GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk7 => Topic started by: Bluest on 17 October 2025, 11:18
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I know remaps have been done to death, but i've not been able to get to the bottom of this looking at previous threads. I have Mk7 GTI, manual, non-Performance Pack that is totally standard. I'm looking for a Stage 1 remap for fast road driving, that's all. In many ways I'm looking for the most boring, safest one as I don't really need to be blowing Rs into the weeds or anything and I want to protect the car/clutch as much as possible. I'm not interested in pops and bangs or any of that nonsense.
Handily, my local VAG specialist is both a Revo and Racingline dealer. Their price for stage 1 with either brand is within a few pounds of each other and power/torque maps looks about the same to my untrained eye. Both can be a reduced torque map to help stop clutch leaving the chat the first time I drive it.
My question is, are there any worthwhile reasons to choose one over another, or just flip a coin?
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Unicorn Low torque map, flashed remotely. Job done.
Back to the question, Revo and & RL both very well reviewed and written about, flip a coin.
BUT unless you are upgrading the clutch, it will be toast in no time, hence the recommendation for the low torque map from Unicorn
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Is the clutch in the Clubsport S any different to the standard GTi?
Given it's 310 bhp mine seems to be coping well. Kiss of death I know....
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My understanding is that it is not the BHP that's the issue, it's the torque. Typically remaps go mad with the torque, hence you can get reduced torque maps that still give the same peak bhp increase, still more torque than standard, but less than the max possible and are easier on the clutch.
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I’m Revo low torque it started to make my clutch slip in higher gears within 5k or getting tuned, just had a Helix clutch put in and will be using the high torque file once the clutch has bedded in
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My understanding is that it is not the BHP that's the issue, it's the torque. Typically remaps go mad with the torque, hence you can get reduced torque maps that still give the same peak bhp increase, still more torque than standard, but less than the max possible and are easier on the clutch.
Makes sense. Thanks.
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Is the clutch in the Clubsport S any different to the standard GTi?
Given it's 310 bhp mine seems to be coping well. Kiss of death I know....
Not sure, but with vin number of a normal GTI I can check,
however I do know that the 'manual clutch toast' comment may be correct as Rowlers says, however the GTI Performance has the same clutch part number as the Golf R manual, so may be able to handle a small increase.
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Does your dealer recommend one over the other?
Would the additional features help decide? It looks like Revo has a couple more, increased throttle response, eng temp protection etc. Both offer anti theft, but require additional hardware?
I would think torque is more applicable to road driving, for instant power?
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I have enquired with the dealer about the relative merits of either, but not had anything back yet. I am tempted by having a dongle that lets me swap the map or put back to stock if needed, but it adds quite a bit to the price, and I'm not sure I'd actually use it much in reality.
Revo have just advertised 40% off for Black Friday...
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I guess with Racingline you'd need the PDM device which means you'd be flashing the tune yourself, and can swap back n fore. Looks like it would also need your phone attached to the PDM each time. You'd be clearing fault codes yourself so would need some understanding of the codes. And probably need a battery charger while flashing.
Revo would be an install by the dealer (who know the codes), and IIRC you can choose which base fuel tune you want. If there's a 40% deal, would that make the SPS switch affordable? Less faffy than the Racingline PDM? Reset to stock would be via the dealer, as IIRC the SPS switch doesn't have a valet/stock tune as standard (think it could be configured for an additional cost).
Edit: The Racingline PDM device is flashing the ECU, while the Revo SPS is choosing a setting in the ECU (like the driving mode).
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With the Revo 40% Black Friday deal, it more or less offsets the cost of the SPS, so could look it at as getting the SPS for free in effect.
The waffle on the Revo site says that setting 1 is stock mode, but I assume from your post that this isn't truly the stock map back in the car. Whereas with Racingline I would be actually changing the map myself each time? However, I don't I don't have a Windows laptop or a 20 amp battery charger, which rules that out unless I want to spend more cash.
There is also the Mountune Smartflash as another DIY option. Slightly cheaper than the above 2, also offers a supposedly clutch friendly low torque map. I used to own a Focus ST and Mountune are highly regarded in those circles, but whether they are good in the VAG-world I do not know. I don't know if this functions more like the Revo SPS or the RL PDM though.
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My undersanding with the SPS is setting 2 is for 95 RON, 3 for 97 RON, for 99 RON.
Each with differibng/higher settings for Boost, Fuelling and Timing. I cant find the link that includes the out of the box settings, and not expained in https://www.onlyrevo.com/spspopout?spsmode=7.
Out of the box the 3 modes are pre configured, and your VAG dealer would not need to change a thing. SPS setting 2 boost, fuelling and timing arent stock to my knowledge.
https://www.onlyrevo.com/product-details/accessories/serial-port-switch-sps then contradicts that saying a stock mode is avaiable.. but... doesn't state which setting. Might be worth asking the VAG dealer?
With Racingline I think you'd use your mobile joined to the PDM via bluetooth, so flashing via your mobile. Eliminates the need of a laptop, but, would need a charger.
Racingline seem to have a history of and were an original tuning arm of VW motorsport, and Revo developed tuning for VAG, while with Motune IIRC someone jumped ship from Racingline/Revo.
Alternatively would the physical Raclingline PCM or Burger JB4 be an alternative option? https://burgertuning.com/
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This is the Revo options with the SPS. I guess I would go with Option 3 for modes.
(https://i.postimg.cc/ZYjvCrgq/Capture.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/vDgZK6GR)
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Bingo!
Looks like the SPS settings change based on the engine selected :wink:
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I have Revo with sps switch and find there is quite a difference between the 3 performance settings, I’m on stock mode currently as I have a new clutch/flywheel I’m bedding in so taking it easy for now
The anti theft mode is also good for when I have to leave it parked up somewhere
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Thanks Super Scaff. Do you have any experience with the revo low-torque maps on a standard clutch?
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Thanks Super Scaff. Do you have any experience with the revo low-torque maps on a standard clutch?
Yes, that’s what I have on my car as it’s a 6mt but still made the clutch start to slip in the higher gears after a few thousand miles. Starting slipping in 5-6 when planting the pedal than started slipping in 4th so have had a Helix upgraded clutch with Sachs flywheel kit installed
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Probably a separate thread, but what are the friendliest uprated clutches for a Stage 1 car? I.e. least increase in pedal effort, smoothest in stop start traffic etc. There is always a trade off with these things.
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Probably a separate thread, but what are the friendliest uprated clutches for a Stage 1 car? I.e. least increase in pedal effort, smoothest in stop start traffic etc. There is always a trade off with these things.
All my research pointed to the Helix upgrade with organic clutch plate and can confirm it’s definitely heavier than oem but not over the top, the feel of it is amazing when shifting thou the gears much more grabby makes the car feel more alive :cool:
https://www.akstuning.co.uk/shop/home/1168-helix-dmf-performance-clutch-kit-mk7-gti-octavia-vrs.html
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I've got Revo stage 1 ECU and TCU. When I had mine done the SPS was like rocking horse poo to get hold of, picked one up off eBay for ~£50 I think it was.
The SPS only tells the ECU to use setting 1, 2, 3, or 4, the map settings are stored in the ECU.
For my Mk7 the settings are as follows.
1. Stock
2. Remapped for 95 RON
3. Remapped for 99 Ron
4. Anti Theft.
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So I can buy an SPS from anywhere at any time? It doesn't need to match my car, or have nay software loaded onto it? If that's the case it's good to know.