Is a IS38 Turbo Upgrade Worth the Money? VW GTI

Hey brother I love the channel I’ve been subscribed with you for a little bit I watched all your videos anyway I have a 2017 Volkswagen Passat Arlyne with a 1.8 L turbo I have a turbo charger actuator wastegate problem and it keeps throwing my EPC light error code I did find it on eBay for like $110 do you think I should change the entire turbo charger or just do the wastegate actuator I would love to do an iOS 38 swap but it doesn’t fit my car any ideas thanks brother appreciate it!

Can you daily a 1.8 is38? Is it reliable ? Just a general question

Great video, gonna snag an EQT Vortex but I'm still not sure if I wanna go with the is38 or the is20 version, I really wish we had a VGT option for these cars, VGT + Ceramic ball bearings when combined with the twin scroll would be fucking insaaaane😂

How hard is it to pass smog with the IS38 and the stage 2+ upgrade, I'm currently using the IS20 but am on stage 2 software and I have to go back to stock everytime I do the smog, once you upgrade to the bigger turbo, do you have to do the same or how do you pass smog?
(honest question, thinking of upgrading, but this is what is stopping me)
Great Videos, Love you channel especially all the GTI project stuff.

what is the stock turbo used in the 2018 vw gti.. mine just failed and vw are going to put in an aftermarket warranty turbo.. anyone know? and is the IS38 a big upgrade on what they're gonna put in

Will an IS38 work inan Atlas 2.0 ? Is there a kit ?

You're also getting more wheel hop if using the stock LCAs. The RS3 solid rubber bushings from Black Forest Industries will mitigate quite a bit of wheel hop. If you haven't yet, I encourage you to add those to your arsenal as well👍

I dont like the crackler sound when you le rpm drop with the unitronic exhaust but sound godd ass fuck when you push it

i have an is38 on my 7th gen and its truly not that big of a difference your get full boost around 3800-4000 rpm and i think that's perfect and the power deference is big with a tune

just went is38 with the APR catted downpipe and APR tune along with it. The thing boogies pretty hard. And at normal highway speeds its not that loud, pretty much sounds stock until you get on it. Stock exhaust btw. Love the vids!!!

Just got my stage 2 clutch and downpipe on my 2018 Mk7.5 gti. I can't wait to do an IS38. Probably gonna do that and figure out intercooler upgrade next year at the same time. I don't get why more people don't drive a manual though. There is nothing fun about an automatic to me.

I have IS38 EQT tune from a Stage 2 IS20 tune. I live in NY, and I honestly miss the stage 2 it felt more responsive and powerful because in NYC it's alot of stop and go, in and out of traffic where the low end power was very useful and way more fun. Once I got my IS38 it was slower at the low end for sure, I have to hit it above 3500rpm to start feeling power. And I can be in and out of traffic like I use to, not crazy like the kids. But if I'm going 60mph and I need to pass someone I can press the gas and it will pull immediately. Now with IS38 at 60mph I press the gas and it's slow, it actually more gradual. Once it gets to the 4k then it's responsive. For me to feel like the IS20 responsiveness at 3k I need to have the IS38 at 4k. If that makes sense. Now for the IS38 positive, it pulls like a freight train after 4k definitely stronger pull then IS20. I get less wheel spin maybe cause of custom EQT tune and being DSG I'm on stock VW tires also 7k miles on them so pretty new. For me to have fun on IS38 I go out at night when no one is around and i hit it to feel that power. I had to do my Logs and send them to EQT and the words "Holy Fuck!!" Came out of my mouth when I did a 3rd gear pull on the IS38. Once it pulls it doesn't let go unlike the IS20 I feel it pulling at 3k and 4500 it would start to relax but IS38 had me back of my seat the whole time. But if you look at videos online people with custom IS20 and E85 file are pulling faster and harder then IS38 so it's on the tune. I don't have E by me so I want more power with regular pump gas and I wanted a more gradual feel then torque low end. Another thing the BAD about EQT is, it's very difficult for them to get to you if you run into issues everything takes a week or more for them to respond. I've had issues and it wasn't fun waiting 9 days to finally get a response. Also you need to constantly send them logs until they are done tuning your car which means you need to find a place to drive your car in 3rd gear from 2500rpm to 7000rpm. In NY it's hard to find an area to do that. I have to do my Logs at midnight or 1am when no cars on the road on a weekend to avoid weekend cops and drunk drivers. So if you plan a custom tune have an area where you can drive and my car goes to 120mph in a Pull and we are still tuning for more. It's caring to be at that HP and you still have to keep pushing until you reach 7k to Log it. Anyway that's my long response, with what I know now, I probably would of gone IS20 with a Custome Tune, more fun on the low end so I would enjoy the power daily driving and custom tunes let's you hold power longer like IS38. I love the IS38 power but don't like that I need to really hit it to feel the power, can't feel it daily driving. What I do is downshift and drive my car on 3rd gear with the RPM around 4k on the highway to more responsive as I drive thru NY traffic.

So I am pulling the trigger on the APR Stage 3 IS38 in a month or so. A 2019 GLI 35th DSG with 45,000 miles on it is the victim. I love my car stock. Recently I put some bolt-ons on the car and now I want more. Funny enough I think two of the mods may be irrelevant now with the IS38 since they are on the turbo but I could be wrong(inlet pipe and muffler delete). The IS20 is a wonderful turbo and compared to previous generations the Gen 3 was a huge leap forward. Mostly thanks to the IS20 and new turbo manifold set-up. Pros and cons to that obviously but anywho four years on I am starting to get board with my car and rather than buy another I want to upgrade. You addressed all concerns in this video. I expected more lag but I love how you reason with it. I drive my GLI on the freeway mostly so the IS38 makes complete sense. I can't wait. Next year I'll do the intercooler and charge pipes.

If you’re gonna have stage 2 and that’s it keep the is20 high boost in low rpm

2 step will solve your red light take off problems

For the GLI? With the IS38, what all-season tires to replace the OEM useless Kinergy GT? No season tires...?

I'm in Phoenix as well with a 2016 GTI with DSG. I'm currently Unitronic stage 2 with intercooler and downpipe. So the upgrade from Uni stage 2 to stage 2+ with the is38 and 91 octane on both tunes was a noticeable difference? I made 280/305 on stage 2 and 107 mph trap speeds. I'm looking for 320 wheel and 110-112 mph traps while still being on 91. And I'm moving up to northern AZ this summer.

Great video. Which motor mounts were you referring to exactly ? (To prevent wheel hop and improve launch). Thanks

I had a stock IS38 turbo in my S3. Then a CTS IS38 turbo both with a stage 2 tune. Both turbos failed sent oil everywhere. Now I'm running the Garrett GT2260S turbo with a stage 3 tune.

Something to consider: the tune makes a huge difference in how the Is38 delivers its power. The timing and boost curves, as well as the octane of the fuel.

It is not a lazy Turbo by any stretch of the imagination, especially when properly tuned.

On stock fuel system, 360–375WHP is the norm.

With an HPFP upgrade and a proper retune on E30-E85, 400 wheel horsepower and another 20 pound feet of torque is what you can expect.

Anything beyond this level requires a significant financial investment to the fuel system, and the risk of reliability issues from the fueling.

This is what keeps a lot of people from jumping up to the hybrids.

This makes me want to get a hybrid is20, I like the fast spool of the is20 in my stock gli but I want more boost lol

I have been looking everywhere and I am hoping someone here can answer my question. What year did they switch from the is20 to the is38 in the Golf GTIs. I literally cant find it on the internet anywhere. They legit make it almost impossible to find.

can i just upgrade turbo is20 to is38 with tune only on my stock gti?

Sounds like the main driving habit difference is just run higher RPM before tipping into the throttle and expecting shove.

Nice ride.. My next step from apr 2....

Ik it’s for a 2.0 but wondering if it’s possible to put this in a 1.4 2020 vw golf…..

Do you prefer mustang gt or Gti?

My is20 wastegate flap is siezed and shit the bed. Decided to get an IHI is38 and go stage 2+. Can't wait to feel the difference.

Dont buy and IS38, theyre unreliable and prone to break. Buy a Garret Powermax "stage 1" turbo. It spools the same as a IS38 but makes more power and isnt unreliable

I have a Audi A3 I love it but want to upgrade the turbo

my stock turbo blew so i got a is38 as a replacement. Cant wait for the install to be done.

can you hook me up with a IS38 (v2) for a audi s3 8v

No way your in Gilbert?! Friends with any of the guys at tuning gruppe???

Subbed just for living in gilbert lol. Live in Mesa now..

I enjoyed watching and hearing your opinion on the IS38. I’m still learning about these I’ll say “bigger mods” so what supporting mods are needed if I’m going from the IS12in a Golf to the 38? I already have a CAI and 3” catback exhaust, along with upgraded spark plugs and coil packs. Currently running a stage 1 tune, and I like it, but always thinking and planning for the future.

Thanks for this video series, it's really helped me a lot with my car not knowing much about it. The turbo on my 2015 failed (siezed wastegate) after 176k kilometers. I'm researching on whether it's worth the upgrade to a 38 since it needs to be replaced anyway, mainly city driving but a bit of time on the highway as well every month. Would I be able to drop in a 38 with the stage 1 tuning from your earlier video without the other mods? Can I slowly build up the rest of the mods after that as savings allow or are any of the other mods in the video series an absolute necessity right away to protect the engine? Thanks for the informative videos man, been following along every step of the way.

Dude that’s awesome you’re in Gilbert. I live in Gilbert and own a 2018 mk7.5, it’s a great town. If you ever need an AMG for the channel, I work at the Mercedes-Benz dealership 👍

litco 480L is a is38 hybrid and imo is a better investment. Amazing boost ramp and power. Can clap hellcats and 800whp camaros at 425whp and 450 with e85.

I think its worth it , if you keeping the car . I did all FBO , except is38 because im changing platforms , but my stage 2 still gives me giggles every time i drive. So ik is38 is definitely worth it.

Enjoy your vids...building my GTI after you test and report mods....Thanks Man!

Nahhh hybrid is better

Tune it for anti lag with supporting mods.

You are 6 years late

You can get the is38 bolt on on euro mods for 700 bucks

This turbo or the garret?

sup man, I bought a speed 3 from watching your vids back when you had 3k subs and am getting ready to sell mine to get a mk7 gti partly because of you as well! keep up the grind man, congrats on the progress you've made!

Since I drive mostly in the city the is20 quicker spool makes sense to me

I'd rather buy more Bitcoin.

the is38 would be perfect for me if i had the money, this broke high schooler can’t afford anything😂