Tuning took a back seat for a while, a little over a year, but I am back again. I sold my Honda Civic Si (see my garage), it just wasn't carrying the image I wanted anymore and having to wind the engine to over 5k revs for any real power was wearing a little thin for me. I took the decision to go  'German', newer and with more torque (6 cylinder or forced induction) looking at cars no older than 2003 registered and narrowed my choices down to a few, BMW 325/330 Ci Coupe/Cabrio, Audi S3, Golf IV GTi 150/180 or R32, Audi TT 225, SEAT Leon Cupra R 210/225 & I also looked at a Porche Boxter (moment of madness). As you can see, I chose SEAT, although initially a Spanish built brand, VAG luckily managed to get their hands on it and produce a fantastic car based on their popular Golf/A3 chassis.

Although not equipped with Audi's 4wd Quattro system (or VW Haldex), the Leon Cupra R is every bit as good in my opinion, using virtually the same engine as those supplied on the Audi S3 & TT. My decision was made due to how understated this car is and it's aggresive looks, something I thought the Audi S3 & TT lacked alot.

So here I am, the owner of a 2003 SEAT Leon Cupra R with a 210bhp 207lb/ft 1800cc 20 valve Turbo engine. This is VAGs AMK engine and is fitted with a K04-023 turbo. The AMK ran from 2002 - mid 2003 before a power increase to 222bhp (225ps) in late 2003. Rumours were that the AMK had larger gudgeon/wrist pins but everything else was the same, no-one seems to know for sure and I believe the extra 12bhp was down to ECU tweeking. Brembo 4 piston front brake calipers, 323mm front discs and 18" wheels made by Ronal were OEM parts on this car.

Additions to the car include a Forge 007 closed loop Diverter Valve (Blow off valve) with 'Yellow Spring', Neuspeed P-FLO induction kit, Custom air intake from a Mercedes truck intercooler hose, THS Turbo Inlet Pipe (intake to turbo), Stage 1 Remap with SPS, H&R 10mm wheel spacers on the rear wheels and I have bypassed the N249 Valve for the price of x2 hose clips and an inline hose connector. Bypassing this has made such a different, pick up is alot quicker and boost is held longer and stronger throughout the revs.

The car has been dyno tested twice and is producing a healthy 260bhp, 299lb/ft (405.4nm) torque and peak boost is 21psi.

Future plans include a balanced shock and spring set up, lowering roughly 30mm, fitment of a rear ARB (Neuspeed 25/28mm), drilled/grooved front brake discs, fast road brake pads, FMIC, turbo back exhaust (+ manifold when someone makes a decent one) and possibly a change in wheels to BBS CH and a split 50/50 TurboSmart Kompact Dual Port Blow Off Valve. I am thinking about having the K04 hybridised but it's all dependant on the exhaust manifold.

Wheels refinished in Porsche Meteor Grey Metallic...

Work in progress: Upgraded lower-engine/gearbox mount & Respray.

Next Up: Stiffer Springs & Dampers