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MCB Performance

Performance BMW & VAG Tuning.

22/07/2026

2025 Caddy +115hp +200nm.

Since the HW80 MD1 ECU’s have been unlocked we have been tuning various across the VAG family. With the 2.0TDI MK5 Caddys being commonly requested with some of them only being 75hp stock.

Being mechanically identical to the 150hp MK8 Golf’s significant gains can be unlocked, especially for those using these for towing etc.

Stock: 75hp & 230nm.
Tuned: 190hp & 432nm.

DPF & EGR both left intact with no detrimental effect on these emissions systems. Thanks to long term testing & monitoring on our own caddy.

As usual on these, the following was added:

- SCR Solution.
- Oil Pressure Fix.

On a side note:

We are still operating our 2WD dyno while we continue the construction of our new 4WD dyno cell, more updates to follow on this soon.

17/07/2026

MK8 GTD - 252hp & 485nm.

The first HW80 MD1CS004 we have Unlocked and Tuned.

Thanks to the extensive R&D we have done on our own shop Caddy we were finally able to see those countless hours pay off when it came to tuning this GTD running on the MD1CS004 ECU.

Fitted from factory with a GTD1752 ball bearing turbo, these units have been tried and tested across both OEM and hybrid retrofit applications. As expected, this turbo offered considerable headroom on this engine from the 200hp stock.

It’s worth noting compared to the previous generation EA288 GTD’s these have a considerably more robust fuel system and larger injectors keeping EGT’s sub 800 degrees even on prolonged pulls.

Finished off with complimentary add ons:

- Oil Pressure Fix.
- Adblue Solution.

DPF & EGR all left intact on this one, will be interesting to see how one of these will respond with a Downpipe as they gain popularity.

02/07/2026

B57 530d running on the MD1CP002 ECU.

Customer requested a hardcut limiter, after a few revisions the desired result was achieved.

Haven’t seen too many of these done yet, but good to evolve these tuning requests into newer more complex ECU architectures.

19/06/2026

For over 3 years we ran a used 2WD dyno out of our old workshop — an ex-cattle shed, as anyone who’s visited us will know. Behind the scenes we’ve been working hard getting the new workshop ready for the installation of our brand new 2000hp capable 4WD linked dyno.

Today we finished getting familiar with the new system and strapping approach.

Kicking off with a G30 530d xDrive and utilising the linked 4WD system, we were able to dyno our custom calibration ABS error free — resulting in 337hp & 760nm from the stock claimed 265hp & 620nm.

There’s still a lot of work to do before the dyno cell is complete, which will be finished before we switch over to using the new dyno.

Without the continued support over the years this wouldn’t be possible, and we look forward to offering a new level and standard of tuning here across Ireland.

Josh

05/06/2026

325d - 378hp & 773nm.

Recently we had this M57 325d in to get tuned to suit both turbo and fuelling upgrades.

We helped this customer remotely initially with a base map to allow him to travel up to our dyno to complete the tuning.

Fitted with the following:

- TS3 Turbo.
- Downpipe (stock cat back).
- 219 injectors.
- 6HP26 Gearbox.
- FMIC.
- 335d intake Pipe & MAF.

After running the initial base calibration we were at the 360hp mark at 2.55 bar of boost.

After a few adjustments we were already at 400hp at 2.75 bar of boost, but unfortunately on this occasion one or more of the used injectors were leaking off excessively highlighting some rail drain at higher rpm.

Reducing IQ slightly to the final result (378hp) was the point the rail pressure was stable.

The customer already has plans to rectify the tired injectors to allow for the magic 400hp+.

This post highlights the realistic expectations of tuning these kind of set ups at this age. Everything has to be mechanically sound to yield the results.

We Look forward to seeing this back again in the future. 💪🏼

10/05/2026

Gains: +122hp & +305Nm

A common question we get asked regularly is – “what’s the best diesel to buy for the most gains?”

This is definitely one of them. These N57D30A’s fitted in the 325d LCI variants unlock significant gains over stock, thanks to being mechanically identical to the 330d fitted with the same engine.

We carried out both ECU & TCU tuning on this car. The only modification was a full straight through exhaust and still running the OEM intercooler. Further gains could be expected with an aftermarket intercooler.

Stock: 203hp & 458nm. (Stock Dyno Reading)
Tuned: 325hp & 763nm.

On a separate note…

Rolling up to the rally season, we have minimal slots left for tuning. To avoid disappointment it’s worth giving us a message to secure the last remaining slots.

This summer we have some huge plans and changes coming up which we cannot wait to share.

29/03/2026

B47 320d - Switchable Map - 239hp & 517nm.

We recently had this 320d in for our switchable map calibration, with the customer opting for the ability to have two different power levels and the choice between having a hardcut or no hardcut.

Only modification on this one was a full exhaust.

Sport - 239hp & 517nm.
Comfort - 215hp & 400nm.

With comfort utilising stock torque levels for everyday driving, and no limiter.

And sport with the increased power/torque and hardcut.

Video in comments of the limiter switch in action.

19/03/2026

E90 335d - 430hp & 908nm.

We completed tuning on this 335d last night, and it’s probably one of the best examples we have seen in a while.

Fitted with the following:

- AET Turbos.
- R90.
- Full Exhaust.
- 2700 RPS.
- Upgraded FMIC.

The customer specifically requested to keep the tuning on the conservative side, with the power being achieved at 2.8 bar of boost. No doubt with a little more fuel and boost, 450hp could have been achieved.

17/03/2026

430d - 423hp & 845nm.

This is the third time we have had this car on the dyno, as the customer has went from Stage 1 all the way up to 423hp over a couple of years of ownership. Seems like he’s caught the power bug.. like us all.

Overall, a very healthy example with proof that when the fuel system is healthy, these can make nice figures on the stock HPFP.

Simple yet effective set up:

- 3” Downpipe (Stock Cat Back).
- FMIC Upgrade.
- TS3 Turbo Upgrade.
- XHP TCU Software.

Datalogs showing 850nm, almost correlating to the 845nm shown on the dyno, like always our calibrations follows the correct torque model to keep the 8HP gearbox happy on a long term basis.

Primary EGT sensor reading shy of 500 degrees on a hard pull, well within the safety limitations in place.

Power was achieved at 2.8 BAR of boost with headroom left in future for a 50D HPFP install.

13/03/2026

Technical Post…

This is mainly to create awareness for the difference between working with a tuner with calibration experience and file flashers...

Last year we carried out tuning on an F10 535d with TS1 Hybrid turbos, the catch being the DPF was still in place.

After a few months of fault free driving, the EML illuminated, stating a fault with the DPF pressure sensor.

Initially incorrectly diagnosed elsewhere as “poor tuning” the vehicle was “retuned” and magically the DPF pressure sensor fault was gone now with an additional +50hp claimed.

The customer having some doubts with the previous advice/workmanship and how the vehicle was driving, he decided to book in again with us to have a look at what's been done.

Luckily it was just in time, as soon he could have been expecting to install a new engine…

Now, we won't get into the decalibrated mess that was installed onto the ECU, but we will cover how the issue was “fixed”.

Here is what was done:

- DPF Pressure Sensor DTC deleted.
- DPF Back pressure limitation turned off.
- EGR turned off completely, with the possibility of regens being blocked from initiating.

What was the real issue?

Damaged wiring to the DPF Pressure Sensor.

After repairing, and re-installing our calibration with all relevant protections active. The DPF backpressure was showing 4.5 BAR, which is offensively high.

After a forced regen, it was back to suitable levels, and the car is back to how it should be.

This is not a post pointing the finger, but things like this, give the tuning industry a bad name.

One of the reasons we stick only within the BMW & German tuning market is that we can offer genuine expertise and quality calibrations for these vehicles.

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