Leon TDI 150 Revo - Clutch Slip?

[hibitdat]

Hi guys,

I am contemplating the idea of giving my '05 Leon FR TDI the Revo treatment. The thought of circa 190bhp/280lbsft is nice, despite the cost including SPS (why is TDI tuning dearer than 1.8T?), BUT I am hesitating because of the dreaded clutch slip.

I remember my stock Cordoba PD130 clutch slipping a few times from all the torque and have read a few comments here regarding clutch slip on Revo TDI's. I remember when the TDI150 was first launched (in the Golf) magazines reporting that the torque increase had deliberately been limited to preserve the gearbox...

I would like to get some feedback comments from you guys with Revo 150 Leon's - does it make a big difference to performance (I'm guessing a standard 180 1.8T FR or Golf should be easy game?) but more importanlty have you noticed any clutch slip? Please help me decide!

Thanks in advance

 

[Mitchy]

If you are a lazy driver and use the higher gears at low rpm your clutch will slip within time! LCR 40-50mph in 6th gear for instance

There's more and more evidence now showing that chipped cars are having problems later on with clutch slipping! Quite a few R owners are experiencing it and im sure ive read the TD cars also having problems!

Mines does it now and again, 1 day it will be fine, the next day 4th/5th/6th will all slip below 3000rpm!

 

[paul26982]

isnt it down to driving technique, theres ways around it, change your style of driving, from what ive read

 

[chillcupra]

I had revo for the last 10K miles and have not had one clutch slip, many people report this I dnt think you will have a problem or maybe I have a strong clutch.

 

[olaf]

Serioulsy looking at getting a 150 diesel now, due to the fuel economy.

I know Revo is switchable, but what other companies provide a switchable remap?

Sorry this is a bit off topic.

 

[Mitchy]

Depends on the way you drive though mate. If that 10k is done on mostly A/B roads and pottering around town then it wont wear as quick!

If you do a lot of motorway driving and potter along only in 6th gear you will wear the clutch down very quickly!

40-50mph and then accelerating in 6th is bad for the clutch! Continued abuse like that will shorten the lifespan quickly!

Like has been said, depends on how you drive it.

 

[Mitchy]

Serioulsy looking at getting a 150 diesel now, due to the fuel economy.

I know Revo is switchable, but what other companies provide a switchable remap?

Sorry this is a bit off topic.

Jabba offer the boost controller, with the bonus being you can change it on the move. With revo you need to stop and turn power off!

I can change from 9psi to 22 psi anytime i feel like with the controller.

Main reason i went jabba over revo tbh

 

[olaf]

Jabba offer the boost controller, with the bonus being you can change it on the move. With revo you need to stop and turn power off!

I can change from 9psi to 22 psi anytime i feel like with the controller.

Main reason i went jabba over revo tbh

Im going to sound like an idiot here, so does that mean you can 'switch off' the remap and basically the car will run as standard?

 

[Mitchy]

Yes it does mean that mate.

On my low boost settings i have managed 475miles per tank! On high boost best ive managed is 360miles per tank!

You can set the controller anywhere in between the max and min ranges aswell so in my case it can run any boost level in between 9-22psi

You can obviously control this by fitting a boost gauge and using the controller to set the required boost level.

 

[olaf]

Yes it does mean that mate.

On my low boost settings i have managed 475miles per tank! On high boost best ive managed is 360miles per tank!

You can set the controller anywhere in between the max and min ranges aswell so in my case it can run any boost level in between 9-22psi

Is that on a 150 diesel?

Whats the maximum horse power you've got?

Had a look on the Jabba site and couldnt see anything about a boost controller.
What controller are you using?

 

[hibitdat]

Yes it does mean that mate.

On my low boost settings i have managed 475miles per tank! On high boost best ive managed is 360miles per tank!

You can set the controller anywhere in between the max and min ranges aswell so in my case it can run any boost level in between 9-22psi

You can obviously control this by fitting a boost gauge and using the controller to set the required boost level.

Hi Mate, thanks for all your responses. I had not investigated Jabba and they do sound good (even mention Clutch issues!) but I can't find a boost controller - is it like the Revo SPS? I suspect it might be hard-wired into the car if you can adjust it on the move. Daft question but where is the OBD socket on the Leon? (I guess your controller is plugged into it) On the Altea it is behind a rock-hard cover down under the steering wheel and I don't think something sighted there would be safe to change on the fly!

Otherwise the Jabba idea sounds cool and is cheaper than Revo (though a lot further for me to travel)... Where did you get the controller from?

 

[Mitchy]

Is that on a 150 diesel?

Whats the maximum horse power you've got?

Had a look on the Jabba site and couldnt see anything about a boost controller.
What controller are you using?

No mate LCR

Its a jabba boost controller, its very strange they dont have it listed on their site but if you were to get a jabba remap at their premesis they would fit 1 for you at an additional cost obviously!

Think the remap is £475 and boost controller + fitting £150

So cheaper than the revo SPS 3

 

[Mitchy]

Hi Mate, thanks for all your responses. I had not investigated Jabba and they do sound good (even mention Clutch issues!) but I can't find a boost controller - is it like the Revo SPS? I suspect it might be hard-wired into the car if you can adjust it on the move. Daft question but where is the OBD socket on the Leon? (I guess your controller is plugged into it) On the Altea it is behind a rock-hard cover down under the steering wheel and I don't think something sighted there would be safe to change on the fly!

Otherwise the Jabba idea sounds cool and is cheaper than Revo (though a lot further for me to travel)... Where did you get the controller from?

Like my response above mate, it is a jabba boost controller and they will supply and fit it for you when you take the vehicle for its remap!

Jabba also offer rolling road time before and after, revo do not, and at no additional cost! IMO jabbasport is far better value for money. I made a 450 mile round trip to take it to them when my local revo dealer is located less than 5 miles away!

The diagnostics socket is by the gear lever on the leon, just under where the ashtray sits!

Yes it is hard wired in but jabba do all that for you when they fit it, but it isnt anywhere near the diagnostic port.

Dont quote me on this but i 'think' the controller is wired into the boost actuator on the turbo, its definitely not wired into the diagnostic port.

The controller just sticks onto your dash and it has a knob on it for controlling the boost, you do not go anywhere near your diagnostic port to change the settings.

 

[ChrisUK]

I used to have clutch slip on mine all the time (3rd+) at 3k RPM, but I changed my driving style, and (fingers crossed), it hasn't slipped within the last 4 weeks !

Do you need a switchable map ? You can get a non switchable map for £199

 

[olaf]

I used to have clutch slip on mine all the time (3rd+) at 3k RPM, but I changed my driving style, and (fingers crossed), it hasn't slipped within the last 4 weeks !

Do you need a switchable map ? You can get a non switchable map for £199

What kind of driving style is best suited to avoid clutch slip then?

Id like a switchable map just incase i need to switch if off so its "not there", if you get what i mean! Either for the car to go into the garage, or worst came to worst, i had an accident.

 

[Mitchy]

Dropping a gear rather than being lazy in gear.

Low revs in too high a gear is what kills your clutch!

 

[ChrisUK]

Don't give it full throttle, feed the power in rathe than using the accelerator as an On/Off switch.

Plus as stated above, drop down a gear when your about to boot it, don't floor it at low revs.

I used to want a switchable map for exactly that same reason - but REVO is nearly £500 inc VAT - other maps (inc custom maps) are £300 less...................

 

[olaf]

Sounds like id have to change my driving style a bit, but would changing over to a diesel anyhow.

Revo does seem a little over priced compared to other options, plus the controller is expensive aswell, for what it does really.

Wont be able to afford a remap for a while after ive finally got a new car anyway so will have to see how i feel then. Jabba would be my current favourite i think though.

 

[ChrisUK]

Have a word with Pete over in the Bell Auto's section - he's doing a custom map for £199

 

[schnipps]

This is massively putting me off getting mine mapped, the thought of having clutch problems atall means its unlikely i would get it done now, its just too much to risk if it starts going pear shaped. Im supried though as REVO is well extablished ans tested, if it produces clutch slip atall then its not doing what it supposed to do properly. If you pay nearly 500 quid for it id expect it to be bomb proof.