The VCDS/FDTI is only to read and right the ecu, the next thing is to get get the map in to a format which has map axis, then understand which each map mean, why is that map there and how does changning that map effect all the other 5000maps, then once you understand the map you need a theory to change it to produce power, checksum the map load the map and log,log log.
Nick
i kind of understand, probably not as simple as using an aftermarket ecu as these have their own sofware where you can just click on a table and up it will appear, then do your alterations and then write.
i suppose with OEM stuff on the golf, it would be a case of reading it, then copying the file to an editing programm then back to the read/write program to flash it back to the eprom? just looking on the net for decent programs and hardware to do it with.. i have found a forum that seems o.k... as i said, though, i wouldnt dive straight into it, i only have one engine, one ecu and an empty pocket. when i had the megasquirt, building it, installing it and getting the firmware onto it was the easy part, obviosly the mapping went straight over my head, the more i read, the more it kind of confused me.. though i probably now have a basic enough understannding to get an engine to start, idle, free rev.. there were so many different settings to take into account..
a very interesting topic, and certainly not for the faint hearted!