Ibiza Cupra/Fabia vRS gear ratios??

Jamesemt · 15-10-2006, 18:58

Hi guys, ever since buying my Ibiza Cupra TDI 160, I've been wondering why the wife's Fabia feels MUCH more responsive low down. The slightly larger turbo and front mount can't make THAT much difference, surely.

In the Fabia, 1400 rpm is the equivalent to 1800rpm in the Ibiza. Even though I am running 70bhp more in the Ibiza, low down the Fabia feels so much quicker, responsive and generally nicer to drive. Even with the remap on the Cupra.

Does anyone know which gear ratios are in which? To complicate matters, my mate has a Fabia vRS with gear ratios which are similar to the Ibiza...

The Ibiza is an old shape on an 06 plate - it doesn't have a silver bottom edge to the steering wheel or stereo buttons on it.

The Fabia has the updated rear light clusters and is on a 54 plate...

The way I feel at the moment, I'm very tempted to stick a couple of £k on the credit card and swap gearboxes... I never go over 100mph anyways, so its a waste having all that top end.

I've posted the same thread on a Seat forum, but thought it was more relevant on here...

Lummox · 15-10-2006, 19:01

Might also be to do with the longer inlet tract as its got a front mounted intercooler.

TeflonTom · 15-10-2006, 19:13

yes the gearing can have a huge effect on the way a car responds, but it could also be put down to a few other things too..

different valve timing perhaps??
dont the pd160 engines have a lower compression ratio than the pd130??

peter0976 · 15-10-2006, 19:35

Earlier Fabia vRS have longer 4th, 5th and 6th than the current ones. I think the current ones are doing about 2000rpm at 60mph in 6th? The older ones do about 1500rpm at 60mph in 6th. If your Cupra has the longer ratios this will make a big difference if suddenly hitting the loud pedal.

Also I think the Cupra 160 has a bigger turbo so it will take longer to spool up.

Jamesemt · 15-10-2006, 21:00

Yep I agree with everything that's been said, but the turbo is virtually identical - the part numbers are something like A - B apart.

Thing is, I'm not talking about full throttle blasting about - pulling off the drive and trying to get the car up to 20mph involves a lot more revving - it feels more like a petrol!!

Wardy · 15-10-2006, 21:49

Which remap are you running? Perhaps an idea would be to tweak the map to try and get more at the lower end of the range?

Steve

Jamesemt · 16-10-2006, 01:45

lol don't even go there!!!!

The map was a custom job by Bell Autos in York. Pete did a great job, but the problem is that running any more low down torque causes DMF problems - it grumbles like hell at low revs in 4th, 5th and 6th...I had four map tweaks to get to this stage!!!

Wardy · 16-10-2006, 08:40

Bite the bullet and go for Custom Code? Don't know if that would give you anything you don't have currently, but maybe worth the ask? JBS are your people

Steve

yellowcupra · 17-10-2006, 20:47

I have an ibiza cupra 54 plate myself and the girlfriend has a Fabia vrs 06 plate.

I kind of see what your saying but it doesnt bother me much, when all is said and done the Cupra still shows it who is boss!

By the way both are remapped, and pete is a top guy and i wouldnt for one minute say its his software causing the apparent problem

15-10-2006, 18:58	#1
Jamesemt Briskodian Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Hull Posts: 64 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Ibiza Cupra/Fabia vRS gear ratios?? Hi guys, ever since buying my Ibiza Cupra TDI 160, I've been wondering why the wife's Fabia feels MUCH more responsive low down. The slightly larger turbo and front mount can't make THAT much difference, surely. In the Fabia, 1400 rpm is the equivalent to 1800rpm in the Ibiza. Even though I am running 70bhp more in the Ibiza, low down the Fabia feels so much quicker, responsive and generally nicer to drive. Even with the remap on the Cupra. Does anyone know which gear ratios are in which? To complicate matters, my mate has a Fabia vRS with gear ratios which are similar to the Ibiza... The Ibiza is an old shape on an 06 plate - it doesn't have a silver bottom edge to the steering wheel or stereo buttons on it. The Fabia has the updated rear light clusters and is on a 54 plate... The way I feel at the moment, I'm very tempted to stick a couple of £k on the credit card and swap gearboxes... I never go over 100mph anyways, so its a waste having all that top end. I've posted the same thread on a Seat forum, but thought it was more relevant on here... __________________ James Furby vRS, Ibiza Cupra TDI

15-10-2006, 19:01	#2
Lummox Cupra Bush King Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Newport Pagnell Posts: 22,335 Images: 2 Thanks: 22 Thanked 739 Times in 621 Posts	Re: Ibiza Cupra/Fabia vRS gear ratios?? Might also be to do with the longer inlet tract as its got a front mounted intercooler. __________________ Unit 18 Automotive Services www.unit18.co.uk Remapping Service now available, PM for details.

15-10-2006, 19:13	#3
TeflonTom Briskodiodion Join Date: May 2006 Location: Hayling Island, Hampshire Posts: 8,214 Thanks: 47 Thanked 231 Times in 203 Posts	Re: Ibiza Cupra/Fabia vRS gear ratios?? yes the gearing can have a huge effect on the way a car responds, but it could also be put down to a few other things too.. different valve timing perhaps?? dont the pd160 engines have a lower compression ratio than the pd130??

15-10-2006, 19:35	#4
peter0976 Briskodian Join Date: May 2005 Location: Lincoln, Lincolnshire Posts: 53 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Ibiza Cupra/Fabia vRS gear ratios?? Earlier Fabia vRS have longer 4th, 5th and 6th than the current ones. I think the current ones are doing about 2000rpm at 60mph in 6th? The older ones do about 1500rpm at 60mph in 6th. If your Cupra has the longer ratios this will make a big difference if suddenly hitting the loud pedal. Also I think the Cupra 160 has a bigger turbo so it will take longer to spool up. Last edited by peter0976; 15-10-2006 at 19:45.

15-10-2006, 21:00	#5
Jamesemt Briskodian Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Hull Posts: 64 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Ibiza Cupra/Fabia vRS gear ratios?? Yep I agree with everything that's been said, but the turbo is virtually identical - the part numbers are something like A - B apart. Thing is, I'm not talking about full throttle blasting about - pulling off the drive and trying to get the car up to 20mph involves a lot more revving - it feels more like a petrol!! __________________ James Furby vRS, Ibiza Cupra TDI

15-10-2006, 21:49	#6
Wardy 207/340 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Around Manchester & Cheshire Posts: 11,627 Thanks: 459 Thanked 362 Times in 350 Posts	Re: Ibiza Cupra/Fabia vRS gear ratios?? Which remap are you running? Perhaps an idea would be to tweak the map to try and get more at the lower end of the range? Steve __________________ Wardy's Fabia vRS xenons : sunroof : cruise : OEM+ "Racing is life. Anything before or after is just waiting." - Steve McQueen "If in doubt, flat out." - Colin McRae

16-10-2006, 01:45	#7
Jamesemt Briskodian Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Hull Posts: 64 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Ibiza Cupra/Fabia vRS gear ratios?? lol don't even go there!!!! The map was a custom job by Bell Autos in York. Pete did a great job, but the problem is that running any more low down torque causes DMF problems - it grumbles like hell at low revs in 4th, 5th and 6th...I had four map tweaks to get to this stage!!! __________________ James Furby vRS, Ibiza Cupra TDI

16-10-2006, 08:40	#8
Wardy 207/340 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Around Manchester & Cheshire Posts: 11,627 Thanks: 459 Thanked 362 Times in 350 Posts	Re: Ibiza Cupra/Fabia vRS gear ratios?? Bite the bullet and go for Custom Code? Don't know if that would give you anything you don't have currently, but maybe worth the ask? JBS are your people Steve __________________ Wardy's Fabia vRS xenons : sunroof : cruise : OEM+ "Racing is life. Anything before or after is just waiting." - Steve McQueen "If in doubt, flat out." - Colin McRae

17-10-2006, 20:47	#9
yellowcupra Briskodian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: yorkshire Posts: 126 Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	Re: Ibiza Cupra/Fabia vRS gear ratios?? I have an ibiza cupra 54 plate myself and the girlfriend has a Fabia vrs 06 plate. I kind of see what your saying but it doesnt bother me much, when all is said and done the Cupra still shows it who is boss! By the way both are remapped, and pete is a top guy and i wouldnt for one minute say its his software causing the apparent problem

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