search in the Leon section.
Exhaust : You can remove the CAT if you want but no power will be added. Get a good CAT back exhaust from Milltek or just go to Powerflow etc and remove the back box and fit a free flow version with whatever tail pipes you like for the same power increase.

 

[jonjay]

Dog bone mount : Pointless unless the car is highly tuned
Green panel filter : Pointless. Only done for loader induction noise and very slightly quicker turbo response. No power gain when added to a stock or remapped car.
Clutch : Is a weak point but no point getting one unless you need one as the stock clutch can last a week or years before needing replacement depending on luck and driving technique.

More power :Get a remap as there are plenty of companies out there.
Handing : Front upper strut brace first then uprated rear ARB if you still want more.
Brakes : Lots of opions do a search in the Leon section.
Exhaust : You can remove the CAT if you want but no power will be added. Get a good CAT back exhaust from Milltek or just go to Powerflow etc and remove the back box and fit a free flow version with whatever tail pipes you like for the same power increase.

ok mate.

 

[Richardl]

Hi, thanks for the low down on the mods.

Had a good drive today and amazed how good the stock car is. Mine is on Goodyear F1's which helps.

I'm going to see how it goes for a few weeks before changing anything.

Cheers
Richard

 

[UncleFester]

The brakes are only 288mm on the Tdi ... they're ok for normal use but if you really give them some abuse they're not great and fade badly.

I wouldn't worry about shocks and springs unless you don't like how high it rides. single biggest most worthwhile mod is anti roll bars - then again you'll only notice this if you start to drive it harder around corners.

Clutch can fail irrespective of remap, remap is definitely worth doing if you've got the money free If the clutch is gone, don't faff about with OEM ones, you can pick up a decent clutch for not much more than SEAT charge for the standard item.

It's a great car even as standard, with a few tweaks it can be better.

 

[jonjay]

The brakes are only 288mm on the Tdi ... they're ok for normal use but if you really give them some abuse they're not great and fade badly.

I wouldn't worry about shocks and springs unless you don't like how high it rides. single biggest most worthwhile mod is anti roll bars - then again you'll only notice this if you start to drive it harder around corners.

Clutch can fail irrespective of remap, remap is definitely worth doing if you've got the money free If the clutch is gone, don't faff about with OEM ones, you can pick up a decent clutch for not much more than SEAT charge for the standard item.

It's a great car even as standard, with a few tweaks it can be better.

Great post Pat!

 

[slick]

I think with cars its just like as Tescos ad say:

"Every little helps, including dogbone mounts and panel filters"

But not everyone shops at tescos, some only eat from M&S... as "this isnt just a VAG its an AUDI...."

 

[ChrisUK]

See sig for mod list

Best mods are:


1. Remap - For circa £400, you can gain an easy 35bhp (more if custom)

2. Green Panel Filter - very cheap mod & well worth it. Turbo spools up much quicker & cleaning kits are very cheap (therefore no more need for paper filters, you can clean this one every 6 months).

3. Dog Bone mounts - I had these done after the remap, and as I have experience of before & after remap, these things (for the price circa £30) really do help.

4. Clutch - will probably be the most expensive thing you do. If you have a remap, your clutch WILL go, it just depends what remap you have & if you want torue etc limited to "safe" levels. I got a Sachs raching clutch kit from JBS on a group buy for about £750

5. Fabia Rear Wiper - Takes mins to fit, looks 10x better, it actually works lol 7 costs about £20

6. Front R Splitter - tidies up the front end & costs less than £20 from a dealer

7. Debadge the rear - costs £0 & makes the back end look better (might want to buy a new LEON badge and space it out in the center).

8. Front Upper strut brace - about £50 will get you a front strut brace - stiffens up the front end making handling better

9. Rear strut brace - about £70, same as above but stiffens the back end. With both on, my car handles so much better than stock.

10. Delock - Costs less than £30 for the parts painted, takes 5 mins to fit. Stops the scumbags from using the "comfort feature" to break into your car.

11. Honda Civic Aerial - less than £20, gets rid of the NASA aerial from the top of your car. Needs a little cutting, but done in 15 mins.

12. Short Shifter - A must ! I love the closeness of the gears now, makes a big improvement in accelerating.

 

[ChrisUK]

Haven't mentioned the others such as exhaust, shocks, springs etc as I have no experience of these on my car so cant comment on their usefulness

 

[jonjay]

Great and informative post Chris...we should make a sticky tbh

BTW get your ass down here for some meets!

 

[ChrisUK]

lol, I'm more into my bike at the minute tbh - although the car was valeted at the weekend when it went to Skoda for it's service & I like the look of it again lol

ps - Forgot about HID's - again, massive improvement over standard, now becoming cheap, easy to install - yet not had them done myself.......

 

[UncleFester]

Mk4 Golf Recaro seats are also a worthwhile swap

 

[AndyVTR]

Mugs game.

 

[UncleFester]

Mugs game.

Could you qualify that statement with a little more of an explanation?

 

[slick]

Pat, he cant i doubt, if you check all of Andy VTR posts, anything do to with modding and he calls it some sort of name, best to ignore the ignorant...