My new Seat Leon Cupra 280

[jksoarez10]

Hello,
My name is Joao and I'm from the Netherlands. I recently bought a Seat Leon Cupra 280.

Future mods:

• Double Exhaust Tips (carbon)
• Front Lip (tbd which one)
• 8inch navigation radio with carplay
• Carbon + Alcantara steering wheel
• Carbon knob (DSG)
• Cupra badges in the trunk
• Spacers in wheels (something small to fit the bodywork)
• Stage 3 ECU repro
• Dark tinted windows (in the back)
• More to come...

If something have some suggestions, please let me know!

 

[tracktoy]

If you are looking to go stage 3 you will need to look at upgraded
Air Intake,
Stop Start memory module (so you are fully in control of the stop start system)
Brakes and the Audi air brake ducts,
To go with the Stage 3 you will need to upgrade to improved high and low pressure fuel pumps
Intercooler and Pipework,
Body Stiffening like the two underneath braces (front and rear) and Strut Brace.
Personally I would also recommend something like Super Pro ALOY0018K Control Arm Lower assembly with DuroBall.

Are you planning on lowering then make sure you consider that when you buy spacers

Welcome to the 280 Club start saving as you will end up spending more than you think unless you are very strong.

 

[jksoarez10]

If you are looking to go stage 3 you will need to look at upgraded
Air Intake,
Stop Start memory module (so you are fully in control of the stop start system)
Brakes and the Audi air brake ducts,
To go with the Stage 3 you will need to upgrade to improved high and low pressure fuel pumps
Intercooler and Pipework,
Body Stiffening like the two underneath braces (front and rear) and Strut Brace.
Personally I would also recommend something like Super Pro ALOY0018K Control Arm Lower assembly with DuroBall.

Are you planning on lowering then make sure you consider that when you buy spacers

Welcome to the 280 Club start saving as you will end up spending more than you think unless you are very strong.

Thanks for your input! I might get bankrupt soon… I just love this car too much!

First thing will be the badges and the front lip! I’ll update everything on this topic 🫡


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[jksoarez10]

Btw @tracktoy i don’t want to lower the car anymore as it’s already quite low! I guess 10-20mm is enough (back) and 10mm in the front


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[nd-photo.nl]

Here we gooooo

What kind of power figure are you going for with stage 3?

 

[Syphon]

Welcome to the community!

Scott

 

[jksoarez10]

Here we gooooo

What kind of power figure are you going for with stage 3?

I would say around 400pk/hp. Or maybe even a bit less! Because this is my daily car so I don't want to "load" the car too much.

Also I need to do loads of upgrades before Stage 3, so not sure when this will be done. It will be a long term plan.

 

[tracktoy]

What I will point out if you want to keep your motor in good condition you will need a more regular service than normally specified by SEAT/VW, The beauty of this engine is it can easily produce 500bhp but in daily driving you wont be using it and still can get 40mpg but all the drive train elements (Front Diff, Engine, DSG) will need more frequent oil changes.

 

[jksoarez10]

What I will point out if you want to keep your motor in good condition you will need a more regular service than normally specified by SEAT/VW, The beauty of this engine is it can easily produce 500bhp but in daily driving you wont be using it and still can get 40mpg but all the drive train elements (Front Diff, Engine, DSG) will need more frequent oil changes.

How often?

Currently I do every 15k but I'm thinking about doing every 10k just in case! (kilometres)

 

[nd-photo.nl]

yes, bring that down from 15k to 10k at least.

For 400bhp, stage 2 is feasible. Stage 2 on this platform is about 390-400bhp / 500Nm. Personally, I might drop down to Stage 1(+). Reason behind it is that its only FWD, so getting the power down will be a constant struggle. But I don't know for sure yet...

Even though I will still do stage 2 mods haha, simply because I like to do them.

 

[tracktoy]

Personally I have settled to engine oil change after every 2 / 3 track days (2-3 months) and the DSG and Front Diff get done yearly but I use my motor a lot on the track as well as a daily driver.

 

[jksoarez10]

yes, bring that down from 15k to 10k at least.

For 400bhp, stage 2 is feasible. Stage 2 on this platform is about 390-400bhp / 500Nm. Personally, I might drop down to Stage 1(+). Reason behind it is that its only FWD, so getting the power down will be a constant struggle. But I don't know for sure yet...

Even though I will still do stage 2 mods haha, simply because I like to do them.

Maybe I’ll stick with stage 1! For sure 350bhp its already enough! At the moment, I’m still enjoying 280bhp!

To change the exhaust tips… can I do it myself or grinding and welding is necessary?


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[jksoarez10]

Personally I have settled to engine oil change after every 2 / 3 track days (2-3 months) and the DSG and Front Diff get done yearly but I use my motor a lot on the track as well as a daily driver.

I might drop to 10k! And see how it goes from there


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[nd-photo.nl]

Maybe I’ll stick with stage 1! For sure 350bhp its already enough! At the moment, I’m still enjoying 280bhp!

To change the exhaust tips… can I do it myself or grinding and welding is necessary?


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Details here: https://www.seatcupra.net/forums/threads/nd-photo-nl-s-seat-leon-st-cupra-280.477591/post-5072839

But basically, grind/saw the original tips off and you have enough surface area to clamp new tips on. They need to be around 170mm in total length for them to sit properly.

The thinnest section is enough for the new clamp to sit on (51mm outer diameter). I used some gungum as "glue" and U-bolt exhaust clamps and that holds up well. There might be a difference, as the ST has 2 mufflers/backboxes and the SC probably has 1.

This is how most Aliexpress tips look like from the back

 

[tracktoy]

Maybe I’ll stick with stage 1! For sure 350bhp its already enough! At the moment, I’m still enjoying 280bhp!

To change the exhaust tips… can I do it myself or grinding and welding is necessary?


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Stage one is great fun and to be fair for road use is more than enough fun.

 

[jksoarez10]

Details here: https://www.seatcupra.net/forums/threads/nd-photo-nl-s-seat-leon-st-cupra-280.477591/post-5072839

But basically, grind/saw the original tips off and you have enough surface area to clamp new tips on. They need to be around 170mm in total length for them to sit properly.

The thinnest section is enough for the new clamp to sit on (51mm outer diameter). I used some gungum as "glue" and U-bolt exhaust clamps and that holds up well. There might be a difference, as the ST has 2 mufflers/backboxes and the SC probably has 1.

This is how most Aliexpress tips look like from the back

Perfect! I also got from the garage a muffler with valve (not sure if I'm describing it correctly) so I might install it back in the car and add this tips there.

One question: Can I activate android auto in my radio? Or do I need to do a complete swap?

 

[nd-photo.nl]

@East Yorkshire Retrofits might be able to answer that question for you with regards to Android Auto.

Valved muffler (kleppendemper) is correct indeed I have a cutout just before the Y-section, which gives me flexibility to add some exhaust sound at the push of a button.

 

[East Yorkshire Retrofits]

Perfect! I also got from the garage a muffler with valve (not sure if I'm describing it correctly) so I might install it back in the car and add this tips there.

One question: Can I activate android auto in my radio? Or do I need to do a complete swap?

It’s likely you have MIB1, if you post a picture we’ll know for sure

 

[jksoarez10]

It’s likely you have MIB1, if you post a picture we’ll know for sure

There you go!


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[East Yorkshire Retrofits]

That's MIB1, it would have to be replaced