Remaps for the 1.4 TSI (Golf)

[VR99]

Interested to hear if anyone has remapped a 1.4 TSI engine in the past or currently drives a remapped car and whether it was worthwhile...the good, the bad and the ugly please?

I have a Golf 1.4 TSI petrol (125 BHP 2018 DSG) and whilst its reasonable for my type of driving...more would always be nice.
I assume the 1.4 TSI was designed to handle a certain level of tolerance, same applies for the DSG. Would anyone avoid.a remap on this engine/transmission combo? Finally, if my car is remapped but then goes in for a service, would the map be wiped out and reset to factory/OEM?

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

This is not meant to be a snotty answer...

....but it might be easier to buy a pokier car rather than mess about?

[VR99]

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

This is not meant to be a snotty answer...

....but it might be easier to buy a pokier car rather than mess about?

It's a fair point..a less painful and much easier route but 'er indoors really likes the golf, not too big, not too small though I'm not too impressed with the boot space.

Before I pulled the trigger on the Golf was very tempted by a Volvo V40 T3, I think the 150 bhp in that engine would of been a happy medium but of course no idea how it compares in power deliver as never driven one. The 150bhp Golfs were also a lot rarer and was unsure about the Seat Leon 150/180 bhp.models..more grunt but maybe less refined in terms of interior/ride quality.

Hence here we are now and wondering if a remap might be an easy 20-30bhp that would hopefully keep me happy.....

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Golf GTi then!

[VR99]

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

Golf GTi then!

As long as it is a DSG (I know, blasphemy in a GTI and all that) and 5 door variant ..then maybe just maybe I have a chance!

[Glosphil]

I have the same engine (but 150hp version) & the DSG-7 in a 2018 Leon FR.

I did drive a 125hp version in a Golf & was surprised how much difference the extra hp & torque of the 150 version made.

If you do decide to map your car be aware that the dry-clutch DSG-7 has a relatively low torqu limit - 160 ftlb or thereabouts.

[VR99]

Glosphil said:

I have the same engine (but 150hp version) & the DSG-7 in a 2018 Leon FR.

I did drive a 125hp version in a Golf & was surprised how much difference the extra hp & torque of the 150 version made.

If you do decide to map your car be aware that the dry-clutch DSG-7 has a relatively low torqu limit - 160 ftlb or thereabouts.

Cheers, it's that last paragraph that makes me a slightly nervous about the remap route.....

Just out of interest, any other differences you picked up on between the Golf and Leon e.g: ride quality, refinement etc
Having come from a MK1 Focus 1.8, the golf is a different level on every aspect though to be fair the Focus is 14 years older and N/a Vs the TSI which has nice midrange shove...but I think an extra 25 bhp taking it to 150 would of been the sweet spot.

[Glosphil]

VR99 said:

Glosphil said:

I have the same engine (but 150hp version) & the DSG-7 in a 2018 Leon FR.

I did drive a 125hp version in a Golf & was surprised how much difference the extra hp & torque of the 150 version made.

If you do decide to map your car be aware that the dry-clutch DSG-7 has a relatively low torqu limit - 160 ftlb or thereabouts.

Cheers, it's that last paragraph that makes me a slightly nervous about the remap route.....

Just out of interest, any other differences you picked up on between the Golf and Leon e.g: ride quality, refinement etc
Having come from a MK1 Focus 1.8, the golf is a different level on every aspect though to be fair the Focus is 14 years older and N/a Vs the TSI which has nice midrange shove...but I think an extra 25 bhp taking it to 150 would of 0been the sweet spot.

I also drove a Golf GT with the 150hp engine. It had a higher quality interior trim than the Leon FR & a slightly better ride but rolled more. The Golf lacked the climate control & LED headlights of the Leon.
When I was buying 2018 models in 2019 the Golf was £4k more than the Leon. In some ways I preferred the Golf but didn't think it worth £19.5k against the Leon's £15.5k. As I keep my car's for 5-7 years the lower depreciation of the Golf wasn't a factor in my choice.

Incidentally the 2018 Leon 1.8TSi Leon has its torque limited to the same as the 1.4 to enable the use of the same DSG; so the extra performance only kicks in at higher revs.

[VR99]

Glosphil said:

I also drove a Golf GT with the 150hp engine. It had a higher quality interior trim than the Leon FR & a slightly better ride but rolled more. The Golf lacked the climate control & LED headlights of the Leon.
When I was buying 2018 models in 2019 the Golf was £4k more than the Leon. In some ways I preferred the Golf but didn't think it worth £19.5k against the Leon's £15.5k. As I keep my car's for 5-7 years the lower depreciation of the Golf wasn't a factor in my choice.

Incidentally the 2018 Leon 1.8TSi Leon has its torque limited to the same as the 1.4 to enable the use of the same DSG; so the extra performance only kicks in at higher revs.

I bought my Golf in Feb 2020.....it's now worth a couple of £k's more for the same model/mileage due to the current used market conditions. I did consider if worth trading in and getting a Leon 1.8 TSI 180 bhp instead with the 180bhp engine....no idea how they compare to the 150 bhp 1.4 TSI but with an extra 30 bhp must have some decent poke. I also plan to keep the car for more than 5 years, likely longer so residuals might be less important.

Edit: just noticed your comment on the 1.8 TSI torque limiter.....that now explains why the torque figures seem similar between the various TSI engines yet different bhp output. Thats a bit disappointing, ideally would want a broad band of torque such that it kicks in earlier. In that case I think it's not really worthwhile as let's be honest top end power/performance isn't really usable on the roads....unless you want to lose your license fairly quickly!

Edited by VR99 on Wednesday 6th July 08:36

[catso]

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

This is not meant to be a snotty answer...

....but it might be easier to buy a pokier car rather than mess about?

Although the likes of Revo claim around 140hp for under £400, so not much more than the price of a service. Swapping for a GTI would likely cost a few thousand.

[VR99]

catso said:

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

This is not meant to be a snotty answer...

....but it might be easier to buy a pokier car rather than mess about?

Although the likes of Revo claim around 140hp for under £400, so not much more than the price of a service. Swapping for a GTI would likely cost a few thousand.

On balance that's quite reasonable for the cost esp if it improves torque too but if a car service at a later point in time ends up wiping the remap.....wouldn't want to be forking out £400 again! I'm not sure that would happen but I've seen it mentioned on other threads.

[catso]

VR99 said:

catso said:

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

This is not meant to be a snotty answer...

....but it might be easier to buy a pokier car rather than mess about?

Although the likes of Revo claim around 140hp for under £400, so not much more than the price of a service. Swapping for a GTI would likely cost a few thousand.

On balance that's quite reasonable for the cost esp if it improves torque too but if a car service at a later point in time ends up wiping the remap.....wouldn't want to be forking out £400 again! I'm not sure that would happen but I've seen it mentioned on other threads.

Fairly sure the Revo dealer will re-install FOC if required? The map is installed along with a standard map and it is switchable - I have heard that disconnecting the battery may default the map to the standard one but not sure if this is the case?

You can buy the SPS device that allows you to swap between maps i.e. the tune and the 'standard' map yourself, only takes a few seconds.

[Antony Moxey]

VR99 said:

catso said:

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

This is not meant to be a snotty answer...

....but it might be easier to buy a pokier car rather than mess about?

Although the likes of Revo claim around 140hp for under £400, so not much more than the price of a service. Swapping for a GTI would likely cost a few thousand.

On balance that's quite reasonable for the cost esp if it improves torque too but if a car service at a later point in time ends up wiping the remap.....wouldn't want to be forking out £400 again! I'm not sure that would happen but I've seen it mentioned on other threads.

It shouldn't if you let them know before it's serviced it's had a remap - mine's been serviced since it was remapped and it's still there!

I have a 2017 1.4 Leon FR. I had it remapped from 150 horse to nigh (neigh?) on 200. The difference is magical. My lad has a six month older Leon that he had done from 125 to near 175. Both maps were done at the same time for about £350, it makes a difference, but for that price it's just not worth the extra you'd need to spend trading up engine sizes. As for the ride and interior, I have no VW experience so can't compare, however I'm perfectly happy with both and have no intention of changing my car for some time to come.

[The Cardinal]

I ran a 1.4 TFSI 140 in a 2014 Audi A3 and thought it was a great engine. Mine ran a map taking it to c.170hp, but ultimately it was just a gateway to an S3... and then an RS3.

Be mindful of that, and that the sub-140/150hp MQB platform cars run the less sophisticated rear suspension.

[Glosphil]

The Cardinal said:

I ran a 1.4 TFSI 140 in a 2014 Audi A3 and thought it was a great engine. Mine ran a map taking it to c.170hp, but ultimately it was just a gateway to an S3... and then an RS3.

Be mindful of that, and that the sub-140/150hp MQB platform cars run the less sophisticated rear suspension.

Good point. The 1.8 Leon has more sophisticated rear suspension than the 1.4 & larger front discs.

[VR99]

Thanks for all the input so far guys...I think this is swaying me back to considering the remap! For what it's worth, mileage is just above 20k and been main dealer serviced this far so am hoping that even with the remap it won't impact reliability too much.

I have 125 bhp currently, would be happy with 150 to balance power / reliability..though ack the comment about the slipper slope to more power. An S3 is lovely but aside from the running costs I'd likely end up wrapped around or impaled on a tree/lamppost sooner than I could blink....

I guess my next question would be, are there any outfits in London and/or Essex that anyone here knows of and have a positive reputation amongst the PH masses for remaps?

[djone101]

GT101 in Colchester are RacingLine dealers.
Their OEM+ software is listed for 1.4 TSi (153bhp) and they do a DSG tune too.

[VR99]

djone101 said:

GT101 in Colchester are RacingLine dealers.
Their OEM+ software is listed for 1.4 TSi (153bhp) and they do a DSG tune too.

Cheers, they appear to be doing a deal on the stage 1 remap for £360.00

Revo is mentioned a lot so may also look into dealers who offer them nearby