For the first time ever, I took my car to a drag-strip and for the first run, I did 12.1 seconds. Which is very fast by stock sub-40K USD cars. A Stock Subaru WRX STI does 13.2 seconds so to make it 1.1 seconds faster with only bolt-on mods, I’m very happy. The truth is, a seasoned expert in a car with a similar build as mine including the same tune did the same run in 11.54 seconds so I have a LOT of room to grow which means that this is not the last time I go to the drag way. It was more fun to do this event with other Golf R / GTI owners in the area. We had a nice time overall and some of us got to run together.
Here’s my mods list:
- United Motorsport Stage II High-Torque (Red) ECU File
- United Motorsport DSG (TCU) Tune
- Volkswagen Racing Air Intake
- Bull-X 3” Downpipe w/ High-Flow Cat
- APR Intercoolerfor MQB
- CTS Turbo and Throttle Outlet Pipe
There are other mods to my car but these are the ones that directly affect the quarter mile time. My Slips below, I’m car 920.
This would make my car in the top 4 documented MK7 Golf Rs in quarter mile times. There are many not documented but 12.162 is not a slouch of a run.
I put down some thoughts on what I could do to improve for next time:
Few things I learned and tips for next time. I’m going to go back in a few weeks on a Wednesday and do it again. Many people told me there’s easily 60-70% less people on Wednesdays and you’ll get triple your runs.
- Do all of my runs w/ quarter-tank of gas, not a full tank (i filled up not knowing how much gas I’d use w/ idling & WOT but I average 19 MPG so a quarter tank would have been sufficient)
- I did my first two runs at 41PSI. I should start at 30 and go down from there
- Nothing was in my car except a water bottle and junk under my hatch protector (jumper cables, first aid kit, tire change kit, cables) but I will take all of that stuff out next time for a completely empty car
- Let go of brake on the 3rd yellow light, not when I see the green. The car is half a second to really take off when I see green even if I react on green
- Don’t rely on S-DSG Mode, Do my own shifting at just over 6K RPM for the most available torque as this turbo’s power band sinks after 6K. I could feel it during my runs
- I didn’t launch the first go since I wasn’t pushing hard enough on the brake. Brake to the floor every time for LC to work
- Clean air filter before I go next time. Not sure it made a difference but I certainly haven’t cleaned it in 6K miles. I’m overdue
I’ll also get the latest UM file as well. just for some extra refinement. I felt like the 1st to 2nd gear shift felt bogged down / slower than I’m used to. I really think I can save .3-.4 seconds off my time I won’t hit 11.4 but maybe 11.7.
Here are some photos and a video is below:
