Should I remap my ECU?

[Mike7]

Is it a good idea to upgrade the software on your car?

I recently bought a Golf 5 GTI(please no hate) and feel I want a bit more performance.

I've been reading up and it seems to be a mixed bag.

Is there a bigger chance of a breakdown if you upgrade?

How does this affect insurance or warranty?

I stay close to evolution performance and they charge R2800 for a stage 1 STO remap.

Thoughts?

 

[PostmanPot]

Yes, money well spent. Stage 1 is safe, these engine/cars can take it. Consider that an S3 (same/similar 2.0T engine) pushes out ±200kW vs your 147kW.

You can easily get to 170 - 180kW without a decat, or changing downpipe and exhaust.

My Audi using a similar engine (longitudinal vs your transverse) is upgraded from 147kW to 162kW at the 'factory', totally safe and stock standard.

Go for something from someone reputable though.

 

[Mike7]

Is it safe even on my older car? 104k on the clock and DSG.

Do I have to do anything else if I remap?

 

[PostmanPot]

Is it safe even on my older car? 104k on the clock and DSG.

Do I have to do anything else if I remap?

Yes, it's safe. You can get reassurance if you post on the local VW forum, owners can advise you.

Nothing else.

I would take out an aftermarket warranty though, would give peace of mind about the DSG ever going. But it seems to have stood the test of time.

 

[Mike7]

I have a mechanical warranty.

What about the DV? I've read some say this part might need to be replaced?

 

[PostmanPot]

I have a mechanical warranty.

What about the DV? I've read some say this part might need to be replaced?

Not with Stage 1 (no mods), or even Stage 2 (higher performance software + hardware mods).

Would be optional for the most part.

 

[FiestaST]

Is it a good idea to upgrade the software on your car?

I recently bought a Golf 5 GTI(please no hate) and feel I want a bit more performance.

I've been reading up and it seems to be a mixed bag.

Is there a bigger chance of a breakdown if you upgrade?

How does this affect insurance or warranty?

I stay close to evolution performance and they charge R2800 for a stage 1 STO remap.

Thoughts?

Bit off topic but what yr is your new Mk5 GTI & price? Still a fan of that shape. How has running costs been so far?

 

[SauRoNZA]

I would probably do a down pipe and/or decaf before I spent money on software.

It will sound better for one which also makes it feel faster.

Dump valve is really just a fancy noise maker and should of some serious mods don't think you need to change it. If you want the noise it's a cheap thing to replace.

 

[SauRoNZA]

Yes, money well spent. Stage 1 is safe, these engine/cars can take it. Consider that an S3 (same/similar 2.0T engine) pushes out ±200kW vs your 147kW.

You can easily get to 170 - 180kW without a decat, or changing downpipe and exhaust.

My Audi using a similar engine (longitudinal vs your transverse) is upgraded from 147kW to 162kW at the 'factory', totally safe and stock standard.

Go for something from someone reputable though.

Isn't the S3 running a bigger turbo?

At least I'm the Mk5 model era I think it was. Unless I'm just thinking of a modded car with K04.

But I seem to recall many guys borrowing parts from the S3 like the valve train and turbo to upgrade theirs Golfs.

Not really into the modding scene so not too sure.

Considering decatting my GTI not performance but more for the fact that at 150000km I think it's buggered now and my fuel economy is climbing.

Problem is I worry that fuel economy might be worse without it because it's more racey then.

 

[Sinbad]

S3 of that era had a bigger turbo, improved conrods, different cams, different injectors, bigger intercooler.
That being said, stage 1 is fairly mild, I had good experiences with Revo.
The DVs if they're the older revisions tend to tear under higher boost which is why it's worth replacing if it's the old one.

 

[Drifter]

Isn't the S3 running a bigger turbo?

At least I'm the Mk5 model era I think it was. Unless I'm just thinking of a modded car with K04.

But I seem to recall many guys borrowing parts from the S3 like the valve train and turbo to upgrade theirs Golfs.

Not really into the modding scene so not too sure.

Considering decatting my GTI not performance but more for the fact that at 150000km I think it's buggered now and my fuel economy is climbing.

Problem is I worry that fuel economy might be worse without it because it's more racey then.

Do a decat and downpipe. YOur car will actually be lighter on fuel.

 

[Brenden_E]

Do a decat and downpipe. YOur car will actually be lighter on fuel.

Yea just kill all the environments.

 

[PostmanPot]

I would probably do a down pipe and/or decaf before I spent money on software.

Then your resale value takes a dive, because the potential buyer will know you were a windgat. Unless you plan on keeping the parts and putting them back at resale.

Software is undetectable, and safe.

 

[Drifter]

Then your resale value takes a dive, because the potential buyer will know you were a windgat. Unless you plan on keeping the parts and putting them back at resale.

Software is undetectable, and safe.

On the Golf 5 yes, but the newer ECU's have a flash counter, so the stealerships can pick up that your ECU has been mapped, even if you flash back to stock before services.

 

[SauRoNZA]

Then your resale value takes a dive, because the potential buyer will know you were a windgat. Unless you plan on keeping the parts and putting them back at resale.

Software is undetectable, and safe.

Good point.

In my case there is no chance in hell I'm replacing the cat though.

 

[SauRoNZA]

S3 of that era had a bigger turbo, improved conrods, different cams, different injectors, bigger intercooler.
That being said, stage 1 is fairly mild, I had good experiences with Revo.
The DVs if they're the older revisions tend to tear under higher boost which is why it's worth replacing if it's the old one.

Ash okay so I wasn't smoking anything then.

 

[PostmanPot]

On the Golf 5 yes, but the newer ECU's have a flash counter, so the stealerships can pick up that your ECU has been mapped, even if you flash back to stock before services.

Sure, I was referring to a private sale as this is where anyone wanting to get the most money back would sell. Decat and downpipe are visible and audible, software isn't. It can be reset to stock.

 

[PostmanPot]

Ash okay so I wasn't smoking anything then.

Na. The point was just to show the OP what these engines can do, and that Stage 1 from a reputable vendor is mild and basically risk free.

 

[Mike7]

Bit off topic but what yr is your new Mk5 GTI & price? Still a fan of that shape. How has running costs been so far?

I've only had it for a month now

R165K for a 2006 year BWA model DSG with 104k on the clock.

I would probably do a down pipe and/or decaf before I spent money on software.

It will sound better for one which also makes it feel faster.

Dump valve is really just a fancy noise maker and should of some serious mods don't think you need to change it. If you want the noise it's a cheap thing to replace.

Don't really care much for the sound. I'm only interested in upgrading the software.

S3 of that era had a bigger turbo, improved conrods, different cams, different injectors, bigger intercooler.
That being said, stage 1 is fairly mild, I had good experiences with Revo.
The DVs if they're the older revisions tend to tear under higher boost which is why it's worth replacing if it's the old one.

What's the difference between Revo, ST and FRC?

Does anyone know about Evolution Performance?

http://www.evoperformance.co.za/