GIAC stage 2 V2, TCU tune review.

[raudiace4]

Jones already posted a more concrete review backed by track numbers, so this is more of a "how it feels" review.

I got stage 2 about two months ago, got the update and TCU tune installed on Friday. Prior to the TCU tune and V2, my car was putting down 337whp on 93. This still felt bat shit fast to me, compared to the new update though HOLY SHIT.

The V2 feels like you're running 100 octane. Austin wasn't kidding. I can feel the improvement from 30-75 and off the line just feels like I'm using LC just half throttle! In normal driving the TCU tune is so much smoother. There is no longer that harsh 1-2 shift under WOT that I had with just the Stage 2 V1 tune. I love the drivability of the car and how its a complete rocket ship, I have to feather the throttle off the line bc even half throttle the car wants to LUNGE forward and eat anything in front of it, ITS INCREDIBLE.

I'll re-dyno the car in the coming weeks to see just how much more power she's putting down. Expecting 380+wheel on 93, and that was a low estimate.

Anyone on the fence about the TCU tune, don't wait like I did. The difference is night and day. It's how the car should have been sold stock from Audi. Bravo GIAC, bravo!

[saxon]

Thanks for the review, are you using the same dyno as last time?

[raudiace4]

Thanks for the review, are you using the same dyno as last time?

Yes same dyno. The next dyno day will have a couple other S4s with stage 1 tunes, stage 2 6mt and stock dsg cars also. It'll be nice to see the differences. I'll post results.

[itzjonjon69]

"I love the drivability of the car and how its a complete rocket ship, I have to feather the throttle off the line bc even half throttle the car wants to LUNGE forward and eat anything in front of it, ITS INCREDIBLE." this is because the car is still adapting and it'll smooth out as you keep driving. If you think it's fast put in race gas and get ready to be mind fucked.

[Jones2012s4]

I can't wait to have my carbon clean done and my port separators removed!

I will report back, car is going to be a missle!

Congrats on the update!

[OmahaB8]

Just got my Stage 2 kit from AWE, getting it installed next week. Do you have to specifically request 93 or 91 for the software update?

[Jones2012s4]

Just got my Stage 2 kit from AWE, getting it installed next week. Do you have to specifically request 93 or 91 for the software update?

Yes, you need to tell them whether you want the 91 or 93 in the pump slot.

[raudiace4]

Just got my Stage 2 kit from AWE, getting it installed next week. Do you have to specifically request 93 or 91 for the software update?

GIAC will send you the appropriate file for whats available in your part of the country.

[raudiace4]

I can't wait to have my carbon clean done and my port separators removed!

I will report back, car is going to be a missle!

Congrats on the update!

Thanks! Now all I need is cold front!

[saxon]

I can't wait to have my carbon clean done and my port separators removed!

I will report back, car is going to be a missle!

Congrats on the update!

That's the first I've heard of removing the separators, anyone else done this yet or are you just speculating

[svander]

Nice! Sounds like some good performance.

[raudiace4]

Nice! Sounds like some good performance.

Thanks! Car feels better than ever.

[MrFunk]

Can't wait to get mine updated!

[AzWildCat04]

Grrrr I need the update to come out for the 2014's. I want to play!

[ride1157]

Grrrr I need the update to come out for the 2014's. I want to play!

Is there not an update (V2 or whatever) or the 2014? I just took back my APR tune during the 30 day trial due to some weird ecu code saying fuel pressure regulator etc.... I am planning on getting the GIAC stage 2. My car is a 14.

[AzWildCat04]

Is there not an update (V2 or whatever) or the 2014? I just took back my APR tune during the 30 day trial due to some weird ecu code saying fuel pressure regulator etc.... I am planning on getting the GIAC stage 2. My car is a 14.

Yeah it coming out soon? I went in last week for the DSG tune and they said it should be done in about a week or so. I need to follow up.

Either way stage 2 is fun, but I want more!

[SwankPeRFection]

Is there not an update (V2 or whatever) or the 2014? I just took back my APR tune during the 30 day trial due to some weird ecu code saying fuel pressure regulator etc.... I am planning on getting the GIAC stage 2. My car is a 14.

I need you to please report if you have similar issues at all from the GIAC tune. If not, I think we'll have some easy proof that APR's got some dev issues with their tunes. The first was the winter CEL on cold starts. This may be a second one.

[ride1157]

I need you to please report if you have similar issues at all from the GIAC tune. If not, I think we'll have some easy proof that APR's got some dev issues with their tunes. The first was the winter CEL on cold starts. This may be a second one.

Dude, i was really upset about it. People telling me it may be a filter etc.. The car is literally brand new had 11k on it when i got it tuned/pulley. So a buddy local (Mike H.) sent me a thread about someone (might be you) with this issue and APR 2+ on the 2014 model. It happend like a week after the install. But the CEL came on like 3 weeks later. In vag com it showed the fault happening about a week after the install but did not show a cel (this was stored). got tune on 4/11got first code (non cel, just stored) on 4/19. I need to find the thread again and post this pic.
http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn238/ride1157/photo-8_zpsd14e85b6.jpg (http://s305.photobucket.com/user/ride1157/media/photo-8_zpsd14e85b6.jpg.html)

[raudiace4]

Dude, i was really upset about it. People telling me it may be a filter etc.. The car is literally brand new had 11k on it when i got it tuned/pulley. So a buddy local (Mike H.) sent me a thread about someone (might be you) with this issue and APR 2+ on the 2014 model. It happend like a week after the install. But the CEL came on like 3 weeks later. In vag com it showed the fault happening about a week after the install but did not show a cel (this was stored). got tune on 4/11got first code (non cel, just stored) on 4/19. I need to find the thread again and post this pic.
http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn238/ride1157/photo-8_zpsd14e85b6.jpg (http://s305.photobucket.com/user/ride1157/media/photo-8_zpsd14e85b6.jpg.html)

WOW. I would not deal with that bullshit.
There is a guy with a APR stage 3 Golf R who comes to Komet, his turbos blew in 7 months. APR admitted it was something wrong in their kit, and told the guy to go ahead and send the turbo back. They guy has it removed and submits the labor for all this and APR simply refused to pay for it. He ended up ditching APR and went back to stock.

[F40LM]

WOW. I would not deal with that bullshit.
There is a guy with a APR stage 3 Golf R who comes to Komet, his turbos blew in 7 months. APR admitted it was something wrong in their kit, and told the guy to go ahead and send the turbo back. They guy has it removed and submits the labor for all this and APR simply refused to pay for it. He ended up ditching APR and went back to stock.

Wow thats brutal. Thanks for the review. Sounds sick! [evilsmile] c63 amg killer.

[Austin@GIAC]

Jones already posted a more concrete review backed by track numbers, so this is more of a "how it feels" review.

I got stage 2 about two months ago, got the update and TCU tune installed on Friday. Prior to the TCU tune and V2, my car was putting down 337whp on 93. This still felt bat shit fast to me, compared to the new update though HOLY SHIT.

The V2 feels like you're running 100 octane. Austin wasn't kidding. I can feel the improvement from 30-75 and off the line just feels like I'm using LC just half throttle! In normal driving the TCU tune is so much smoother. There is no longer that harsh 1-2 shift under WOT that I had with just the Stage 2 V1 tune. I love the drivability of the car and how its a complete rocket ship, I have to feather the throttle off the line bc even half throttle the car wants to LUNGE forward and eat anything in front of it, ITS INCREDIBLE.

I'll re-dyno the car in the coming weeks to see just how much more power she's putting down. Expecting 380+wheel on 93, and that was a low estimate.

Anyone on the fence about the TCU tune, don't wait like I did. The difference is night and day. It's how the car should have been sold stock from Audi. Bravo GIAC, bravo!

Glad to see you're even happier than before. Enjoy it sir! [;)]

[Austin@GIAC]

"I love the drivability of the car and how its a complete rocket ship, I have to feather the throttle off the line bc even half throttle the car wants to LUNGE forward and eat anything in front of it, ITS INCREDIBLE." this is because the car is still adapting and it'll smooth out as you keep driving. If you think it's fast put in race gas and get ready to be mind f*cked.

Muahahahahahaha [evilsmile]

[ride1157]

Austin, is it accurate that there is a new tune coming out for the B8.5? Is the tune today different for the b8 vs the b8.5? Is it V2 right now for the B8.5? I am about to go get my car tuned in the next week or two.

[Austin@GIAC]

Is there not an update (V2 or whatever) or the 2014? I just took back my APR tune during the 30 day trial due to some weird ecu code saying fuel pressure regulator etc.... I am planning on getting the GIAC stage 2. My car is a 14.

I have one area of the powerband that I am not happy with quite yet on the 2014 models. I simply haven't had time to get a car back in due to being out of the office sporadically on some personal items. The software won't be released until it is 100% to my standards and on par with the V2s that we've already released. But, it will definitely be completed very soon. I promise you, it is worth the wait.

[ride1157]

I have one area of the powerband that I am not happy with quite yet on the 2014 models. I simply haven't had time to get a car back in due to being out of the office sporadically on some personal items. The software won't be released until it is 100% to my standards and on par with the V2s that we've already released. But, it will definitely be completed very soon. I promise you, it is worth the wait.

Sweet! I will wait. Please be sure to update us on here RIGHT when it is ready!! i can't wait haha! And PLEASE don't let that stupid Fuel pressure error pop up like your competition haha!

[Austin@GIAC]

Sweet! I will wait. Please be sure to update us on here RIGHT when it is ready!! i can't wait haha! And PLEASE don't let that stupid Fuel pressure error pop up like your competition haha!

You won't have to worry about that.

Just so everyone is clear:

2010-2012 V2: Available now (reqs DSG software upgrade)
2013 V2: Available now
2014 V2: Final Development, not yet available

[d.p]

You won't have to worry about that.

Just so everyone is clear:

2010-2012 V2: Available now (reqs DSG software upgrade)
2013 V2: Available now
2014 V2: Final Development, not yet available

Any eta on 2014 V2? I only ask because I have already paid to get flashed and am wondering if I should just wait for the V2 release to actually do it.

[AzWildCat04]

You won't have to worry about that.

Just so everyone is clear:

2010-2012 V2: Available now (reqs DSG software upgrade)
2013 V2: Available now
2014 V2: Final Development, not yet available

Cant wait! Extremely happy with the "generic" stage 2.

I'll get an even bigger kick of cursing PCH on the weekends, people are just so shocked to see a little A4 pulling on them, the look on their faces is truly priceless.

[dp04A4]

You won't have to worry about that.

Just so everyone is clear:

2010-2012 V2: Available now (reqs DSG software upgrade)
2013 V2: Available now
2014 V2: Final Development, not yet available

Austin,

I got the Stage II GIAC engine & DSG flash a few months back this year for my 2013 B8.5 S4. Question: do I have V2?

[mact3333]

I went to GIAC's website and there are no prices listed....so what is cost of pulley and stage II software installed?...I heard APR stage 2 and pulley is around 3000.00....comparable?

Is there anything else that is required if I am stock except an exhaust???

[boseephuss]

They recommend an upgraded intake as well. I keep trying to nail down a price, but haven't been able to. Also, if you are 2010-12, they force the DSG flash as well. Unfortunately at that level, it will likely run close to $3M as well. Any comments Austin?

[scrofas5]

You won't have to worry about that.

Just so everyone is clear:

2010-2012 V2: Available now (reqs DSG software upgrade)
2013 V2: Available now
2014 V2: Final Development, not yet available

austin i got the st.2 on my 2013 s5 as soon as it was available and i got the tcu tune as soon as it was available. i think first in canada at pfaff. do i have v2 software?

[FiftyFive]

Stupid warranty

[raudiace4]

If you are going to do a stage 2 tune, I highly recommend doing the DSG tune as well. Get the most out of your tune.

[Austin@GIAC]

austin i got the st.2 on my 2013 s5 as soon as it was available and i got the tcu tune as soon as it was available. i think first in canada at pfaff. do i have v2 software?

I would need to look through the flashing logs in your dealers computer to verify which file was installed.

[Gotchaa]

I have one area of the powerband that I am not happy with quite yet on the 2014 models. I simply haven't had time to get a car back in due to being out of the office sporadically on some personal items. The software won't be released until it is 100% to my standards and on par with the V2s that we've already released. But, it will definitely be completed very soon. I promise you, it is worth the wait.

I will be sure to test it for everyone :)

[ride1157]

Austin, i'm anxiously awaiting this file haha!! Update us, it's too damn hard to wait hahaha! Hope it's going well. I finally got my roc euro intake and NEED this tune :)

[LeadToRome]

Somebody just throw a round dollar amount at me for the whole GIAC deal (St.2 + TCU) please. Am I reading $6 grand here?

[raudiace4]

Somebody just throw a round dollar amount at me for the whole GIAC deal (St.2 + TCU) please. Am I reading $6 grand here?

LOL. No. $2100 for stage 2 + pulley install with labor, and $700 for the TCU tune.
$2800 OTD.

[LeadToRome]

LOL. No. $2100 for stage 2 + pulley install with labor, and $700 for the TCU tune.
$2800 OTD.

Well that's better! About what I was thinking. Thanks.

[05blacks4]

Common 2014 V2!!!

[d.p]

Common 2014 V2!!!

Not sure what they can improve on the already existing tune? Its smooth and fast throughout the power band.

[05blacks4]

They said more power so I want it

[raudiace4]

not sure what they can improve on the already existing tune? Its smooth and fast throughout the power band.

more. Power.

[blackjak]

LOL. No. $2100 for stage 2 + pulley install with labor, and $700 for the TCU tune.
$2800 OTD.

What is this TCU tune everyone is referring to? I am GIAC Stage 2+ at the moment. I am unaware of the TCU tune, can someone enlighten an ignorant soul?

[raudiace4]

What is this TCU tune everyone is referring to? I am GIAC Stage 2+ at the moment. I am unaware of the TCU tune, can someone enlighten an ignorant soul?

Its the DSG tune, TCU = transmission control unit. Worth doing if you have DSG and stage 2.