I had the pleasure of having a 3†Milltek downpipe mated onto my existing non-resonated cat-back and Revo Stage2 put on my car on Monday, now it has settled in, I thought I’d share my views.
The work, as usual was expertly done by Votex in Congleton, Cheshire. A superb VAG specialist and Revo dealer, who look after all my cars. As they run several race & track cars themselves (having a motorsport background) and as I do so many track days, we’d been talking about the next step for improving my car and looking into achieving what I wanted, which was faster spool up and quicker/better power delivery. The downpipe and stage2 were the ideal answer.
I’ve already fully uprated my suspension and brakes, so power was the last piece of the puzzle.
So, the meaty bit…
I went to collect the car from Mike. He’d had it all day, as along with the DP fitting, he wanted to ensure everything was running perfectly, it was given a full going over with his expert eye and VAG-COM. A full scan and also taken out for a drive to do some data logging on several functions like the MAF, boost pressure etc. the usual suspects that can go a bit faulty without throwing a code and then become more apparent once mapped. Given a clean bill of health, stage 2 was applied with the ‘middle of the road’ for my mods 6/9/6 boost/fuel/timing settings via the SPS switch.
Ever the understated, he just said “I think you’ll be pleased with that†and let me on my way. Driving home was a good test of its normal workload, crawling through traffic in town and cruising for 8 miles down B-roads… I made my way home without fuss in ‘D’, smooth as silk and a slight improvement on the MPG – extra torque and clever DSG knowing the most economical gear to be in = less revving, using up fuel. The downpipe providing a touch more of a bass note, but certainly not intrusive. Happy so far.
Later that evening, time for a run out, time to hit the back roads. I wanted the car to deliver on corner exit, those all important 2nd & 3rd gear ones we use on the track and in the real world. Low gear punch is key, we don’t have Autobahns, top speed is of no use or interest to me…. ****! Does it deliver!!
The car is savage; it’s as mad as a pensioner’s terrier and just wants to go. It spools nigh on instantly, surging forward with seemingly linear power and torque in copious amounts, right through to the red line, where that all important DSG gear-change comes in. RAPID. no lag, no jerk, no messing about, you click the paddle up or down and its got it. I’d heard in the early days of mapping DSGs there was some issues with the way maps were affecting the change – no evidence of it here, its factory, only better. I’d thought it’d feel a bit out of breath towards the 2/3 of the range and I’d be looking at uprated fuel pumps.. I don’t know if I’ll even bother now.
The software, even in generic stage2 format is very, very refined. You can tell by the way the car delivers power that a lot of time and testing has gone into it. The main thing is no stupid big wave of torque in one lump, sure it makes the car feel faster, but it’s useless for getting power down when you need it in the lower gears. This was my only concern and I had planned on maybe getting a tweak done to tailor it to my requirements, again, no need to bother.
In conclusion, upgrading to stage2 whilst not giving the same increase in figures over stock like stage1 does, it gives a quantum leap in terms of the way it delivers that power. It could only be a handful or extra ponies and torques for all I care, it isn't, it's loads.... The car is transformed, free, unrestricted… dare I say a little bit scary?
I might get it dyno'd at some point, but I'm just too busy enjoying it to be bothered about figures.. it was 245/280 last time out, all I know is its much more.
So, read that again, but this time do it whilst humming the theme tune from Rocky, get yourself a DP and Revo stage2 that car…
Danza seal of approval
