Back to stock/My remap experience

[Spaced]

I have had my standard manual GTI from new since July 2005, and I started to feel recently it had lost some of it's sparkle (maybe from over familiarity) so I got a remap from a local specialist. All seemed well and there was a decent increase in performance. A week later for piece of mind I changed my DV first to a Forge one then to VW's own revision D version.

After I had the Forge valve installed the car transformed into a bit of a torque monster, from 2000rpm you could feel the front wheels scrabbling for traction even in the dry and I started to occasionally get over boost problems. As a result thinking maybe the Forge DV was to blame I changed to the D revision. The problem didn't go away and then I also started getting slight clutch slip at about 3000rpm.

I then had the map modified to reduce the boost pressure and finally the problems went away.

Finally after driving about for a month I decided return to stock as I wasn't enjoying driving my car any more, I felt like something was going to break/split or explode at any moment. Don't get me wrong the performance was superb I estimate knocking at least 3 seconds 0 to 100 mph, but the fierce delivery from 2000rpm wasn't to my liking.

In my opinion if you are considering a remap on a (older) manual standard GTI I would consider uprating the clutch as well as the DV* or drive in such a way to protect the drive train.

I am not trying to put people off remapping it just wasn't for me, but I think it interesting to have some other views on the subject and remember this is manual not DSG which may well be a better candidate for remapping.

SJS

*I did wonder if my original rubber DV although not split was the reason in the first place that I thought the car had lost some performance, it was quite noisy and the revision D is virtually silent.

[Rhyso]

what remap did you have installed out of interest? 

shame you've put it back to stock mind - if you thought yours was going to fall apart at any moment try driving a remapped TDi with 99K on the clock 

[Spaced]

My remap was from www.oscarli.com I was led to believe that the guy who writes the maps was or is connected to Revo, I have no complaints with the map it did exactly what it said on the tin but the increased performance didn't increase my enjoyment of driving my Golf, and to me that's what is important.

[Rhyso]

My remap was from www.oscarli.com I was led to believe that the guy who writes the maps was or is connected to Revo, I have no complaints with the map it did exactly what it said on the tin but the increased performance didn't increase my enjoyment of driving my Golf, and to me that's what is important.

yes i believe you're correct with that though the bloke's name escapes me

 i've driven a couple of remapped GTI's and have been more than impressed with the performance and certainly raised the game over and above the GTI in standard power (although the brakes are slighlty lacking)

different strokes for different folks i guess   

at the end of the day you're the one driving the car so its you who has to be happy with what you got 

[Hurdy]

Quite a few people get carried away with remapping the GTI (DSG and Manual) and tend to forget about the associated stresses that it can cause to other stock parts. This is why modifying your GTI tends to be a progressive thing. Brakes, suspension (clutch for a manual) etc etc. It can be very expensive if you want to go the full hog!!

The remap itself can also play a part. Some people prefer progressive boost and others aggressive. It is all down to the owners personal preference.

I for one sit firmly in the "full hog" department

[Exonian]

 I don't think I could go back to standard, I have an ST3 re-map which although I wouldn't say ''rush out and buy one'' is nice and progressive.
I have had re-maps in the past that are all or nothing but this one is very stealthy in feel. In fact I often yearn for the aggression(sp) of my old REVO'd 1.8t where I could sit at the traffic lights and just wheelspin without moving in the wet without actually intending to do so. Embarassing and funny at the same time!!! 

[Makefish]

yes i believe you're correct with that though the bloke's name escapes me

Richard Washbrook, top guy too 

[Exonian]

yes i believe you're correct with that though the bloke's name escapes me

Richard Washbrook, top guy too 

Is that where he's at now, last I remember it was Forge, previously REVO and who knows where else.
Top bloke and knows his onions. Not surprised the re-map was aggressive then if he did the file writing!

[Rhyso]

yes i believe you're correct with that though the bloke's name escapes me

Richard Washbrook, top guy too 

thats the name i was looking for - cheers 

[celica]

that's a shame

i've heard people changing maps but not back to standard

as above remaps usually are good.

i've never heard of them and it sounds it was dialling in too much when the turbo comes in, rather than image the stock map but with better efficiency.

i would go to a VAG specialist with a remap. personally i've heard and experienced nothing but praise for vagcheck remaps and would definately recommend it. their stage 2 remap can be custom slightly to your needs, and i guess you want more power but mirroring stock characterisitics