Stage 1 is the most powerful tune you can get with stock hardware. Most people also report MPG improvements. Don't use with upgraded fuel hardware*, or you may increase overboost risk.
* Upgrading the 10mm fuel injection pump to a 11mm that's normally found in stock automatic 1.9L TDIs is still considered a fuel hardware upgrade. In that case it's recommended to reduce your fuel by adjusting your pump's IQ, or opt for a Stage 2 or 3 tune.
Upgraded injectors (see table below)
Nozzles
Hole/Nozzle size (mm)
Recommended HP range (11mm pump required for max)
Recommended Turbo
Sprint 520
0.205
90-130
Stock
DLC 520
90-150
Power Plus 520
0.214
110-170
Stock or VN17
DLC 1019
0.216
120-190
Power Plus 764
0.232
150-210
VNT17 or 17/22
Note that if a vehicle is running larger nozzles with a smaller turbo than recommended, we are not able to custom tune it. We highly recommend using the appropriate hardware for your turbo choice.
Upgraded injectors (see table below), and new or upgraded clutch (if manual transmission)
Upgraded injectors, and clutch (if manual transmission)
DLC Race 520
0.260
140-230+
VNT17/22 or Larger
Upgrade
Requirement
A "VNT-17" turbo (see table below)
Required
3 bar MAP sensor
Clutch Upgrade (manual)
Turbo discharge adapter
Required to adapt a VNT-17 turbo's compressor outlet to your intercooler pipe
Upgraded Injectors
Fuel Injection Pump Upgrade
Recommended in order to realize power gains from a turbo upgrade
Exhaust Upgrade
Recommended for quicker boost build-up and lower exhaust gas temperature
Turbo
Alternative Turbo Name
Max. Boost
Source
Note
Garrett GT1749V
"VNT-15"
18 PSI (1.24 Bar)
90HP 1.9L TDI
Limited to Stage 3 tuning
Garrett GT1749VA
"VNT-17"*
22 PSI (1.51 Bar)
Euro 130HP 1.9L PD TDI
Please ask us for a Stage 4 tune that sets 22 PSI instead of 24 PSI.
Borg-Warner S7
Garrett GT1749VB
24 PSI (1.65 Bar)
Euro 150HP 1.9L PD TDI
This is the most common "VNT-17" turbo and you can use the Stage 4 tune from our InstaTune server.
Garrett Distributor custom build
"VNT-17/22"**
26 PSI (1.79 Bar)
Hybrid turbo
Pick Stage 5 if you want to run 26 PSI and if you have enough fueling to support that boost. Otherwise, you can comfortably run Stage 4 set at 24 PSI or lower with this turbo.
* Genuine (OE) Garrett or Borg-Warner turbos are strongly recommended. The vast majority of rebuilt or hybrid turbos are not optimally calibrated. VNT type turbos are naturally more complex than wastegated turbos commonly found in gas (petrol) cars, so there is more room for error. We do not recommend other brand turbos. However, if you put in a potentially significant amount of work logging boost and recalibrating the vacuum actuator and/or stop screw, then you might get reasonable results from an aftermarket/rebuilt turbo.
** VNT-17/22 was a popular turbo which our Stage 5 tune was built on. Stage 4 also runs well with that turbo. That turbo was originally created by an official Garrett distributor, with very consistent results. However, the performance upgrade over a regular VNT-17 is marginal. They also stopped producing the turbo years ago due to parts availability issues. "17/26" or "GT1752v" aftermarket options may exist today - they are similar in size to the classic VNT-17/22, but we see more inconsistent boost control with them due to their actuator & stop screw setup being of lower than OE quality. We recommend a brand new & genuine Garrett / Borg-warner "VNT-17" instead paired with Stage 4 to give your vehicle a rock-solid OEM+ boost.
For cars with automatic transmissions (01M, 09A Jatco JF506e, etc.): Stage 4 can still be used. We do not have tunes for automatic transmission computers (unless it's a DSG in 2004-2006 New Beetle TDI). The automatic transmissions are known to have less-than-stellar reliability, even with stock 100hp power. Although we have many such customers running a full Stage 4 ECU tune without issues, we can offer a reduced-torque Stage 4 tune if you want reduced risk - please ask us.
This is a low-torque version of Stage 4 designed to reduce chance of clutch slip in manual transmission. The peak torque typically occurs at lower RPM, and that is where it's limited. This tune attempts near Stage 4 power at higher RPM.
Automatic transmission owners may also consider this to reduce transmission stress. We do not offer tunes for automatic transmission computers.
* Genuine (OE) Garrett or Borg-Warner turbos are strongly recommended. The vast majority of rebuilt or hybrid turbos are not optimally calibrated. VNT type turbos are naturally more complex than wastegated turbos commonly found in gas (petrol) cars, therefore there is more room for error. We do not recommend other brand turbos. However, if you put in a potentially significant amount of work logging boost and recalibrating the vacuum actuator and/or stop screw, then you might get reasonable results from an aftermarket/rebuilt turbo.
** VNT-17/22 was a popular turbo which our Stage 5 tune was built upon on. Stage 4 also runs well with that turbo. That turbo was originally created by an official Garrett distributor, with very consistent results. However, the performance upgrade over a regular VNT-17 is marginal. They also stopped producing the turbo years ago due to parts availability issues. "17/26" or "GT1752v" aftermarket options may exist today - they are similar in size to the classic VNT-17/22, but we see more inconsistent boost control with them due to their actuator & stop screw setup being of lower than OE quality. We recommend a brand new & genuine Garrett / Borg-warner "VNT-17" instead paired with Stage 4 to give your vehicle a rock-solid OEM+ boost.