Leon cupra R Suspension

Mark Greenall

Mark Greenall

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Hi
I've just been offered a leon cupra r for a couple of hundred quid.
Will the front suspension fit onto my 1998 a3 1.8t? I plan on just swapping the front struts and springs for now.
Will it work?
Thanks
 
Front struts would fit fine, I'd imagine the ride height would be a bit lower though so perhaps worth swapping the rear also....

Could be worth swapping over the arms, hubs, ARB and steering rack while you're there!
 
VAG-Slag said:
Front struts would fit fine, I'd imagine the ride height would be a bit lower though so perhaps worth swapping the rear also....

Could be worth swapping over the arms, hubs, ARB and steering rack while you're there!
Click to expand...
Thanks
I intend to swap all bits over in a few weeks when I'm on holiday. Should make the old a3 a new car.
 
The cast arms and hubs will bring the largest benefit; fit them with caster correcting bushes to maximise the benefits
 
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Yes, little bit tighter

You need the power steering pump too, or you will make the overall steering worse

heavier tighter steering is not helpful
 
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2.7 terns lock to lock instead of the standard 3.5 to be precise...

You don't NEEED PAS pump... If you didn't swap pump you'd only notice it was slightly heavier when slow maneuvering, wouldn't make a difference when on the move...
 
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Brakes aswell brembo 4 pots...
 
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I am going to swap all the above parts. Do all lcr have brembo? I got the car for 200 quid with all the cars windows smashed and all the panels kicked in (vandalised) I'm going to strip it then scrap the shell. 1 question
I've noticed the lcr has a different drop link. It attaches to the suspension leg. My a3 is different. Will the whole suspension leg with spring just bolt off and bolt onto my a3? I will be doing this in the morning so I just want to be 100%
 
Mark Greenall said:
I am going to swap all the above parts. Do all lcr have brembo? I got the car for 200 quid with all the cars windows smashed and all the panels kicked in (vandalised) I'm going to strip it then scrap the shell. 1 question
I've noticed the lcr has a different drop link. It attaches to the suspension leg. My a3 is different. Will the whole suspension leg with spring just bolt off and bolt onto my a3? I will be doing this in the morning so I just want to be 100%
Click to expand...

Sounds like a bargain, just the Brembos in good condition would go for double that!... The drop link is indeed different, but so long as you use the ARB from the LCR you'll be fine.

By far the easiest way to do this would be to loosen off the top mounts, loosen the steering column from the rack then support the subframe, take out the 4 subframe bolts and drop everything out in one go...

Then you'll be able to just swap the subframe, arms, hubs, ARB, steering rack, struts EVERYTHING all in one go, having only loosened 7 bolts...

edit: Obviously have to disconnect power steering hoses as well!... Think thats about it
 
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From my LCR days, the suspension on the Cupra R is the same as the 2wd audi TT of that era.
I'm not sure if that helps at all but it kind of tells you it's an almost bespoke setup
 
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VAG-Slag said:
Sounds like a bargain, just the Brembos in good condition would go for double that!... The drop link is indeed different, but so long as you use the ARB from the LCR you'll be fine.

By far the easiest way to do this would be to loosen off the top mounts, loosen the steering column from the rack then support the subframe, take out the 4 subframe bolts and drop everything out in one go...

Then you'll be able to just swap the subframe, arms, hubs, ARB, steering rack, struts EVERYTHING all in one go, having only loosened 7 bolts...

edit: Obviously have to disconnect power steering hoses as well!... Think thats about it
Click to expand...
So.. I need to swap the ARB at same time. The way you tell me to do it sounds best, but I will be in my own and sound like I will need a hand.
 
-Ju- said:
From my LCR days, the suspension on the Cupra R is the same as the 2wd audi TT of that era.
I'm not sure if that helps at all but it kind of tells you it's an almost bespoke setup
Click to expand...
Yeah I'm seeing this isn't a straight swap unless I swap bottom arms and subframe at same time. I will probably need to do this on my holidays incase something goes wrong. I really expected to unbolt the front struts and swap. However iv looked under my a3 just now and will be able to keep my arb for now as it attaches to bottom arms?
I'm a steel engineer by trade so iv got all the tools just not the know how until I start the work.
All the help is appreciated though
 
<tuffty/> said:
use the LCR front anti roll bar

<tuffty/>
Click to expand...
Tuffty, thanks
Is it possible to use my a3 arb until I get some help? I see the ARB goes over the subframe ect so I'd need to drop the frame to remove my arb to swap the lcr 1 in. Sorry about being so unsure but I don't want 2 cars in pieces and get stuck.
 
What are you hoping to achieve with the LCR suspension though?
I swapped all mine out for FK silverline X coilovers.
You might find all this work doesn't actually improve the handling!
 
-Ju- said:
What are you hoping to achieve with the LCR suspension though?
I swapped all mine out for FK silverline X coilovers.
You might find all this work doesn't actually improve the handling!
Click to expand...
Well, I was going to buy some new bilstein B4 shocks to fit to the front this weekend. Whilst I priced them up at 160 pounds for full shock and spring my friend told me of the seat for 200 quid. I did the math and decided to buy the seat to strip the suspension and turbo and the twin welly intercoolers. Apparently after speaking with the owner he told me the suspension was replaced at 81,000 and the car has done 92,000. So basically I thought it would be a good swap to freshen the a3 up.
 
Just spoke to local indy on phone. He says they will fit fine and to ignore the ARB tab until I swap the ARB over at a later date.
Does this sound like good advice?
 
-Ju- said:
What are you hoping to achieve with the LCR suspension though?
I swapped all mine out for FK silverline X coilovers.
You might find all this work doesn't actually improve the handling!
Click to expand...

By all reports, swapping from standard A3 to LCR front suspension makes a huge difference. The geometry of the arms and hubs are different, the steering rack is 'quicker', and as mentioned above, the brakes are an absolute steal.

Mark Greenall said:
Just spoke to local indy on phone. He says they will fit fine and to ignore the ARB tab until I swap the ARB over at a later date.
Does this sound like good advice?
Click to expand...

I think swapping the whole lot in one go would make the most sense, as @VAG-Slag described. I believe the top mounts are different too, by the way.
 
Mark Greenall said:
Tuffty, thanks
Is it possible to use my a3 arb until I get some help? I see the ARB goes over the subframe ect so I'd need to drop the frame to remove my arb to swap the lcr 1 in. Sorry about being so unsure but I don't want 2 cars in pieces and get stuck.
Click to expand...

You won't be able to use the A3 ARB with the LCR arm... no mount point for the drop link

<tuffty/>
 
Mark Greenall said:
Well, I was going to buy some new bilstein B4 shocks to fit to the front this weekend. Whilst I priced them up at 160 pounds for full shock and spring my friend told me of the seat for 200 quid. I did the math and decided to buy the seat to strip the suspension and turbo and the twin welly intercoolers. Apparently after speaking with the owner he told me the suspension was replaced at 81,000 and the car has done 92,000. So basically I thought it would be a good swap to freshen the a3 up.
Click to expand...

You're getting a little confused - "Wellycoolers" are the generic FMIC cores that most people run. The LCR left the factory with a pair of SMICs, where as your A3 will have just one SMIC. The effort:benefit ratio of fitting the dual setup is not in your favour, hence most people fitting the Wellycooler instead.

That said, you've picked up a complete bargain there. As has been said, a set of LCR brakes tends to fetch around £350-400 alone, and there are plenty of upgrades for you to fit to the Audi. Brakes, wishbones, hubs, ARB and droplinks plus full suspension setup will bolt straight up so long as the A3 is 2wd (Y)
 
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Just in case its not obvious whats been said.... the LCR hub carriers have a lower ball joint mount making the roll centres more favourable...

To get the best out of the setup you need to swap the lot over...

Personally I do as VAG-Slag suggested... swap it over complete on subframe... don't forget to get a front alignment check afterwards...

Might be worth while swapping the power steering pump or at least holding onto it as the LCR one should be rated at a higher pressure to cope with the quick rack over the std A3 unit

<tuffty/>
 
Thanks for all the info.
Tomorrow I only have time to swap the shocks and springs. I'm asking will they fit to the a3 without swapping the bottom arms just for now until I'm on holiday and can spend a day swapping all bits. I trust you guys more than the garage so il go with what u say
 
Mark Greenall said:
Thanks for all the info.
Tomorrow I only have time to swap the shocks and springs. I'm asking will they fit to the a3 without swapping the bottom arms just for now until I'm on holiday and can spend a day swapping all bits. I trust you guys more than the garage so il go with what u say
Click to expand...

Short answer... Yes
 
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Just to say to all people who helped thanks.
I have just removed the suspension struts from the leon in the rain. I now see the difference in the bottom arms wow the leons look like track car parts!! It has brembo and they are selling on eBay £355 upward so can I fit them on a3 too? Sorry I'm a bit thick with cars until i see someone else do it 1st. Front bumper worth a fortune too so il get the money back. The drop links were well seized on had to impact them off! Feel a bit gutted tbh because the leon was a much better car than my a3 but then again my a3 will be better than a normal a3 after my holiday. Il be selling the gearbox ect or anything I won't use if anyone's interested.
Thanks guys
 
Yep the Brembos will bolt straight up to your car too.

What colour's the LCR? Need a few bits for mine (possibly including the gearbox actually)!
 
Last edited:
What colour's the LCR? Need a few bits for mine (possibly including the gearbox actually)![/QUOTE]
Silver. Windows smashed (all of them)
All panels kicked in.
Both bumpers are fine (mint)
Interiors good but wet so will probably rot.
Wheels are good but I will probably keep them tbh.
Engine is 92,000 but I will be taking alot off it.
 
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