Mk2 Cupra & Cupra R differences (flame suit on!)

[jonlu]

Wow, what a response. Thanks guys, you've certainly shed some light on this! So how would the various stages of tuning compare between the 2 cars? would the 25bhp difference remain throughout the stages or does the setup of the Cupra R mean it has more potential to increase the power gap on the same stage of tuning?

 

[CharlieRCupes]

No after a remap they are the same, on the ko4 turbo they can be maxed at between 350-380bhp ish depending on dyno. Pretty much the same engine and exactly the same turbo.

 

[AndrewJB]

Yeh they tune the same

 

[Al]

Both use the CDL engine so it's identical too.

 

[LeonCR]

The engine fitted to both vehicles is of the same basic design and share the same capacity, bore, stoke and compression
measurements. The mechanical components such as block, crank, pistons, cylinder head, camshafts, inlet & clutch are the same.
The Borgwarner turbocharger is also of the same specification, though the intercooler is slightly modified on the CDLA, fitted
to the Cupra R. The engine control unit (ECU) is also different, with the software inside the unit mapped to deliver the
additional power.

The gearbox fitted to both vehicles is to all intents and purposes of the same 02QJ construction. The only slight difference is
internally, where the 4th gear ratio in the LMN fitted to the Cupra R been 34 : 31 = 1.096 as apposed to 41 : 37 = 1.106 in the
KZW unit fitted to the Cupra.

The Cupra & Cupra R normally run on the same G63 suspension (though G51 is available on some Cupra's) so the ride would be
comparable. The Cupra R does however run slightly different alignment settings as it sits 3mm lower than the Cupra.

 

[AndrewJB]

The engine fitted to both vehicles is of the same basic design and share the same capacity, bore, stoke and compression
measurements. The mechanical components such as block, crank, pistons, cylinder head, camshafts, inlet & clutch are the same.
The Borgwarner turbocharger is also of the same specification, though the intercooler is slightly modified on the CDLA, fitted
to the Cupra R. The engine control unit (ECU) is also different, with the software inside the unit mapped to deliver the
additional power.

The gearbox fitted to both vehicles is to all intents and purposes of the same 02QJ construction. The only slight difference is
internally, where the 4th gear ratio in the LMN fitted to the Cupra R been 34 : 31 = 1.096 as apposed to 41 : 37 = 1.106 in the
KZW unit fitted to the Cupra.

The Cupra & Cupra R normally run on the same G63 suspension (though G51 is available on some Cupra's) so the ride would be
comparable. The Cupra R does however run slightly different alignment settings as it sits 3mm lower than the Cupra.

Somebody's been reading Wikipedia

 

[LeonCR]

actually a reply from SEAT uk when I asked them about the differences

 

[Marshall]

I recently ordered a rear shock absorber top mounts and bump stops for my R and the parts shown on etka are not what's fitted to the car.
I had to remove the parts and get the numbers off so Dave a Seremotors could supply the correct parts.
Does that mean these are different?

 

[AndrewJB]

i read somewhere that the R has different top mounts to the Cupra

 

[Marshall]

Thats what I thought too and this kind of proved it as the parts fitted aren't listed for a Leon.

 

[AndrewJB]

Alot of the LCR parts on ETKA are missing

 

[Brinkz]

Mr ignaramus here with a stupid question...

So both cars will put out the same power when tuned/remapped, but surely the uprated intercooler in the R will make some sort of difference???

Please just humour me....

 

[LeonCR]

Mr ignaramus here with a stupid question...

So both cars will put out the same power when tuned/remapped, but surely the uprated intercooler in the R will make some sort of difference???

Please just humour me....

It does make a difference just not a very big one

 

[AndrewJB]

At Stage2+ most Pre-FL and Facelift people upgrade the intercooler to S3 or Aftermarket

LCR You dont really need to, although i read somewhere that the new S3 Cooler as found on LCR has plastic end caps still

 

[Al]

With regard to the Cupra R intercooler, it shares the same core as the 2007-2009 intercooler as used in the 2007-2009 S3 except it had big stainless end tanks and the Cupra R uses small plastic end tanks.

2009 CDL A was used in 2009 onward S3 and Cupra R and the difference with CDL D was only the intercooler. The difference in the core between the Cupra/Cupra R is not huge. The only time you will see any difference with regard to the intercooler is if you are really pushing on consistently, like on a track and the difference then will be that the smaller core on the Cupra will be less able to get rid of heat. With that being said, both the Cupra and Cupra R cores are a little compromised - Think about small plastic end tanks and why you never see them in aftermarket intercoolers.

Side by side, when mapped, the difference in the Cupra and Cupra R will be minimal because the a/c core sits in front of the intercooler and directly in front of the radiator on both cars. The best thing you can do is fit something aftermarket like a Pro Alloy or THS intercooler and take off the a/c