Rocket Chip Review - MK4 - non-technical (2024)

L

LMJ

Veteran Member
Joined
Feb 22, 2010
Location
Virginia
TDI
2000 VW Golf

Jun 3, 2013

  • #1

Just wanted to share my experience with the Rocket Chip tuning of a 2000 Golf, ALH engine, manual with no previous mods. I was lucky enough to have Jeff, of Rocket Chip, tune my car at the recent TDIfest in Maryland. My car is registered in Virginia and must pass emmissions inspection. I also burn biodiesel (B99 and/or B20) from time to time. I mentioned this, and that I didn't want smoke out of the exhaust, to Jeff before he started. Jeff upgraded my car to Stage 2 Rocket Chip. It was all done by computer via the ECU port.

I've put 400 miles on the car since the upgrade. Running it with and without the a/c. The first thing I noticed was that the a/c no longer bogs down the engine. There's absolutely no noticeable power drain with the a/c on since the upgrade. Speed off the line is still slow. There's no improvement there. I'm not able to burn out like I've seen in some of those Youtube videos with smoke pouring out the exhaust, thank god.

Second gear shows more noticeable improvement in power/speed in the upper rpms (greater than 2000ish). Though there's still a one second delay after pressing the pedal down. I think the turbo does spool sooner than before though.

Third and fourth gears are the sh**. These gears really get the car up to speed. Soccer Mom's got nothing on me now. There is a distinctive improvement in speed in the higher rpms in 3rd and 4th gears. I find that I wind them out more than previously, probably because there's more power in the higher rpms. There's also a noticeable improvement in 5th gear.

I wasn't sure what to expect with the upgrade. I was hoping that the car would be quicker off the line. That might be stage III or IV tuning, or it might mean different gearing, not sure. Overall, I'm very pleased with the additional speed. This is by far the best $ I've spent on the car. Thanks Jeff.

I'll post mpgs once I get through a tank.

Last edited:

LNXGUY

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Jan 10, 2004
Location
Barrie, Ont, Canada
TDI
'05 Jetta TDI Wagon

Jun 3, 2013

  • #2

Imagine if you installed nozzles before the tune, you'd REALLY be happy Rocket Chip Review - MK4 - non-technical (2)

cevans

TDIClub Enthusiast, TDI Parts Ninja Vendor , w/Bus
Joined
Sep 24, 2002
Location
Hingham, MA
TDI
2015 Beetle Conv. TDI 6-Speed & 2006 E320 CDI

Jun 4, 2013

  • #3

I find the fact that you did a in-depth review of this really...well, funny. The car is over 10 years old and Jeff@Rocketchip has been doing great ALH tunes for over a decade as well. It is like publishing a review of a cassette-tape walkman, no one reviews stuff that isn't new.

Thank you for sharing your experience regardless. Jeff's ALH tunes really cannot be beat.

Joe TDI

Veteran Member
Joined
Aug 1, 2007
Location
Neversink, NY
TDI
03, 00, 04 MK4 sedans.... 02 MK4 Wagon

Jun 5, 2013

  • #4

Ha, for the record, a soccer mom in a V6 Odyssey will absolutely smoke you if she decided to put the pedal to the floor... LMAO

L

LMJ

Veteran Member
Joined
Feb 22, 2010
Location
Virginia
TDI
2000 VW Golf

Jun 5, 2013

  • #5

cevans said:

I find the fact that you did a in-depth review of this really...well, funny. The car is over 10 years old and Jeff@Rocketchip has been doing great ALH tunes for over a decade as well. It is like publishing a review of a cassette-tape walkman, no one reviews stuff that isn't new.

Thank you for sharing your experience regardless. Jeff's ALH tunes really cannot be beat.

If you think this is an in depth review, you are sadly mistaken. Who cares how old the car is or how long Jeff has been doing tunes. My post is meant to give new owners of TDIs some insight into what they can expect from stage II rocket chip tune from a real world perspective. There are plenty of people just getting into TDIs and looking to get more power. They may find this useful. If you don't, then move along son.

L

LMJ

Veteran Member
Joined
Feb 22, 2010
Location
Virginia
TDI
2000 VW Golf

Jun 5, 2013

  • #6

Joe TDI said:

Ha, for the record, a soccer mom in a V6 Odyssey will absolutely smoke you if she decided to put the pedal to the floor... LMAO

forgive me, I mistakenly assumed that everyone could identify sarcasm when they read it. I'll try to keep it simple for you next time pal.

FlyTDI Guy

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Nov 3, 2001
Location
PNW
TDI
'01 Jetta GLS

Jun 5, 2013

  • #7

Seems strange that you wouldn't be experiencing improvement in all departments, across the board. Your statement that there is a one second delay before the turbo kicks in raises a flag. Not normal even for a stock car. It certainly suggests that you may have some underlying issues to deal with before you can enjoy your new tune 100%.

Joe TDI

Veteran Member
Joined
Aug 1, 2007
Location
Neversink, NY
TDI
03, 00, 04 MK4 sedans.... 02 MK4 Wagon

Jun 5, 2013

  • #8

LMJ said:

Soccer Mom's got nothing on me now.

No back peddling, you were dead serious about that statement... LMAO... Lighten up PAL Rocket Chip Review - MK4 - non-technical (7)Rocket Chip Review - MK4 - non-technical (8)

T

terrantheman

Member
Joined
Mar 23, 2013
Location
McHenry, IL
TDI
1999.5 Jetta

Jun 6, 2013

  • #9

I'm putting in my stage 3 rocketchip tune this weekend. I am new to TDI's and I am actually pretty excited. Jeff's tune came highly recommended and I'm stolked and getting more addicted to diesel by the minute.

I

IndigoBlueWagon

TDIClub Enthusiast, Principal IDParts, Vendor , w/
Joined
Aug 16, 2004
Location
South of Boston
TDI
'97 Passat, '99.5 Golf, '02 Jetta Wagon, '15 GSW

Jun 6, 2013

  • #10

On a non-sarcastic note, RC2 should improve torque right from tip-in. It always has on my cars (three in the driveway right now with RC2). If your car isn't stronger just off idle I suspect something's up with your vane actuator or vacuum system. Or your intake isn't as clean as it should be.

L

LMJ

Veteran Member
Joined
Feb 22, 2010
Location
Virginia
TDI
2000 VW Golf

Jun 6, 2013

  • #11

IndigoBlueWagon said:

On a non-sarcastic note, RC2 should improve torque right from tip-in. It always has on my cars (three in the driveway right now with RC2). If your car isn't stronger just off idle I suspect something's up with your vane actuator or vacuum system. Or your intake isn't as clean as it should be.

Thanks FlyTDIguy and IBW, I'll look into it. If you can recommend any "How To" that would be a big help to me as I've got little mechanical experience. I can certainly change the vacuum lines and clean the intake. How does one check the vane actuator.

scubagli

Veteran Member
Joined
May 7, 2009
Location
leeds ny
TDI
1986 audi 4000Q ALH SWAP in progress...

Jun 6, 2013

  • #12

Search is your friend it's all in here.

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