Cupra 280 Modding (Stage 2 prep)

[Kothaex]

Hi guys,

I've nearly paid off my 2014 Mk3 Cupra 280 and I'm planning ahead for mods.
My biggest issue is how boring the exhaust sounds - I'd mostly like to get an exhaust upgrade focused on sound, so most would recommend a res delete I imagine, but I also want to buy something that will not need to be replaced if I get it remapped for stage 2.

I've heard a full custom turboback exhaust system is probably best for this, but other than that I have 0 knowledge.
I'd also be interested in getting a performance-improving cold air intake (as I am aware most cheap ones are just for aesthetics or noise).
Then finally I'd get it remapped for stage 1, considering stage 2 in the future.

Mine is a 6 speed manual, I've heard it can get some clutch slippage even on stock tune. Am I likely to need an uprated one for stage 1, or can it wait for stage 2?

So effectively I'd ask:

1. What are my options for a performance exhaust that sounds nice, and will provide a performance improvement/will not need replacement for stage 2.
If this is a custom exhaust system, what do I need to know?

2. The same as the above but for cold air intakes

3. Will I see a more significant performance improvement with a remap if I get the remap after the above two mods?

4. Is a basic remap required for the car to work with the new parts? I've heard the car can not work properly with new parts if the ecu isn't changed to account for them, so I want to avoid additional costs if possible so I'd do the stage 1, intake and exhaust all at once if it saves any money.

5. Do I need to get an uprated clutch if I want to do any of this to the car?

My ideal situation would be to buy the custom exhaust when I can afford it, wait a couple months, get the cold air, wait a couple months, then get a custom map (which I would hope is slightly better than stage 1 with the better parts) and see how it goes for a while. How realistic is this?

 

[Tara]

Hi guys,

I've nearly paid off my 2014 Mk3 Cupra 280 and I'm planning ahead for mods.
My biggest issue is how boring the exhaust sounds - I'd mostly like to get an exhaust upgrade focused on sound, so most would recommend a res delete I imagine, but I also want to buy something that will not need to be replaced if I get it remapped for stage 2.

I've heard a full custom turboback exhaust system is probably best for this, but other than that I have 0 knowledge.
I'd also be interested in getting a performance-improving cold air intake (as I am aware most cheap ones are just for aesthetics or noise).
Then finally I'd get it remapped for stage 1, considering stage 2 in the future.

Mine is a 6 speed manual, I've heard it can get some clutch slippage even on stock tune. Am I likely to need an uprated one for stage 1, or can it wait for stage 2?

So effectively I'd ask:

1. What are my options for a performance exhaust that sounds nice, and will provide a performance improvement/will not need replacement for stage 2.
If this is a custom exhaust system, what do I need to know?

2. The same as the above but for cold air intakes

3. Will I see a more significant performance improvement with a remap if I get the remap after the above two mods?

4. Is a basic remap required for the car to work with the new parts? I've heard the car can not work properly with new parts if the ecu isn't changed to account for them, so I want to avoid additional costs if possible so I'd do the stage 1, intake and exhaust all at once if it saves any money.

5. Do I need to get an uprated clutch if I want to do any of this to the car?

My ideal situation would be to buy the custom exhaust when I can afford it, wait a couple months, get the cold air, wait a couple months, then get a custom map (which I would hope is slightly better than stage 1 with the better parts) and see how it goes for a while. How realistic is this?

Loads of useful info on the forum and you might get a reply from theoldboy who has plenty of knowledge when it comes to this.

 

[Kothaex]

Loads of useful info on the forum and you might get a reply from theoldboy who has plenty of knowledge when it comes to this.

Yeah I had a poke around and found some nice tidbits but nothing concrete for the exact questions I've asked.

With that said, I'm new here and haven't used a forum since like 2008, so I'm not exactly good at searching. That and some of the shorthand goes over my head

 

[Janusz]

stage 1 can make about 365-370hp
stage 2 400-410 hp

for stage 1 you need only tune and clutch if it gives up
for stage 2 is DP, IC, tune at least, and clutch if it gives up

Instead of CAI and where you aim it will be enough to change TIP, remove snowgrate, add drop in and you are good to go up to stage 2/3

for stage 2 you do not need exhaust, 3inch DP is enough, if you do not want to spend much res/mid delete is good option, although sound of real catback is much better (I had both)

 

[Kothaex]

stage 1 can make about 365-370hp
stage 2 400-410 hp

for stage 1 you need only tune and clutch if it gives up
for stage 2 is DP, IC, tune at least, and clutch if it gives up

Instead of CAI and where you aim it will be enough to change TIP, remove snowgrate, add drop in and you are good to go up to stage 2/3

for stage 2 you do not need exhaust, 3inch DP is enough, if you do not want to spend much res/mid delete is good option, although sound of real catback is much better (I had both)

Right, thanks man, this is good info.
Primarily I want an exhaust for a nicer note, and I'm fully impressed by a res delete on my model. However, if there's performance to be had, and a custom turboback would be better... I'd want it. Especially if that bonus (5 to 10?) horsepower would be multiplied by a tune.

I'm also not sure what you mean by 'Instead of CAI and where you aim it will be enough to change TIP, remove snowgrate, add drop in and you are good to go up to stage 2/3'

 

[Janusz]

basically for your gain there is no need to spend $$$ on CAI, unless you only need sound.
TIP is the pipe that connects stock airbox and turbo inlet. This TIP is around 80-150E, easy gain of 8-10 hp there.
snowgrate is a grate in stock airbox that limits the flow, 5 min work to take it away
drop in - k&n or pipercross perf filter

If you do not plan stage 3 I would just stay on s1 with nice exhaust, tip and airbox mod and 370hp and nice flat torque line
Stage 2 makes little economical sense unless you go to s3, gain is very little comparing to s1.

 

[Kothaex]

So basically, don't buy a CAI for performance, buy a TIP and snowgrate and get it mapped.

Would you recommend a Res delete then?
I can save the money from the custom exhaust to spend on the clutch when it goes...

Also, if I get a custom map after making these improvements, will I see better results than a generic stage 1 map?

 

[Janusz]

No clue honestly if this will be something significant.
For sure ni harm will happen
Res del is lot less comfortable on every day use for sure. As advantage you can easily revert res delete in case you do not like it.
Without dp change you will be close to 360-370 regardless of other things you would change.

 

[AndrewJB]

You mention full turboback in first post, for that you will need a Stage 2 tune straight away. APR/Revo can offer full blown stage 2 or "detuned" Stage 2 files.

catback exhaust can be run with Stage 0 or Stage 1.

 

[Kothaex]

No clue honestly if this will be something significant.
For sure ni harm will happen
Res del is lot less comfortable on every day use for sure. As advantage you can easily revert res delete in case you do not like it.
Without dp change you will be close to 360-370 regardless of other things you would change.

Thanks dude. I've seen a few videos on here of how a res delete sounds on my car, I don't think it would be too much but as you say is revertable if necessary. I'm not sure what a DP is.
Also, I'll shop for a performance snowgrate by k&n or pipercross as you suggested but I have no idea where to start with the TIP, still not fully sure I get what it is!

You mention full turboback in first post, for that you will need a Stage 2 tune straight away. APR/Revo can offer full blown stage 2 or "detuned" Stage 2 files.

catback exhaust can be run with Stage 0 or Stage 1.

Ahh, my thinking was a catback wouldn't see any performance improvement if anything before that was still restrictive for airflow. My hang up is that I might do stage 2 some day and don't want to spend money on something I'll be replacing. Would you recommend a cat back or a res delete for me then? I see you had a 2014 Cupra as well, maybe you know what I mean when I say the engine is nice but the stock exhaust is a bit weak.

 

[Janusz]

To me cat back sounds a lot better, also is more usable in daily car
But res del is 60-100 pounds, cat back 750-1100, so depends how deep pockets you have
for dp, tip, snowgrate you need to google a little. It is all there

 

[Jordan Neill]

Checkout progressiveparts.com for tip and filter. The snow grate you take out not buy another one!

 

[Tara]

Checkout progressiveparts.com for tip and filter. The snow grate you take out not buy another one!

What is TIP?

 

[Kothaex]

What is TIP?

Quoting Janusz from earlier, "TIP is the pipe that connects stock airbox and turbo inlet. This TIP is around 80-150E, easy gain of 8-10 hp there."

With that said I still don't know what it stands for / is actually called (googling car mod tip, automotive tip cupra tip etc yielded nothing), how to shop for one and if it's a DIY job or a mechanic job

 

[Kothaex]

Checkout progressiveparts.com for tip and filter. The snow grate you take out not buy another one!

Ahh I was confused earlier. I thought the snowgrate WAS the filter. No Downside to removal?

 

[Kothaex]

You mention full turboback in first post, for that you will need a Stage 2 tune straight away. APR/Revo can offer full blown stage 2 or "detuned" Stage 2 files.

catback exhaust can be run with Stage 0 or Stage 1.

How come the turbo back requires a stage 2?
I've heard of them requiring an ecu change since the cat has been changed, to get rid of the check engine light.

I'm mostly asking because a friend bought a turbo back for their VXR last week and I don't want their car to blow up

 

[Jordan Neill]

Quoting Janusz from earlier, "TIP is the pipe that connects stock airbox and turbo inlet. This TIP is around 80-150E, easy gain of 8-10 hp there."

With that said I still don't know what it stands for / is actually called (googling car mod tip, automotive tip cupra tip etc yielded nothing), how to shop for one and if it's a DIY job or a mechanic job

TIP = turbo inlet pipe

 

[Kothaex]

TIP = turbo inlet pipe

Nice one, that makes a heap of sense, thanks mate!
Any idea what is meant by 'This TIP is around 80-150E' ? Sounds like a measurement of some kind.

 

[Janusz]

This is the price range more or less
I wish it was 150mm

 

[Kothaex]

This is the price range more or less
I wish it was 150mm

Ahaha that makes so much more sense! Now just to shop around...
I found https://www.onlyrevo.com/product-de...20-tsi-turbo-inlet-hose?ref=progressive-parts
I'm guessing a Turbo Inlet Hose is the same thing as Turbo Inlet Pipe?

The only thing on there is the choice between IS38ETR and IS20 & IS38. Second one is more expensive and I have no idea what they represent.