ACC Re-calibration for the GTI

[am1w]

It's to see if it goes all "out of shape" or as I suspect makes very little difference, I keep reading that it adjusts in normal mode but what does it adjust and how?
On the other hand with no power going to the shocks they may go super soft just as you require :-)
I don't have the answers you require to your questions above.

Most grateful to you for trying. But please don't risk your car by pulling the fuse out.
Thank you.

I'll be doing it because I want to know if I'm right 

I'd like to know too.

[The Doc]

I'll be doing it because I want to know if I'm right 

[Snoopy]

It won't go super soft, not if its been designed correctly and known the company who did it i would guess they did just that.

[mac7]

but what does it adjust and how?

In normal mode it's constantly adjusting between the extremems of sport and comfort dependant on how it's being driven etc. The computer is adjusting the damper valve orifice using an actuator integrated into each damper.

I'm sure that the differences between the GTI and lesser Golfs are down to physical hardware differences in spring and damper rates rather than being just a software change. If someone wants their GTI more comfy they'd have to put softer springs (possibly with longer travel and increased ride height) and/or ACC dampers from the stock Golf. No doubt a few tweaks would be needed for the ECU to be happy with the dampers.

[am1w]

mac7:

Yes, the suspension on the Mk6 GTI/GTD is firmer then for the Mk5 GTI and other Mk6 Golfs.

Also, VW have re-calibrated the ACC software for GTI/GTD/R models to be firmer in comfort, normal and sport modes than for other Mk6 Golf models.

The question on this thread is whether the Mk6 GTI ACC module can be re-calibrated to mimic the standard Mk6 ACC set-up or changed for the standard Mk6 ACC set-up.

There is no question of physically changing dampers or springs.

I hope this clarifies the purpose of this thread.

The reason this whole thread started is because in the last 500 miles (I've done 3.3k miles), I have definitely felt that the 'comfort' mode is no longer as comfortable as it was and have also felt there have been changes wrt ride in 'normal' and 'sport' modes. The three modes now have distinct differences, much more so than when I first got the car. I regularly check the tyre pressures very carefully and have maintained these at 2.6 bar (37.7 psi).

[The Doc]

I like this post btw, it's the kind of thing I like to get my teeth into 

[mac7]

mac7:

Yes, the suspension on the Mk6 GTI/GTD is firmer then for the Mk5 GTI and other Mk6 Golfs.

Also, VW have re-calibrated the ACC for GTI/GTD/R models to be firmer in comfort, normal and sport modes than for other Mk6 Golf models.

The question on this thread is whether the Mk6 GTI ACC module can be re-calibrated to mimic the standard Mk6 ACC set-up or changed for the standard Mk6 ACC set-up.

There is no question of physically changing dampers or springs.

I hope this clarifies the purpose of this thread.

Yes, but I'm pretty sure in this case the term re-calibration relates to the base spring and damper rates being uprated for the GTI, not the software. If I'm right then even if you did reprogramme the control software you still wouldn't be able to go outside of the physical sport/comfort limitations of the GTI damper hardware.

What I'm trying to say is it's a hardware difference, not a software one.

[am1w]

No mac7, it is a re-calibration of the ACC software in addition to a change in the spring and damper rates plus thicker anti-roll bars. This is straight from the mouth of the Mk6 GTI chassis engineer Ulrich Sonnek.

In a GTI pre-launch write-up in Car, the chassis engineer Ulrich Sonnak was interviewed by the magazine. His goal was to sharpen the Mk6 GTI even further whilst working within the constraints of the Mk5's architecture. The anti-roll bars are a bit thicker, which naturally tightens body control. They contibute to a chunkier feel through the steering on turn-in. So there is a better sense of grip and more confidence. The spring rates are also firmer.

Thus the Mk6 may have a harder ride than the Mk5.

It is for this reason I ordered ACC.

[mac7]

The reason this whole thread started is because in the last 500 miles (I've done 3.3k miles), I have definitely felt that the 'comfort' mode is no longer as comfortable as it was and have also felt there have been changes wrt ride in 'normal' and 'sport' modes. The three modes now have distinct differences, much more so than when I first got the car. I regularly check the tyre pressures very carefully and have maintained these at 2.6 bar (37.7 psi).

Are you still on the factory tyres, or did you put winters on? Reason I ask is the weight of the tyre might make a difference (unsprung weight). Also from experience it takes a few thousand miles for dampers to 'bed in' which could also explain the change.

No mac7, it is a re-calibration of the ACC software in addition to a change in the spring and damper rates plus thicker anti-roll bars. This is straight from the mouth of the Mk6 GTI chassis engineer Ulrich Sonnek.

Thinking about it, you would have to recalibrate the software to match the different spring oscillation characteristics and roll bar rates. But I stand by my belief that to soften the GTI beyond the comfort setting would require different dampers and springs.

[am1w]

I am still on factory Bridgestone tyres and have done 3300 gentle miles.
The winters are now in storage at the tyre fitters.