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Robbie C's Ibiza Cupra

Jan 8, 2007
2,958
1
Wiltshire
Small update: got confirmation this afternoon that my gearbox is now back in the UK from SQS and ready for the abuse I intend to throw in it's general direction in the not too distant future.

Dale's also working on stripping the turbo, manifold and other ancillaries from the engine tonight with the aim of removing my head ready to be sent away for porting and polishing, with new valve stem seals and exhaust guides which I'm hoping is the cause of my oil consumption and occasional smoking on overrun. This will also prepare it for the new hybrid by raising the VE so as it can cope with the increased flow without choking on WOT. More to follow soon.
 

Dale!

Robbie C's Personal Techy
Jan 11, 2011
193
0
Swindon
Late update on the cupra :( been so busy :headhurt:

anyway time for head to come off, strip down:

Rocker cover off

rshg1y.jpg


all timed up and tensioner pin in

24vphxy.jpg

25uis7s.jpg


Next time to take JBS manifold off :censored: Spanners i used with slight modification

awbbph.jpg


The blown gasket from manifold to turbo

256g1hj.jpg


I took the cams out with the head still bolted on, First marked the chain and gears and fitted the chain tensioner tool

9r2k3o.jpg
 

Dale!

Robbie C's Personal Techy
Jan 11, 2011
193
0
Swindon
Then head off and stripped of small parts ready to send away for porting etc

125pclv.jpg

2r6cjsm.jpg


Thats all for now Dale
 
Jan 8, 2007
2,958
1
Wiltshire
Cheers Dale.

Following on from this latest work there's a bit of a twist in the tale, resulting in a major change of plans for the immediate future at least.

Upon removing the cylinder head and inspecting the block there's very evident scoring in each cylinder bore, most notably #1 (which receives the most air). The worst marks can be felt with your nail - not your average wear and tear.

Cylinder 1:
Cylinder1.jpg


Cylinder 2:
Cylinder2.jpg


Cylinder 3:
Cylinder3.jpg


Cylinder 4:
Cylinder4.jpg


Back when Bill fitted my uprated rods in Dec 2009 he noted that there were signs of scoring, but nothing as bad as what we see here, some 7,000 miles since.

While it's open to speculation what could have caused this it's most likely either:

1. Debris entering the intake
2. Worn rings causing piston slap

I am curious as to whether I may have damaged my rings when my WMI unknowingly stopped working and the car was still driven hard on boost, causing sky high CFs. This is one possible theory of many, who knows...

Upon removing the pistons tonight there are no signs of any damage to the crown, but the skirts do have some form of debris stuck to the sides which would seem to account for the scoring. Whether these are melted fragments of piston ring is unknown.

I noticed some time ago that I was also consuming some oil that appeared to be being burned (no signs of any leaks), though a compression and leak down test suggested that compression was OK (see here)

It's difficult to know what's really responsible here when these tests show healthy figures, not forgetting the car itself was driving and performing perfectly well prior to the gearbox and manifold issue at Castle Combe.

So, from here I've decided to re-focus my efforts on completely re-building the engine to it's fullest potential, with:

Overbore to 82.5mm (retaining standard head gasket)
JE 9:1 2618 alloy pistons
Port/polished head by JNL, fitted with Supe***** valve guides, stem seals, inconel valves and valve springs/titanium retainer set
New main bearings and supporting bolts/caps as required

As I'm already running IE forged con rods this will give me a fully built engine, that together with my SQS gearbox ought to be pretty bullet proof and ensure I don't have to go to the effort and expense of stripping anything down for upgrade again. Do it once, do it properly.

Once this is all sorted I will re-assess my turbo options as and when I feel it necessary, which also allows more R&D time on the new breed of K03-2283 hybrids currently in development/testing by the likes of Badger5.

Continued thanks to Alex, Bill and Dale for their help and support - appreciate everyone's input.

More pics and progress reports to follow soon, with the aim of sending the head and block away this weekend to begin the necessary work.
 

joehirth

Rate me up baby
Apr 19, 2010
1,896
3
Woking, Surrey
www.facebook.com
Cheers Dale.

Following on from this latest work there's a bit of a twist in the tale, resulting in a major change of plans for the immediate future at least.

Upon removing the cylinder head and inspecting the block there's very evident scoring in each cylinder bore, most notably #1 (which receives the most air). The worst marks can be felt with your nail - not your average wear and tear.

Cylinder 1:
Cylinder1.jpg


Cylinder 2:
Cylinder2.jpg


Cylinder 3:
Cylinder3.jpg


Cylinder 4:
Cylinder4.jpg


Back when Bill fitted my uprated rods in Dec 2009 he noted that there were signs of scoring, but nothing as bad as what we see here, some 7,000 miles since.

While it's open to speculation what could have caused this it's most likely either:

1. Debris entering the intake
2. Worn rings causing piston slap

I am curious as to whether I may have damaged my rings when my WMI unknowingly stopped working and the car was still driven hard on boost, causing sky high CFs. This is one possible theory of many, who knows...

Upon removing the pistons tonight there are no signs of any damage to the crown, but the skirts do have some form of debris stuck to the sides which would seem to account for the scoring. Whether these are melted fragments of piston ring is unknown.

I noticed some time ago that I was also consuming some oil that appeared to be being burned (no signs of any leaks), though a compression and leak down test suggested that compression was OK (see here)

It's difficult to know what's really responsible here when these tests show healthy figures, not forgetting the car itself was driving and performing perfectly well prior to the gearbox and manifold issue at Castle Combe.

So, from here I've decided to re-focus my efforts on completely re-building the engine to it's fullest potential, with:

Overbore to 82.5mm (retaining standard head gasket)
JE 9:1 2618 alloy pistons
Port/polished head by JNL, fitted with Supe***** valve guides, stem seals, inconel valves and valve springs/titanium retainer set
New main bearings and supporting bolts/caps as required

As I'm already running IE forged con rods this will give me a fully built engine, that together with my SQS gearbox ought to be pretty bullet proof and ensure I don't have to go to the effort and expense of stripping anything down for upgrade again. Do it once, do it properly.

Once this is all sorted I will re-assess my turbo options as and when I feel it necessary, which also allows more R&D time on the new breed of K03-2283 hybrids currently in development/testing by the likes of Badger5.

Continued thanks to Alex, Bill and Dale for their help and support - appreciate everyone's input.

More pics and progress reports to follow soon, with the aim of sending the head and block away this weekend to begin the necessary work.

Wow - what a blow, that's not going to be a cheap month doing it all at once :eek:. Your famous last words come to mind Robbie, "I'm not going BT." I can see it coming... Anyway good luck with the build, glad you've seen the light with the JE's you'll enjoy them, amazing build quality I have to say.
 
Nov 2, 2004
9,335
0
South Wales
Time for a proper turbo now robbie?

I feel your pain tho, my car went in for valve stem oil seals and came out with rods and pistons.
 
Jan 8, 2007
2,958
1
Wiltshire
All depends how you look at it. In one respect I've always stood by the fact I'm happy with the power delivery of my hybrid and the smile it puts on my face and it'll be nice to know I have an engine and gearbox fully built to withstand the abuse.

On the other... the gut feeling that after "investing" this much money into the car I ought to fully exploit the uprated spec and fit a bigger turbo rather than sitting there feeling like I'm not making the most out of what I've got. One thing's for sure, I can't do both at once and it makes the most sense to get the engine built up properly while it's in this state.

Where I go from there... we'll see.

I feel your pain tho, my car went in for valve stem oil seals and came out with rods and pistons.

Always the way with these things though it seems - started with just a gearbox repair and manifold gasket and now look where it's led :)
 

Dale!

Robbie C's Personal Techy
Jan 11, 2011
193
0
Swindon
All depends how you look at it. In one respect I've always stood by the fact I'm happy with the power delivery of my hybrid and the smile it puts on my face and it'll be nice to know I have an engine and gearbox fully built to withstand the abuse.

On the other... the gut feeling that after "investing" this much money into the car I ought to fully exploit the uprated spec and fit a bigger turbo rather than sitting there feeling like I'm not making the most out of what I've got. One thing's for sure, I can't do both at once and it makes the most sense to get the engine built up properly while it's in this state.

Where I go from there... we'll see.



Always the way with these things though it seems - started with just a gearbox repair and manifold gasket and now look where it's led :)

Hit the nail of the head in my opinion :) Although you will need big turbo soon :whistle:
 

ibizacupra

Jack-RIP my little Friend
Jul 25, 2001
31,333
19
glos.uk
once built, its built.. turbos etc afterwards are bolt on's - so why the rush to "upgrade" to a slower spooling but more powerfull option? for track use, tractable power is what will go faster than banzai power
 
Nov 2, 2004
9,335
0
South Wales
I think to make your mind up you need to go out in a proper BT car robbie.

Making it bullet proof with your power characteristics might be what you want from the car.

Personally, low end torque after a while looses its appeal, all that breaking traction was fun at first with the kick in the ass but then gets annoying, especially on track where i found i run out of steam when i needed it.
 
Jan 8, 2007
2,958
1
Wiltshire
Hit the nail of the head in my opinion :) Although you will need big turbo soon :whistle:

[B)]

once built, its built.. turbos etc afterwards are bolt on's - so why the rush to "upgrade" to a slower spooling but more powerfull option? for track use, tractable power is what will go faster than banzai power

Agreed

I think to make your mind up you need to go out in a proper BT car robbie.

Making it bullet proof with your power characteristics might be what you want from the car.

Personally, low end torque after a while looses its appeal, all that breaking traction was fun at first with the kick in the ass but then gets annoying, especially on track where i found i run out of steam when i needed it.

I see your point Phil - I agree that I need to go out in a BT Ibiza really to experience it for myself, which might change my opinion.

I still maintain that too many people write off/underestimate the hybrids though. Yes it falls short of big BHP figures but it really does surprise a lot of cars out there with a lot more power who end up caught with their pants down.

Traction is an issue in 1st/2nd but once it finds grip it forces you forwards at an impressive pace. Instantaneous torque is a big winner for me, coming from someone that hates lag.

Most if not all of us are agreed that tractable power is key - remembering you're always ultimately limited by FWD. Like everything in life, the right balance is key.

I'm intrigued by the Garrett 2868 HTA that is being talked about at the moment which utilises a lightweight billet comp wheel for quick spool times but is capable of flowing big numbers.

First things first though - get the engine sorted once and for all and then re-assess my power goals from there.
 
Nov 2, 2004
9,335
0
South Wales
FYI Robbie.

Peak power on mine was ~5800 (351whp/405bhp) and peak torque was ~4700rpm (348wtq/400lbs/ft).

Compared to your last run at bills, 273bhp @ 5600 and 277tq @ 4788.

Not much in it in terms of power delivery is it?

Im making your peak bhp by about 4500 rpm on a equal length mani and huge intercooler, both of which wont be helping spool.


BW and Garret are working on similar turbos, EF (i think its called) and HTX series respectively. But what says rings true tho, no need to rush but it does give you options further down the line.
 
Last edited:
Jan 8, 2007
2,958
1
Wiltshire
Interesting Phil - thanks for that.

I'd love to go out in yours to feel what the difference is like at some point if you wouldn't mind
 

ibizacupra

Jack-RIP my little Friend
Jul 25, 2001
31,333
19
glos.uk
FYI Robbie.

Peak power on mine was ~5800 (351whp/405bhp) and peak torque was ~4700rpm (348wtq/400lbs/ft).

Compared to your last run at bills, 273bhp @ 5600 and 277tq @ 4788.

Not much in it in terms of power delivery is it?

Im making your peak bhp by about 4500 rpm on a equal length mani and huge intercooler, both of which wont be helping spool.


BW and Garret are working on similar turbos, EF (i think its called) and HTX series respectively. But what says rings true tho, no need to rush but it does give you options further down the line.

your peak power on yours at 5800rpm? summat aint right there Phil :no:
 
Nov 2, 2004
9,335
0
South Wales
Yeah, wheelspinning Bill. Craig was adding some new tie down points under the car to prevent this, just not been back down since.

It didnt really register at the time but craig emailed me later that week and told me it was wheelspinning. Sure it shows in my logs as well.

Email from craig...

Hi Phil



I notice there are some differences in the printouts from the last 2 times you have run, in particular the RPM referencing ( not used for power calculation ). The RPM reference on one of the runs is wrong, yet full boost is still achieved at the same KPH. This could be wheel spin in the higher RPM.



When you get a chance, and when we have the in dyno tie down points, fancy coming back for some further analysis ?
 
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