Retune/remap a tuned wolfie?

[gabbaking]

Hi all,

I recently bought a used 2018 Tiguan, Wolfsburg edition, which has been upgraded with Garrett PowerMax GT2260S, intercooler, Powerteck ECU, and Trans tune from the previous owner.

The main issue I'm facing is sluggishness at the low end and hesitation in the DSG. I'm looking for cost-effective solutions to improve drivability and support any future modifications. I'm considering upgrading the intake and ECU/DSG but I'm unsure if the previous owner had an upgraded intake or if the stock intake was sufficient for the upgraded turbo.

I'm wondering if it would be worthwhile to return to Pulse Racing for a re-tune? Based on Powertek's website, they appear to specialise in Subarus. Alternatively, I could consult another tuner for a custom ECU/DSG tune.

Any suggestions, would be much appreciated.

[petemac110]

The GT2260 is an OEM+ style turbo which is only ever so slightly bigger than the IS38, so I would have thought that the tuning would be pretty straight forward and a known quantity.

Paul Fisher at Pulse is certainly well known in the Subaru game and is no hack - why not get in touch with him and discuss your concerns?

One thing to bear in mind that there's generally a bit of low speed clumsiness in the DSG, including poor throttle response, that is difficult to entirely dial out.

Many people use throttle controllers to address this - myself included - on both standard and tuned examples. For $150 or so, it's a cheap option worth trying.

[Lucas_R]

Look what I just found. I assume this is your car because they only do Subaru's otherwise. https://fb.watch/xR4jEKEAXi/

Can only assume the guy who owned the Tig before you is a very good customer of Pulse - probably owns several modified Subaru's.

[petemac110]

Look what I just found. I assume this is your car because they only do Subaru's otherwise. https://fb.watch/xR4jEKEAXi/

Can only assume the guy who owned the Tig before you is a very good customer of Pulse - probably owns several modified Subaru's.

Good sleuthing!!

Even though Paul is a Subaru specialist, Ecutek tuning is also available for MQB chassis vehicles and the DQ250/DQ381 gearbox as per the following link. For a relatively sane setup such as the GT2260, it's a pretty straight-forward affair with the extensive use of base-mapping and a bit of tweaking here and there to accommodate the slightly higher flowing turbo.

VW AG EA888 Engine Tuning - Support - Confluence

[gabbaking]

Paul Fisher at Pulse is certainly well known in the Subaru game and is no hack - why not get in touch with him and discuss your concerns? Many people use throttle controllers to address this - myself included - on both standard and tuned examples. For $150 or so, it's a cheap option worth trying.

Thanks Pete, this is great info and probably good to reset my expectations, coming from a mk5 diesel who was extremely easy to drive around the town with a high torquey engine at the low end (and fumes to complement).

Look what I just found. I assume this is your car because they only do Subaru's otherwise. https://fb.watch/xR4jEKEAXi/.

Lucas, Good find and that's the vehicle! Impressive number at the dyno.

Thanks again team, yesterday, I gave Pulse racing a call and awaiting to hear back from the owner/mechanic. I am wondering would it be worth looking at it from TCU/DSG tune perspective.

Based on Pete comment's, mapping these turbos seems to be quite straight forward.

[petemac110]

Based on Pete comment's, mapping these turbos seems to be quite straight forward.

Yes, it's not rocket science!

Bear in mind that if you're talking about low-end tractability or response, there's only so much that can be done with an IS38-or-larger turbo. The boost threshold is what it is. Very different characteristics to a turbo diesel. Modern high compression, direct injection petrol engines are already massively more impressive down-low compared to older generations of low compression turbo engines.