Stage 1 Remap...

[steve singh]

On a MK5 GTI - would a stage 1 remap render 1st and 2nd gear pretty useless in terms of putting power down?

Map apparently takes BHP from 197bhp to 240bhp (max) and adds another 60 (of whatever metric -nm?) to torque - follows the stock power curve, just gives more.

Thinking of getting this done but only if it's usable (e.g. can feel and access the difference) in 2nd gear.

Any thoughts welcomed.

[Robatr0n]

It may be worth googling this as no doubt someone would have asked the same question elsewhere.

Personally I think it'd be absolutely fine.

[Chrisw666]

Why would feeling the difference in second gear be the main success criteria?

I'd have thought that a more flexible motor in every gear and more power without needing to change down would be better?

[Tonsko]

Plus, you'd get an advantage of having the engine map specialised to your engine. I know with the R32 the engine map was a 'generic' one that VW put on, so you get the benefits of a bit of extra power, smoothing power delivery etc., but if cruising sensibly on a motorway, you get a few extra MPG. I believe the R32 specifically ran a bit rich on the default map.

[300bhp/ton]

steve singh said:

On a MK5 GTI - would a stage 1 remap render 1st and 2nd gear pretty useless in terms of putting power down?

Map apparently takes BHP from 197bhp to 240bhp (max) and adds another 60 (of whatever metric -nm?) to torque - follows the stock power curve, just gives more.

Thinking of getting this done but only if it's usable (e.g. can feel and access the difference) in 2nd gear.

Any thoughts welcomed.

Slightly


The throttle isn't a digital input device with only on/off. Modulate it. The extra power will be there, how usable it'll be will largely depend on the driver, conditions, road surface and tyres.

I'm not familiar with the Golf, but I highly suspect the stock map restricts power in 1st and maybe 2nd anyhow, so those gears you don't see 197hp. I guess a good question to ask is, if this is the case, does the new MAP override this, or still have some form of torque management in the lower gears.

[steve singh]

Thanks for the responses guys.

2nd gear matters as it's my favourite gear, in that I can get the acceleration rush and go to the red line without going mad vs. speed limit - on the roads I drive on during my daily drive that's quite important.

The ability to access the additional power in 2nd gear is therefore important - as if the reality is that I cannot put more power down than I have today then it's a waste of time for me - if I can (easily) access materially more power in 2nd gear via. regulating my throttle input then that's fine.

Don't know if that makes sense - hope it does?

[Bitzer]

A quick call to APS in Brackley may be a good idea. Speak to Ed, he knows his stuff.

[Tonsko]

Bitzer said:

A quick call to APS in Brackley may be a good idea. Speak to Ed, he knows his stuff.

Yeh, these are the guys that service my R. They call someone in to do it, but I've had zero problems since. Was 300 quid iirc.

[steve singh]

Thanks I'll give them a call.

Is there anyone who has had a remap and thought it was a waste of time? If so, why?

[philmots]

I can put down a chunk more power and torque than you're looking at in 2nd gear.. although, not in the wet!

You'll find with that much extra power and torque that you'll probably give up on 2nd and use the more elastic 3rd/4th gear.

[nottyash]

It makes a better difference in top gear as it will be drivable. 2nd and 3rd will give you that "rush" but driving flat out in 2nd gear on the public road is a bit daft if you ask me.

Try REVO, they did a good job on my mk4.

Sorry still laughing at the fact you have a "favourite" gear!

[steve singh]

philmots said:

I can put down a chunk more power and torque than you're looking at in 2nd gear.. although, not in the wet!

You'll find with that much extra power and torque that you'll probably give up on 2nd and use the more elastic 3rd/4th gear.

Thanks Phil - that gives confidence that it just won't be 'pub-talk' bhp and is actually usable.

I also 'love/loved' the 2nd gear on my 996 and previous M3 - problem with modern day cars is that you can get up to 60-70mph in 2nd gear very quickly...if you go for a hoon on b-roads trying to get to the top end of 3rd gear is a bit too much for public roads !

Edited by steve singh on Monday 2nd April 15:29

[y2blade]

steve singh said:

Thanks for the responses guys.

2nd gear matters as it's my favourite gear, in that I can get the acceleration rush and go to the red line without going mad vs. speed limit - on the roads I drive on during my daily drive that's quite important.

The ability to access the additional power in 2nd gear is therefore important - as if the reality is that I cannot put more power down than I have today then it's a waste of time for me - if I can (easily) access materially more power in 2nd gear via. regulating my throttle input then that's fine.

Don't know if that makes sense - hope it does?

After the remap, 3rd will be your favourite gear.

[wackojacko]

y2blade said:

After the remap, 3rd will be your favourite gear.

This is true, more so with a T5

[Chrisw666]

wackojacko said:

y2blade said:

After the remap, 3rd will be your favourite gear.

This is true, more so with a T5

I've never driven a car where 2nd was my favourite gear, 3rd or 4th FTW.

[steve singh]

Chrisw666 said:

wackojacko said:

y2blade said:

After the remap, 3rd will be your favourite gear.

This is true, more so with a T5

I've never driven a car where 2nd was my favourite gear, 3rd or 4th FTW.

Depends on the car? The E46 M3 2nd gear from low down all the way up to 60-70mph (IIRC) was lovely......!

[Grey Ghost]

steve singh said:

Thinking of getting this done but only if it's usable (e.g. can feel and access the difference) in 2nd gear

Didn't REVO or one of the other known VW tuners used to offer a 30 day trial upgrade? i.e. you paid a small charge (c15% of overall cost) and they put a stage 1 map on your car that stayed on the ECU for a few days, 30 from memory. If you then decided to get the map installed fully the initial outlay was taken off of the final invoice.

Perhaps that is an option for you if offers like that are still available.

[steve singh]

Grey Ghost said:

steve singh said:

Thinking of getting this done but only if it's usable (e.g. can feel and access the difference) in 2nd gear

Didn't REVO or one of the other known VW tuners used to offer a 30 day trial upgrade? i.e. you paid a small charge (c15% of overall cost) and they put a stage 1 map on your car that stayed on the ECU for a few days, 30 from memory. If you then decided to get the map installed fully the initial outlay was taken off of the final invoice.

Perhaps that is an option for you if offers like that are still available.

Thanks for that - Revo have apparently stopped offering this now (despite what the website says) - in addition they *allegedly* return your car to a non-OEM stock map which isn't as effective and often the ECU is *allegedly* difficult for other tuners to access (many say it gets blocked).

[Tonsko]

That's a bit naughty putting a password on if they don't get the business. If it's true, that is.

[steve singh]

Tonsko said:

That's a bit naughty putting a password on if they don't get the business. If it's true, that is.

Apparently they *allegedly* lock out the OBD diagnostic port or something - at least that's what I picked up going to various forums. They say the reason is down to protecting their Intellectual Property and that a dealer could reflash the ECU in someway???

Not sure sure- but on the flipside REVO do get excellent reviews from people who have used them.