IS 38 Turbo

[Eman]

Hi Everyone, has anyone upgraded their turbo from a IS20 to a IS38 turbo?
I want to upgrade, I've bought the turbo and now need to source a supplier for the software.
Any ideas? what are my options? thanks

[h100vw]

underground performance have done several, Cheltenham

[Lucas_R]

As above, go see Underground Performance.

Or, if you want a DIY type tune, consider Spectune (aka tarmac Engineering based in Brisbane) or Integrated Engineering. Personally I am a fan of the DIY type tunes, and have used them on several cars with success (currently have my Mk7 GTI tuned with Integrated Engineering).

[InsaneAsylum]

What's the go? simply replace the IS20 with an IS38 and get custom tune to suit?

Or is this something to think about once you've done your Intake, DP etc.

Do you need other supporting mods like Intercooler?

If not, how much is there to be gained with an IS38 swap + custom tune while leaving the rest stock,
vs. keeping the IS20 and going for an intake + catted DP + tune?


(I know the OP has to replace the IS20)

[Lucas_R]

What's the go? simply replace the IS20 with an IS38 and get custom tune to suit?

Pretty much. It just bolts into place and replaces the IS20. There are also other bolt-on options these days that are more reliable than the IS38 such as the Garrett Powermax turbo.


Or is this something to think about once you've done your Intake, DP etc.

Either or. Even without upgrading the intake/exhaust etc you will gain more top end power and torque with the larger turbo. But you will sacrifice a small amount of power down low as the larger turbo takes longer to come onto boost compared to the smaller IS20.



Do you need other supporting mods like Intercooler?

Always a good idea to upgrade the intercooler if you are chasing more power (more consistent power) but its not necessary. But even upgrading to the Golf R intercooler which you can pick up used for $100-150 is a cost effective mild upgrade as its thicker than the stock Tiguan intercooler.


If not, how much is there to be gained with an IS38 swap + custom tune while leaving the rest stock,
vs. keeping the IS20 and going for an intake + catted DP + tune?

IS38 plus software but with stock hardware vs IS20 plus software plus bolt ons.....probably not much too be honest. Possibly another 10-15kw and 30-40nm in the mid range and top end.

[Eman]

As above, go see Underground Performance.

Or, if you want a DIY type tune, consider Spectune (aka tarmac Engineering based in Brisbane) or Integrated Engineering. Personally I am a fan of the DIY type tunes, and have used them on several cars with success (currently have my Mk7 GTI tuned with Integrated Engineering).

Thanks for the info. Integrated says that they cannot help at this time, they have yet a package for the Tig.
I will try Underground and spectune. I was honestly hoping to just change the turbo and software and upgrade as I go-along.

[Eman]

underground performance have done several, Cheltenham

thanks I'll email them and see what they have available.

[InsaneAsylum]

Pretty much. It just bolts into place and replaces the IS20. There are also other bolt-on options these days that are more reliable than the IS38 such as the Garrett Powermax turbo.



Either or. Even without upgrading the intake/exhaust etc you will gain more top end power and torque with the larger turbo. But you will sacrifice a small amount of power down low as the larger turbo takes longer to come onto boost compared to the smaller IS20.




Always a good idea to upgrade the intercooler if you are chasing more power (more consistent power) but its not necessary. But even upgrading to the Golf R intercooler which you can pick up used for $100-150 is a cost effective mild upgrade as its thicker than the stock Tiguan intercooler.



IS38 plus software but with stock hardware vs IS20 plus software plus bolt ons.....probably not much too be honest. Possibly another 10-15kw and 30-40nm in the mid range and top end.


Appreciate your response mate. Nice to hear a different mod path apart from the usual Stage 1 tune or Intake + DP + Stage 2 tune

[InsaneAsylum]

Thanks for the info. Integrated says that they cannot help at this time, they have yet a package for the Tig.
I will try Underground and spectune. I was honestly hoping to just change the turbo and software and upgrade as I go-along.

Let us know how you get on, hopefully you can get a before and after power run to see the difference. As I mentioned, most people do the IS38 or bigger turbo after Intake and DP so don't really know how applying an IS38 to the stock setup would go power wise.

[h100vw]

Thanks for the info. Integrated says that they cannot help at this time, they have yet a package for the Tig.
I will try Underground and spectune. I was honestly hoping to just change the turbo and software and upgrade as I go-along.

Better way to go is fit the supporting hardware. The IS38 wont perform that well without the hardware upgrades fitted. Be prepared to fit an intercooler, downpipe and intake before you get positive answers.

[Eman]

Better way to go is fit the supporting hardware. The IS38 wont perform that well without the hardware upgrades fitted. Be prepared to fit an intercooler, downpipe and intake before you get positive answers.

In theory, the golf R pushes 206kw on the IS38 turbo with stock DP and intercooler ( I understand the intercooler is different) Intercooler aside I should see massive gains in kw with my DP? Do you reckon the Golf R intercooler can be a direct bolt on to the Tiguan R Line i.e. pipes etc?

[Timmy35851]

In theory, the golf R pushes 206kw on the IS38 turbo with stock DP and intercooler ( I understand the intercooler is different) Intercooler aside I should see massive gains in kw with my DP? Do you reckon the Golf R intercooler can be a direct bolt on to the Tiguan R Line i.e. pipes etc?

Certainly recommend the downpipe, intake and intercooler not required.

Spectune did mine (via Eurospec Tuning in Perth). Have been running for 2 years now with no issues.

[Eman]

underground performance have done several, Cheltenham

Underground performance said its possible however from the email I see that they prefer an upgraded intercooler and DP. I do not have either.

[h100vw]

Underground performance said its possible however from the email I see that they prefer an upgraded intercooler and DP. I do not have either.

Doesn't seem right to half do the job.

[Eman]

Okay.. there are not many places in Melbourne that have a software package for the Tig on the IS38 Turbo. So I will upgrade the intercooler and downpipe. I do not want to spend money until I know for certain that i can upgrade to the IS38. Do you guys know any other places I can consider to do this? I am only in the planning stage.
My thought process was I have the CHHB engine and IS20 turbo which is the same as the GTI so they should be the same to upgrade. There are so many GTI guys that are upgrading their Turbo's to the IS38.
thanks in advance.

[InsaneAsylum]

Okay.. there are not many places in Melbourne that have a software package for the Tig on the IS38 Turbo. So I will upgrade the intercooler and downpipe. I do not want to spend money until I know for certain that i can upgrade to the IS38. Do you guys know any other places I can consider to do this? I am only in the planning stage.
My thought process was I have the CHHB engine and IS20 turbo which is the same as the GTI so they should be the same to upgrade. There are so many GTI guys that are upgrading their Turbo's to the IS38.
thanks in advance.

Wouldn't fitting an is38 make your engine the same as a Golf R engine and therefore a Golf R stage 1 tune would be appropriate, or Golf R stage 2 if you're fitting a DP as well.

[Lucas_R]

Okay.. there are not many places in Melbourne that have a software package for the Tig on the IS38 Turbo. So I will upgrade the intercooler and downpipe. I do not want to spend money until I know for certain that i can upgrade to the IS38. Do you guys know any other places I can consider to do this? I am only in the planning stage.
My thought process was I have the CHHB engine and IS20 turbo which is the same as the GTI so they should be the same to upgrade. There are so many GTI guys that are upgrading their Turbo's to the IS38.
thanks in advance.

I would still stick with someone like Underground Performance or Etuners or Vtune Performance. Ben from Tarmac Engineering (Spectune) works with Vtune for their tuning files so im sure he could do something suitable for you. Another place to consider would be Peter from 3bar Performance.

You need someone like these places that are capable of doing custom tuning - places like APR / Revo / Racingline etc wont be able to help you as they only do off the shelf stuff for common configurations. If you don't want to upgrade the intercooler or downpipe then just tell them you want a milder tune due to standard hardware except for the turbo - you should be able to get something close to a stage 1 result on a Golf R which is around 220-230kw at the wheels which makes for a fast car.

[Eman]

Wouldn't fitting an is38 make your engine the same as a Golf R engine and therefore a Golf R stage 1 tune would be appropriate, or Golf R stage 2 if you're fitting a DP as well.

Thats the same way i am thinking but my internals are the same as the GTI.

[Eman]

I would still stick with someone like Underground Performance or Etuners or Vtune Performance. Ben from Tarmac Engineering (Spectune) works with Vtune for their tuning files so im sure he could do something suitable for you. Another place to consider would be Peter from 3bar Performance.

You need someone like these places that are capable of doing custom tuning - places like APR / Revo / Racingline etc wont be able to help you as they only do off the shelf stuff for common configurations. If you don't want to upgrade the intercooler or downpipe then just tell them you want a milder tune due to standard hardware except for the turbo - you should be able to get something close to a stage 1 result on a Golf R which is around 220-230kw at the wheels which makes for a fast car.

thanks for the info,that is a big help. I am just waiting on feedback from one of the providers. How does this affect my VW warranty if i went ahead with this ?

[Lucas_R]

thanks for the info,that is a big help. I am just waiting on feedback from one of the providers. How does this affect my VW warranty if i went ahead with this ?

You can kiss the warranty goodbye on your engine and transmission.

[petemac110]

Wouldn't fitting an is38 make your engine the same as a Golf R engine and therefore a Golf R stage 1 tune would be appropriate, or Golf R stage 2 if you're fitting a DP as well.

There are further differences between the two engines beyond the turbos, so a Golf R tune is not a plug-and-play proposition.

[Eman]

You can kiss the warranty goodbye on your engine and transmission.

so best option is to upgrade to a Golf R?

[InsaneAsylum]

There are further differences between the two engines beyond the turbos, so a Golf R tune is not a plug-and-play proposition.

Thanks for clarifying that, I wasn't aware. I was under the impression that the Golf R was essentially a GTI with a haldex/4WD and an IS38