2012 Mk6 VW Golf TDI egr/dpf delete questions

So I've read several posts and am new to modifying cars but not to actually doing mechanical work and would like some feedback on my issue and upgrades. Sorry for the long post...

I'm a vcds amateur...so a little back story...I have a 2012 golf tdi/dsg with ~148k miles and the engine/emission management light was going on and off periodically over the course of a few months and then has remained solid for a month or so now. I've noticed a decent drop in fuel economy so I decided to buy a vag-com to finally check on it...I got the faults below, before I cleared the code and then it came back on a few hours later after driving a few times and having the engine off/on for those trips...

so one initial question is since it came back and from the data prior to clearing the code does it look like I just have a bad egr filter or a bad egr filter and dpf or maybe just a bad/cracked dpf? The dpf warning lamp has never come on.

The next questions I have is I'm looking at getting the cr170 turbo along with the downpipe and full exhaust and resonator, as well as the ecu tune and dsg tune, is there anything else I would need for example if got rid of the egr cooler as I've read some people leave that on for some reason?

Will the cr170 turbo upgrade work with the stage 2 tune or only stage 3?

Anything else required besides the above list with a stage 3?

Can I remove the Dpf/egg and install the downpipe and run it safely besides the CEL coming on while saving up for the tune and turbo?

Any downside of going stage 2 vs 3?

Buzzken vs Rawtek?

Neuro tune vs Malone?

I may have more questions just want to make sure I get everything prior to removing all of the parts.

BEFORE CLEARING CODE:

Address 01: Engine (CJA) Labels: 03L-906-022-CBE.clb
Part No SW: 03L 906 019 HG HW: 03L 907 309 AA
Component: R4 2,0L EDC G000AG 8178
Revision: 12H14--- Serial number:
Coding: 0050078
Shop #: WSC 01357 011 00200
VCID: 77A8E12663C7F13F1C3-8022

4 Faults Found:
001025 - EGR System
P0401 - 001 - Insufficient Flow - Intermittent - MIL ON
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 10100001
Fault Priority: 2
Fault Frequency: 255
Reset counter: 255
Mileage: 212870 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2016.04.29
Time: 11:48:29
Freeze Frame:
RPM: 1472 /min
Speed: 32.0 km/h
Voltage: 13.68 V
Load: 50.2 %
Load: 100.0 %
Mass Air / Rev.: 240.0 mg/str
Mass Air / Rev.: 330.0 mg/str

009231 - Exhaust Gas Recirculation System
P240F - 000 - Response too Slow - MIL ON
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 11100000
Fault Priority: 2
Fault Frequency: 5
Reset counter: 255
Mileage: 221485 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2016.06.07
Time: 08:14:20
Freeze Frame:
RPM: 1426 /min
Speed: 17.0 km/h
Load: 81.6 %
Mass Air / Rev.: 0.0 mg/str
Mass Air / Rev.: 35.0 mg/str
Mass Air / Rev.: 410.0 mg/str
Mass Air / Rev.: 500.0 mg/str

001025 - EGR System
P0401 - 002 - Insufficient Flow - Intermittent
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 00100010
Fault Priority: 2
Fault Frequency: 4
Reset counter: 255
Mileage: 238159 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2017.02.06
Time: 15:35:04
Freeze Frame:
RPM: 1725 /min
Speed: 72.0 km/h
Voltage: 14.21 V
Load: 95.7 %
Load: 100.0 %
Mass Air / Rev.: 540.0 mg/str
Mass Air / Rev.: 645.0 mg/str

008194 - Particulate Trap Bank 1
P2002 - 002 - Efficiency Below Threshold - MIL ON
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 11100010
Fault Priority: 2
Fault Frequency: 2
Reset counter: 255
Mileage: 238954 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2017.02.13
Time: 14:34:15
Freeze Frame:
RPM: 2576 /min
Speed: 130.0 km/h
Pressure: 59 mbar
Hex Value: 0xFF01
Temperature: 462.0�C
(no units): 408.0
Mileage: 200 km
Readiness: 1 3 0 0 0

AFTER CLEARING CODE:

Address 01: Engine (CJA) Labels: 03L-906-022-CBE.clb
Part No SW: 03L 906 019 HG HW: 03L 907 309 AA
Component: R4 2,0L EDC G000AG 8178
Revision: 12H14--- Serial number:
Coding: 0050078
Shop #: WSC 01357 011 00200
VCID: 77A8E12663C7F13F1C3-8022

1 Fault Found:
001025 - EGR System
P0401 - 001 - Insufficient Flow - MIL ON
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 11100001
Fault Priority: 2
Fault Frequency: 2
Reset counter: 255
Mileage: 239137 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2017.02.15
Time: 13:52:39
Freeze Frame:
RPM: 1863 /min
Speed: 94.0 km/h
Voltage: 14.21 V
Load: 82.0 %
Load: 100.0 %
Mass Air / Rev.: 380.0 mg/str
Mass Air / Rev.: 530.0 mg/str
Readiness: 1 1 0 0 0

Sounds like you have a cracked dpf. Yes you can run the cr170 w a stage 2 econo tune. No, you can't run a downpipe without a delete tune. Buzzken, Rawtek, eBay, your call. Never heard of neuro tunes. I highly recommend Malone though.

Why have some people kept their egr coolers in place if they've deleted the egr/dpf? Leaning towards the cr170, stage 3 Malone w/dsg, and rawtek. Any other upgrades advised with the stage 3 so it gets the best performance, longevity, and economy with the above upgrades?

My favorite upgrade thus far is 2micron's cp3 hpfp kit. That, along with a downpipe nearly bullet proofs the car.

Just passing along some advice given to me on here when I started modding. make sure the car was in decent enough shape as it sat before modding. At 150k miles make sure all the PM work has been done. As already stated the Stage 2 tune can be run with the cr170 turbo - it just won't run it to its full potential.

When t comes to tunes if you know someone that has the tune your interested in see if you can drive their car. What the "best" tune is very subjective.

I have done all of the maintenance on it on schedule or close to it besides the dsg service being due now. I was planning on changing the filter and fluid again prior to doing the dsg tune and running it with the new filter and fluid for a couple weeks then doing the tune and other things. The only indicator lights or faults I have right now are for the egr/dpf everything else runs solid.

With the roads we have here in Texas I was just thinking the stage 3 would be the way to go as we have 80-85 mph speed limits on many interstates/toll roads so I'm usually going 90-100mph lol

What's your opinion on the exhaust with resonator and high flow cat vs straight pipe? Sound levels? Performance?

Luddite1811 said:

What's your opinion on the exhaust with resonator and high flow cat vs straight pipe? Sound levels? Performance?

Click to expand...

I've never put the car on a dyno so I can't speak to power levels. The seatofmypants dyno is very happy though.

As regards sound - I originally left the stock muffler with no resanotor which sounded near stock. At 2k rpm it had quite a bit of drone that I could live with but didn't care for so I added the resonator and now have no drone and didn't notice any decrease in power. But as I said I never put it on a dyno. There's some clips on youtube of the full system (cat, resonator, with no muffler) if you want to know what it sounds like.

My goal for the car was to retain a very OEM look and sound. I don't want kids in there hondas trying to race me lol.

Same for me I'm not into driving a fast and furious style ride, just want extra power and mileage.

Just got my new cr170 ordered now for the tune and downpipe/exhaust on payday this Friday!

Do you plan to uppgrade the clutch too? No one advised you?

With a proper tuning, the stock clutch does not even hold the stock turbo, why the need of a CR170 one?

I've been running stage 3 with 170 turbo for a year and a half and no issue with the stock clutch. Just don't hammer the throttle below 2k rpms in high gears and your fine. As far as sound, I'd recommend a resonator. I went without one at first and the highway drone annoyed me. Person preference of course. You can always cheaply add a resonator later on if you want it.