TSI vs FSI

[SubZero75]

Hi folks,
I have a mark V golf - 2009 - and a bloke approached me with a view to buying it.
He asked if it was a TSI or an FSI.
I confessed I didn't know so had to go check.
I opened the bonnet and saw FSI on the engine cover, so I told him it was an FSI.
He thanked me and then said he was after a TSI!
I did some brief googling and found conflicting info.
Can anyone clarify the difference? Which is better?
Fecker gave me a complex lol
Thank you :)

[rich83]

Which Mk5 do you have?

There were 3 types.

FSI... non turbo
TSI... 1.4 charged.
TFSI... 2L Turbo

[SubZero75]

Thanks for the reply.

My log book doesn't disclose, but the engine cover says FSI. The logbook says 2 litre 147kw engine

[Notch000]

should say 'turbo' as well that s where the T comes from

[rich83]

Thanks for the reply.

My log book doesn't disclose, but the engine cover says FSI. The logbook says 2 litre 147kw engine

So yours is a GTI... FSI Turbo.. or TFSI

[ROH ECHT]

*Notice the difference in the placement of the dipstick*

I will assume yours is a MK5 Golf GTI since this is the forum for it....
This is the FSI, or whatever is molded onto the engine cover (it has a front belt from the crank to exhaust cam);


This is TSI, or TFSI, or whatever else is molded onto the engine cover (it has a front chain from crank to cams);

[pudding]

The FSI, TSI and TFSI nonsense is VAG marketing buuuuuulllsheeeeeet.  S for Stratified is all a crock of manure.  It only runs in stratified mode on startup and cold running, otherwise it's regular old 'homogenous' injection.

The real difference is EA113 vs EA888.

EA113 is the original MK5 engine with a cambelt.  VVT on the inlet only, otherwise a basic (but reliable) engine.

EA888 Gen 1 (MK6 and North American MK5) was all chain driven and a switch to a roller follower on the HPFP, otherwise same as EA113.

EA888 Gen 2 (late MK6, early MK7) was a minor improvement on the above in terms of chain components.

EA888 Gen 3 (late MK7 onwards) was VVT and VVL (variable timing and lift on BOTH cams) and a switch to IHI turbos.  A VTEC Yo engine with boost, what's not to love....apart from £400 plastic water pumps breaking.