06/11/2025
Golf MK8 2022 2.0 TSI/TFSI 300 HP – Part 5 – Fuel Tests + Additional Thoughts and Improvements
So, the fifth part — and not the last one — is dedicated to the improvements we’ve introduced over the past two months and 16,000 km driven in this car. Since the car is currently used in the company on a daily basis, we’ve managed to spot a few annoying issues that have since been refined to make the product 100% satisfactory.
Aside from the obvious fuel testing, we’ve made the following changes:
• Additional switchable MMI map for 95-octane fuel – since we sometimes drive across the Czech border or to smaller towns where 98-octane fuel is unavailable, we’ve added an extra “Efficiency 95” map. On this map, the car produces 508 HP and 671 Nm.
• Improved gearbox behavior with traction control enabled – it no longer shifts nervously to the next gear in D/S mode.
• More linear throttle response – previously there was too much difference between 0–80% and 80–100%.
• Final Stage 3 tuning for 98-octane refined to achieve zero timing pull. The downside: the car now produces 523 HP and 676 Nm on 98.
• 100-octane map also has zero timing pull and delivers 544 HP and 694 Nm.
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A few words about the Stage 3 ECU & TCU software
ECU:
• Full tuning with visible torque reporting for the gearbox (700 Nm shown in logs).
• Improved oil and coolant temperature management strategy (optimized for more aggressive driving).
• Optimized lambda for track use – max EGT 780°C!!!
• Temperature-based safety limits: gradual power reduction above 105°C water temp and 135°C oil temp.
• Added our proprietary MSR RACETCS system (video coming soon).
• Pop & Bangs enabled only in Sport mode – switchable via the menu!
• V-max off, GPF off, cat off.
• Limited torque in the first 3 gears to maintain traction.
• Additional Efficiency 95 mode.
TCU:
• Optimized Drive mode.
• Increased clutch pressures.
• Torque limiter removed.
• Improved launch control.
• Disabled gearbox “drift” (optional).
• Faster gear shifts, better turbo RPM retention for the Garrett in Sport mode.
Stage
Configuration
Fuel
Boost
Power
Torque
Stock
—
98
1.8 bar
323 HP
465 Nm
Stage 1 (software only)
—
98
1.8 bar
409 HP
550 Nm
Stage 1 (R600*)
R600 intake
98
1.8 bar
422 HP
568 Nm
Stage 1 (R600 + Wagner)
+ intercooler
98
1.8 bar
436 HP
568 Nm
Stage 1.5 (R600 + Wagner)
—
98
1.92 bar
447 HP
587 Nm
Stage 2 (R600 + Wagner + Scorpion)
—
98
1.8 bar
465 HP
610 Nm*
Stage 3 (R600 + Wagner + Scorpion + Garrett Pmax)
—
98
2.25 bar
523 HP
676 Nm
Stage 3 (100 Octane)
—
100
2.35 bar
544 HP
697 Nm
Performance (Dragy)
• Stock: 100–200 km/h – 11.9 s
• Stage 2: 100–200 km/h – 7.4 s
• Stage 3: 100–200 km/h – 6.0 s (slight traction issue on 3rd gear)
200–250 km/h – 5.0 s
