DNA Tuning: VW Golf R dyno results and feedback

[Zoza]

Based on Lucas' glowing feedback, I decided to get in touch with John at DNA and inquire about a tune.

Received controller, send stock file, received Stage 1 tune.

Flashed the car and went for a spin... It did feel faster, but there was no WOW that everyone with a Stage 1 tune is reporting...

Decided to put the car on the dyno to see what was happening and here is the result:



Decent result, I just guess my expectations were too high or it takes a lot to get me excited.

John's been great throughout the process and I would have no second thoughts about referring him and his service.

I would like to thank Parso from Recode for doing the Dyno and discussing thr results. Another great guy in this community.

[tonymy01]

No torque graph? That is a shame, it gives a fuller story about things. But it seems the power"bump"that stock and some stage 1 Rs is gone and it is smooth ever increasing power.

[Ideo]

It's still a 20 odd kw gain for less than $1000 bucks.

I'd be happy with that.

Lucas may also have a strong R. It does happen - From memory a couple of dyno days ago there was about a 10kw range in stock motors.

[Zoza]

No torque graph?

Yeah, got a torque graph, its just a different print out. I'll upload it when I get home tonight.

[Zoza]

It's still a 20 odd kw gain for less than $1000 bucks.

I'd be happy with that.

Don't get me wrong, I am happy. I enjoy my car a lot more since the tune.

I'm just not WOW'd.

All these posts all over the place saying "Stage 1... blah blah... WOW!! AMAZING!!... I'M FASTER THAN A LAMBORGHINI"

My reaction was more along the lines of "Cool... its a little bit quicker and more responsive. Nice!"

[Lucas_R]

Good result Zoza - nice smooth power curve and good a/f ratios. Considering Parso is getting around 180kw from his custom tunes, your result of 177/178kw is very impressive. Also dont forget that the Recode dyno reads lower than the place i had my car dyno'd (Parso has mentioned this quite a few times, and it was a difference of about 8-10kw between the two dynos.)

So, to closer compare our cars, either subtract 8-10kw from my result, or otherwise add 8-10kw to your results.

Will be interesting to see your torque figures.

[R1 Crasher]

Don't get me wrong, I am happy. I enjoy my car a lot more since the tune.

I'm just not WOW'd.

All these posts all over the place saying "Stage 1... blah blah... WOW!! AMAZING!!... I'M FASTER THAN A LAMBORGHINI"

My reaction was more along the lines of "Cool... its a little bit quicker and more responsive. Nice!"

You don't ride a sportsbike do you? Its just that any car with/ without a tune,compared to a sportsbike feels underwhelmed.I know what you mean about Cool and a bit more responsive but not earth shatteringly quick like some would have you believe.Sportsbikes best performance bang for your buck money can buy.

[DNA Tuning]

Despite not being a "big" number, I am very impressed with Zoran's power curve - the AFR matches the programmed requested values perfectly and that is about as smooth a curve I've seen on an R.

I also noticed the high humidity during the run and different correction factors; nonetheless the car looks to be running well. But yes, nothing, absolutely nothing, compares to a sportsbike until you get to 300+kW atw territory in a car!

As I've said to various customers, a high flow downpipe and intake will work wonders, no matter what tune the car is running - I'd suggest that as a next step and then to load on our Stage 2 file. =)

[Zoza]

You don't ride a sportsbike do you? Its just that any car with/ without a tune,compared to a sportsbike feels underwhelmed.I know what you mean about Cool and a bit more responsive but not earth shatteringly quick like some would have you believe.Sportsbikes best performance bang for your buck money can buy.

HAHAHA, you might be close on the money here.

I have been riding my bike a lot more than driving the car over the last 6 months, so that could have something to do with it.

The night I tuned my car, I had come home with the bike, then tuned the car and took it for a spin, so I guess my sense of speed/acceleration was rather muddled up.

[Zoza]

Despite not being a "big" number, I am very impressed with Zoran's power curve - the AFR matches the programmed requested values perfectly and that is about as smooth a curve I've seen on an R.

I also noticed the high humidity during the run and different correction factors; nonetheless the car looks to be running well. But yes, nothing, absolutely nothing, compares to a sportsbike until you get to 300+kW atw territory in a car!

As I've said to various customers, a high flow downpipe and intake will work wonders, no matter what tune the car is running - I'd suggest that as a next step and then to load on our Stage 2 file. =)

After a week in the car, I've come to the following conclusions:

1. D drive sucks. Before tune, after tune, its just plain rubbish.
2. The car takes about 200km or so after the tune is written to feel proper change (in my case anyways)

As for the extra power, its there, there's no denying that, you just have to use S or +/- modes.

And now that I've had a taste, I don't know how long I can resist putting that intake + downpipe combo as the Stage 2 tune file is staring me in the face and taunting me every time I switch my computer on

[Ideo]

The 200km has been reported by others.

People who haven't had a tune don't believe it though.

[DNA Tuning]

This applies only for DSG/Auto cars; ie. the engine is capable of peak performance immediately after the tune, but alot of communication occurs between the DSG and ECU such as torque requests/limiting.

DSG remaps can improve the behaviour in D, but my opinion is that you have S and Manual modes available anyway so I'm not sure how much I would personally value a DSG remap. As a result, I haven't yet invested the money into acquiring the tool to properly reprogram DSG boxes yet, but if there is enough interest, I probably would!

[TheMilkman]

As I've said to various customers, a high flow downpipe and intake will work wonders, no matter what tune the car is running - I'd suggest that as a next step and then to load on our Stage 2 file. =)

So what kind of power/torque gains can be expected with these two mods and how much will it set you back?

[DNA Tuning]

So what kind of power/torque gains can be expected with these two mods and how much will it set you back?

Gains would be approximately 20Nm in torque and 10kW in peak power; the cost of a high flow cat/downpipe and intake will depend on which aftermarket option you choose.

In terms of the cost of the tune, this is normally already included as part of the $880 SRS-II + two tunes bundle that we have been selling for quite some time, so no additional cost from the tuning side.

[DNA Tuning]

And now that I've had a taste, I don't know how long I can resist putting that intake + downpipe combo as the Stage 2 tune file is staring me in the face and taunting me every time I switch my computer on

Hey Zoran, you can always upload the Stage 2 file onto the SRS-II; that way in case your computer crashes, etc. the Stage 2 tune is already ready to go.

The SRS-II can hold your stock, Stage 1 and Stage 2 files all at the same time.