New to tdi mods need advice

Chuckles315

New member
Joined
Jul 17, 2023
Location
Utica new york
TDI
2014 jetta tdi premium
I live in ny state and I have a 2014 tdi jetta premium auto/dsg, I bought it new and I've paid it off a couple years ago and now I want to start doing some performance upgrades. I've got a performance suspension that lowered the car 1.5 inches. I also bought a sb filters cold air intake and a frost heater but I haven't had them installed yet. I think I'm going to get the kerma tdi tune and I was looking at a cat back exhaust. Techtonics 2.5 in with a borla muffler I found on urotuning.com. Does this sound like a solid start or would you recommend doing something different? I'm new to this so just want to get some advice from someone with experience.
 

tjg

Veteran Member
Joined
Feb 8, 2019
Location
Ft. Cavazos, TX
TDI
'13 TDI A3, '14 TDI Sportwagen
you can hold off on installing the airbox, the stock airbox on these cars is really well designed.
Exhaust won't change much in regards to sound/performance as the main sound dampener/performance restriction is the DPF.

Look at getting an aluminum skid plate, get one that hard mounts to the subframe, NOT one that uses the plastic belly pan mounting points.
 

JELLOWSUBMARINE

Veteran Member
Joined
Mar 3, 2014
Location
yes
TDI
2011 Jetta Sportwagen, 6M, red/tan, navi, pano, 83 5m diesel pickup, 82 p/u trailer,.04 5.5 TDI Passat wagon (gone), 80,81,82 diesel p/u (gone), 80,82 sportruck (gone), 59 passthru bus (long gone), 79&87 westy (gone), 57 baja bug (long gone), 73 914
Start the Kerma tune off with a PERFECTLY Sorted/good running car first. You be happy you did
 

hskrdu

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Oct 17, 2003
Location
Maryland and New England
TDI
2003 Golf GLS 4D 5M, 2015 GSW SE 6M
Some good reading for the OP:
Obviously mods are personal preference, but 99% of the lowered VW's I've driven handle worse than stock (and eventually get damaged from being lowered). As said, get a skid plate.
 

Chuckles315

New member
Joined
Jul 17, 2023
Location
Utica new york
TDI
2014 jetta tdi premium
you can hold off on installing the airbox, the stock airbox on these cars is really well designed.
Exhaust won't change much in regards to sound/performance as the main sound dampener/performance restriction is the DPF.

Look at getting an aluminum skid plate, get one that hard mounts to the subframe, NOT one that uses the plastic belly pan mounting points.
So you're saying don't put exhaust or intake. Best thing is just get a tune and a skid plate? What about frostheater is it a good idea for me because of winter and does it affect how the car will run?
 

hskrdu

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Oct 17, 2003
Location
Maryland and New England
TDI
2003 Golf GLS 4D 5M, 2015 GSW SE 6M
The Frostheater is a nice to have, but not necessary for most TDIs. Mine lived in New England, Michigan, and near Lake Tahoe without any winter issues. I would spend time reading and researching, then carefully pick modifications. Most aftermarket traditional gasser stuff is just junk for the TDI.
 

Nevada_TDI

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Aug 17, 2008
Location
Reno, sort of...
TDI
2001 Jetta TDI
Getting into a nice warm car before starting the engine by using a frost heater is a nice thing to have. I finally broke down and got one. I wish I would’ve got one 10 years ago.
 

hskrdu

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Oct 17, 2003
Location
Maryland and New England
TDI
2003 Golf GLS 4D 5M, 2015 GSW SE 6M
The OP's 2014 warms up more quickly than the MkIV. In MkIV cars with a Frostheater I've not really noticed a huge difference in cabin heat. I think for the ALH it might be worth it for easier starts, or less wear on the engine (but 505 oils are so good, this isn't the same concern as years ago).
 

tjg

Veteran Member
Joined
Feb 8, 2019
Location
Ft. Cavazos, TX
TDI
'13 TDI A3, '14 TDI Sportwagen
So you're saying don't put exhaust or intake. Best thing is just get a tune and a skid plate? What about frostheater is it a good idea for me because of winter and does it affect how the car will run?
Yes.
A frostheater is definitely a nice to have. I had one in my 2001 ALH and it was fantastic. In the CJAA its not super necessary.

With the tune, obviously get one designed to work with the DPF.

I would highly recommend a DSG tune. I have a Malone DSG tune and love it. Totally transforms the shifting.
 

Chuckles315

New member
Joined
Jul 17, 2023
Location
Utica new york
TDI
2014 jetta tdi premium
Yes.
A frostheater is definitely a nice to have. I had one in my 2001 ALH and it was fantastic. In the CJAA its not super necessary.

With the tune, obviously get one designed to work with the DPF.

I would highly recommend a DSG tune. I have a Malone DSG tune and love it. Totally transforms the shifting.
I am looking at the kerma tdi auto/dsg tune. That's a good tune right? Also so if I wanted to do some upgrades for more power where should I start? Maybe a good intercooler? If so do you have any good recommendations?
 

Tuheeden

Veteran Member
Joined
Sep 18, 2022
Location
North Carolina
TDI
2013 & 2014 Jetta sportwagon
I am looking at the kerma tdi auto/dsg tune. That's a good tune right? Also so if I wanted to do some upgrades for more power where should I start? Maybe a good intercooler? If so do you have any good recommendations?
The engine tune and DSG tune will make it feel like a new car (and the skid plate of course). As mentioned, the intake leave alone (although I like the afepower pro dry filter in place of stock) and leave the exhaust alone. It's either stock or deleted, there is really nothing worth while in between.
As mentioned, the usual things you do for performance to a gas engine really don't apply on the TDI.
I have 3 JSWs and 1 Audi A3 - all 2011 to 2014 and I love them all! Honestly the DSG tune alone will make the driving experience so much better, I honestly would do that first.
 

lemoncurd

Veteran Member
Joined
May 24, 2019
Location
Eastern CT
TDI
2013 CJAA GTB2266
unsure how kerma tunes his car's, but try to find an ECU tune which reverts the dieselgate "fix" aswell.

soot and nOX output are inversely proportional. and the dieselgate "fix" made the nOX output decrease dramatically, so now the DPF's in these cars will struggle to make it to even 120k miles
 

arazvan2002

Veteran Member
Joined
Sep 28, 2010
Location
Romania
TDI
Audi A4 B6 1.9TDI AVF quattro
unsure how kerma tunes his car's, but try to find an ECU tune which reverts the dieselgate "fix" aswell.

soot and nOX output are inversely proportional. and the dieselgate "fix" made the nOX output decrease dramatically, so now the DPF's in these cars will struggle to make it to even 120k miles
Flash the pre dieselgate software. But it depends if someone checks software version.
 
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