Stock MK8 GTI vs Unitronic Stage 1 MK8 GTI RACE!

[@Forwrr]

Bro needs a refund 😂

[@lyngdk1757]

If you get an ECU tune on an DSG it wont really help much as the TCU will reduce the power according to its software, therefor it NEED an TCU tune also

[@marcpageau6539]

Something is wrong with the tuned car for sure

[@griffinfairchild]

Im looking into getting a mk8 gti later this year, these videos have been very helpful.

[@JVette01]

So glad I could help!

[@lolcandy]

Great comparison and surprising results! I think it would be interesting if you guys switched cars and do another test. Regardless, very helpful vid! I'm definitely considering other tunes lol.

[@JVette01]

He’s working with unitronic now to get to the bottom of it. Rematch video coming eventually!

[@johnwjeromejr]

Two weeks after taking delivery of my new MK7 Golf R, I had a high torque APR Stage 1 tune installed. The car already required premium (93 octane) fuel in stock form, plus 93 octane is readily available in Florida so it was a no brainer (most of my previous cars required premium so it was already in my budget). The difference between stock and tuned was night and day. The main argument for settling for low torque is to save the weak clutch, but I believe I would have to upgrade the clutch anyway, even adding a modest amount of power. I decided to do just that as the Stage 1 quickly took a toll on the clutch causing it to slip after a short period of time. At the same time I decided to upgrade to Stage 2 (why not if I have to replace the clutch anyway). The Stage 2 made another night and day difference over Stage 1. The tuner shop (owned by my VW dealer) recommended a Southbend Stage 3 racing clutch rated for up to 500 HP providing plenty of upside protection. That was over 5 years ago, therefore all of the upgrades have stood the test of time. Unfortunately APR has discontinued the Stage 2 tune along with the downpipe, therefore the lesson learned is to make the plunge while you can.

[@PapiAndrey]

Makes no sense because they have stage 2 for other cars like the mk8. The reason they went to stage 1 only was for emissions and companies were having issues with the epa for selling catless downpipes. High flow catted downpipes are okay as long as they pass.

[@stanleysobotka402]

You 100 percent have the best mk8 channel out right now and especially for speed comparisons. Ive re-watched yout videos several times. You always do a good job of letting the cars be the stars and making sure the speeds are about the cars and not a drivers ego lol. 1 suggestion though that i think would be useful info is to go over the tires on each car. Tires can make a huge difference. Its the only part of the car that actually touches the road. Another thing a lot people dont consider is these cars have carbon build up over time/miles so any car of this platform eventually will have to have the infamous walnut blasting/carbon removed. I have a stock mk6 and theres a huge performance difference after having that done, along with fresh spark plugs and coil packs. I walked a tuned mk6 in my stock because of that and fresh michelins!

[@JVette01]

Thanks for watching! I’ll look into showing tires in future videos

[@Albee166]

This was very interesting! Not to make any excuses for your friend, but his sunroof options might reduce his power to weight ratio. Nice video

[@themystx2]

No TCU tune? Is he running the correct low torque file or did he ignore it? Sounds like he’s getting torque limited off the hit which is why he isn’t pulling on you, also perhaps it may be balls hot in Mexico and he’s heat soaking the hell out of the stock IC. I ran 11.92@116.75 on my 23 S3 Unitronic Stage 1+ low torque (no TCU) first try, good enough to confirm their flash tunes work well.

[@JVette01]

No TCU tune

[@whatta7793]

You ran 12 with only a stage 1 tune? No mods, no dsg tune? Or if so, what mods? Could you list the exacts to break high 11s? Good time!

[@themystx2]

@@whatta7793 don’t know if you’re talking to me, but I had an intake and IC. still no TCU tune. In higher DA it ran 12.07@114.92. I imagine once I can get off the line better (1.9 60fts like clockwork) it will be in the mid 11s.

[@chasem8491]

HE'S NOT IN MEXICO DICKHEAD!!!!!!

[@douglasd8221]

So this is my 4th GTI dsg, all have been stage 2 tuned. ‘09 APR, ‘17 Stratified, ‘21EQT & Stratified, ‘23 Unitronic. All had intake & downpipe, the ‘23 is the first time I used catted downpipe. My impression with Uni stage 2- really surprised how lame this tune is, waiting for the TCU tune, but not expecting much. Will most likely go back to Stratified. All the hype I read about Uni convinced me to try them, but people must not have experienced other tunes before or something…….🤷‍♂

[@JVette01]

I honestly think it’s because the TCU can’t be tuned.

[@TheMlvswoll]

I ve used unitronic on four VW over the years and the tunes were always solid. The only non dsg car that had stage 1+ but no tcu due to Aisen tranny is my daughters 1.4t Jetta. But it made her car so much better to drive. I’d call them for sure or wait until the tuners can unlock this dsg.

[@HAHNZZ]

Bro a good friend “in a refining phase” trying to make him not feel as bad

[@Zman00001Tube]

Don't know what happened to this guy's tune, but that's funny stuff! I hollered, "(Ethyl , DON'T LOOK!), but it was too late, she had just witnessed his sure shot. I just shot my 2024 GTI Autobahn Stage 1 Low Torque 91 Octane (93 Oct is not readily available). The only mod, a complementary Unitronic carbon intake filter & with this particular software loaded the power/torque differences are night & day. I'm going to wait to load the DSG tune just yet. My 2013 GTI APR Stage 1 has just been put to shame 0-60, however my wife will NOT give her up.

[@GTIclubdport9462]

Something wrong with the tune..need to revise But good race guys. Ill join next time..😂

[@JVette01]

You should!

[@MegaHollywood1971]

Adding more boost needs an upgraded IC for sure. (it has been said earlier in the comments) - In order for the engine to produce the torque output, you would need a TCU tune; thus, the engine is only producing what the TCU is communicating. Perhaps you could perform an Adaptation of the Transmission and that could help - but, I doubt it as it would not increase the pressure. Waste of money on a tune at this point. A supposed 60hp peak vs a Stock Mk8? Man...that was a rip.

[@fredcivicek9]

On their website they wrote you need the tcu tune also to archeive the stated power output. Maybe that's the issue

[@JVette01]

Perhaps, idk why just a tcu tune would make that big of a difference though

[@fredcivicek9]

@@JVette01 Same as you i dont know why. Only thing I could see is maybe the oem tcu is limiting the torque

[@Liflowful]

Sooo dsg has to be tuned at the same time as the engine. 2 of my good friends has 7.5 Rs same dq381 as in the mk8 gti. Soo when I drove the tuned dsg it's wayyy aggressive and direct. I'm a new mk8 gti owner too and my car stock. Same dq381 trans but it sure shifts a lil hesitant than with the uni tune. Last imo engine tune with dsg tune is a bread n butter combo just like u need a stage 2 tune with a dp so it has to be done together

[@blacknight5337]

@@JVette01 Its makes a big difference. For the TCU to match the Engine the maps need to be upgraded. If the TCU sees to much boost it will cause the Clutch to not engage as hard, it will slip. That is why you were jumping ahead everytime.

[@gregbrown7709]

No tcu tune available for MK8.

[@xibbas7055]

Hmm stage 1 is supposed to make almost 70 more HP. Thats a big difference that wasnt shown here.

[@JVette01]

I know! That’s why we were confused

[@byteshooter]

@@JVette01 Has the owner of the Unitronic Tuned vehicle reached out to Unitronic Support for assistance in determining what is wrong that resulted in the car under-performing?

[@JVette01]

Gonna follow up with him!

[@crazyframes872]

Any updates from him if the time was fixed? Any chance of a comparison with the Mk8R?

[@JVette01]

I don’t think so. Stay tuned, I should be having a mk8 GTI unitronic on the channel again

[@crazyframes872]

@@JVette01 Awesome! I really want to see something on it very little online, and I'm hesitant to get tuned after this

[@papayspeanut]

Wow something seems off. Based on numbers he should gap you but wow I would be mad at unitronic. He should send them this video

[@JVette01]

Yeah we were both confused

[@Carguylogan]

I'll get some runs in with you with my mk7 if you ever go east. Im in northern AZ.

[@t.k.morris]

What is the window tint percentage on both vehicles?

[@JVette01]

Mine is 5% rear and 15% front but I’m not sure on his.

[@Tom-uk6jg]

Definitely did something wrong. My stg1 with no tcu feels night and day to stock

[@kdunnigan2152]

What tune? Company? 1, or 1+

[@adamsmidkiff1]

Disagree on the 91 vs 87. It feels like it pulls timing with 87 and a hot Phoenix, AZ day. 91 seems to not have that issue.

[@JVette01]

There’s been tests on real life mk8 87 vs 93 and there’s no power difference at all. And the car says 87 recommended

[@BenTroxell]

I’m mostly impressed by how good of a job filming this you did lol. Did you just use an iPhone and the built in mic? I have 034 stage 1 E85 low torque on a 6MT. I’d like to do this with my buddy’s stock 6MT.

[@JVette01]

I just use a GoPro hero 9. No mic or anything 😂 your name looks familiar.. did you do something with streetspeed717?

[@JVette01]

Btw if you do that race I’d love to see it

[@BenTroxell]

@@JVette01 yeah Mike and I are good friends! I shoot photos for him occasionally.

[@JVette01]

Hey that’s awesome! You should make some videos on your MK8!

[@benquinata6522]

Eye opener! Thanks guys!

[@NoobBikerLife]

Re do . And switch cars .. I’m curious

[@diazc14]

Simple for me. The pull it has to be from lower rpms, usually the psi peaks at certain rpm and then stays steady( if the turbo is big enough to maintain boost). But in higher rpm wont see that much of a difference. Pull from 3,000 rpm and it’s going to be a different story. And race steady without coming from behind boosted and already with higher speed.

[@cameronedwardson7264]

Hey man, when your friend flashes the tcu does it let him hut then car wont start after ? I'm having that issue need to flash back to stock to start

[@JVette01]

Yes that’s why he didn’t do the tcu tune

[@Gosu11]

my guess is that it has bad fuel in it in the southwest the fuel is really bad so its probably just pulling timing pretty hard

[@SotoPhotoDir]

Lucky no cops around

[@kghyeah9032]

Any update on your friend and his tune?

[@JVette01]

No he said its still not performing. I’m thinking it’s because it’s ecu only and not tcu tune. Maybe the stock tcu is limiting the hp/tq

[@youngrios]

This is most definitely not how it's supposed to be. He's supposed to put a bus on u .

[@danieljohnson7748]

He needs to drive it more so ecu components get used to the new signals and and the ecu adapts, as it’s not tuned on a dyno, I guarantee if you race again after he’s done a few 100 hundred miles it will be a lot faster

[@vDub_mk5_ndo]

Yes, something not right but it's a great compression video maybe red adds more hp then white 🤔

[@JVette01]

Red is an additional 30 hp. Proven

[@chipskylark6837]

Nah there is no way dude has a stage 1 tune. He would be pushing 280hp and 345torque no way a stock is walking by that.

[@chrism869]

obviuosly theres going to be a difference with the tuned and a stock one, hopefull youll get yours tuned in the future. I tought it would be more of a difference but i guess not

[@JVette01]

We believe there was something wrong with the tune. Should’ve destroyed me

[@derekjlight]

The tuned car isn’t tuned. Something didn’t flash right. If it was tuned he’d be walking the red car.

[@MrJoe7500]

Whats the top speed with tune?

[@JVette01]

I’m sure it would have no problem getting to 150

[@hunterkedrowski5468]

6 speed manual mk8 golf’s with tune and very few supporting mods have gone 177mph on video

[@redtop1705]

When will the rematch be?

[@JVette01]

I have since upgraded to a MK8 R and he said his tune hasn’t gotten any better.

[@Kjin3]

you need the TCU tune, ECU tune alone is not that great

[@marcopolo6514]

Does he got the TCU tune as well?

[@JVette01]

No just ECU.

[@marcopolo6514]

@@JVette01 I think the TCU would help a lot.

[@JVette01]

Idk if that would make a huge difference in power though. It didn’t seem like a trans issue

[@marcopolo6514]

@@JVette01 TCU tune raises the rev limiter allowing for more HP as HP is torque x rpm. The upgraded clamping pressure from the tune allows the ecu to deliver full torque. This is my understanding of TCU tunes. They make a difference. Have him try if he’s interested! I would highly recommend it’s not flashy but it’s helpful.

[@JVette01]

That’s very interesting! I think his can’t be TCU tuned yet though or else he would’ve got it.

[@RickyisHere]

thats the weakest tune they have…go STG1+ full torque and that is a day and night difference

[@JVette01]

He used the low torque first but the 2nd time around it was the full stage 1

[@RickyisHere]

@@JVette01 I am on Stage 1+ full torque and if the weather is colder than 50 degrees it will peel the tires on 3rd gear (manual)

[@JVette01]

Nice!

[@closg9309]

Go stage 2!!!!!

[@sndittsteven9786]

I'm stage 1 low tq by uni, non dsg tune. There might be something up with dudes car as I've beaten a stock auto elantra n and a 330whp mk7 6mt gti. So for it to loose vs a stock mk8 raises an eyebrow. Not having the dsg tune shouldn't make that much of a difference. I did 60 rolls in 3rd. I know if your not in manual and are in sport there's a bit of a lag. Does the white gti have an aftermarket intercooler?? If not that might be the reason because of the heat soak.

[@slamminx3]

Pretty poor performance from Unitronic Stage 1. Or it could be the drivers reaction time that needs a tune! 😆

[@JVette01]

Something’s not right

[@moochiezpitt]

He's in the wrong gear on rolls. Dosen't know how to launch. He needs some practice. 😉 Maybe switch cars to see if it's operator error.

[@JVette01]

He did start in the right gear though.

[@mattsmith7379]

Should have gone APR

[@ryebread716]

idk man.. seems like the other driver is not up to par on how to do certain things there...

[@JVette01]

He’s just fine, just need to get the tune checked out

[@JorJorBinks123]

Could you please make a video comparing the base stereo to the Harman Kardon stereo?

[@JVette01]

I could possibly set that up!

[@JorJorBinks123]

@@JVette01 Sweet! That’s the only thing that is making me want an SE vs the S. So this would solidify my decision. Thanks! 🤙

[@Whiteaudi1]

@@JorJorBinks123I’m not going to lie the base stereo is just as good

[@scottroberts5529]

What type of rims did that white mk8 have ?

[@JVette01]

I believe those are neuspeeds

[@chrismilthaler141]

Switch to EQT

[@RB12377]

My Giac stage1 mk7.5 is way faster than stock mk7.5

[@peggylonggger2020]

bro does not know how to drive his car

[@tunaglove]

Hard to beat years of OEM engineering development. Stage 1 add ons are ususlly a marketing joke.

[@JVette01]

Unitronic is usually really good at this stuff though. I believe it’s a fluke?

[@RB12377]

Nitric tune not impressed

[@RB12377]

I

[@williebrown1974]

So unitronic is basically a scam.

[@JVette01]

I think the stock tcu has it bottlenecked

[@Kai240i]

Unitronic is a waste of money, I would go APR. Also white gti owner needs more driver mod, frustrating to watch when you see a guy that doesn't know what he's doing or even street race before. You can tell the guy is a total newbie.

[@JVette01]

Thanks for watching

[@genderlessyoutubefanperson]

Great video again. Something is off for sure. I know S is the best and fastest GTi you can buy. Lighter and best value per HP. I have the same low torque ECU stage 1 and no DSG tune yet and it is still much faster then the stock GTi. 60 Whp more will leave you about 2 school buses behind in a 1/4 mile. Have him check the boost gauge must be 35-36 PSI when floored.

[@JVette01]

Yeah we both agreed something isn’t right. Rematch coming eventually! You should post an acceleration video on yours!

[@genderlessyoutubefanperson]

@@JVette01 Yes I will get my son to drive it and I can film it. It will be a bit slower with my 230 lbs fat ass in the passenger seat, but not much :)

[@JVette01]

@@genderlessyoutubefanperson 🤣🤣

[@genderlessyoutubefanperson]

@@JVette01 Don't laugh , lost 50 lbs past year , and all that is in the name of science. 😅

[@JVette01]

That’s awesome! Congrats

[@Godfamcountry]

Lol, no bueno. Funny also how you accelerate before the third honk..every…time.

[@JVette01]

Ok

[@Godfamcountry]

Yup

[@gregbrown7709]

Agreed, I came here to say this. You accelerate before beep, him slightly after, and you both stop as he starts picking up steam. Just saying.

[@JVette01]

The tune should be such a big difference that even a millisecond jump shouldn’t matter.

[@gregbrown7709]

@@JVette01 Agreed. I just bought the Unitronic 1+ for my MK8, I was hoping for a MUCH bigger difference than this!

[@redtop1705]

Bad advertising for unitronic 😬

[@JVette01]

Once he gets it redone we’ll try again

[@unitronic]

@@JVette01 We're looking forward to the re-do. Something is off here. Thanks!

[@JVette01]

I agree! I knew it wasn’t right. Rematch soon and definitely will post that video!