Review of IS38 on A3..?

[ximo03]

I'm thinking to get is38 on my A3 but I don't see many review about is38 on A3....Anyone got one on their car? How does it feel?

[A20V200]

Same as S3 yes...should be equal to or there about. Are you asking Stage 1 or 2 tune as well?

[Workflow]

Check out golfmk7.com and review the GTI section. Tonz of cars going this route with great feedback, however some have popped turbos. More information for you there although not A3's it's close enough.

[ModdedEuros]

We did a build on our GTI for the is38. All the info and videos are up onsite if you want to check them out

https://www.moddedeuros.com/r/project-mk7-gti

[ximo03]

I'm getting APR software for IS38 upgrade..I know there are some differences between A3 and S3 engine so I'm not sure about can the engine handle the IS38

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Isn't like popper turbo is because of the version of the turbo?

[Bradley77]

I have the IS38 turbo upgrade on my 2016 a3 with all the support modifications for stage 2, dsg tune, down pipe, intake, intercooler cat back milltek exhaust. The car does 0 to 60 in 3.8 seconds and it's a blast to drive. I would not recommend this unless you have money to burn or your is20 is bad. I paid about 10k for the upgrade because my is20 took a terd. I liked the tune on my is20 turbo because it had great low rpm tq but it just couldn't handle the boost. The new turbo does make the car a bit faster but I would have been happy to keep the 10k in my pocket with the is20 that did 0 to 60 in 4.4 seconds.

[kjcncsu]

I have it on mine. Been running it for about 7k miles. I think it's pretty awesome that you can get this level of power and be able to run 11s in an "a" car for the price. Not sure what cost you 10k Bradley. I have Eurodyne so the tune upgrade was free. Brand new turbo was 1300 and I'm pretty confident any somewhat mechanically savvy ppl could do the job in an afternoon.

Assuming you've already done the more basic support bolt ins (ie intercooler and downpipe) you'll be at the exact same power level as a stage 2 S3.

[P2WRTMR]

No issues going on 5k miles. Like Bradley said, 3.8 to 60 ( ive done a best of 3.6 with 2 gallons of race gas mixed in )

Turbo is like $2500 installed, then you need $1500 in software for DSG and motor, then Intercooler $1000-$1300 installed, then downpipe and exhaust is another $1500-$2000 and then an intake for $500. These are just guestamit prices so don't quote me on any of it. Just guessing off the top of my head.

[ximo03]

Thanks guys. I already have APR stage 2+DSG tune,intake, downpipe and catback on my car, planning to have s3 intercooler and I think I can get it done within 3k :)

[VW2Audi25]

No issues going on 5k miles. Like Bradley said, 3.8 to 60 ( ive done a best of 3.6 with 2 gallons of race gas mixed in )

Turbo is like $2500 installed, then you need $1500 in software for DSG and motor, then Intercooler $1000-$1300 installed, then downpipe and exhaust is another $1500-$2000 and then an intake for $500. These are just guestamit prices so don't quote me on any of it. Just guessing off the top of my head.

Holly crap, you need to find another shop. And a different tuner. Eurodyne is $975 for ECU and TCU tune (worst case scenario, $875 if you know someone with a tool.) Those prices you quoted are either MSRP, or not needed in first place.

[ximo03]

I went to RocEuro@Rochester NY and John charged me the exact number on APR website :) no "installation fee"

[Bradley77]

Those are pretty accurate prices from p2w, I paid a little more. If the intake is 450 and it takes the shop two hours to install than I just paid 650 for the intake and then CA tax brings it over 700. Unfortunately the shop I had doing most of the work tends to charge more than other local shops here in SO CAL. All those parts are highly recommended on the APR site. You are probably correct when you say they are not all necessary however I had the money and wanted to be done modding asap.

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[kjcncsu]

Any shop charging you 2 hours to install an intake is crazy. I pull my vwr intake once a month to clean the filter, less than 10 minutes to pull it out and reinstall.

Also you don't need an intake. Really only "required" support mods would be intercooler, dp, and tune. You can get dps for few hundred dollars and you can get a uni intercooler for 700.

No offense guys, but I really recommend shopping around our going on youtube and seeing how easy most of these jobs are. All of these mods can be done with basic hands tools and ramps in an afternoon. But don't get me wrong, definitely get how nice it is just to pay somebody and be done with it though haha

[kjcncsu]

Ximo, I ran mine with the s3 intercooler for a while and it definitely works. However, if you can't find a cheap used one, I'd recommend you just go ahead and spend the extra 200 bucks for a true aftermarket.

[ximo03]

getting the s3 intercooler...thats like $310 plus tax on ecs tuning, not too bad

[kjcncsu]

getting the s3 intercooler...thats like $310 plus tax on ecs tuning, not too bad

Not bad at all actually. If you go onto the gti forums on vortex or golfmk7. You can find them around 250 used, but then you have to worry about somebody beating them up when they took it out..

[VW2Audi25]

Exactly. I mean if you like throwing money away, sure why not :)

Any shop charging you 2 hours to install an intake is crazy. I pull my vwr intake once a month to clean the filter, less than 10 minutes to pull it out and reinstall.

Also you don't need an intake. Really only "required" support mods would be intercooler, dp, and tune. You can get dps for few hundred dollars and you can get a uni intercooler for 700.

No offense guys, but I really recommend shopping around our going on youtube and seeing how easy most of these jobs are. All of these mods can be done with basic hands tools and ramps in an afternoon. But don't get me wrong, definitely get how nice it is just to pay somebody and be done with it though haha

[daren7]

Yes! I have a 2015 A3 2.0 premium plus Quattro. I install the is38 turbo, oversized intercooler, piping, 3 inch stainless exhaust, cooler regap spark plugs, intakes, the works... I had to ECU and Stronic day tuned as well and I'm about 420 crank and 360 horsepower at the wheels. The car absolutely rips! I paid 11 k for the car, I'm into the upgrades about 4K, so for 15K total it's perfect! This is the very best way to get an all-wheel drive flat out performance beast for much less than any other option.

[S3DUDE]

To the OP,

Here is my .2c. In 2015 I had a S3 and I did APR stage 1 tune then Stage 2 (no air filter no intercooler, just ECU software/downpipe). I also had a A3 2.0 quattro which I ended up with APR Stage 1 as well.

At the dragstrip I ran my A3 11 times one night and my best traps was 103 mph and my best ET 13.3 (APR 91oct and 3100ft elevation). My S3 ran 12.5@110 right of the bat(it would run 12.2@114 with Stage 2). The S3 was about 140lbs heavier too. What I am illustrating is the big top end of the IS38 compared to the IS20. Granted that the S3 comes with better engine internals(bit and pieces) but the ET and trap speeds says it all.

[BecksA3]

No issues going on 5k miles. Like Bradley said, 3.8 to 60 ( ive done a best of 3.6 with 2 gallons of race gas mixed in )

Turbo is like $2500 installed, then you need $1500 in software for DSG and motor, then Intercooler $1000-$1300 installed, then downpipe and exhaust is another $1500-$2000 and then an intake for $500. These are just guestamit prices so don't quote me on any of it. Just guessing off the top of my head.

You can skip the intake with about half an hour with a dremel and a used turbo inlet and hose.


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[BecksA3]

Holly crap, you need to find another shop. And a different tuner. Eurodyne is $975 for ECU and TCU tune (worst case scenario, $875 if you know someone with a tool.) Those prices you quoted are either MSRP, or not needed in first place.

Right? I lucked into a used eurodyne tool and am running a stage 1.5 for now until I get the DSG tune.

I’d much rather spend an afternoon swearing and bust some knuckles to save the labor money for the next mod.


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[BecksA3]

I went to RocEuro@Rochester NY and John charged me the exact number on APR website :) no "installation fee"

I didn’t look at APR much for tuning because of having to go to them for subsequent flashes.

Does their stage 2 handles an is38, or will you have to go back for an upgrade?


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[Ad615]

I didn’t look at APR much for tuning because of having to go to them for subsequent flashes.

Does their stage 2 handles an is38, or will you have to go back for an upgrade?


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Stage 2 files for the a3 are going to be for the is20. You’ll need a proper file for the is38. Since the thread is already resurrected, I might as well chime in.

There is 100% no need to spend 10k to go is38 on an a3/gti. It can literally be done for 5k. Ecu/tcu tunes 1000-1500, brand new is38 from fcp euro is about 1000, ebay intercooler for 400 bucks, milltek dp for 600, spark plugs 150 or less. Mod the oem air box set up for less than 200 bucks.

These cars are cheap to make quick. No need to complicate it and overpay for the same thing.

[BecksA3]

Stage 2 files for the a3 are going to be for the is20. You’ll need a proper file for the is38. Since the thread is already resurrected, I might as well chime in.

There is 100% no need to spend 10k to go is38 on an a3/gti. It can literally be done for 5k. Ecu/tcu tunes 1000-1500, brand new is38 from fcp euro is about 1000, ebay intercooler for 400 bucks, milltek dp for 600, spark plugs 150 or less. Mod the oem air box set up for less than 200 bucks.

These cars are cheap to make quick. No need to complicate it and overpay for the same thing.

So, I’m well on my way!

Already have Eurodyne, so switching tunes is easy. Did the air box mod. Did the ECS Tuning ignition upgrade to rs7 plugs and rs3 coil packs and DV+.

Working on pulling the $$ together for the tcu tune. I’m almost there, and hopefully my rich uncle Donald sends me another check to stimulate the economy by buying more car parts.


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[Ad615]

So, I’m well on my way!

Already have Eurodyne, so switching tunes is easy. Did the air box mod. Did the ECS Tuning ignition upgrade to rs7 plugs and rs3 coil packs and DV+.

Working on pulling the $$ together for the tcu tune. I’m almost there, and hopefully my rich uncle Donald sends me another check to stimulate the economy by buying more car parts.


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🤣🤣sounds good. Def get the tcu tune as well.

[BecksA3]

🤣🤣sounds good. Def get the tcu tune as well.

Yep, next on my list, but it’s been hard passing up some of the stuff that’s been in the classifieds.


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