1st time VW owner, well, Spanish Golf !

[Michael_B]

Hiya,
Just took delivery of my new 2024 Leon V Tribe Edition. Loving the car, as it's my 1st new car ever !

Yeah, know it's not really a Golf, but it's Spanish cousin
Would have loved the VZ's extra power, but budget didn't stretch that far, especially when you add the heated seats !





As much as I love this car already, there are two areas that need addressing, and for one of them, parts are on their way !

The 'V' model (140kW/320Nm O6Q.A 888evo4 engine) is the base, and has good, but not suitable brakes for the occasional fang around the Adelaide Hills. The VZ (with 180kW) had the 340x30 & 310x22 brake package, whilst the V only got the 306x26 & 272x10 items.

The test drive I did was in the VZ, so not being able to afford the VZ (an extra A$10k), got the V and started the research.

Found a Mk7 Golf R brake package for A$730 delivered and also grabbed new rotors as well in case they were not 100%. They'll get fitted in the next weekend or two when the missus is away !
Reason for going with the brake kit rather than some proper 4 pot conversion kit is the warranty implications. It's standard parts and easily disguised.


The other folly is getting a Tuning Box/Interceptor of some sort to get closer to the 180kW of the VZ. This is turning out harder and more tricky than I thought. Many of the options available are either immediate warranty killing (not keen on that idea), expensive (DTE) or even there is a lack of options for this particular engine variant.

I'm aware of the pitfalls and 'claims' of some of the interceptor boxes, so being cautious and will list the research findings in my next post.

Cheers
Michael

[Lucas_R]

Hi and welcome - nice to see some Cupra's on here. I really like that blue coloured leather on the interior.

Have a look at the Burger Motorsports JB4 tuning box. This one is for the EA888 Gen 4 but specifically lists the Mk8 Golf GTI and R.....not sure if this one is suited to your engine? But this is the only tuning box I would personally use on a VAG product and they are well respected.

Burger Motorsports JB4 Performance Tune '-' VW MK8 GTI | AutoInstruct

There is also this one which may be the right one?? Burger Motorsports JB4 Tune '-' Group 18 MK8 R, 8Y S3 | AutoInstruct

Even these removable tuning boxes will likely kill your drivetrain warranty if something catastrophic happens as the the ECU will have a record of the increased boost pressure etc and the dealership will be able to see this if they connect their computer and look for evidence of tampering.

[Michael_B]

Hi and welcome - nice to see some Cupra's on here. I really like that blue coloured leather on the interior.

Have a look at the Burger Motorsports JB4 tuning box. This one is for the EA888 Gen 4 but specifically lists the Mk8 Golf GTI and R.....not sure if this one is suited to your engine? But this is the only tuning box I would personally use on a VAG product and they are well respected.

Burger Motorsports JB4 Performance Tune '-' VW MK8 GTI | AutoInstruct

There is also this one which may be the right one?? Burger Motorsports JB4 Tune '-' Group 18 MK8 R, 8Y S3 | AutoInstruct

Even these removable tuning boxes will likely kill your drivetrain warranty if something catastrophic happens as the the ECU will have a record of the increased boost pressure etc and the dealership will be able to see this if they connect their computer and look for evidence of tampering.

Cheers - the leather is part of the 'Tribe' edition, and I kinda like it as it's a bit different. Heated seats and steering wheel are great too !

Been waiting for a response from them, but they are rather lacking there. Even the local agent is non-responsive.

DTE was another good one that I looked at and am a bit hesitant at the moment. They have a good reputation as well.

Brakes are the main item at the moment, so will get that done first and worry about the rest later. 140kW is not to bad at the moment

[Lucas_R]

AutoInstruct are (as far as i am aware) the sole Australian distributor of the Burger Motorsports products. No doubt they would have to check with Burger Motorsports themselves, who are in America - so it might be a few days before you hear back with details.

Another option would be Racingline, but this is not a tuning box - rather its new software uploaded to the cars ECU. So these types of tunes will always yield better results than a tuning box, but will void engine/gearbox warranty. There are 3x Racingline dealers in the Adelaide area. RacingLine Dealers

EA888 GEN 3B SOFTWARE | Racingline

I would also be skeptical of the power claims that the DTE tuning box claims. They claim more than what most proper tunes are offering which just isnt possible (certainly not safely) with a tuning box. I have seen lots of Youtube videos over the years where they test various tuning boxes and the real world results are nowhere near what they claim.

And here is another tuning box option TDI-Tuning - Cupra Leon 140kw

[Michael_B]

Found these three following options which are are ;

Burger Motorsports JB4 Performance Tune – VW EA888 Gen 4 MK8 GTI – A$875
Data cable + $70 and Bluetooth Connector + $245
+41kW & 74Nm increase (95 RON Fuel)
+48kW & 88Nm increase (98 RON Fuel)
https://www.autoinstruct.com.au/pro...-jb4-performance-tune-vw-ea888-gen-4-mk8-gti/

TDI Tuning – A$579 (w Bluetooth) – Normally A$723
+34kW & 64Nm increase
https://tdi-tuning.com/en-au/car/cu...td4-sent-multi-channel-petrol-tuning-box-chip

DTE Power Control – A$949 (posted)
+41kW & 66Nm increase
No link provided for product, but have been in discussions

All were provided with the VIN and Engine No to confirm what is the right product. Interesting, Burger (JB4) were the only ones to check the # of wires on the TMAP sensor (damn, that was hard to see). It was 3 wire (not 4).

Seems the JB4 is the only one with multiple connectors, and that DTE & TDI are a single connector ?

Based on some other feedback, looks like the JB4 might be the one to go when the funds are there. Any other feedback ?

...

I would also be skeptical of the power claims that the DTE tuning box claims. They claim more than what most proper tunes are offering which just isnt possible (certainly not safely) with a tuning box. I have seen lots of Youtube videos over the years where they test various tuning boxes and the real world results are nowhere near what they claim.

...

Funnily, they all seem to claim similar gains, with JB4/Burger being the highest !!

The only advantage with any of them (need to check the JB4 ones) is they have a 30 day money back. So that is some comfort.

Aim is to get the WSS fixed and annoying bongs dispensed with and enjoy the brakes. Then worry about the next step.

Cheers

[Michael_B]

AutoInstruct are (as far as i am aware) the sole Australian distributor of the Burger Motorsports products. No doubt they would have to check with Burger Motorsports themselves, who are in America - so it might be a few days before you hear back with details.

Hadn't realised, but had been emailing Cristian re the JB4 box, and they are the suppliers of the Carista dongle as well !

[Sharkie]

I believe the engine in 140KW Cupra Leon V is an EA888.3B. It is not an EA888.4. The V is not simply a "detuned" VZ, it has a different engine.

As such you need the correct JB unit Burger Motorsports JB4 Performance Tune '-' VW / Audi / Skoda 2.0T Gen3B | AutoInstruct. note this will only make up to 160kw.

Go Racingline RACINGLINE OEM+ PERFORMANCE ECU SOFTWARE - 2.0TSI EA888 GEN 3B 'MAF' - Harding Performance and you would be looking at 177kw.

Upload a photo of your engine bay and we would instantly be able to see the MAF (or not). The MAF being the easiest way to determine if it is a EA888.3b.

[Michael_B]

I believe the engine in 140KW Cupra Leon V is an EA888.3B. It is not an EA888.4. The V is not simply a "detuned" VZ, it has a different engine.

As such you need the correct JB unit Burger Motorsports JB4 Performance Tune '-' VW / Audi / Skoda 2.0T Gen3B | AutoInstruct. note this will only make up to 160kw.

Go Racingline RACINGLINE OEM+ PERFORMANCE ECU SOFTWARE - 2.0TSI EA888 GEN 3B 'MAF' - Harding Performance and you would be looking at 177kw.

Upload a photo of your engine bay and we would instantly be able to see the MAF (or not). The MAF being the easiest way to determine if it is a EA888.3b.

Hiya Sharkie,

Thanks for the input, and here is a pic of the engine bay




The interesting thing is that both Cristian (Autoinstruct) and David (Harding Performance) were supplied the VIN, Engine number (and engine bay pic for Cristian), and they both confirmed that it's an evo4 engine.

EDIT : David (Harding Performance) mentioned also that Racingline don't yet have a tune for this model, as with the ECU, they haven't yet hacked it, so even that option was out before it started

The Cupra spec sheet also lists it as an evo 4



Mind you, the Cupra brochure lists it with 11.7:1 compression ratio ....

[Michael_B]

Hi all,
Have read elsewhere, and it seems there are multiple 4 letter 'engine codes' which can help determine what engine variant is in the car (from Bartek, they list DNFB, DNFC, DNFD, DNFE, DNFF, DNFG, DSFE and DSFF
as the codes for an e888 evo4 engine

So, the $64 question is, how do you find that out ?

I have a Carista (Thanks LucasR) and connected it to the car, (not yet got the Pro level access yet) but can't see a way to get this code ?

Anyone help ?

BTW, on my car
VIN = VSSZZZKL2RR081339
Eng No. = DNN 262725

Thanks

[Lucas_R]

Look on the drivers side of the engine just under the area where the dipstick/oil fillter cap is. The black plastic cover that protects the timing chain/belt should have a white rectangular sticker on it and amongst other info - your engine code should be on that.

Also might be in your boot near the spare wheel (another white sticker). Also check front page of your owners manual as there is usually a sticker there too.

At least this is where they have put the stickers for the past 20 years.....might be different now.

[Michael_B]

Confirmed by engine bay sticker - only 3 letters DNN

Maybe the Spanish don't get all 4 !??

[DV52]

hmm...... I suspect this car has the new DNN 2.0TFSI TSI 190PS engine which has nominal power-rating of 140KW and which produces 320Nm of torque!

Maybe read -HERE

Don

[Sharkie]

Thats both good news and bad news ... Great that it does indeed have 1 of the EA888.4 variants, the MK8 Golf GTI still on a EA888.3 !!!!

Bad in that none of the tuning options out there will work on it at the moment. You will probably have to be a bit patient and let the tuners do their magic. I would not be putting any JB module on it as none of their options (at the moment) are designed to work with that particular engine.

[Michael_B]

hmm...... I suspect this car has the new DNN 2.0TFSI TSI 190PS engine which has nominal power-rating of 140KW and which produces 320Nm of torque!

Maybe read -HERE

Don

Cheers Don - what is interesting is that the compression ratio is quite high !

Your link states 12.2:1, whilst the Official brochure lists 11.7:1 (the 180kW versions in the VZ model list 9.6:1 compression, whilst the VZx 221kW model is listed at 9.3:1).

Love to know more about the "new turbo" though !

Here is another link from VW, but no mention of the 190HP (140kW) variant !
The EA888 Evo4 engine: A performance spearpoint sharpened - Volkswagen US Media Site

[Michael_B]

Thats both good news and bad news ... Great that it does indeed have 1 of the EA888.4 variants, the MK8 Golf GTI still on a EA888.3 !!!!

Bad in that none of the tuning options out there will work on it at the moment. You will probably have to be a bit patient and let the tuners do their magic. I would not be putting any JB module on it as none of their options (at the moment) are designed to work with that particular engine.

I'm starting to agree with you there but get all sorts of answers here and there.

And re the JB4, after confirming some details with Cristian (Autoinstruct), including that the TMAP sensor was 3 wire (not 4) that this Burger Motorsports JB4 Performance Tune '-' VW MK8 GTI | AutoInstruct (Burger Motorsports JB4 Performance Tune – VW EA888 Gen 4 MK8 GTI – Group 17) was the one.
Hmmm, may still wait a bit. Still have the Wheel speed sensor issue to sort and get rid of the pesky lights before I delve any further.

Cheers