Stage 1 is designed to squeeze out more from your TDI without the need for hardware upgrades. Most Customers report MPG improvements. This tune can also be paired with additional tune "add-ons" to give you more flexibility with performance and drivability.
Requires
This ECU must be shipped to TuneZilla for bench flash. After checkout, you will be sent shipping instructions and a tune request form to be filled out. Bench Flashing takes 1-2 business days outside of shipping time. Please make sure you make appropriate arrangements for vehicle downtime before removing and shipping your ECU.
Notes
The Stage 1.5 tune increases power output above Stage 1 and still retains all factory hardware.
Tune Add-Ons can be paired with this tune to accommodate hardware upgrades or removals
Requires
Notes
This ECU must be shipped to TuneZilla for bench flash. After checkout, you will be sent shipping instructions and a tune request form to be filled out. Bench Flashing takes 1-2 business days outside of shipping time. Please make sure you make appropriate arrangements for vehicle downtime before removing and shipping your ECU.
This is the maximum output that can be safely achieved on stock hardware. It is also important to note: The stock turbo tends to boost creep at higher RPM. That risk increases with a more powerful tune, like Stage 2. As long as the stock (factory) turbo is still present, it is not recommended to modify the stock intake and exhaust (even just removing the muffler), because any improved flow further increases boost creep risk.
Requires
Hardware Upgrade | Required |
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Boost Gauge | Recommended (for monitoring boost) |
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Notes
This ECU must be shipped to TuneZilla for bench flash. After checkout, you will be sent shipping instructions and a tune request form to be filled out. Bench Flashing takes 1-2 business days outside of shipping time. Please make sure you make appropriate arrangements for vehicle downtime before removing and shipping your ECU.
Our Stage 4 tune can accommodate several turbo upgrades. Please see the below requirements.
Also note that the ECU must be shipped in for tuning.
Requires
Upgrade | Requirement |
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A "VNT-17" turbo (see table below) | Required |
3 bar MAP sensor | Required, unless you want to run 21 PSI or lower boost with a stock MAP sensor. Please contact us |
Clutch Upgrade (manual) | Required, otherwise you can pick the Stage 4 Clutch Saver tune that may have similar low-RPM torque to Stage 1.5 and 2 |
Exhaust Upgrade | Recommended for quicker boost build-up and lower exhaust gas temperature |
Supported Turbo Upgrades
Turbo | Alternative Turbo Name | Max. Boost | Source | Note |
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Garrett GT1749V | "VNT-15" | 18 PSI (1.24 Bar) | 90HP 1.9L TDI | Limited to Stage 2 tune! |
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 | "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. |
Garrett GT1749VB | "VNT-17"* | 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. |
Notes
* 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.
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.
Bench Flashing Only
This ECU must be shipped to TuneZilla for bench flash. After checkout, you will be sent shipping instructions and a tune request form to be filled out. Bench Flashing takes 1-2 business days outside of shipping time. Please make sure you make appropriate arrangements for vehicle downtime before removing and shipping your ECU.