DPF Delete and Stage 2 tune coming soon. Any advice?

Joined
Aug 17, 2018
Location
Eau Claire, WI
TDI
Jetta 2005 TDI, Golf 2012 TDI
Hey all,
I've had my 2012 Golf for 5 years now. I have wanted to do this since I bought it. Warranty is finally over and over the last 6 months, I have codes coming in all DPF and EGR related. With a few places running deals over the Black Friday I have a Delete kit coming from Dark Side development and a stage 2 coming from Tunezilla.

I am a little nervous about how invasive this is really going to be. I have done plenty of work on all my cars over the years so I know I can figure it out but any advice from those who have done this themselves is greatly appreciated!
 

Garrison

Veteran Member
Joined
May 7, 2017
Location
Charlotte
TDI
Stg 3 - 2011 JSW
Depends on how deep you want to go

If you're just looking to delete and tune, it's not horrible. Adding a turbo adds to the difficulty (getting the turbo out); likewise w/ the CP3 fuel-pump. Adding an intercooler, more still.

If you are going to commit, I would recommend doing what I did - pull the car in, jack it up, and rip the front off the car - and touch everything you can stomach. Thermostat, timing belt, waterpump, delete, turbo, intercooler, oil change, fuel filter, air filter, DSG fluid change, DMF, coolant flush, brakes (if needed). I know that sounds intimidating, but once the front is off, you can knock a lot out with the improved access; and the benefit is you shouldn't need to do much to it afterwards - just fluids and filters.
 
Last edited:
Joined
Aug 17, 2018
Location
Eau Claire, WI
TDI
Jetta 2005 TDI, Golf 2012 TDI
In summery, All is done. it took two people 7 hours. not complex but getting the DPF out of there is a *****. Lots of grinding. looking back, it may have actually been worth it to drop the sub frame.. that is a helleva tight fit and idk how you could get it out of there with out wheel grinder. All is done and man does this thing has pep now! :D
 

Mozambiquer

Vendor , w/Business number
Joined
Mar 21, 2015
Location
Versailles Missouri
TDI
2004 VW Touareg V10 TDI, 2012 Audi Q7 V6 TDI, 1998 VW Jetta TDI. 1982 VW Rabbit pickup, 2001 VW Jetta TDI, 2005 VW Passat wagon TDI X3, 2001 VW golf TDI, 1980 VW rabbit pickup,
In summery, All is done. it took two people 7 hours. not complex but getting the DPF out of there is a *****. Lots of grinding. looking back, it may have actually been worth it to drop the sub frame.. that is a helleva tight fit and idk how you could get it out of there with out wheel grinder. All is done and man does this thing has pep now! :D
A lot of it depends on how rusty things are. If you can pull the lower sensors it's not too bad. I have done them without cutting anything or pulling the subframe.
 

Garrison

Veteran Member
Joined
May 7, 2017
Location
Charlotte
TDI
Stg 3 - 2011 JSW
A lot of it depends on how rusty things are. If you can pull the lower sensors it's not too bad. I have done them without cutting anything or pulling the subframe.
Same - I'm not going to pretend it wasn't a fight! Wound up rachet strapping the engine to a ton of plate weights and using the added clearance (like +2-3") to get it all out. Wrestling it through the tunnel is doable if you beat the heat shield to make room as well FWIW.

CONGRATS OP! Welcome to the club - enjoy God's engine as nature intended, all those sweet MPG's 🤤
 
Joined
Aug 17, 2018
Location
Eau Claire, WI
TDI
Jetta 2005 TDI, Golf 2012 TDI
lol, I didnt even think of beating the crap out of the heat shield. Happy its done and now I can enjoy it.

Ya know, Im still not getting the MPG's i thought I would be.. but I do have my bigger winter tires on and its cold. Hoping to see improvement in the spring/summer.

Thought Even with the cold I assumed it would be getting better mileage right out of the gates
 

Mozambiquer

Vendor , w/Business number
Joined
Mar 21, 2015
Location
Versailles Missouri
TDI
2004 VW Touareg V10 TDI, 2012 Audi Q7 V6 TDI, 1998 VW Jetta TDI. 1982 VW Rabbit pickup, 2001 VW Jetta TDI, 2005 VW Passat wagon TDI X3, 2001 VW golf TDI, 1980 VW rabbit pickup,
lol, I didnt even think of beating the crap out of the heat shield. Happy its done and now I can enjoy it.

Ya know, Im still not getting the MPG's i thought I would be.. but I do have my bigger winter tires on and its cold. Hoping to see improvement in the spring/summer.

Thought Even with the cold I assumed it would be getting better mileage right out of the gates
What fuel economy is it getting?
 
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