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To is38 or not is38 ...

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Borkowski

New member
Location
Montreal
Hi guys,

First time owner of a VW, 2019 GTI autobahn DSG, love the car!

Last winter ordered cobb AP, CTS downpipe, FMIC, etc etc .. Did receive a stratified tune OTS tune with it, love how the car is at stg2 right now but I taught it would have been quicker ! only trapped at about 108mph when I see APR going 110. So started the process of a e-tune with stratified ( only 3 revisions so far ) but I end up saying to myself that I dont think I will be happy with the end results, car is definitly quick but not fast , dont know if you understand what I mean ?

So started to look at the IS38 and really strugle to make a decision for the following reason

1. I do a lot of road , I'm worried that it might be too much, I live in Montreal Canada, now in the summer it's all good, but winter are harsh here , often -20 celsius , will spin the sh__ out of it in the winter
2. Reliability wise, I dont know if people with similar climate condition had experience with an IS38 setup?
3. Reed a lot of thread ( loosing sleep over that :p ) about IS38 swap , I found a OEM IS38 for a killer deal localy, what are the other expenses I have to encounter except for a tune ? turbo muffler delete ? spark plugs ?

Thanks guys , looking fwd for feedback of people who done it and also live in the same type of climate than I !
 
Last edited:
PowerDemon

PowerDemon

Autocross Champion
Location
Richmond, VA
Car(s)
Golf GTI, Camaro ZL1
If you are looking to make your IS38 last 60,000 miles I would start with a new one. Additionally if looking for high reliability I would consider Littco’s L380 as it is better built and balanced. This will allow it to sustain the higher boost of a hot IS38 tune. However reliability is subjective and every car is different. There is no proven “safe” setup.
 
Acadia18

Acadia18

Autocross Champion
Location
The Greater Boston Metropolitan Area
Car(s)
2019 Golf R
Unless I'm misunderstanding "company provided vehicle", you're modding a car that isn't technically yours. You've already crossed a threshold you probably shouldn't have. I will admit I'm making some pretty sweeping assumptions with limited information, but usually the things you're doing are a pretty big no-no on a company car.
 
B

Borkowski

New member
Location
Montreal
Acadia18 said:
Unless I'm misunderstanding "company provided vehicle", you're modding a car that isn't technically yours. You've already crossed a threshold you probably shouldn't have. I will admit I'm making some pretty sweeping assumptions with limited information, but usually the things you're doing are a pretty big no-no on a company car.
Click to expand...
Got kind of an off record authorization , only if it break I pay , thats the deal
 
E

El_bigote_AJ

Autocross Champion
Location
Las Vegas
Car(s)
2019 GTI bunny
So to just answer the post direct, yes your understanding of what’s needed for a reliable is38 car is already in place, get the 38 and the tune and enjoy it.

also your 108 vs 110 trap Could easily be The difference between a fully loaded autobahn car Vs say an S without the spare and back seat.
 
B

Borkowski

New member
Location
Montreal
Didnt want to go on a debate on if I should or not mod my car , I know what i'm getting into , my problem, thanks for the advises (y)

Anybody having a similar setup in nordic climate ?
 
B

Borkowski

New member
Location
Montreal
Removed the company car comment, didnt want that tread to turn over a society debate over my personal choice :LOL:

Thanks for the input, anyone with a similar setup , cold climate experience ?
 
Hoon

Hoon

Autocross Champion
Location
Rhode Island
I'm stuck on why a stock turbo would be unreliable in a cold climate?
 
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