What should my gti rev to?

[Speed]

Performance wise I have a GIAC chip, and 3inch dump pipe.
The car runs well, although I find the standard flywheel way too heavy for my liking.

When giving the car some stick and watching the revs, I realised I've been changing gear at 5000rpm as the car seems to run out of puff at that point. I must say that I've been very happy with the cars performance until now and didn't think I had any issues at all. Yet I'm now aware that other gti owners with the same chip can hold 16psi all the way to 6000rpm.

When should the engine run out of puff, ie how many revs?
If beyond 5000rpm, what should I be looking for?

Thanks in advance!

[nightphotographer]

Is that just the K03 though - that turbo is renowned by it's inability to hold boost at high RPMs. All you have to do is google K03 vs K03S and you'll see that the newer 1.8T K03 turbos fitted to the A3s and Polo GTI's can produce an extra 20bhp and will hold boost all the way to the red line.

I'm not just saying this because I happen to have one of these turbos for sale either It's true!

[Speed]

I'm hesitant as I'm not sure how the KO3s will work with my GIAC chip and I don't want to have to re-chip it.

[h100vw]

The boost you see on a gauge is affected by the load the engine is under. What is more important is the volume of airflow. I have said a number of times but pressure and volume are different things entirely.

Pressure is better thought of as a measure of restriction. You don't see as much boost built up behind the valves in 1st and 2nd gear because the turbo doesn't get chance to build up pressure behind the valves. The engine accelerates quick enough that all the air goes past the valves.

In 3rd upwards, the engine doesn't accelerate as quickly, due to the higher load and you see the boost pressure higher on the gauge. The turbo is keeping up with demand.

the big wheel will be affecting acceleration too. If you put some 16s on it would be a different car. I doubt that there's an issue with the car.

Fitting a K03s would gain you little without a revised tune.

Gavin

[Speed]

The boost you see on a gauge is affected by the load the engine is under. What is more important is the volume of airflow. I have said a number of times but pressure and volume are different things entirely.
Pressure is better thought of as a measure of restriction. You don't see as much boost built up behind the valves in 1st and 2nd gear because the turbo doesn't get chance to build up pressure behind the valves. The engine accelerates quick enough that all the air goes past the valves.
In 3rd upwards, the engine doesn't accelerate as quickly, due to the higher load and you see the boost pressure higher on the gauge. The turbo is keeping up with demand.

the big wheel will be affecting acceleration too. If you put some 16s on it would be a different car. I doubt that there's an issue with the car.
Fitting a K03s would gain you little without a revised tune.
Gavin

Gavin, thank you very much for the explanation re volumn v pressure.
I've wondered what it would go like on 16s (All the mods, including the 18s were on the car when I bought it).

I do like the performance gained from the chip but would not have done the other mods if it didn't already come that way.
The ride is a little too harsh for my liking, especially on Sydney roads and personally I've always been into "go not show", hence the number of sleepers I've owned over the years.

My wife on the other hand, likes the ride and the "flashy" wheels. Reality is that neither of us have the need to be launching hard off the line and punching through the gears.

I guess I was more concerned that the car itself may not have been performing as good as it should, compared to others with a similar setup.

I do intend on checking for leaks in the vacuum hoses but other than that am no longer fussed with performance, as we are happy with how the car goes.
I realise now that there is little point in comparing hp and boost numbers with others, as it is just a pissing competition and has very little to do with the drivability of the car.

My wife loves it, so now I've given it to her and will search for another car (perferably standard) for myself, after I sell my RX7. May sound weird but I do like a modded car - just not for everyday use!

Thanks again for your valuable input.