Looking at remap options for the car. 
 

Engine is DNFE which looks to be a little bit niche when it comes to tuning. 
 

Originally had my eyes set on a TVS combo but they only refer to the 272 option which is either lazy website or they haven’t accommodated the Gen4 engine (except obviously in the Mk8 Golf etc). More than happy to go for a TVS DSG 2+ though. Seems like that is as smart as tuning money gets.
Revo seems the same re 272 engine.

I guess there’ll be options to go with people like MRC/QST etc but has anyone used them? There’s precious little info on the websites although I’ve started to email around as well.

 

Either that or the JB4 thread raises the possibility if a plug-in. I’m just not convinced they’re as specific (although perhaps not quite the box of resistors that are purported to be). 
 

What would you do if you were me?

 

Which Tuner with the best of reputations is near to you? 

It is nice to talk, go see them.

I think The Phirm aren’t too far from me - they seem to have a decent reputation despite the awful name. I emailed them earlier today to see if there is a map. I contacted TVS through their WhatsApp chat and that was it…there was one auto reply asking for a couple of details and nothing else. No other way to contact them seemingly

Edited 8 November, 20241 yr by travs
Elaborate

TVS gearbox software is excellent, probably the best available but their ECU mapping is average. There are far better options out there from the likes of Racingline, APR etc.

 

The Phirm are very good, they look after my Superb 272 and do a far better job of diagnosis and maintenance than Skoda dealers. They get very busy as a result, their lead time is often a month.

Edited 8 November, 20241 yr by AlistairCookie

Thanks Alistair. Good to hear another tick for The Phirm. 
They’re a TVS dealer so perhaps they can suggest a better option for the ecu alongside the dsg map. 

On 08/11/2024 at 21:48, travs said:

Either that or the JB4 thread raises the possibility if a plug-in. I’m just not convinced they’re as specific (although perhaps not quite the box of resistors that are purported to be). 
 

What would you do if you were me?

 

I am on the same boat ... I like the option of a plug-in since it seems less problematic, albeit being less tailored to the specific engine, but besides JB4 I am also wondering about Racechip or DTE. For now, I am still wondering what to do ...

On 08/11/2024 at 22:45, travs said:

Thanks Alistair. Good to hear another tick for The Phirm. 
They’re a TVS dealer so perhaps they can suggest a better option for the ecu alongside the dsg map. 

I've asked them to drop a map onto mine when it's in for service next week, using RacingLine for both. While the TVS TCU might be the optimal choice, it basically doubles the price when you add in the combination discount plus RL's Black Friday offer.

 

7 minutes ago, AlistairCookie said:

I've asked them to drop a map onto mine when it's in for service next week, using RacingLine for both. While the TVS TCU might be the optimal choice, it basically doubles the price when you add in the combination discount plus RL's Black Friday offer.

Its funny you should mention that. I've done almost exactly the same for the same reasons. Except I've ordered the PDM to flash it at home.

 

I only really miss out on before/after power runs, which I can always get done at some point if I'm bothered. I can flash/reflash/return to stock whenever I want (not to evade detection but just because it gives the flexibility...and should I ever sell the car I can sell it without the map if that puts people off). But I also like the idea of the anti-theft measure - you can basically flash to zero so the car will never start and the only way anyone is ever stealing it is towing it away. It also means if I put an induction kit and intercooler on I can go to Stage 1+ etc. etc. Seems promising...

 

26 minutes ago, leolito said:

I am on the same boat ... I like the option of a plug-in since it seems less problematic, albeit being less tailored to the specific engine, but besides JB4 I am also wondering about Racechip or DTE. For now, I am still wondering what to do ...

Well Racingline also do a plug and play kit too; 'the PCM'. Not quite as high results as a remap (presumably because it can't amend all of the same parameters) but its another option to conisder. I think its a bit more than the Racechip...and they're doing 30% off until tomorrow (13th Nov) so you could save money there too.

 

Just for info, I was confused about whether the JB4 Group 18 product was relevant for the car and george@burgertuning (their VAG specialist) said "To be sure check the TMAP connector at the front of the engine and see if it has three wires". I haven't on mine but that's all you need to do to be sure seemingly.

@leolito Racechip 30% runs out today in case you hadn’t seen.

RacingLine flashed at home. Was very straightforward to do following the guide. TCU flashed and then ECU. Had to do a stock update first and then layered on the update. 
Haven’t throttled up in anger yet but could immediately tell the gear changes and the lower torque response.

Initial impressions are very positive so far!

Thanks for the heads' up, I actually did lost it as I was busy with other things ... pity we will wait.

Good for your positive impressions, obviously is the way to go. Report on fuel later on ... tks

1 hour ago, leolito said:

Thanks for the heads' up, I actually did lost it as I was busy with other things ... pity we will wait.

Good for your positive impressions, obviously is the way to go. Report on fuel later on ... tks

 Black Friday deals seem to be kicking in now so you won't have lost out on much if anything!

How did you find The Phirm @travs ? I'm booked in with them next month.

2 hours ago, OccyVRS said:

How did you find The Phirm @travs ? I'm booked in with them next month.

Hey. I didn’t use them in the end. They didn’t reply until after I’d sorted myself out and decided I was going to flash it myself (which has worked out well).

However, looking back @AlistairCookie was booked in so should be well placed to give feedback!

Just to update this thread for what I’ve found. Essentially all the DNF engines are identical:

DNFB 310ps (Audi S3 8Y, Cupra Formentor)

DNFC 300ps (Golf 8 GTI Clubsport, Audi SQ2, T-Roc R)

DNFD 320ps (Audi TTS)

DNFE 280ps (Skoda Superb 4x4, Arteon, Passat)

DNFF 333ps (Golf R 333)

DNFG 320ps (Golf 8 R, Arteon R, Tiguan R)

The hardware is all the same, it is just the map which is different (technically they have different SIMOS 19 ECUs).

This means that tuners are remapping all of them to the same level because the map is applicable to all. So whereas most places advertise the “Superb 280” as all the same (even though 2 different Gen engines across 3 different engine codes), you can skip the confusion and go for e.g Golf 8 options. RacingLine remap is the same and confirmed this; since then I can see APR say the same.

There are however a few minor differences - for example, I have found that the exhaust resonator is there on some, but not others. It’s not there on the Superb so no resonator delete option!

Priceless information.

Another nudge towards the abyss ... 😁

7 hours ago, travs said:

The hardware is all the same, it is just the map which is different (technically they have different SIMOS 19 ECUs).

This means that tuners are remapping all of them to the same level because the map is applicable to all. So whereas most places advertise the “Superb 280” as all the same (even though 2 different Gen engines across 3 different engine codes), you can skip the confusion and go for e.g Golf 8 options. RacingLine remap is the same and confirmed this; since then I can see APR say the same.

That's a surprising statement from RacingLine. Evo3 cars use IHI turbo (IS38 for the purposes we're talking here) and Simos 18, Evo4 cars (i.e. Golf 8) use Continental turbos and Simos 19. There are appreciable differences between the 2 setups, so for them to be able to run the same software would be somewhat unprecedented. From my own development experience that feels like wires have got crossed or something lost in translation.

For the IS38 cars in isolation, then yes - you'd use the same map across all of them because the hardware and expected final output is largely identical. The software ident for my remap (you get this in an email from RL when the map is applied) reads as "VAG SIMOS 18.1 HO Stg1 GPF"

Edited 19 March, 20251 yr by AlistairCookie

48 minutes ago, leolito said:

Priceless information.

Another nudge towards the abyss ... 😁

Do it. You know it makes sense 😆

5 hours ago, AlistairCookie said:

That's a surprising statement from RacingLine. Evo3 cars use IHI turbo (IS38 for the purposes we're talking here) and Simos 18, Evo4 cars (i.e. Golf 8) use Continental turbos and Simos 19. There are appreciable differences between the 2 setups, so for them to be able to run the same software would be somewhat unprecedented. From my own development experience that feels like wires have got crossed or something lost in translation.

For the IS38 cars in isolation, then yes - you'd use the same map across all of them because the hardware and expected final output is largely identical. The software ident for my remap (you get this in an email from RL when the map is applied) reads as "VAG SIMOS 18.1 HO Stg1 GPF"

DNFs are all Gen4/Evo4 engines 🫡

5 hours ago, AlistairCookie said:

Do it. You know it makes sense 😆

Yep @leolito it would be criminal not to.

Edited 19 March, 20251 yr by travs

On 18/11/2024 at 07:52, leolito said:

Thanks for the heads' up, I actually did lost it as I was busy with other things ... pity we will wait.

Good for your positive impressions, obviously is the way to go. Report on fuel later on ... tks

In fact, had another email from Racechip about a code for 25% off...can DM you the code if you wannnnnnt?

26 minutes ago, travs said:

DNFs are all Gen4/Evo4 engines 🫡

So it's my wires that are crossed...that'll teach me to reply while neck deep in investigations at work 🤣

Looks like the mk4 Superb may be using a GTI-spec motor (DNP) rather than DNF. That's a shame.

Edited 19 March, 20251 yr by AlistairCookie

1 hour ago, AlistairCookie said:

So it's my wires that are crossed...that'll teach me to reply while neck deep in investigations at work 🤣

Looks like the mk4 Superb may be using a GTI-spec motor (DNP) rather than DNF. That's a shame.

No worries - I don’t always put the words in my head on paper so good to check.

Ripe for an engine swap then? Or possibly a vRS out later (albeit not in keeping with their style)