Derek Dilts

My Current Configuration:
Neuspeed P-Flo Intake Kit
Neuspeed HI-FLO Turbo Discharge Conversion
Go Fast Bits DV+ Diverter Valve - T9351
MagnaFlow Touring Series Cat Back Exhaust
CTS Turbo MQB High Flow Turbo Inlet Pipe (15-16 Golf, GTI, Golf R, A3, S3)
CTS Turbo MQB Throttle Pipe (15+ A3/S3, 15+ GTI/Golf)
Neuspeed Engine Torque Arm Insert (15+ A3/S3, 15+ GTI/Golf)
Unitronic Intercooler Upgrade Kit (15+ A3/S3, 16+ TT, 15+ GTI/Golf)

Have a Neuspeed Power Module as well but just removed it in preparation for a Stage 1+ tune, from Unitronic in all likelihood.

Looking for the best route to 300+ HP & 300+ TQ. Obviously, have been working towards that direction but debating the Unitronic upgrades now ... just hoping someone has already jumped on this and can share their details.

Thanks in advance,
Derek

19hole

300+ hp AND 300+LB-FT in a front wheel drive car is a recipe for disaster. The torque steer will be extreme. I also doubt that the car will be able to put that much power on the road. The transmission probably won't like it and the stress on the 1.8L four will be pretty high. If it were a 2.0L Quattro you might have a car that would be a bit more drivable.

Derek Dilts

Thanks 19hole.

Yes agreed with the transmission ... the ECU tune will be accompanied by a TCU (DSG) tune as well. The stage 1+ will get us to 257 HP and like 285 TQ. Was going to see how it felt at this point and determine if this would be enough or leave me aching for more.

Think I know the answer already ... so was preemptively asking the questiong to see how anyone else has done it.

davisflyer

i have a JB1 on my 1.8 and already can't floor it in first gear, so I don't think taking it any higher is advantageous because what you will be able to use will only be at higher speeds. Probably best to trade in for a 2.0 AWD, then you are just one tune away from 300 hp.

Wet1

I agree with davisflyer. If you're looking for a faster car, I think you'd be far better off with an S3.


I have an A3 TDI and would have went with the S3 if I didn't drive so much and needed the much better fuel economy (I'm averaging 46+ mpg). I've decided to drop the car a couple of inches with coilovers, add spacers and some light tint to at least make the car look and feel a little more sporty. The TDI is torquey, so it feels peppier than it actually is, but I know it's a waste trying to make my A3 as quick as a S3... especially since the point of going with the A3 to begin with was to save money and have a more practical daily driver.


If you want S3+ performance, start with an S3, you'll be money ahead, have better resale, and will have a superior platform to build on... and it will be significantly faster with all things being equal.

Derek Dilts

Thanks davisflyer and Wet1!

I agree, would like to go with the S3 but at the price difference 400 HP is not my wish. It is going to be my daily driver as well and put 25k miles a year so don't want it to just be a dog on the gas.

But do like dorking around with the car and my wife has already agreed to take the A3 ... so I could get an S3 or S5 in a couple of years.

So will definitely be doing the Stage 1+ tune and see how it feels. That is the input was looking for from you guys so do appreciate it and will likely feel like davisflyer and leave it where it's at after that.

Thanks again!

Antarius

Agree with the other posters, A3 Quattro with the 2.0 liter engine and a stage 1 tune will be cheaper than taking a 1.8t engine to 300hp, not to mention you're more likely to have transmission issues with the 1.8, it would require a turbo swap, etc etc. the 1.8 is just not a good platform to start with when the price difference between the 1.8 and the 2.0, even including AWD, is only 3,000 new, and closer to 1500 in the used market.

Ryan_R

I have the 6spd Quattro version of the 1.8T and have installed APR Stage 1 and also APR's TCU software. Refunded the TCU purchase as the shifting logic was awful - APR later informed me that they don't have a file specific for my car - could've mentioned that before taking payment...

With AWD, the car hesitates a little before shoving me down the road with ~250BHP/400nm torque. Strangely I've never timed it. Car still sounds as quiet so a cat-back exhaust may be to your liking.

My previous car was a Mk6 Golf 1.4 twincharger which I also tuned to Stage 1 with APR and had the TCU tune done by Harding Performance as an early adopter. That had ~200BHP/320nm torque and went from around 8.0 down to 6.68 seconds 0-62, but wheelspin was an issue, although never torque steer.

Having one less gear and no supercharger took a bit of getting used to, but the extra power and grip are certainly noticeable.

Experience the car with just Stage 1 and see if it's quick enough for you. See which tuners have a no questions asked refund policy just in case you or your wife don't like it. Of course if all you want to do is go fast for less, you need a motorcycle.