Tiguan 162 TSI Stage 2 Disappointment

[Jak00]

Hello All,
I recently purchased a near new black tig with 2000kms, have put 5000km on it with the main goal from purchase to get a stage 2 tune.
Made a few mods first up:
Golf R Black wheels
Eibach Lowering Springs
IE Intake
Turbo inlet pipe
Full Vinyl chrome black out kit

I then visited a renowned European car tuner in Sydney and they scanned the vehicle to ensure they could tune the TCU, he advised me they could.
I returned a few weeks later (2 days ago) and they worked their magic and installed:
X-force catless downpipe
NGK Spark Plugs
Couldn't get access to the TCU to tune it but he advised me this was ok because it has the DQ500 gearbox

In total the engine mods have cost me $5400 and they knocked off $700 for not being bale to do the TCU tune.

Dyno results:
Before:
134.6kw @ 5879rpm
276.2nm @ 2895rpm

After:
189kw @ 5736rpm
376.5nm @ 2895rpm

When i first drove the car I was disappointed to say the least, the spark i was expecting wasn't there, certainly does not feel like an extra 55kw or 100nm.

I put this beside a friends Tiguan, exactly the same model with a $1000 Revo stage 1 and res delete and was further disappointed, my car was a little bit quicker off the mark but up to 100km/h he stayed no more than 2 car lengths behind me.

Was i Expecting to much? Feel like this has been a huge waste of money.

Keen to get everyone's thoughts.

[Sharkie]

Full Stg 2 on an IS20 turbo is only worth ~10-15kw extra above Stg1 at most. The difference in performance between Stg1 and Stg2 is not massive, and the weight of the Tiguan dulls it down a bit more.

The real power (and results) starts at an IS38 (Golf R turbo), which from your setup, would only need (not mandatory but recommended) an intercooler upgrade extra in hardware (+ the IS38 obviously) and a retune. An easy extra 50kw/100NM from an IS38 upgrade beyond Stg 2.

[Jak00]

Thanks @sharkie
Would it be wise to do the IS38 upgrade without the intercooler (budget constraints) and the TCU upgrade (not available for this model) or is that risky?
Basically leaving car as is and swapping out the turbo.
Has anyone else with a MY2023 managed to get a TCU upgrade?

[Sharkie]

Thanks @sharkie
Would it be wise to do the IS38 upgrade without the intercooler (budget constraints) and the TCU upgrade (not available for this model) or is that risky?
Basically leaving car as is and swapping out the turbo.
Has anyone else with a MY2023 managed to get a TCU upgrade?

It might be worthwhile looking around for another tuner as the DQ500 can certainly be tuned.

The Mk7.5 Golf R runs the IS38 on essentially the same intercooler as the Tiguan stock, so not necessary to do the intercooler. It is highly recommended though as a typical IS38 tune for the 162 will make more power than a Stock Golf R and a bit less (not much less) than a Stg 1 Golf R and you don't need an intercooler for a Stg 1 R.

2nd hand IS38s are around on eBay and FB marketplace, so the cost to go to IS38 could be minimal. Even better if you put an OEM+ tune from Racingline on the 162 as there would be no additional software cost to go an IS38 tune .... most of the other tuners will hit you for full fees for every stage you go to.

Some info on your tuner would help identify any issues/challenges