Mk5 Golf GTI - Which remap?

[YTee]

So I've decided to remap my Mk5 GTI. It's currently completely standard and the remap seems the best way to make it more fun without making it look/sound like I spend every Sunday evening in Halfords' car park (I'm too old for that).

Currently it only gets road use, but the eventual plan is to use it for track days as well.

I've replaced the cam belt, water pump and DV valve. It's been well serviced and has good tyres on it, so I think I'm good to go.

Question is, which remap? I was looking at Celtic Tuning who claim 255bhp (over 25%!), as do Revo. Superchips Blufin claim 240bhp at around the same sort of price. I'm happy with either figure, for me it's about reliability and the power curve overall, rather than headline figures.

I've heard people saying that Blufin (or other self-administered remaps) are a bad thing, but I've never heard them give a good reason why. Sure, it's not a bespoke map for you and your car, but the advantage is you can remove and re-apply the map very easily. I may choose to do that in order to keep the car standard for insurance purposes on the road, but apply the map for the track, etc.

I actually have a Blufin device from another car that I no longer need, so I could save money with Superchips by only buying the map, not the device all over again.

Any reason I shouldn't just do that? Any had experience with more than one who could recommend a particular one?

Thanks in advance.

[g7jhp]

If you're tuning your Golf I'd go to R-Tech Performance.

They're well known in the Golf tuning world, their tuning guide is here

[YTee]

Very interesting guide and very impressive figures being quoted. I'm happy with replacing the stock panel filter (was going to do that anyway), but I'm not quite so happy about having to run 98+ RON all of the time. The stuff is expensive.

Food for thought though, thanks.

[markrtw]

Definitely R-Tech. Very thorough and properly give the car a health check before custom mapping on the rollers. I had mine remapped there and was very impressed. They also give it 5 selectable maps, so when it's cold and traction is low, you can choose a a lower torque map. Very useful in winter! My stage one came out with 255bhp and 310lbft torque.

[MDMA .]

Unicorn Motor Developments are good too. Custom map and Rick is a very clever guy.

https://www.unicornmotordevelopments.com/

[YTee]

Thanks for the tips folks.

So out of interest, do companies like R-Tech and Unicorn provide some way to revert the car to standard settings yourself if you wish, or is it necessary to return the car to them?

I'm just trying to find the balance between the improved results of a custom mapping service, versus the convenience of something like Blufin.

[AudiSport]

Why would you want to revert back? In my experience the mpg isn’t really effected, and I’m sure your out of warranty now ?

[manracer]

More bhp in Crewe did my pirelli GTi.

Full health check prior to getting it on the rollers. They identified a leaking hose, went to collect it, fitted it too!

Only 2 guys there and they are super friendly.

They also offer a tuning module to allow you to return he car to stock yourself.

I've had 3 cars mapped there and zero issues. They even returned my car to stock and then mapped it again (in the days before the option to do it yourself) for warranty work all for a very small fee.

Couldn't recommend them enough.

My pirelli went from 230 to 308bhp.

[YTee]

Primary reason for wanting to go back and forth is for insurance reasons. It gives me the option of using the map just for track/test use, and leaving it standard for commuting. Not really an mpg thing.

I might well just leave it alone if the premium difference isn't too high, I'm just curious about the options available from those types of companies.

Thanks for the advice.

[AudiSport]

[SuperchargedVR6]

YTee said:

Primary reason for wanting to go back and forth is for insurance reasons. It gives me the option of using the map just for track/test use, and leaving it standard for commuting. Not really an mpg thing.

I might well just leave it alone if the premium difference isn't too high, I'm just curious about the options available from those types of companies.

Thanks for the advice.

It doesn't affect the premium much providing you are not <25. It's a very common thing these days and most specialist insurers accommodate it with modest premium hikes, but the mainstream insurers like DirectLine and Admiral et al probably won't entertain it at all.

However, what you have said is a moot point because simply uploading a map in the first place is a declarable modification, even if you run it in stock mode. A lot of people assume insurers can't check. Wrong. They can very quickly determine if an ECU is mapped or not, by simply checking it's flash count. Factory = 0. The counter increases by 1 every time it's flashed, and it's not resettable, not even with VW's ODIS equipment.

If insurance is an issue, leave it standard.

If you do pursue it, you may need to budget for a clutch (DSG doesn't need any upgrades) and high pressure fuel pump. Stock clutch is rated to 280lbft torque (when new). Sensible remaps like Revo and Bluefin generally bring the boost onset in less aggressively than people like RTech, so the clutch can live another day.

EDIT: If you choose Revo, you will need their extra cost 'SPS switch' to put the remap back on if disconnect or replace the battery. Or you can revisit the Revo dealer and they can do that for you as a cheaper option.

R-tech's switchable maps involves pressing down on the throttle whilst toggling the igniton, or something along those lines. The map number will show on the rev counter, i.e. 1000rpm = Map 1, 2000rpm = Map 2 and so on.

To be honest I find all of that entirely pointless, like 'sports mode' in modern cars. Surely you want the car in it's optimum setting by default, otherwise what's the point. It's like ordering a very tasty dinner at a restaurant and then removing all the tasty bits to dumb it down to stock mode. Totally pointless.

Edited by SuperchargedVR6 on Friday 21st September 17:57

[YTee]

Thanks VR6, that's an useful viewpoint.

I'm aware they can easily check, which is the cause of my concern, but I hadn't considered that going back to standard from a remap would still be considered a modification. That's the equivalent of putting a standard air filter back in and it still being a 'modified' car. Sounds crazy, but that doesn't mean it isn't true!

Anyway, I'll check the premium difference first. If it's marginal then I'll just stop worrying entirely

I'm leaning towards Bluefin/Celtic to be honest. I don't really want to start changing clutches and risking blown turbos etc. at the moment. That can come later when I promote it to track only!

[jakesmith]

Admiral are ok with remaps
The chap above saying why would you need sport mode should t the car be optimised anyway... some of the time you don’t want the hard ride, sensitive throttle, late traction control intervention, fast gearchanges and massive power. Sometimes you’re plodding along on the motorway in the rain and want a relaxing drive.

[manracer]

Two points I'd like to add.

1 having the ability to change the dynamics of a car 8s great, anyone including the guy posting above, who says 'why would you want the choice when you can have the most extreme version of you car at all times' needs a word with himself. Having the choice is bloody useful. We dont need maximum attack 100% of the time, in fact in my case it's about 20% or the time.

2. Suggesting that a map count infers that your car is modified even if you've returned it to stock specification needs a word with themselves also. Seriously, if your car is standard regardless of prior state thinks that an insurance company can tell you it's modified when it's not needs to grow some balls.

[94OD]

R Tech mapped my Golf 6R back in May. It's got quite a few mods (high pressure fuel pump, intercooler, intake, exhaust etc.) and made 364bhp / 411ft/lbs.

Very impressed with their set up, very thorough and friendly. As it happens, my car had an issue the night before I was due to take it to them and I didn't make it. However, they moved the booking and I managed to keep my deposit which was very good of them.