Disappointed in amount of turbo lag in my 2020 GTI

[jaypoto]

BMS Pedal Tuner might help you. The stock pedal lag is atrocious, I don't think I can ever go back to not having one.

 

[jimlloyd40]

BMS Pedal Tuner might help you. The stock pedal lag is atrocious, I don't think I can ever go back to not having one.

The BMS Pedal Tuner only helps with initial throttle response. It won't solve the OEM DV problem.

 

[FROSTYmk7.5]

Hi y'all. Newbie here, I just got my Mk7 GTI in June. I searched the forums for "turbo lag" but didn't find anything.

As the subject says, I'm surprised by the amount of turbo lag I experience. When it gets into the power band, it's sweet. But in second gear, it doesn't seem to start pulling hard until after 2700 rpm. My point of comparison is my son's 2009 Mk5 GTI. The throttle response seems much more immediate in that car. Also, the turbo in my car makes an obvious whooshing sound that I don't hear in the 2009 nor in another turbo car I had. In whatever gear I'm in, it doesn't pull hard until that whoosh gets really going, which makes sense.

Has anyone noticed this? I apologize if there is already stuff about this. Please direct me to the right place if so.

BTW, I have nowhere near the expertice of many of you, and have never done any mods to my cars even though I would love to.

I wish I were more knowledgeable about this topic. However, I'm not. I Do know this though. Based on your description I'm assuming it's a 6-speed m/t youre talking about. I have 2019 with a 6-speed m/t. I removed the snow guard, drilled out the grill in front of the airbox, replaced the stock air filter with K&n high flow air filter, and installed CTS turbo silicone intake hose. as well as the OBD eleven throttle response adaptation. After doing that, when the car is in sport mode there is almost no turbo lag whatsoever. Keep in mind, when going from eco mode to sport mode there is a drastic change in throttle response. If your car was/is in eco mode, try switching it to sport mode.

 

[billbadass]

this is hilarious talking about turbo lag in one of the most resonsive turbo engines on the market, and talking about turbo lag at <2,700rpm for a motor that revs to 7,500rpm redline. answer? just rev the car a even just a little more

by the way, a tune on these cars is absolutely trans formative for huge gains in both power and in response, I recommend getting COBB from EQT

 

[blaqsheep]

Boost threshold does not equal turbo lag, these cars don't have turbo lag. The IS20 makes peak torque at 1500 rpm lol.

 

[Hoon]

don't talk to me until you have turbo lag at 3600 rpm. 2700 is great.

I've had cars that didn't spool until 4500+ lol.

 

[Navi]

I've had cars that didn't spool until 4500+ lol.

100 shot of nitrous will fix that quick fast

 

[Acadia18]

100 shot of nitrous will fix that quick fast

And risk danger to the manifold!??!

 

[JC_451]

And risk danger to the manifold!??!

Nothing will happen.

It'll just blow out the floor panel on the passenger side.

 

[MarkGibb]

get your throttle response maxed with obdeleven (vagcom). the stock settings (yes even if you change throttle 'engine' input through the infotainment system) literally feels like there is hella lag and no power, like you need to floor it to go anywhere. its your throttle. these turbos do not 'lag' in any sense of the word, related to turbos.

but also as others said - yes, don't floor it so low in the power band.

Thanks! It's something to try. Because yeah, I don't expect any lag to speak of from this turbo.

 

[MarkGibb]

Not seeing the problem here with torque... You are at 90% of the peak torque value at 2100rpm according to the dyno sheets of stock cars I'm looking at. Maybe I'm spoiled since I get to pick my gear more readily with the DSG but the car has functionally no turbo lag in my 162 miles of experience.

I know, that's why I'm so confused about what I'm feeling.

 

[MarkGibb]

I was driving the same car before I traded it for my current 2018 GTI (2009 TSI GTI). They are both DSG cars. The 2009 is actually heavier than the 2018 but it felt lighter. There are two main differences that I noticed that made the 2009 feel faster and more nimble. First, the 2018 DSG programming is a lot more economy oriented. It is slow to shift and wants you in 6th gear at 30mph. The 2009 was less aggressive in this regard. Also, the 2018 felt like a slug going hard through turns until I upgraded the rear sway bar to a 25mm ST bar. Now I can throw it around like the MkV.

If you can get into the throttle and be pushed back in your seat, it's not a turbo spool "issue", it's gearing. Try driving both manually and compare again.

Thanks for the comment. Yes, my son's car feels lighter and quicker. It's strange. They're both manuals.

 

[Hoon]

Thanks! It's something to try. Because yeah, I don't expect any lag to speak of from this turbo.

It is a bigger turbo than the MK5, but what you're feeling as lag is most likely the neutered throttle response which is designed for emissions.

 

[MarkGibb]

this is hilarious talking about turbo lag in one of the most resonsive turbo engines on the market, and talking about turbo lag at <2,700rpm for a motor that revs to 7,500rpm redline. answer? just rev the car a even just a little more

by the way, a tune on these cars is absolutely trans formative for huge gains in both power and in response, I recommend getting COBB from EQT

From what I read and what I've experienced from modern turbos, I expected 0 lag. It sure feels like lag, so that's why I asked that way. Others here have said to adjust the throttle response. Hopefully I can do that.

 

[MarkGibb]

get your throttle response maxed with obdeleven (vagcom). the stock settings (yes even if you change throttle 'engine' input through the infotainment system) literally feels like there is hella lag and no power, like you need to floor it to go anywhere. its your throttle. these turbos do not 'lag' in any sense of the word, related to turbos.

but also as others said - yes, don't floor it so low in the power band.

I already have a cheap OBD reader but I don't think I can change anything with it. I've started searching and researching what to do and which OBD11 device to buy. Do you know of a quick reference about what the steps are to change the throttle response? If not, no biggie. There's a lot of stuff out there, but it's a bit tedious to wade throught it.