In June of 2019 I received a pre-production Shuenk IS38+ turbocharger to gather data with.
Miles
Over the past twelve months I have put 5,333 miles on the turbo while conducting quite a few tests that involved pushing the turbocharger into boost.
Boost Curve
In addition to testing aftermarket parts there has also been work developing a custom ECU tune with the boost profile shown below:
Boost Cycles
Probably more taxing of the product has been the process of making updates to the Stratified DSG TCU tune. Evaluating gear shift response can result in pushing the turbocharger to the point that boost is generated quite often. A typical checkout of a DSG tune revision includes generating the boost response over time shown on the chart below:
Because gathering data for DSG response covers a number of driving conditions I usually perform data logging over a period of a day or two. This helps me to form subjective thoughts on the TCU tune response and produces more boost events for the turbocharger.
Depending upon the particular area of focus for shift behavior it may be useful to switch between DSG tune revisions to make back to back comparisons, leading to more boost events for the turbo.
The charts above illustrate the high number of boost cycles that the turbocharger has been subjected to over a three day period.
Other Stuff
Several months ago a dyno session was held to evaluate how well the car would perform on the stock GTI fuel pump. Positive results were obtained and since then an HPA HPFP has been installed and ECU tuning with EQT has continued.
Wrap Up
During the time that the Shuenk IS38+ has been installed on my GTI it has been functioning without any issues and I do not currently have any plans to replace it with a different turbocharger.
Have you pulled any performance data on the GTI: 0-60, 1/4 Mile times and trap speeds?
I’d be curious what kind of numbers you are getting.
Your dyno numbers are solid: 370 whp / 380 ft-lbs.
Did you get numbers on your car “stock?”
Not those measures. I’ve been tracking acceleration data over the tune revisions, but it’s what I think of as “passing acceleration”, 40-80 mph times. No stock dyno data, my GTI was heavily modified when I purchased it and the prior owner did not dyno it.
Thank you for the detailed long-term review of our turbo, Jeff. Would you mind sharing the link to this in our Group and elsewhere?
https://www.facebook.com/groups/415846995574250/
No problem Doug.
Hey Jeff,
I got this turbo myself to do a tune on my Golf. I’ve seen some people being dissapointed of this turbo, but I trust you with your review!
Now I’m just waiting for the engine mounts then I’ll got and put them all on the car.
I represent just one turbo, but it’s working out for me.
From IS20 upgraded to IS38, what other hardwares (& brands) you had replaced to match with this turbo?
I’ve been using the Shuenk turbo for almost 4 years now, I used many other parts brands with it. The only upgrade I felt was necessary was the HPA HPFP.
What IC you are using to match with it? For MK7, can i use the stock IC to minimize the upgrade cost?
There’s nothing keeping you from using a stock IC with an IS38. I am regularly installing different intercoolers to test out so there is no one product that I am using with the IS38 turbocharger.