IS38 Swap 162tsi

[Beedub]

I'm also looking into Etuners in Syd too. Did you go straight from stock to IS38 + flash as well? Keen to know whether they've worked on our Tiguans with this kind of upgrade (i'm sure they've done dozens of GTI upgrades). Did the Etuners file include a crackle tune? I'm assuming everyone who does an IS38 upgrade, also bundles a TCU tune too.

I went straight from stock to Stage 3 with a TTE475 (hybrid IS38, CTS Downpipe, Wagner Intercooler, Racingline induction kit (R600 cold air intake, cotton filter, silicon hose, high flow turbo inlet), Racingline oil cooler kit, Racingline oil catch tank & PCV replacement kit), Autotech High Volume Fuel Pump, Stage 3 ECU and TCU tune.

They've done a handful of Mk2 Tiguans ranging from IS38 + flash to what I've done.
A crackle tune is available. Message them on FB Messenger and tell them what you're after, they can source most items for you and customise your car how you want it.

I believe there are some on this forum and the fb page that haven't opted for the TCU tune. Personally I recommend a TCU tune, even a Stage 1 flash does wonders for it. Stops it racing up the gears and smooths a lot of the changes out. I also find it kicks back a gear far better than the stock file does when you put your foot down.

[GreyGoose_X]

I went straight from stock to Stage 3 with a TTE475 (hybrid IS38, CTS Downpipe, Wagner Intercooler, Racingline induction kit (R600 cold air intake, cotton filter, silicon hose, high flow turbo inlet), Racingline oil cooler kit, Racingline oil catch tank & PCV replacement kit), Autotech High Volume Fuel Pump, Stage 3 ECU and TCU tune.

They've done a handful of Mk2 Tiguans ranging from IS38 + flash to what I've done.
A crackle tune is available. Message them on FB Messenger and tell them what you're after, they can source most items for you and customise your car how you want it.

I believe there are some on this forum and the fb page that haven't opted for the TCU tune. Personally I recommend a TCU tune, even a Stage 1 flash does wonders for it. Stops it racing up the gears and smooths a lot of the changes out. I also find it kicks back a gear far better than the stock file does when you put your foot down.

Wow - that's some step up right there! I assume you did your research thoroughly on what power gains you would get from entry (aka Stage 1) right up to your current set up. I guess if you know you're going to get to Stage 3 anyway, might as well save yourself the costs (labour etc) and go straight there! Thanks, will reach out to Etuners on FB.


I'm still torn. One hand, folks say stage 1 is its the best $ to horsepower ratio but on the other hand, I'm toying with the idea of going IS38 + tune + essential only mods which will run ~$2k more than a stage 1, but with much higher gains?
Its also my wife's car, so I won't get to drive it like a daily. Which makes me lean towards just a St1...

[Timmy35851]

Wow - that's some step up right there! I assume you did your research thoroughly on what power gains you would get from entry (aka Stage 1) right up to your current set up. I guess if you know you're going to get to Stage 3 anyway, might as well save yourself the costs (labour etc) and go straight there! Thanks, will reach out to Etuners on FB.


I'm still torn. One hand, folks say stage 1 is its the best $ to horsepower ratio but on the other hand, I'm toying with the idea of going IS38 + tune + essential only mods which will run ~$2k more than a stage 1, but with much higher gains?
Its also my wife's car, so I won't get to drive it like a daily. Which makes me lean towards just a St1...

It all depends where you want to end up - I was in the same position, and have also had previous cars that I have gradually modded over time. Having just done the IS38+mods & Tune straight from stock, I'm really happy with my decision. I've been in a Stg 1 tuned tig and it just wasn't enough for me.

[Beedub]

Wow - that's some step up right there! I assume you did your research thoroughly on what power gains you would get from entry (aka Stage 1) right up to your current set up. I guess if you know you're going to get to Stage 3 anyway, might as well save yourself the costs (labour etc) and go straight there! Thanks, will reach out to Etuners on FB.


I'm still torn. One hand, folks say stage 1 is its the best $ to horsepower ratio but on the other hand, I'm toying with the idea of going IS38 + tune + essential only mods which will run ~$2k more than a stage 1, but with much higher gains?
Its also my wife's car, so I won't get to drive it like a daily. Which makes me lean towards just a St1...

It was a lot of money spent. I went overboard but I typically keep my cars for 10+ years. Racingline is quite an expensive brand too, I just like their stuff.
I also got completely sucked in by what some others were doing with their Tigs on here too and based my mods on what people were doing with Stage 2+/3 mods.
Also, being older and therefore supposedly wiser, I figured if I went Stage 1 I would end up wanting more and go Stage 2... and you get the idea, so yes, why not do it in one hit.

I still stand by my comment previously about swapping the IS20 for an IS38 and getting a matching tune for ECU and TCU. The Tig isn't a sports car, and the OEM IS38 is a better match than a hybrid (spool time is quicker on the OEM) and for what the car will generally be used for will be more than enough.
That being said, if you've got the budget, and don't mind leaving the car to be worked on for a few days (mine was gone for 5!), then go large.

[WA Tiguan]

I'm also looking into Etuners in Syd too. Did you go straight from stock to IS38 + flash as well? Keen to know whether they've worked on our Tiguans with this kind of upgrade (i'm sure they've done dozens of GTI upgrades). Did the Etuners file include a crackle tune? I'm assuming everyone who does an IS38 upgrade, also bundles a TCU tune too.

Pretty sure Etuners Sydney are a different company to Etuners Motorsport whos main tuningshop are based in Victoria, both seem to be good tuners though from feedback i've been looking at i see you were responding to Beedub anyway.

i once contacted Etuners Sydney and they couldn't recommend any tuner in WA what so ever, my guess is there must be some history with Etuners Motorsport and Etuners Sydney

[GreyGoose_X]

Pretty sure Etuners Sydney are a different company to Etuners Motorsport whos main tuningshop are based in Victoria, both seem to be good tuners though from feedback i've been looking at i see you were responding to Beedub anyway.

i once contacted Etuners Sydney and they couldn't recommend any tuner in WA what so ever, my guess is there must be some history with Etuners Motorsport and Etuners Sydney

Thanks for the heads up mate. I read on another forum that Etuners and Etuners Motorsport were one company back when it originated in Greece (?), but since they split up, dealers across the world split as well, choosing either said companies above.

[Beedub]

Pretty sure Etuners Sydney are a different company to Etuners Motorsport whos main tuningshop are based in Victoria, both seem to be good tuners though from feedback i've been looking at i see you were responding to Beedub anyway.

Yeah they parted ways, the guy running Etuners Motorsport is doing so on his own, the guys in Sydney still use their ECU wiz in Greece.

[Timmy35851]

Are you sourcing the X force DP from VW central, are you having Frans from FAT auto fit all the hardware for you too
?

I got the downpipe from Sparesbox, and yes he is fitting turbo & downpipe.

[Timmy35851]

Had the car done on Friday, haven't really had a good chance to test it out yet.

Initial impression - car drives exactly the same when you're not putting your foot down and just punting around town which is exactly what I wanted as it is a family car.

But put your foot down (especially from standing start) - and wow. The feeling you get from the pull is easily worth the money.

It is however a bit loud for my liking and will be putting a resonator back in ASAP. Small issue with the x-force downpipe in that the exhaust hanger is slightly too long and is just rubbing against the sub-frame (which is getting sorted out tomorrow). A bit embarrassing at certain RPM with a fairly loud rattle.

FYI The E-tuners tune (well in WA anyway) is essentially just a flash file - it's not done on a dyno. Would like to book it in somewhere in the near future just to get it checked out and confirm what power it is making.

Other than that, happy days!

[tigger73]

Had the car done on Friday, haven't really had a good chance to test it out yet.

Initial impression - car drives exactly the same when you're not putting your foot down and just punting around town which is exactly what I wanted as it is a family car.

But put your foot down (especially from standing start) - and wow. The feeling you get from the pull is easily worth the money.

It is however a bit loud for my liking and will be putting a resonator back in ASAP. Small issue with the x-force downpipe in that the exhaust hanger is slightly too long and is just rubbing against the sub-frame (which is getting sorted out tomorrow). A bit embarrassing at certain RPM with a fairly loud rattle.

FYI The E-tuners tune (well in WA anyway) is essentially just a flash file - it's not done on a dyno. Would like to book it in somewhere in the near future just to get it checked out and confirm what power it is making.

Other than that, happy days!

Good to hear! Yes it's probably just road tuned/logged and maybe a tweak to the file. They are pretty much good to go with just a flash tune as it's pretty tried and tested.

Do you have the Golf R catback as well? Or just the stock Tiguan rear section?