White "Lion" Cupra - DSG converted track car

[Shoduchi]

I can try the coils on an harder setting for track.  Fortunately they're very fast to adjust.

[bricksnmortar]

Hi Teo,
I'm getting ready to build a race car and wanted to know why did you swap the manual box for DSG? With the exact same config was the DSG any faster around the track?
I need to choose which gearbox and most of the Gti circuit racers in the UK have gone back to manual from DSG.
thanks

[teo_parvu]

Hi! Sure it is faster, that's why some TCR cars are using it.
Manual is a lot more fun and involving, but when it comes to pure laptimes, DSG is way better.

[bricksnmortar]

Thanks Teo. Jabba in UK told me that racers were going back to manual boxes because of the weight distribution (20kg more over one of the front wheels) so the weight across each wheel isn't as balanced and because the DSG box doesn't engine brake as much so the lap times weren't any faster in the Mk5 gti series. They said guys were even swapping the DSG box to go back to manual when they found it wasn't any faster in laptime so the race winners now were all manuals?

[teo_parvu]

In a car this heavy, 20KG more on the front it's close to nothing and you could always balance it by moving the battery in the back. Also with a good AP Racing brake system, engine brake should be neglected, it makes almost no difference other than destabilizing the car without heel and toe downshifts.
I'm still to find a clutch that will work perfectly with 7000 rpm shift and engine brake without overheating in 1-2 really fast laps, after that refusing to get into gear. ;)
DSG is the future, whether we like it or not. With a really good remap it will also do some engine brake, but it will engage rough 1st and reverse. The engagement is hard and direct at 16 or more PSI clutch pressure. 

[bricksnmortar]

Thanks Teo.

"I'm still to find a clutch that will work perfectly with 7000 rpm shift and engine brake without overheating in 1-2 really fast laps, after that refusing to get into gear. ;) "
Do you mean its hard to find a clutch in a manual box or a clutch in a DSG?

Is the lack of engine braking because the DSG slips its clutch when you come off the throttle or because it still keeps some fuel injected into the engine? Why would they do this, to protect the DSG box on throttle lift?

[teo_parvu]

I mean a clutch for manual gearbox. One of the reasons to switch to DSG was the clutch, I had Southbend Stage 3 Endurance, a custom kit made by Atix Racing Solutions here in RO and I've driven fuscobal's Sachs Performance clutch. all of them awful. U simply cannot shift quickly at high rpm.
I don't know where the lack of engine break comes, but as said, I have engine break, maybe because of the aggressive tune.

[bricksnmortar]

Interesting, did your laptimes change when you put in the DSG or did you make other changes at the same time so you couldn't tell?
Who did your DSG tune? And did you put in a different DSG clutch? I see you put in a DSG cooler.

[teo_parvu]

Stock clutch with DynoDrome tune.
I was 3 seconds per lap faster than before on a 4.1 km track... but with rear wing, splitter, and some other mods, so...:/

[bricksnmortar]

Thanks. How did you get rid of all the ESP but keep your ABS, was that part of a tune?

[teo_parvu]

On slicks it doesn't bother me, it is not that intrusive on my Cupra, I just deactivate it from the button. Sometimes when i really exaggerate, I feel it, but that means loosing time anyway.

[teo_parvu]

Latest evolution: further weight reduction...no more sunroof, stereo and even more widened wheel arches...




Laptime is really good, second in my class and best FWD in a very select company, between a stage 2 991.2 Turbo S and a k20/k24 engine converted Lotus Elise with massive aero:

Full album here:

https://www.facebook.com/pg/rotac.ro/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1980305965362740&__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARCJLjO0ClmouG9fdFBaJ34RGPR0wmejhhXtnH-aqSyEgNznwlIO9qYSBBSG2WYV_0kVlNE93mHKwm0lwzRbZlgMKh-ExlmFg9jRGoCW5QfrvnEojba_S45BfVC4CcZXWp5LQhaHN06zdq0O9FAmAHF-tLGt8DadihFm3yhAMi0OtxAO0LHQ1w&__tn__=-UC-R

[Shoduchi]

Great handling and great driving! Congrats buddy! Awesome machine you have there!

[pudding]

Excellent!  How did you block off the sunroof?

[teo_parvu]

Thanks guys!

I've unmounted the sunroof with the rails and I've bolted a carbon plate directly on the roof. I've waterproofed it with windshield sealant.



I'll post some pictures from the brand new Transilvania Motor Ring as soon as I get them, last round of Romanian Time Attack Challenge, where i won my second championship, this time on Race+ class:



And a video from the training sessions. The track is superb, unfortunately the camera was out of focus. At least it feels fast: