Im sure there questions have been asked hundered of times, but im still none the wiser after searching for answers. I purchased my first fabia VRS 2 weeks ago now. Its a 04 plate with 70000 miles.

Very happy with the car, impressed with the handling, and impressed with the torque from 2000revs. Above 3000revs the car seems to run out of puff (well im used to a 220bhp saab 9-3, so its not the car, its what im used to)

In terms of the handling, ive owned modified cars before, and dont really want to go down that route again. I want to keep the car looking 'standard'. Im going to put on some ebach springs, and a RARB to sharpen it up a bit.

Engine wise, i want to get it remapped, as i want more power. I have a revo and superchips (janspeed) dealer closeby. The car is on its original clutch, and it still feel strong with no signs of slip.

Is it worth me getting the superchips map, as im not keep on replacing the clutch with a £1000 alternative to handle the torque. Or will the revo map, with a sachs clutch make a noticable difference over the the less aggressive superchips clutch.

Or will the revo map, with the torque output lowered be ok if i treat the clutch with care?

Also i have no idea between the different between SMF, and DMF's? If i get the revo stage 1 map afterall which one will i need?

I hope someone can shed some light?

Thanks

Dan

Lots of us here have remaps only (ie. standard clutch) and are doing OK but it's always a risk, personally I do wonder in hindsight the point of a remap where I have to be conscious of how I drive, as that seems to defeat the object in many ways. Basically, everyone who comes along to threads like this and tells you that you risk slipping the clutch and the only proper power upgrade is remap+clutch is probably right in the long run I'm afraid I was one of the many people here who got seduced by the quick and easy extra power of a remap although I have to say the Fabia is bearing up OK so far. But I know it's only a matter of time before "clutch says no".

I wish there was a guide/thread which spelled out in layman's terms what the upgraded clutch options are, who fits them and how much it costs, the benefits of them, what difference SMF/DMF makes and if you need it, etc. because this is asked so often. Also, does an uprated clutch drive just like the standard one but takes more torque, or is it stiffer? Can you just go down to your local mechanic and he can order the bits and fit them?

Welcome to the forum Dan.

Glad you're enjoying your car. Re-map wise, spend some time talking to the local tuners and also consider some of the site sponsors for a re-map. There are so many to choose from.

Two main types as I'm sure you've read, custom or generic. Most mappers should be able to supply a more "clutch friendly map" upon request, but again it's mostly down to how it's driven TBH.

I have been running an AmD generic (cut and paste not tailored to the car and mods) re-map for around 100k miles. It runs 173bhp and 290lbs/ft and I'm running the original standard clutch and turbo (now at 133k miles)

Edited 7 April, 201016 yr by Jonny5ive

Lots of us here have remaps only (ie. standard clutch) and are doing OK but it's always a risk, personally I do wonder in hindsight the point of a remap where I have to be conscious of how I drive, as that seems to defeat the object in many ways. Basically, everyone who comes along to threads like this and tells you that you risk slipping the clutch and the only proper power upgrade is remap+clutch is probably right in the long run I'm afraid I was one of the many people here who got seduced by the quick and easy extra power of a remap although I have to say the Fabia is bearing up OK so far. But I know it's only a matter of time before "clutch says no".

I wish there was a guide/thread which spelled out in layman's terms what the upgraded clutch options are, who fits them and how much it costs, the benefits of them, what difference SMF/DMF makes and if you need it, etc. because this is asked so often. Also, does an uprated clutch drive just like the standard one but takes more torque, or is it stiffer? Can you just go down to your local mechanic and he can order the bits and fit them?

Any car with a stage 1 remap of about 180bhp and under 300ft. lbs will have no trouble with clutch slip, as long as the clutch is OE and not been abused in the past. The clutch slip problem comes into play when you are tuning stage 2 and above with other mods. then an uprated clutch is on the cards. £800 fitted is about the going rate for a Sachs and Helix clutch and they would be good for say 250bhp and 380ft. lbs. If you are unsure how much power to add to thenew mapping then the good tuners are always aware of clutch slip problems and much power to give you, Jabba, Angel, Awesome are the ones to trust and a couple of others mentioned on this Forum, you only have to phone them, they are very good fellows.. Do some searches as there is plenty of options and info on here.

What Jonny5ive said!

I had quite an aggressive generic map on my previous '02 plate Seat Ibiza PD130 and after 12 months and after rolling on from 65k to 80k miles it left my ownership with a smidge of clutch slip.

However my Fabia has now had Jabba custom remap for 18 months with figures are very similar to Jonny5ive @ 176 horses and 295 torques and has had no sign of clutch slip at all in more than 25k (45-70);

Having spoken Jabba since (on numerous occasions) 300lb is about the limit for the standard clutch but they can map in more power and cap the torque if required (as it will be when i get round to actually fitting my FMIC)

Clutch life can be as much down to driving style and mechanical sympathy as it can be to levels of torque and power! A well treated clutch may survive longer with a remap than a really badly driven standard car!

Thanks for helping out guys. To be honest, with the way the car is now, im tempted to get it remapped as it seems everything is in working order (clutch wise that is). I only really have 2 options.

1. Get a superchips map from janspeed, which i assume is a generic map, and quite a tame one at that. I have yet to speak with them, but can these generic maps be tamed down to reduce torque?

2. Get a revo map. Ive read that these are more aggressive, with a large torque spike. Again, if this is a generic map, can the torque be reduced to suit the clutch? Revo offer a 5 hour driving time free trial map (at 80%) of what id get if i paid full whack... They say the generic one can reach 170 bhp, and 290 lbs torque.

Now, i dont drive hard all the time, i always drive without putting excess load on the engine when its warming up, always allow it to cool down before switching off, and done drive hard below 2000 revs... So i appreciate that the standard clutch will last as long as its treated badly...

What would you suggest?

Also, its worth noting that only the superchips dealer (janspeed) has a rolling road, and id imagine the revo dealer will upload the software, and send me on my way...

Edited 7 April, 201016 yr by Dan Almond

As far as I am aware the very nature of a Generic map is that they are unchangeable - a simple upload and leave alone job - meaning taming of torque is unlikely.

However given the Revo figures it seems to be quite clutch friendly anyways, and given the size of the Revo network they aren't likely to be sending hundreds of maps into the world that make cars explode!

And beware the "free" trial - it'll become very much un-free when you get seduced by the extra power and torque and end up buying the map!

If you're close enough i'd consider site sponsor Unit 18 as their custom Mo-tech maps are a bargain at £250!

My car is running 295ft/lbs and theres no sign of my clutch going yet and i will admit that i'm a very "enthusiastic" driver!!

Most stage 1 maps shuld be ok on the standard clutch cos thats what they are designed for. the torque is usually capped at 300 ft/lbs cos this is all the clutch can take.

Be careful of this free trial tho!!! I've read on here once that a guy had a "free" map fitted and once it had ran out he went to Jabbasport where he was told that his ecu was effectivley "locked to revo and that he would have to get a revo dealer to unlock it in order to get a jabba map.

I got mine mapped, clutch friendly, since my clutch is already on its last legs, i drive like a nutter sometimes, but wait till 2k rpm, clutch is still hanging on for dear life. All about how you drive imo, you sound like you know how to do that, so map it and see.

Matt

I've had my VRS for about 16 months now - I decided to keep the thing almost std -f ro all of 10 minutes. Its got quite a list of mods now and i've just got round to getting a remap 2 days ago. My clutch was letting go before I even started modifying so I replace mine with the SMF & sachs kit from Jabbasport at £990 - So that I knew the clutch would handle whatever I throw at it!

Im sure there questions have been asked hundered of times, but im still none the wiser after searching for answers. I purchased my first fabia VRS 2 weeks ago now. Its a 04 plate with 70000 miles.

Very happy with the car, impressed with the handling, and impressed with the torque from 2000revs. Above 3000revs the car seems to run out of puff (well im used to a 220bhp saab 9-3, so its not the car, its what im used to)

In terms of the handling, ive owned modified cars before, and dont really want to go down that route again. I want to keep the car looking 'standard'. Im going to put on some ebach springs, and a RARB to sharpen it up a bit.

Engine wise, i want to get it remapped, as i want more power. I have a revo and superchips (janspeed) dealer closeby. The car is on its original clutch, and it still feel strong with no signs of slip.

Is it worth me getting the superchips map, as im not keep on replacing the clutch with a £1000 alternative to handle the torque. Or will the revo map, with a sachs clutch make a noticable difference over the the less aggressive superchips clutch.

Or will the revo map, with the torque output lowered be ok if i treat the clutch with care?

Also i have no idea between the different between SMF, and DMF's? If i get the revo stage 1 map afterall which one will i need?

I hope someone can shed some light?

Thanks

Dan

Unless you're doing the springs yourself or it's for mates-rates, consider getting a package or adding the Koni FSD dampers. Though the car will feel tauter with just the springs (and more like a hot hatch ought to feel), it can get unsettled on bumpier roads if the dampers are not uprated too.

Regarding the remap, if you can get a torque limited one, so much the better. Mine's a Jabba map limited to around 270lbft. It has slipped slightly in the past but only on the motorway in 5th or 6th when WOTing it as the outside lane clears. Unfortunately, the kick in the back and acceleration are addictive. Flooring it in 6th at 2200-2500rpm to acccelerate is where mine started to complain.

HTH

J.

Thanks for helping out guys. To be honest, with the way the car is now, im tempted to get it remapped as it seems everything is in working order (clutch wise that is). I only really have 2 options.

1. Get a superchips map from janspeed, which i assume is a generic map, and quite a tame one at that. I have yet to speak with them, but can these generic maps be tamed down to reduce torque?

2. Get a revo map. Ive read that these are more aggressive, with a large torque spike. Again, if this is a generic map, can the torque be reduced to suit the clutch? Revo offer a 5 hour driving time free trial map (at 80%) of what id get if i paid full whack... They say the generic one can reach 170 bhp, and 290 lbs torque.

Now, i dont drive hard all the time, i always drive without putting excess load on the engine when its warming up, always allow it to cool down before switching off, and done drive hard below 2000 revs... So i appreciate that the standard clutch will last as long as its treated badly...

What would you suggest?

Also, its worth noting that only the superchips dealer (janspeed) has a rolling road, and id imagine the revo dealer will upload the software, and send me on my way...

..i've heard good things from those on here that got a superchip remap. It is generic and the torque curve doesnt have any nasty spikes in it. It produces about 160bhp and an extra 35-45lb of torque if i remember correctly. Superchips also give you before and after rolling road sessions included in price.

I have heard first hand from Revo dealers that the map is very aggressive and the risk of clutch failure is higher.

Edited 7 April, 201016 yr by newskoda

Does anyone know if the pd160 clutch from an ibiza cupra would fit the fabia vrs / mk4 ibiza sport pd130?

Been looking at them on ECP and for £127 i think it could make a cheaper mod. Also you get get a std clutch from Seat Dealers too.

Questions are would it

1. Fit the pd130 engine?

2. Handle the extra few bhp you get from a remap?

ECP link

Edited 17 May, 201016 yr by tomadomeit