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View Full Version : driving impressions of my B8.5 with stage 2 from Solo Motorsports



bspeed-atl
02-12-2015, 06:08 PM
I have spent the last almost 5 years driving 3 series, first a 335 and then followed by two e90 M3's. When it cam time to for a change, I needed just that - a change. I opted to move into a B8.5 S4. I loved the interior and the styling... the power was adequate but after a few weeks I found it really leaving me wanting more. I started to wake it up a little with an Injen intake..sound changed but gains were hardly noticeable via the butt dyno. I started to research APR and GIACC tunes but found the boys over at Solomotorsports were working on their own tune... They had done work on my e36 track car and I've had nothing but good experience with them. I went over to the shop to talk with Josh and learned of his in depth experience so I pulled the trigger on ordering the stage 2 tune. I picked up an AWE track exhaust to ensure that optimum breathing was in place before the tuning activity.

The baseline runs on the heartbreak mustang dyno resulted in 312whp/312wtq.. not bad. The beast I picked up after the pulley and Solo tune yielded 396whp/367wtq. The car is just as driver friendly as stock with a whole lot more get up and go. The power delivery is linear and throttle response has considerable improved. I've been driving it now for 3 weeks and I still finding myself gunning it in 3rd and being amazed at the power the lil 3 oh 6 is putting to the ground. I've run the car through it's paces and it's delivering nothing but smiles throughout the whole power band. I can confidently that Solo woke my s4 up from its slumber and eliminated the wanting I had for my e90... although I do miss the on demand oversteer that my right foot could induce :-)

Solo ftw!


http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk282/bschonk/2015-01-26%2013.26.32_zpsts4ry18o.jpg (http://s283.photobucket.com/user/bschonk/media/2015-01-26%2013.26.32_zpsts4ry18o.jpg.html)

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk282/bschonk/20150212_200812_zpszsm1tcbu.jpg (http://s283.photobucket.com/user/bschonk/media/20150212_200812_zpszsm1tcbu.jpg.html)

tanklee
02-12-2015, 06:13 PM
what year 8.5? and is it dsg?

S is for Slow
02-12-2015, 06:15 PM
Glad the S4 is making you smile. It's an amazing piece of engineering.

bspeed-atl
02-12-2015, 06:19 PM
what year 8.5? and is it dsg?

2013 6 spd

moyenecorniche
02-12-2015, 06:20 PM
See what JHM has to offer for differential to increase the rear bias you seek !!

teylix
02-12-2015, 06:26 PM
sounds good. too bad atlanta is a long drive away :P

stereojorge
02-12-2015, 07:46 PM
This is fantastic news! My friend has a buddy there at Solo and we discussed caravanning up from Tampa, FL to get Stage II on my S4 and his wife's new S5, so this makes me feel much more excited to definitely do it. But not till after I get downpipes and full 3" exhaust to also take advantage of all power gain potentials :)


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Southern
02-12-2015, 08:39 PM
OP, any plans to take it to the track for a run?

I just got the stage II tune at Solo Motorsports on Wednesday. I got the ECU flashed last Thursday and the pulley installed on Wednesday.

I'd second the OP's motion. Stage I was plenty, with the gains already posted in the official Solo Motorsports thread, but the pulley just really put it over the top. On the first test drive with Josh who's run point on the tuning at the shop, we ran the car to redline in 2nd gear and 3rd gear on a straight away and this thing just screams. Power is immediate and smooth, with no glitches.

Feels like I'm driving a new car, and I'm back to looking for excuses to hop on the road again...similar to when I first purchased the car over a year ago.

If anyone is within driving distance to Atlanta, it's certainly worth a trip down...at least until Solo can get this out nationally to some dealers/installers.

Now the mod bug is really about to hit...coils, sway bars, alu kreutz and some light weight wheels (probably the new VMR V803s) are up next.

joewhy2k
02-12-2015, 11:53 PM
Off topic but what wheels are those OP?

joewhy2k
02-12-2015, 11:59 PM
Gf6? By chance do you know the weight for those also? Really considering them since the BC Forged hb29 are something I'm saving for.

AndrewCote
02-13-2015, 01:49 AM
I cant wait to pull the trigger on this tune as soon as i move back to Atlanta in may! You get any info on the twincharge kit while you were there?

S4M3
02-13-2015, 12:29 PM
Bruce take it to the track it will be fun :)

bspeed-atl
02-14-2015, 04:58 AM
OP, any plans to take it to the track for a run?

I just got the stage II tune at Solo Motorsports on Wednesday. I got the ECU flashed last Thursday and the pulley installed on Wednesday.

I'd second the OP's motion. Stage I was plenty, with the gains already posted in the official Solo Motorsports thread, but the pulley just really put it over the top. On the first test drive with Josh who's run point on the tuning at the shop, we ran the car to redline in 2nd gear and 3rd gear on a straight away and this thing just screams. Power is immediate and smooth, with no glitches.

Feels like I'm driving a new car, and I'm back to looking for excuses to hop on the road again...similar to when I first purchased the car over a year ago.

If anyone is within driving distance to Atlanta, it's certainly worth a trip down...at least until Solo can get this out nationally to some dealers/installers.

Now the mod bug is really about to hit...coils, sway bars, alu kreutz and some light weight wheels (probably the new VMR V803s) are up next.


Southern - I'm not sure I'll track her as i have a dedicated track car ... I'll be going to AMP on Monday.. hit me up if you want to go as my guest and track your S4

bspeed-atl
02-14-2015, 05:02 AM
Gf6? By chance do you know the weight for those also? Really considering them since the BC Forged hb29 are something I'm saving for.

Yes, they are GF6's.... I don't recall the exact weight but they were almost 2lbs lighter than the OEM Peelers... 21ish guestimate

joewhy2k
02-14-2015, 04:45 PM
Yes, they are GF6's.... I don't recall the exact weight but they were almost 2lbs lighter than the OEM Peelers... 21ish guestimate

Got a weight from GroundForce and they said 26-28lbs depending on offset. I believe stock peelers are 30lbs but don't mark my words. Car looks amazing. Really loving the GF6 on our cars. Guess I know what's next to order.