Tuning the Golf 90 TSI - Whaddayareckon?

[Ryan_R]

Best thing to do would be to visit an APR dealer and get the 6 hour free trial to get a feel for it.

[Tbone]

Hi guys - I have a 118TSI, but I guess the following question is still equally valid (apologies in advance if this has already been canvassed).

As much as I would like to be on the open road, the fact is the majority of my driving will be around the city (due to work, where I live... etc) - would the stage 1 ECU upgrade really be that noticeable under the circumstances? Am tempted to get it but obviously need to weigh up how much benefit I would likely get out of it.

[Corey_R]

I haven't driven a Stage 1 90TSI or 118TSI, but from my experience with a few Stage 1 Golf GTI's, and also the 9N3 Polo GTI (1.8L Turbo), it's in "day to day driving" that you get the most benefit out of it on the smaller turbo VW engines.

[Ryan_R]

The extra toque from the Stage 1 tune (seems to put the supercharger to better use) makes the car a lot more fun to drive in pretty much all situations, and removes a bit of the lag. For the 118TSI imparticular (I haven't driven the other models), I'd also seriously recommend the SprintBooster adapter that sits behind the accelerator pedal and modifies the input. It won't make the car any faster, but it completely removes the lag, which I find is pretty important in city driving (I work in the CBD in Melbourne). 'Sport mode' on the switch is how the car should've behaved from day one (coming from an older car that wasn't drive-by-wire/computer), and 'Race mode' makes the car a hoot to drive (takes a bit of getting used to). There's a thread on the subject somewhere around here.

Both products seemed like a lot of money when I considered them, but I definitely have no regrets. I know some people don't see the value in it, but with all due respect they don't have the same model as me, and haven't experienced the SB (in combination with the supercharger). Not wanting to start another discussion on that, just giving my recommendation to Tbone.

For what it's worth, I went with the 6 hour APR trial, loved it, went back the same day to purchase it, was still a little annoyed with the [reduced] lag, and then got the SB a month later. Hope this helps.

[Tbone]

Cheers for the comments.

Ryan_R - great to hear the tune removes a bit of the lag. That's definitely the most noticeable thing, especially in city driving with a lot of stop/start. As suggested, I think the 6 hour trial for sure sounds like the way to go but I've pretty much already made up my mind

As for the SB, I might wait and see how the stage 1 tune runs. I did have a read of the other thread but I'd be more interested just to try in person to be honest! Glad it sounds like it's working well for you though!

Thanks

[Ryan_R]

No problem Tbone. If I had to put a number to it, I'd say the tune removes about 30% of the lag, and the SB the remaining 70. With the SB, no matter how hard I floor the throttle, I can't replicate the way the car behaves when using the SB on its most aggressive 'Race' setting, I think it's unique to having the supercharger tbh. By doing one thing at a time, though, you'll have more appreciation for the changes. Every couple of months or so I'll go stock just to remind myself of the massive difference.

[Autosport]

Hi Ryan, notice any difference in Fuel econemy with the chip? - I know you're more likely to have your foot down more for more enjoyment to get the most out of your dollars spent, but interested to hear if you noticed any difference in fuel econemy (better or worse).

cheers

[Ryan_R]

The last time I went for a spirited drive (after doing an hour of freeway cruising), the averge consumption for that trip was 6.9L/100km. You will save some fuel getting the upgrade, but that's just how you justify the tune to others... we all know the real reason why you get it (more power, reduce accelerator pedal lag slightly).

Combining APR with SprintBooster on the supercharged Golf prooves even more fun, but using SB means you tend to accelerate a bit more than you have to, and the fuel consumption goes up a bit more.

Do you have the 90 or 118 TSI?

[Autosport]

just ordered a 90 TSI for work as I'll be doing a lot of km's - Also have a GTi though so I know I'll miss the power, but if I thought the chip might help save some fuel in normal freeway and town driving, might help justify a purchase. not worried about economy under spirited driving conditions. Thanks

[SMOK3Y]

I have 90tsi is it normal to hear turbo spinning after shutdown? Kept spining for maybe 10-20 seconds.

[Ryan_R]

It's the air conditioner pump you can hear - yes it's normal.

[SMOK3Y]

Ok cool, so does it even though aircon not on understand it still spins with motor.

[Ryan_R]

All the new Golf's do it to cool the engine down faster.

[JCop]

A bit curious with regards to legality for these chips.

As a P plater, the Stage 1 tune is simply software isn't it? And as such does it count under the restriction on modified vehicles?

I'm assuming also that it's easy to have the chip removed if selling the car second hand.

[Ryan_R]

You are not buying a chip, but changing the software on your existing OEM chip. I think the 90 TSI is legal for P platers in VIC, and tuning the software for air/fuel ratio mixtures isn't going to change that. You can easily swap back to "stock" by using the Cruise Control stick before you start the car, and use the Secuirty Lockout to hide the tune from VW and others.

That said, I've got no idea how big a difference the tune makes on the 90TSI (wouldn't be as much as the twin-charged 118TSI I'd assume). You could call Volkspower in Burwood and ask them for the free 6 hour (ignition time) trial of APR to help make your decision. I did that, and went back within 2 hours to buy it.