FAQ
TD Tuning FAQ
Q – I see you have different tuning stages, is this just generic software?
A- This is anything but generic software. The stages serve only to define specific guidelines and features available with each tuning level. We use an up to date base tune which is the product of years of development work to start with and then customize it to your specific needs.
Q- Why is customized tuning important?
A- Every car is different. Depending on your mileage, or other supporting modifications the average “cookie cutter” tune can often cause excessive smoke, large boost spikes, or other unintended side effects. The most common problem with tuning TDI’s is actually the vane system in the turbo. Often the vanes can become clogged with carbon deposits that limit the range of vane movement. The VNT actuator adjustment is also critical. Garrett spec says the actuator should pull the vane lever to a full stop by about 17-22 inches of vacuum. If yours is set too short it will likely overboost. If it is set too long the response from the turbo will be unnecessary slow (laggy). It is estimated that as many as 1 in 4 of the vnt actuators seem to be improperly adjusted from the factory.
Q– Do you offer unlimited tunes like some of your competitors?
A– While we’re very generous with updates, we hesitate to use the word “unlimited” for a couple of reasons:
#1 – If you need unlimited tunes in order to get your car running properly then there is either something wrong with the software or the car itself.
#2 – We think the word “unlimited” is a little disingenuous. It would seem to signify that updates would be available until the end of time and nobody is immune to the passage of time.
That said, we often do not charge for updates or just charge the difference if upgrading to a higher tuning level (lower software stages are always free when using the OBD programmer).
Q– I already have an OBD programmer from a competitor but I’d like to switch to your tuning. Can you send me files that would work with it?
A– Sometimes, but our usual advice is that you probably want to sell your existing programmer and purchase one of ours. Some of our more advanced tuning options cannot be sent in the unencrypted format used with some of these programmers nor are they designed to work properly with the updated security protocols implemented in some of our tuning options. Please e-mail us if you’d like more information on this as your circumstances may differ.
Q- Is my car going to smoke like a freight train?
A- More power does not always mean more smoke. It is true that most TDI’s smoke even in stock form and the key to maintaining or reducing that smoke level is by keeping the air/fuel ratio in check. But, if you want the maximum amount of power out of any given setup then smoke is going to be inevitable. In addition, making a turbo spool as quickly as possible will require higher exhaust gas temperatures (most of what spins the turbo is exhaust heat expansion) which can only be generated through increased fueling. The goal is typically to strike a balance between the compromise in boost response and the required smoke threshold. This is something that we’ve put untold hours of research into and doesn’t become an issue most of the time. But, if it is an issue then we will work with you until its right.
Q- I’ve heard that some tunes can cause emissions problems because they block the readiness codes. Will this be a problem with your tunes?
A- This problem could either be caused by some European software versions that a tuner may flash to your ECU for whatever reason, or because of a checksum fault that some initiate as a form of read/write protection. The checksum fault is a non-issue and European software versions will not typically be used.
Q- Will tuning void my warranty?
A- Probably to some extent. Technically they’re usually not supposed to be able to void your warranty entirely, but must prove that the modification caused the problem before they can deny the claim. You should ask your warranty provider before doing ANY modifications to your car. TD Tuning cannot be responsible for any voided warranty claims!
Q- Do I need a boost valve to limit spikes?
A- In a perfect world, no. Most cars do not NEED a boost valve but you may look at it as cheap insurance. The truth of the matter is that no tune can ever account for every conceivable driving condition. In addition, no two cars are ever the same. Some higher mileage cars can run into overboost conditions due to soot plugging up the vanes. Tunes with higher boost pressure may also be unable to throw an overboost code and go into limp mode with the stock map sensor. In such cases, an upgraded map sensor is recommended if you want to ensure proper ECU overboost protection. It is for these reasons that a boost valve is recommended. A boost gauge can be very helpful for setting up the boost valve and monitoring boost pressure (It also looks cool!).
Q- I already have tuned my car with someone else but I am unhappy with the results, can you help?
A- Strangely enough, a large part of this job actually involves fixing the mistakes of others. Depending on who did the tuning before, undoing the job can sometimes be more complex than just buying another used ECU and starting over. If your current ECU is available we can also “clone” that ECU so that a new ECU will be a direct drop in replacement.
Q- I’m doing an engine swap and putting a TDI into another car, can you eliminate the immobilizer so that I don’t have to use the instrument cluster, key, and key reader just to make it start?
A- Yes, immobilizer deletes can be done though you should be aware that by deleting these things you will likely still be seeing diagnostic trouble codes in the ECU due to the instrument cluster not being able to respond to the ECU. These codes usually will not cause any drivability issues, but will be there nonetheless. If you would like these trouble codes removed from the software it can often be done, but please e-mail for more details.
Q- My EGR keeps clogging up my intake manifold yet when I disconnect the vacuum hose the check engine light comes on, is there a way to keep the light off?
A- Yes, the light can be kept off, but disabling the EGR is in fact illegal and therefore for off-road/racing purposes only. Please keep this in mind.
Q- I want to upgrade my turbo, but people have told me it will lag, is this true?
A- That question is more complex than it seems. If you bolt up a larger VNT turbo while doing no software changes then yes it will cause ‘lag’ issues. If the tuning is updated to reflect a reasonably sized upgrade then you will likely notice very little difference in response time. If you upgrade to a much larger turbo then there is usually nothing that can be done with the software to compensate entirely. Turbo upgrades (like any other performance upgrade) are never without their compromises.
Q- Should I chip my car before or after I upgrade my injector nozzles?
A- It would be best if you had all of your hardware installed during the tuning process, but if you only plan on minor changes these things can typically be taken into consideration when the software is prepared. Also, if you choose the OBD programmer option then updates can be done later.
Q- I’m worried about the extra power causing longevity issues, am I right to be concerned?
A- Modern engines are considerably over-engineered. TDI engines can typically withstand roughly double (often more) the stock power output without issues, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t areas that need attention. If you plan to chip your car and upgrade the injector nozzles then you should probably also budget for a new clutch. The stock clutch is usually fine with either a chip or nozzles, but not both. Of course these observations are also relative to mileage, wear, and driving characteristics/conditions. If you have a US PD100 then you should consider upgrading the turbo if you want to see the full potential of the factory injectors (more on this in the next question).
Q- Is there anything that I should do to prepare my car for tuning?
A- If you want to see the full potential from your US PD100 (‘04-07 TDI) then you should really give some thought to upgrading the turbo. It is well documented that the stock turbo can easily become uncontrollable with anything but moderate tuning. It simply is too small to function properly even when the factory injectors are pushed hard enough.
Q- My friend bought an ebay CD with 20,000 tuned files on it and I’m thinking about flashing one of those to my car, what could go wrong?
A- For a start, you never know what you’re getting. Those files are often poorly made by an inexperienced tuner. Extreme fuel numbers and boost pressure may seem cool at first glance but if your turbo explodes or your engine melts down you won’t be too happy. Often these CD’s accompany some poorly cloned interfaces which if the flash fails can effectively ruin the ECU. You’d end up having to send it in for repair or buy another ECU entirely. If a flash fails on a 90hp car then you would also have to find a way of adapting the immobilizer to work with a replacement ECU. This will typically involve a trip to the dealer and any perceived value flies out the window.
Q- Why is your tuning more expensive than brand X?
A- We all understand the desire to hunt for the best bargain, but the old saying is true: You get what you pay for. We have some of the most advanced tuning in North America so you might pay a little more but you’ll be glad you did. Don’t take our word for it though, do your research. Ask around and see what kind of experiences our other customers, and customers of our competitors have had. Ask plenty of questions to determine what is right for you and your car.
