Video: Is a tune worth it? We put our GTI on the dyno to find out.

Chris
Update by Chris Tropea to the Volkswagen Golf GTI project car
Sep 21, 2024 | Volkswagen, Volkswagen GTI, 034Motorsport

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Photography Credit: Chris Tropea

On paper, a tune sounds like a secret hack: With a tap of a few keys on a keyboard, your car can make more power–no hard parts to install.

But, in the real world, does the promise of a tune actually deliver? We put our Mk7 Volkswagen GTI with an 034Motorsport tune on the dyno at VMP Performance to find out.

 

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Comments
z31maniac
z31maniac MegaDork
9/21/24 12:47 p.m.

Can you give us a text overview? 

Sorry, I get tired of having to watch videos to get the info. I just want the info, not a bunch of commentary leading up to the info. 

Baseline was X after was Z, here is a dyno chart showing the differences. 

alfadriver
alfadriver MegaDork
9/21/24 12:49 p.m.

Presumably, 034 Tune is legal,  given you just exposed them to a modification that they are selling.  What are they changing?

TravisTheHuman
TravisTheHuman MegaDork
9/21/24 12:54 p.m.
z31maniac said:

Can you give us a text overview? 

Sorry, I get tired of having to watch videos to get the info. I just want the info, not a bunch of commentary leading up to the info. 

This is my boomer trait also.

Old Man Yells at Cloud | Old Man Yells at Cloud | Know Your Meme

 

here's a link to 1:55 where the dyno chart is shown (the rest is dyno discussion)

https://youtu.be/1HGQAZtO-P0?si=u7girPQ_IVln4bTH&t=115
 

Coniglio Rampante
Coniglio Rampante Reader
9/21/24 1:43 p.m.

VW advertised the MK7's torque at 258 lb-ft (273 came with the MK8) so I'm somewhat happy to see you hit that number in the stockish set up.

The 216 hp isn't far off at from the advertised 210 (base model) or 220 hp that came with the performance package.

The results kind of confirm a lot of internet speculation that German manufacturers may often be advertising wheel horsepower.

Thanks for spending the time and resources producing the video.

wspohn
wspohn UltraDork
9/21/24 2:02 p.m.

Yes a tune can produce significant power gains.  Stock tune turbo Ecotec = 260 bhp/260 Tq.  Factory GMPP tune = 290 bhp/340 Tq.  Have to wonder why they didn't standardize the higher tune!

Coniglio Rampante
Coniglio Rampante Reader
9/21/24 2:16 p.m.

In reply to wspohn :

Possible reasons could be CAFE numbers and/or durability and warranty goals.  And given that "other thread" regarding Cobb tuning, perhaps emissions.  

alfadriver
alfadriver MegaDork
9/21/24 2:26 p.m.
Coniglio Rampante said:

In reply to wspohn :

Possible reasons could be CAFE numbers and/or durability and warranty goals.  And given that "other thread" regarding Cobb tuning, perhaps emissions.  

Technically, those are all related to each other.  Emissions durability is a pretty strong requirement.

Tom Suddard
Tom Suddard GRM+ Memberand Publisher
9/21/24 2:59 p.m.

I'm at the track right now so can't write much, but did want to jump in and say yes, this is a legal tune with an EO number. 

Loweguy5
Loweguy5 GRM+ Memberand Dork
9/21/24 9:46 p.m.

As one who grew up in an era when originally cars didn't even use computers, I still find this tech amazing.  Imagine owning a 1987 Camaro and spending hours installing headers to add 5 or 6 hp, when now you can add a tune and potentially add 50 hp with the freedom to move it back to stock with very little effort.

On a related note, every time I drive a GTI from the last two generations I wonder why i haven't bought one.  When I've been behind the wheel my grin hasn't subsided from start to stop.  If only my wife would be open to a 7th car in the driveway...

kb58
kb58 UltraDork
9/22/24 10:54 a.m.
Loweguy5 said:

...every time I drive a GTI from the last two generations I wonder why i haven't bought one...

Probably the terrible infotainment system.

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