DNA Tuning: VW Golf R dyno results and feedback

[Lucas_R]

Hi All - i wanted to post up this information for those looking for another option when looking to tune their car.

A few months ago i was looking to change from my existing Bluefin (Superchips) tune to something that would offer a bit more power. With the Bluefin tune, the car was running very rich, and despite trying several revised files including a Stage 2 file - the car was still running rich and i wasn't completely happy with the performance.

When looking for a new tune, i wanted a hand control option as there are no dealers / workshops within a reasonable distance from Newcastle, and i wanted the ability to return the car to the stock tune if need be (warranty etc). And i had a budget of around $1,000 for the tune.

My decision basically came down between DNA Tuning and Viezu. After doing some research and speaking to the men behind both brands, i decided that id like to try DNA Tuning.

After receiving my hand controller, i supplied a copy of my stock file to John @ DNA to be sent to the UK, where they would modify the file and provide me a Stage 1 and Stage 3 file (the stage 3 is for later down the track). I have been running the DNA Stage 1 tune since mid March, and the car immediately felt much stronger than it did with the Bluefin tune, and my fuel consumption has reduced so the DNA tune isn't running rich like the Bluefin was. I attended the Sydney dyno day on the 29th April to see what the DNA Tune had to offer and to compare it to some of the other tuned Golf R's there on the day.

Although i am running a Stage 1 tune from DNA, my car actually now has an aftermarket dump pipe and intake, therefore, the results from the dyno should probably be more fairly compared to a "Stage 2" tuned car.

What: MY11.5 MKVI VW Golf R
Current modifications: DNA Tuning Stage 1 tune, Scorpion down pipe, VW Racing intake
Who did the mods: Me, except for the tune of course.
Dyno: Mainline Dyno @ Revesby NSW.
Planned future modifications: HPFP, RS4 fuel pressure reg and DNA Tuning stage 3 to come later in the year.
Results: 204.2kw and 354.5nm at all four wheels.

[TomC]

Freakin' awesome result and great vid!

[PGS_AUS]

Just interested as I'm starting to look at tunes for my R, but what was it that actually pushed you over the line for the DNA tune as opposed to the Viezu tune ?

I'm looking to go the intake/dump pipe tune path and the results you've achieved look brilliant on paper and you sound very happy with the physical driving results so I'm interested to hear your response.

[Lucas_R]

Freakin' awesome result and great vid!

Thanks TomC, I too was surprised as I expected more like 185-190kw based on what other cars were putting out on the day. Have you ever tested your car?

Just interested as I'm starting to look at tunes for my R, but what was it that actually pushed you over the line for the DNA tune as opposed to the Viezu tune ?

I'm looking to go the intake/dump pipe tune path and the results you've achieved look brilliant on paper and you sound very happy with the physical driving results so I'm interested to hear your response.

Hi - there were several reasons. I felt more "at ease and less pressured" by John at DNA than what I did with Viezu. I wanted to try something a little different, and although there were some Viezu customers who are happy with their tune, there were no dyno results to back up the claims. DNA were able to provide some dyno results of other customers cars that had been tuned. And also price came into play, the Viezu tune with a hand controller is $400-500 more than the DNA tune.

[PGS_AUS]

Thanks Lucas, response appreciated and has given me more food for thought on the path I'll take.

[TomC]

Have you ever tested your car?

Nah I haven't, but would be keen. It's just a matter of organising and laying down the coin for a dyno

I would be interested in seeing what my car's putting out though, given our mods seem fairly similar (albeit your k04'd R of course!).

[Lucas_R]

Nah I haven't, but would be keen. It's just a matter of organising and laying down the coin for a dyno

I would be interested in seeing what my car's putting out though, given our mods seem fairly similar (albeit your k04'd R of course!).

Should do it - its always nice to know the result of the $ you spent. Most places are only $100 or so for a dyno run, so its not a huge expense. Going off other MK5 GTI's with the same sort of mods, i would expect yours to have around 160-165kw on a Mainline dyno / 155kw on a Dyno Dynamics dyno. The Mainline's tend to read higher.

[thezoneR32]

Nah I haven't, but would be keen. It's just a matter of organising and laying down the coin for a dyno

I would be interested in seeing what my car's putting out though, given our mods seem fairly similar (albeit your k04'd R of course!).

Give Graham West on Marion Rd a go. Got my mkv gti dynoed there, very quick and professional service.

[SMOK3Y]

Should do it - its always nice to know the result of the $ you spent. Most places are only $100 or so for a dyno run, so its not a huge expense. Going off other MK5 GTI's with the same sort of mods, i would expect yours to have around 160-165kw on a Mainline dyno / 155kw on a Dyno Dynamics dyno. The Mainline's tend to read higher.

its funny ive always seen & heard the opposite to be true, DD are always been a happy readout. when i had me ute any Mainline it always read 299 to 305rwkw, DD always 310 to 330rwkw lol. in V8 comunity 99% of people trust the lower reading Mainline

[DNA Tuning]

Again, comes down to configuration set up by the dyno operator, not to mention not all machines (as in, the dynamometers) are created equal.

Lucas is right on the money though; we generally get around 150-155kW on DD on our Mk5 GTI tunes.