For 2000 model year vehicles, some ECUs require chip tuning. Please confirm your ECU part number, which can be found on the label on top of the ECU (A reference photo can be found in 'Technical Details' - please contact our support team if you need assistance locating it).
ECUs with part numbers ending in 012 can be tuned. ECUs with part numbers ending in 018 require chip tuning, which is a service we no longer offer.
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.
Stage 1.5 is an excellent upgrade for ALH owners with upgraded fueling hardware. It takes advantage of these supporting modifications to provide a modest increase in power and torque over our Stage 1 tune while maintaining excellent drivability.
Upgrade
Requirement
Upgraded Injectors or 11MM Fuel Pump
Required (See Table Below)
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.
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
Stage 2 is designed for ALH owners with upgraded fueling hardware who are looking for a more aggressive performance upgrade. With increased torque over Stage 1.5, this tune is optimized to further utilize your supporting modifications while maintaining a reliable and enjoyable driving experience.
New or Upgraded Clutch (Manual Only)
Required
Stage 3 builds on Stage 2 with a further increase in power and torque, making better use of the upgraded fueling and the stock VNT15 turbo. The tune delivers stronger boost response and a more substantial increase in power through the midrange and upper RPM, giving the car a stronger and more consistent pull as the revs climb. Power delivery remains smooth and predictable, keeping the car easy to drive while adding a noticeable step up in performance over Stage 2.
This is a great option for those looking to get more out of their tune, without going to the most aggressive setup we offer on the stock turbo.
Stage 3.5 is the highest level of performance we offer for the stock VNT15 turbo, designed to maximize the available power and torque from the factory turbo while maintaining reliable operation, smooth drivability, and a well-balanced driving experience. It features a more aggressive boost response to make the most of the turbo's capabilities and works well with moderate nozzle upgrades (in the 0.216 size range).
As with any tune running upgraded nozzles, it is important to check your IQ in VCDS and adjust the quantity adjuster if necessary.
The increased boost response can also make existing VNT control issues more noticeable, so the turbo and related systems should be in good working order before running this tune.
Stage 4 is designed for ALH owners looking to take their setup beyond the limits of the stock turbocharger. Requiring a VNT-17 turbocharger and supporting hardware upgrades, this tune is optimized to take advantage of the increased airflow and fueling capabilities of a modified setup, delivering a significant increase in power and torque while maintaining excellent drivability.
"VNT-17" Turbo
3 Bar MAP Sensor
Clutch Upgrade (Manual Only)
Turbo Discharge Adapter
Required to adapt the VNT-17 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.
DLC Race 520
0.260
140-230+
VNT17/22 or Larger
* 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 our Stage 4 tune, designed to help reduce the chance of clutch slip in manual transmissions. Torque output is limited in the lower RPM range where peak torque typically occurs, while still allowing the tune to deliver near Stage 4 power levels at higher RPM.
Automatic transmission owners may also consider this option to help reduce transmission stress. Please note that we do not offer tuning for automatic transmission control modules on this vehicle.
* 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.
Stage 5 is the highest level of performance we offer for the ALH. Designed for highly modified setups with upgraded turbochargers and supporting hardware, this tune is built to maximize the full potential of your modifications while delivering strong power, smooth drivability, and reliable performance.
This is the ultimate option for enthusiasts looking to push their setup beyond the capabilities of our lower-stage tunes.