Tiguan IS38 and Big turbo upgrades

[davman]

I've bought the "-T" version, along with high flow Cat and CEL eliminator. I just didn't want to take any chances.
Don't quote me on this, but I suspect the Golf R version may not be long enough to reach the muffler, so may require an extension.


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So where did you buy yours from?

[Beedub]

CTS direct

[REXman]

Also who did the Sydney people use to fit the turbo? How much should fitment cost.

[Beedub]

I'm getting mine done through Etuners (CV Performance in Taren Point).
Can't say what the cost is just for a turbo swap as I'm having a bucket load of stuff done at the same time. Hopefully mid August.

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[Melbourne_Tiggy]

I'm getting mine done through Etuners (CV Performance in Taren Point).
Can't say what the cost is just for a turbo swap as I'm having a bucket load of stuff done at the same time. Hopefully mid August.

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Hi Beedub, is that Etuners or Etuners Motorsport? If the former, will be interesting to see how much power they can get out of the IS38...

[Beedub]

Just Etuners. I'm still not sure if they're one and the same, they definitely talk to Gordie.
They've done at least 2 jobs on hybrid IS38's now, and they're getting some good results.

[REXman]

Does anyone know how much the costs are.. I just bought a H revision woohoo excited.

1. I read about 40 pages back people are doing the inlet hose and some other things. Can we do a definitive list of what you need to do, in addition to the DP and Turbo when doing the upgrade?
2. if I rock up to a good mechanic can they swap the turbo.. what's a fair price?
3. Should I custom or Apr tune and
4. what's a good DP.
5. Must I get the dsg box tuned.
6. Could bluefin do what APR do and offer their Golf R map.

[davman]

Rexman, all great questions, and there will be differing opinions on this, as each addition may/or may not make a difference. However here is my 2 bobs worth, coming from someone who has not done any actual modification as of yet, and is looking from a budgetary perspective- so take it with a grain of salt.

BASIC's would be DP, Turbo Inlet, Turbo, Drop in Air Filter (Perhaps air inlet modification)
If you are going with APR, then this is probably also the minimum for their tune (however they also probably recommend the turbo muffler delete).
If you are going with a custom tuner, then they can tune the car to whatever modifications you have made, and how the figures are looking. One tuner I have spoken to says he has not seen any performance benefit of putting the turbo muffler delete on, so that is obviously an optional component.
Good thing is with a custom tune, this usually includes a DSG tune for the similar price that the APR IS38 tune will be.
So in my book at the moment, a custom tuner will tune it based on what modifications you want to add based on performance or budget, whilst having the added benefit of DSG tune, and being perhaps a little bit cheaper, and allowing you to use the componentry that you want to use. APR dealers don't seem too keen to put the APR tune in, without using the APR DP - which costs about $700 more than a CTS one.

I am not sure if you can just get a good mechanic to swap the turbo, without having the tune put in at the same time. Labour costs to install DP and Turbo seem to be around the $800 mark.

So my build will be CTS DP, CTS Turbo Elbow, Drop in Air Filter, IS38 (2nd Hand), Intake Modification, Custom Tune with DSG Tune, Tuner installing the Turbo and DP. This will be costing almost bang on $5K.

[Beedub]

Hi REXman,

My 2c, go with a custom tuner. You won't be locked into a "system" like APR does, which is fine, it's like buying only Apple products, but it is costly, and sometimes there are better, cheaper alternatives.

To your questions;
1) DP and turbo is the minimum and best bang for buck when upgrading the turbo. Increasing airflow to the turbo is the next thing to do to increase HP, so look at upgraded turbo inlet (aka elbow), silicone hose from the air filter to turbo, and upgrading the air intake (either a new panel filter or a complete intake replacement). You can then look at upgrading the intercooler.

2) Any mechanic can do a swap, can't say what a fair price is sorry, I'm sure others can.

3) Up to you, but I refer to my opening statement. The consensus also seems to be that APR tunes result in power coming on quick then petering out, whereas custom tunes can see power increasing right across the rev range.

4) A good DP is one that fits. CTS make a Tiguan specific one, and APR have one that fit too. All in all I don't think any DP performs better than another when it comes to the Tiguan. In theory any DP that fits a Golf R Mk7 should fit the Tiguan.

5) You don't have to, but honestly it is well worth it, especially when swapping the turbo. The stock configuration of the DSG is all about economy, even in S mode. S mode is totally different when tuned, and even D mode feels better as gears are held a little longer and changes are much more responsive.

6) There is a bluefin tune for the Tiguan ((VW) Volkswagen Tiguan Chip tuning & VW Tiguan Tuners | Superchips Australia) which is the equivalent of a Stage 1 tune where the ECU is flashed and everything else remains stock. They offer a 30% power increase which is pretty standard for Stage 1 tunes. There's another thread on this site regarding VW being able to detect plug-n-play options like this, so if you're thinking about warranty then there's still a risk.

[dgp]

Beedub, you mention using a custom tuner.
I have been reading a lot of posts on this forum as I am buying a 162TSI Allspace but have been driving commodores for years. I am quite familiar with tuning the Holdens, am will probably tune the Tiguan.
My question though, I seem to read a lot about ARP and the like generic tunes. Are there actually tuners out there that have the capability to custom tune these VAG vehicles?
I am in Victoria if you have any recommendations.