VAG 2.0 TDi Engines

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Does anyone know with certainty, what, if any, material differences exist between the 140 BHP & 170 BHP versions of the VAG 2.0 TDi engines?

Is it the case that the engines themselves are identical in every way, and it's only the management software that gives the extra 30 BHP? Or are some of the components different?

TIA :)
 
I'd imagin there will be very small differences, usually it's the map and tiny things like different injectors or in some cases a slightly bigger/more powerful turbo but the actual engine itself is almost identicle.

I don't actually know if this is true for this engine but most cases like this seem to be as described above I've found.
 
I'd imagin there will be very small differences, usually it's the map and tiny things like different injectors or in some cases a slightly bigger/more powerful turbo but the actual engine itself is almost identicle.

I don't actually know if this is true for this engine but most cases like this seem to be as described above I've found.

I ask because I know they make the same capacity engine with 110, 140 & 170 BHP. I found a company based in the NE that will remap the 140 to 170 for £250. I naturally wondered whether that was because the engines were component identical and they were just applying the default VW profile for the 170?

My lack of knowledge when it comes to mapping is shocking, so take pity on me :)
 
Don't know for sure but when I looked into this, I seem to remember reading the 170 had a slightly larger turbo and a DPF.
It would make sense if the injectors were higher flowing too.
 
Just looking around:
PistonHeads said:
170 (125kW) engine does have different (larger) turbo and exhaust manifold, and different injectors, although they are visually the same. There is more lag than the smaller turbo, but considerably more punch once its spinning.

Also, the DPF in the 170's.

A friend has just bought a 140. Maps to push 170+ are easily come by.
 
I ask because I know they make the same capacity engine with 110, 140 & 170 BHP. I found a company based in the NE that will remap the 140 to 170 for £250. I naturally wondered whether that was because the engines were component identical and they were just applying the default VW profile for the 170?

My lack of knowledge when it comes to mapping is shocking, so take pity on me :)

No it won't be the VAG map they apply.

Fiat offer a 120bhp and 150bhp of my engine, only difference in the turbo yet the 120bhp version can easily be mapped to 155bhp with the smaller turbo.

It's usually perfectly safe, I've mapped my 150bhp up to 179bhp with an induction kit (custom air filter - I'd get one really helps with the map), total cost was £380 and it's a totally different car. 12 months and 11k and no issues.

If you do get it remapped get it done 'live'. This means before and after rolling road and watch them apply the map. Not just shove a tuning box in and send you on your way!
 
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My Fabia is mapped from 130bhp to 177bhp (1.9 TDI Engine). It's safe to do so, mines been running for at least 3 years, possibly 4 with no issues.

This was done by Skoda them selves.
 
OK, thanks lads.

My next question is, and I know Peerzy has already offered his experiance, is it safe? How much extra strain will a 30 BHP increase put ont he components etc?

I'm just a little worried about having it done, then have the engine blow up :)
 
OK, thanks lads.

My next question is, and I know Peerzy has already offered his experiance, is it safe? How much extra strain will a 30 BHP increase put ont he components etc?

I'm just a little worried about having it done, then have the engine blow up :)

It's unlikely but there is no 100% way of saying how safe it is.

Every single engine is slightly different, parts will wear quicker in some cars than others etc...

To give yourself the best chance do the following:

  • Service the car correctly
  • The car should be run in properly, 15k mileage + ideally
  • Live remap - this means the mapper can tailor the map to your car
  • Induction kit - helps getting cool air to the turbo = happy turbo

I'd say it's very safe personally, and I'd consider it on any car I get in the future, including £25k BMW's etc... I did it 3 months after getting my car which still had 18 months of warrenty left. Fiat have had my car for work and not mentioned it.
 
The 140 has a DPF.

It might have been an option on the 140 but it was forced on the 170. I seem to recall the 140 producing almost as much torque as the 170 due to no DPF (or a massively less restrictive unit).
Can't say for sure though.
 
OK, thanks lads.

My next question is, and I know Peerzy has already offered his experiance, is it safe? How much extra strain will a 30 BHP increase put ont he components etc?

I'm just a little worried about having it done, then have the engine blow up :)

I didn't get my 170 done because I found a post somewhere about a remapped 170 DPF catching fire.
Was probably completely unrelated but it sparked enough doubt at the time to avoid. It was more than quick enough anyway.
 
It might have been an option on the 140 but it was forced on the 170. I seem to recall the 140 producing almost as much torque as the 170 due to no DPF (or a massively less restrictive unit).
Can't say for sure though.
The 170 produces 350 Nm versus the 140's 320 Nm. This is about what you'd expect, really. The 170 just has the ability to keep the torque going for longer rather than having general power increase. It's similar to what the competition's engines produce so I would guess it's unlikely that the DPF is the cause.
 
Every CR diesel engine from VW has a DPF as standard.

It was an A4 if that makes any difference.

I, specifically, remember looking at the tax implications and the options had things like (DPF) and (non-DPF).

It does seem odd though as I'm sure there's some level of exhaust filtration but whether it got the 'DPF' moniker is another thing. Even my 306DT had a DPF of sorts.
 
Every CR diesel engine from VW has a DPF as standard.

I'll check of course, but I bought an 140 BHP 09 Passat Estate yesterday and the DPF is not mentioned any where. I did consider the 170 BHP, but read so many bad things about the DPF that I decided not to bother.

I asked the salesman specifically about the DPF and he didn't indicate that one was fitted to our car, but did explain how they become clogged on short journeys and are a nightmare on the 170s. If it does have a DPF fitted, then it isn't the same type fitted to the 170, and it certainly isn't mentioned any where in any of the paperwork that VW gave me. Whereas, on the 170 models, the advert clearly states DPF.

Bizarre :confused:
 
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