ECU Upgrades vs traction

[cascade1983]

Hi guys,

In a process of looking for a new car now and scirocco is in a shortlist... I guess the biggest concern for me is the FWD and potential problem with the traction... Especially looking a step forward and stage 1 ECU upgrade in a future... I've noticed that a few people here have APR/Revo/Viezzu etc on their cars, can you please share the experience on how does all this power work through front wheels? Do you get much of a spinning on 1 and 2 gears?

Cheers,

Cascade

[BOV17]

Hey Mate,

I have one with a Stage 2 v-tech tune and i will say, it just turns the tyres right up through 3rd.

However, with good tyres it just pulls extremely hard and gets traction if you drive it properly!

The diff in these cars is incredible so its a pleasure to drive - i dont find I get any torque steer even with nearly 350hp at the treads

[Andych]

Traction is all down to how you drive it... you can certainly get wheelspin in the first 3 gears in the dry when you have a good tune... if you are liberal with the right foot.. but that isnt what these cars are all about...

If you really want to know about torque steer... turn off Traction Control in the wet and stand on it... that is a really quick way to change lanes.... and not recommended... best let the electronics work their magic and enjoy the rush...

[Joe7777]

I usually drive the car with traction off in dry, as I don't like the TC intervention when I don't want it to. But I can very well enjoy the torque steering in the low gears both on straight line and cornering. And you will feel exactly what Andy says about "quick way to change lanes" (even in dry) but pretty fun sometimes, of course the tyres are not warm enough could be also a cause. I am only running a stage 1 tune (with an intake performance wise) atm with stock tyres. But will see how it improves towards the end of the year when new shoes fitted with PSS and when it back to street. And then LSD comes in picture early next year. Do all these up before throwing in more power, so that I don't waste them. Anyway this car feels faster even at stage 1, way better than stock response. Perhaps my tune is aggressive enough to suite my taste

[Martin]

At the VW driver education day they got us to drive into a fully wet corner at 60kmph,
we had to follow some cones out to the edge of the circuit which left us having to turn hard left
When we arrived at this hard left turn the instructor directed us to turn left and use full throttle
Obviously the engine management, diff brake locking and stability control all kicked in
But I was surprised that car still pulled hard and was totally smooth and fully in control

I would not worry about the stage I tune - this is a very competent car

[Greg Roles]

With Viezu customers I am finding those who have their partner drive the car, or who are a bit heavy footed go for the mid "performance" tune, and those that understand mashing the pedal at the lights every time isn't ideal in a hypo FWD car the Motorsport or better the new race level map is fine.

Performance is about the right delivery for the stock traction where as anything beyond that will easily overpower it. I guess this would roughly equate to other tuners "Stage 1" and "Stage 2" without hardware.

[cascade1983]

Thanks for your response guys... really appreciated... took one for a test drive today, well, even with factory kw, I've managed to get a fair bit of a torque steer and wheel spin... what a shame that VW didn't bother to fit at least mechanical LSD to this car, cause I've really liked everything else about this car...

[Rev 555]

Thanks for your response guys... really appreciated... took one for a test drive today, well, even with factory kw, I've managed to get a fair bit of a torque steer and wheel spin... what a shame that VW didn't bother to fit at least mechanical LSD to this car, cause I've really liked everything else about this car...

...yes a mechanical LSD does change the dynamics of the car dramatically (read my review). Its not an expensive outlay though so don't be discouraged by that. Its a great platform. Otherwise wait (if you can) for the new MQB platform on the imminent new Scirocco which I firmly believe will feature a mechanical LSD.

[JohnA]

Not wanting to start a new thread on this, but does anyone here have a manual scirocco R with a tune?

reading over on scirocco central, it seems a few people are having issues with clutch slip once they tune their cars.

[BOV17]

mines manual - no clutch slip at all

[staryknight]

Mines Manual, currently stock and havent experienced any torque steer yet, but have had cases of wheel spin before the traction control kicked in.

Used to own a Turbo'd DC5R Integra which was a torque steering monster so I know how to launch front wheel drives properly.

Going to get a Stage 1 tune soon so will see how much Torque steer i end up with from just a tune.

[Valver.]

Mine was a manual with an APR S1 tune. I recently sold it, though. It was a nice overall package, but just not a real performance car: understeer was woeful, and once there was a bit of wear on the tyres, the straight line traction - especially in the wet - was comically bad, particularly when compared to something like a Megane RS265 or Focus RS.

I bought an S2 Exige S as my weekend toy instead! My first time without a VW in 11 years.

[Dizzydumb]

Let's face it, we all bought the roc cos it looks good, that's all. One cannot seriously expect much traction or handling out of a FWD car.

Personally, if I wanted more traction and performance I would've saved myself a lot of cash by buying a 2nd hand evo instead: light and grippy. In fact, the golf R is an ideal choice for having euro feel and AWD traction too.

I'm running an aggressive stage 2 tune, DP, CAI and DSG flash, and I'm happy with it. It's my daily driver which I only boot on straights. whilst being mindful of it's limitations around corners due to traction.

If this has been in issue for anyone, then I urge them to reflect back on why they bought this car in the first place? Perhaps it's not very well suited to your needs? Go for AWD + tyres and you'll grip.

[Arno_Scirocco]

I disagree, there are numerous videos online which show a stock Roc beating Evo's and Scoobies around a track. Videos where a mildly tuned Roc keeping up with an M3 around the ring.

the only place where the FWD becomes taxing is if you want to blast off from traffic lights constantly. If that is your butter then getting wider stickier rubbers and upgraded suspension can aid quite a lot. Still of course it won't ever have awd or rwd kick off the line but to say its just for looks and handling isn't up there is wrong.

My previous car being an awd turbo jap with sticky rubber and suspension mods i can assure you once on the go through sweeping bends the Roc is just as good.

[Dizzydumb]

Well then the OP has dramas cos he's constantly going for drags or traffic light launches.

The roc has been more than adequate for me anyway, and I don't launch it hard. Enjoy the midrange!