2023 MK8 Golf R Full Stage 1 vs Stage 1 Low Torque Tune!

Today, we compare the 034 Motorsports Stage 1 Low Torque tune to the Stage 1 (full torque) tune on my 2023 MK8 Golf R DSG. We also do some dragy tests and share driving impressions. Currently, there is NO DSG tune for 2023+ Golfs.
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Stage 1 034 Tune
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[@johnwjeromejr]

I went APR Stage 1 93 octane high torque right after purchasing my 2016 Golf R manual new. I had to restrain myself until the car was broken in. It was day and night difference. I waited a couple years, then went Stage 2. That was bonkers! The torque felt much greater than the published numbers indicated. I have all supporting mods including Southbend Stage 3 clutch. The car is now 8 years old with 64K miles and still runs like new. Best investment I've ever made.

[@JVette01]

That’s awesome! I think if I keep mine for 8 years it’ll have like 130k miles 😭

[@034motorsport]

Great videos! Just a note, the Stage 1 Full Torque file will still be limited to the low torque output if flashed onto a Locked/Stock TCU car, so the peak performance between low torque and full torque on a locked TCU should be the same. It’s not until you unlock and flash the TCU that you will truly have the full torque applied.

[@JVette01]

That makes sense. Any update on TCU tune coming soon?

[@johnl.38]

Is there any felt performance difference in running the two tunes though with how the TCU limits power? In other words, is it any smoother just running low torque?

[@genderlessyoutubefanperson]

How is the support for ECU tune on 2024 GOLF R DSG? I need low torque maximum safe file on stock DSG TCU. Not looking for peak HP numbers. Thank you.

[@williebrown1974]

Great informative video. I just bought a 2024 GTI and didn't realize how important the TCU tune is.

[@Kiss__Kiss]

Dang these things are quick!! Definitely enjoyed the video. 👍

[@JVette01]

Thank you for watching! I love it

[@alanturton3394]

Great video! Excellent production value too. 👍🏻

[@JVette01]

Thank you

[@jurzyjohner432]

At an amazing road and area you found there. Nice, also love those Golf R although i own an M2.

[@mqbr22]

Amazing man. Great, great content as usual

[@JVette01]

Thank you

[@makosjani7765]

I got golf gti mk8 stage 1, im also waiting for the DSG tune, it should improve a lot

[@ryanyerico3140]

Dude…wait until you get the DSG tune. I have a 2022 MK8 R with the Unitronic ECU and DSG tune and it’s shocking how fast it shifts. Appreciate you testing all of this with the draggy 🙏

[@JVette01]

I’m jealous! Wish I could tune my DSG haha. Have you done any performance tests on yours?

[@ryanyerico3140]

I have not. I suppose I should purchase a Draggy. 🤷‍♂️ Unitronic Down pipe is sitting in the garage waiting to be installed to go Stage 2.

[@JVette01]

I’d love to see some content on that! Also, the sound before and after. I recommend you create some videos!

[@Koondaddy33]

Thanks for the video. I live in Vegas too and have a White 22 R manual and love it. I’m coming from a G37S coupe auto and Almost went with the DSG but manuals are a lot of fun to drive. What made you choose this tune over the others? I am looking into tunes and have seen mixed reviews on the APR and not many other manufacturers have anything ready yet on the manual platform.

[@JVette01]

Hey that’s awesome! Hit me up on Instagram, I’d love to talk about it

[@JVette01]

@Jvette01

[@MaximusRicardes]

Car Is definitely quick, but didn’t realize that quick. Great content bro!

[@JVette01]

Thanks!

[@eliasm1406]

Nice to see you feel an improvement in the driving rpm range, which is where the difference in torque would be. I would not expect any difference on the launch and quarter mile time, as the engine operates in the high rpms above the torque curve (peak hp should be the same on a 91 tune). You should feel a difference in the midrange when accelerating from a lower rpm. Now get that tcu tune as you are most likely limited by the transmission.

[@JVette01]

Yes, that makes sense. Can’t get TCU tune yet, not cracked

[@ronniesosin3265]

Sweet video! I forget what was the stock 0-60 time compared to your new zero 3 4 tune? Also you might be spinning a little cuz those stock summer tires wear out pretty quickly and you’ve had the R a while now.

[@JVette01]

Stock would do 4.2 or 3.9 with rollout, with the tune it’s around 3.8 or 3.6 with rollout

[@ronniesosin3265]

Wow that’s much better!!!

[@chrism869]

Man its hard to say witch one is quicker or better ,cause on the high torque tune it looked like it spun more with launch control than on the low torque tune,maybe for normal driving the high torque tune is better. But it really needs that tune for the transmission. Hopefully it comes out soon

[@JVette01]

I agree! They seem about the same but the high torque does drive a little better

[@ruskmob]

Im so excited i just got the 2024 mk8R 380 edition

[@JVette01]

Nice!

[@TheCinderellaman10]

Congrats

[@baconator233]

Hey Jacob, what app are you using for the drag times etc?

[@JVette01]

Dragy!

[@OverGrownApe_001]

Owww I see why you couldn't tell the different with the high torque vs low torque and that's because the gearbox is electronically locked for torque because of no dsg tune lol

[@GTIMAN2010]

Does the APR tune keep the last “Mode” you were on after you shut off car?

[@JVette01]

Not sure because I have 034

[@papayspeanut]

Yea wait for the dsg tune the engine and trans have to line up. Sucks that they can’t crack those tcu’s but it’s worth it when they do

[@JVette01]

Best believe I’ll be testing it out as soon as it’s released

[@STR_F8R]

Hey buddy. Have you checked your flash counter after flashing the tune. 034 are said to be able to restore the flash count to the number when they first logged the car. If you have to flash back to stock when taking your car to the dealer, can you give us an update on the flash counter after you have flashed back to stock .. Thank you kindly. FYI - i have flashed a stage 1 tune on mine, and used obdeleven to check the flash count and it does say ' number of programming attempts - 2 . Eager to know if the flash counter is restored to original.

[@JVette01]

Interesting. I’ll look into that

[@johnl.38]

I'm very interested to know this as well

[@racer247]

Bro, Thank You, for doing what the tuners should be doing if they want are Business. 🙏

[@JVette01]

Glad I could help!

[@racer247]

@JVette01 it's too bad E85 is not an option. I believe it would also help a lot.

[@JVette01]

There is an e85 file that I can run. I’m just not because I’m worried that’s too much power for the stock tcu

[@racer247]

@JVette01 definitely understand, I didn't know if E85 was easily available where you are. I hope the TCU is unlocked soon, it's very frustrating.

[@-jah-]

Ight so I know absolutely nothing about cars. But i am going to get a mk8 golf r by the end of this year and want to tune it. Lets say i want a stage 2 tune, around how much would that cost and do i just go to any ordinary auto shop to get it tuned or what

[@JVette01]

I ordered a tune through 034 Motorsport online. They send you a dongle, you download the app, then you flash one of their tunes

[@MRDARRENGER]

Bro, you should go with APR or EQT. Highly recommend the EQT.

[@JVette01]

I like 034. I just need a trans tune.

[@Benjammin43]

that car really does look awesome man. makes me miss my mk7. i’ll probably be picking one up whenever the dealers near me stop trying to charge 57k for them

[@JVette01]

That market is not there anymore. You probably can walk into a dealership and they’ll take your deal at MSRP if you’re actually serious about buying it then and there.

[@Benjammin43]

@@JVette01 that’s what I thought too lol. I went there and we talked about the car for a bit, told them I was interested but I was not going to pay a 10k markup plus all the “add ons” like nitrogen filled tires for $300 extra. they said they couldn’t budge on the price so I left. currently looking out of state now. this was just outside austin tx. I think the dealer is just out of the loop

[@JVette01]

Yeah I’m sure you won’t have too hard of a time finding one

[@mazpr2025]

​@@Benjammin43Mk8R show up MSRP in Kentucky, GA, FL, and some dealers in Chicago that I was able to find, manual and DSG. I drove almost six hrs to get mine. Be ready to buy a flight ticket, insurance, deposit, financing, etc, once you find a dealer drop a deposit and hit the road to buy it. There was no markup, but also there were no special deals or low interest rates, just because it is this model. That is my advice, and restrain from saying right away you are calling from out of state or else they will bump the price, say it after you have locked the price with them over the phone. Good luck

[@BenTroxell]

I’ll have to bust out the dragy and see how mine compares 👀

[@JVette01]

Absolutely! Yours is probably faster than mine based on how you did vs streetspeeds Mustang. Try the 30-100 test!

[@KMFDM781]

Yeah, after flashing a tune, you get an auto start/stop error and you have to hold down the engine start button to start the car. Scared me the first time too! That will go away after you shut the car off after driving a bit and restarting. Also. I can't remember who dynoda Golf R without the TCU tune on full torque but the car's built in safety software actually pulled more power out and it made less power than the low torque tune. The dyno graph showed the power would actually peak higher, then it would fall off pretty dramatically as the car freaked out.

[@JVette01]

Yes exactly. I’m gonna flash back to the low torque probably until I get a tcu tune

[@STR_F8R]

Hi, did you have an issue with the stop / start function returning to normal after the 2nd or 3rd start, after flashing the tune. On my 1st start up it was disabled, but then its back again@@JVette01

[@JVette01]

Yes. Mine did the same thing. Probably just needed to be cycled on and off.

[@moochiezpitt]

This might be tedious, but it's zero 3 4.😉 Thanks for sharing. 👍

[@JVette01]

It feels awkward saying zero 3 4 but if that’s the correct way, I’ll change it

[@moochiezpitt]

​@@JVette01 I get it. I'm just letting you know.🙂

[@TIM612826]

Sucks you can't get 99 ron like you can here in the uk, cant u add some octane booster to increase ron?

[@JVette01]

It’s a 91 tune and I don’t think it changed anything. I tried doing a splash of e85 and didn’t notice any difference.

[@TIM612826]

@JVette01 fair enough m8. I just can't believe you USA dudes can't get a higher octane for your your cars on pump fuel thats all! I thought an octane boost would be easy to boost that's all! 👍

[@izzyconnor3689]

Can’t get my head around having left hand drive I know these cars are auto but years past surly you want your right hand on the steering wheel

[@CC-uh8gl]

Before flashing aren’t you supposed to connect the car battery to a charger?

[@JVette01]

Technically yes but when flashing takes all of 2 minutes I don’t think it’s necessary

[@user-se8lu5qy6c]

The DSG tune will make a huge difference since the wet clutch and your tranny is not set up to transfer the high torque to the pavement yet.

[@JVette01]

That is what I’m thinking too.. I can’t wait for the day the trans tune becomes available

[@mazpr2025]

​@@JVette01I also have a MK6, had it stage 1 tune (low torque) with downpipe and the dsg was slipping badly giving max engagement code. I dropped the cash and went stage 2 w TCU combined, it is no R, but from what it was stock the DSG engagement was almost like a manual clutch gear by gear on clamping force, power to the wheels was much improved. So I am sure when you get that TCU tune, that thing will be a beast.

[@TheCd5apple]

What was the mph in the 1/4 ?

[@JVette01]

I think I said in the video, but it’s 112-113

[@TheCd5apple]

@@JVette01 on nice that’s around 390hp

[@JVette01]

Definitely feels quick but idk about 390hp.

[@genderlessyoutubefanperson]

Why high torque with or even any stage with no TCU tune. It is extremely dangerous on R cos of the AWD enormous stress on the clutch. GTi is ok, R is a gamble.

[@JVette01]

Because it’s not available

[@genderlessyoutubefanperson]

@@JVette01 It is sad, I know. That is why I am keeping the R stock. I am scared and DSG/Engine in R is not cheap to replace. :)

[@OverGrownApe_001]

Should of went with EQT or IE, they have faster times

[@JVette01]

I was very happy with 034 so no need. I don't have the car anymore anyways :(

[@OverGrownApe_001]

@@JVette01 Yeah, okay. I had a terrible experience with 034 with my S3, the acceleration of the car with the tune was horrible compared to IE and other's. Soon as I went to IE, my god, even on low torque without tcu on stage 1, it's lightning fast compared to 034 Stage 1.

[@CC-uh8gl]

Your dad in Mexico too?

[@JVette01]

Yes. We frequent there often.