Golf GTI 7.5 230 Turbo Lag

[Wright7.5]

I have 7.5 GTI 230, and really shocked at how bad the turbo lag is... nobody else seems to mention it, reviewers etc, but I don't get how... to me, it ruins the driving experience. I have the car in sport 99.9% of the time, and it pulls ok once the turbo is in, but just fairly unimpressed with that element of the car. I think it's a fantastic car, and bar the cliche, does everything well.

I've had plenty of turbocharged / performance cars, and in all honesty, the lag on this is the worst. My girlfriend has a MK2 TT 2.0 TFSI 211bhp, and that engine is fantastic in comparison, doesn't 'seem' to pull quite as hard once fully on boost, but nowhere near the same amount of lag - the car just feels far more 'lively' than mine.

Mine's a manual by the way guys. Anyone else noticed this?

[Watts]

Rather than turbo lag I think more likely throttle lag. Get yourself a pedal box, it modifies the signal from the pedal to remove the year of dead travel. It really does bring the car alive.

[Crezzer]

Hi all

I'm new to the Golf GTI (7.5 230 manual) and new to the forum coming from various Ford Focus ST's over the past 5 years and I'm also interested in peoples opinions on this.

I agree 100% that the lag (on either the turbo or the throttle) when you put your foot down is really bad even in sport mode. The car feels a bit dead before 3000rpm IMO and this also spoils the driving experience for me.

In comparison, the throttle response on the ST was excellent and instant from around 1500 rpm. The GTI is no where near this. I'm probably wrong (as I'm a little disappointed / disheartened in the GTI response ) but sometimes I feel my wife's 1.0 Eco boost fiesta feels more responsive then the GTI before 3000 rpm! - I love everything else about the GTI bar this.

After reading up I'm now considering a pedal box to help - has anyone on the forum had any warranty issues after fitting the DTUK pedal box? or does this not impact warranty?

Thanks

[Watts]

The pedal box has had a fair few threads on here, do a search if you want a good selection of views without having to wait for them. Can't think of any potential warranty issues, it doesn't alter the power at all, just the response of the pedal. Insurers though can be a bit hit and miss.

[clarky92]

In all due respect without being an asshole your driving it wrong to get the best out of the engine.

When in sport and going for a blast keep it above 4k. This engine is mapped to feel power at the top end above 3.5-4k. Its not like a Fiesta ST for example which gives you instant boost at 2k. In the GTI below 3k ish its a bit sluggish and used for eco everyday driving in traffic etc

Try it, keep it above 4k and go for a blast. You'll be smiling all the way

[Brenbo]

I have to agree with Clarky92.  Even though they were not turbo engines, I have had 4x Civic Type-R's prior to the GTI PP and my current Golf R, and the Civic Type-r's only really come alive at around 5500rpm to 6500rpm.  So I guess I was used to driving a car which was mapped to have it's power at the top end when I transferred over to the Golfs. So with this in mind is it also a case of being used to a certain type of throttle response from the previous cars you have driven i.e. low end, top end etc,. 

[Crezzer]

Appreciate the responses guys - thanks

Perhaps your right - ive spent the past 5 years driving cars with an instant low end boost at 1.5 / 2.0k  so it might be a case of adjusting to the golf as ive only had it 3 weeks.

That said, lots of people have the same complaint so i think im still going to look into the peddle box as having a better response lower down the range is an advantage in my eyes.

[Exonian]

Unless you have a fault with the car there's virtually no lag on the GTI engine. It hits peak torque at around 1500rpm which tells you there is going to be next to no lag. It has a nice small turbo that spools at just over tickover and if anything it's the top end lack of puff that would be cause for criticism due to the smooth way it develops power.

As above, it's the throttle pedal that's the culprit in turning the GTI into a sluggard unless you've buried your foot into the carpet.
Once the pedal box is fitted the car feels like it has the responses of my old cat when I sneezed with it sat on my lap. I still have the scars now.

[Jim_mk7.5]

I would say the GTI is virtually lag free as well, nothing like an old school turbo 'd car.

[JeffPoe]

Peak torque being so low just means the boost threshold is low.

As in you don't have to wait long before you will get boost when your foot is fully down from very low revs. If it was more like 3000, then your foot from 1000 would be down for ages. This is commonly mistaken as lag and its not lag at all.

Actual lag would be at say 3000 in the GTI.... put your foot fully down and the time it takes to then boost is lag.

Its noticeable on my 7.5 GTI, but probably the lowest lag I have experienced in any turbo car.