APR Stage 1 meh...

[grrrrrrr]

So i just had APR stage 1 flashed. Is it just me or seems like there's no difference from stock [rolleyes]. planning on stage 2 in a few months.

[Loe]

it'll take awhile to adapt if you just flashed, but yeah, stage 1 doesn't add too much down low (especially with a 91 octane file) until past 5,500rpm.

[whiped]

You should be able to feel the difference especially at higher RPMs. (Do a launch?)

Regardless, I approve of stage II. Sticking with APR?

[Silverbullet S4]

it'll take awhile to adapt if you just flashed, but yeah, stage 1 doesn't add too much down low (especially with a 91 octane file) until past 5,500rpm.

According to APR, there is no adaptation period. Either way, go Stage II or bust....

[grrrrrrr]

I should have waited and went to stage 2 directly. I'll give it until Monday but I'm thinking of returning to the shop and ask for a refund since APR offers 30 days money back. Also they are asking $375 for labor for pulley install is that fair enough?

[grrrrrrr]

You should be able to feel the difference especially at higher RPMs. (Do a launch?)

Regardless, I approve of stage II. Sticking with APR?

I actually prefer GIAC but the nearest reputable shop near me only offers APR.

[Silverbullet S4]

Also they are asking $375 for labor for pulley install is that fair enough?

Pulley install is a PITA. Price sounds about right.

[cjw]

I actually though the jump from stock to Stage I was better than Stage 1 to Stage 2. Don't most dyno's somewhat agree? APR's does.

[Thurston]

yeah stage 2 will be significantly more torquey down low as you know i'm sure. The whole adaptation thing is definitely real but happens quickly, stg 1 really was only noticeable for me above 5k rpm.. I am very glad I went ahead and went with the basic stage 2 set up, it probably won't knock your socks off but it is a solid solid improvement.

[bhvrdr]

If the APR dealer could datalog for you that would help a lot. I wouldnt be surpirsed if the junk 91 octane is showing a bunch of knock activity. Throw some e85 in there (up to 30%) before you return it to see if it becomes a different animal. Honestly if I had to live where there was 91 octane I think i'd buy a 55 drum of race fuel and have it in the garage at all times.

Mike

[colby7]

90% of the flash's impact is immediate. Only 10% will be felt via adaption later.

[grrrrrrr]

I think for the cost of stage 1 is a bit high for the perfomance i get imo. or maybe i was just expecting too much.

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[bhvrdr]

If you were getting the full stage 1 performance you could get from full boost and from 93 octane I think you'd likely be blown away by the change but I'm guessing for whatever reason you are not making that power (my best guess was crap octane).

Mike

[grrrrrrr]

According to APR, there is no adaptation period. Either way, go Stage II or bust....
i just called back the shop and they said give it a few hundred miles to adapt. If nothing changes they will reflash.


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[Usa]

I didnt notice my S2 until the days after.. this is after leaving APR HQ in Opelika, AL and I was given similar guidance.

[grrrrrrr]

I didnt notice my S2 until the days after.. this is after leaving APR HQ in Opelika, AL and I was given similar guidance.
was there a difference after the adaption period?

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[Silverbullet S4]

Funny, they told me it's immediate with no adaptation. Then again I went straight stage II but shouldn't matter. Pretty sure they even posted in the forum somewhere there is no adaptation period but don't care enough to hunt for it.
Did they tell you full adaptation takes 31 days? ;)

[grrrrrrr]

Funny, they told me it's immediate with no adaptation. Then again I went straight stage II but shouldn't matter. Pretty sure they even posted in the forum somewhere there is no adaptation period but don't care enough to hunt for it.
Did they tell you full adaptation takes 31 days? ;)
hahaha. hopefully my s4 is not slow to adapt to changes.

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[NavM]

I've been running APR Stage 1 for 3 years on 93 and it feel great. For me, it took no more than a 20 mile drive back home to feel the difference after getting the tune. A little more torque and power down low and a whole lot up top past 5K. No experience with 91 octane. DSG tune was icing on the cake when it became available last year. To OP, if you are DSG, get the TCU tune. A bit too expensive for what it is, but worth it. Now that I am past warranty, I am going dual pulley with AWE H/E next week and maybe CW after that if there is still a need for more power, unless APR surprises us with a dedicated dual pulley tune. Keeping fingers crossed.

[Albertaoil]

Crazy, I did EPL stage one and it was a HUGE difference immediately, even my GF commented on it. I know your APR but I would think they are all very similar.

[cspcrx]

Looking at the synopsis numbers on APRs site 91 octane tune is not that dramatic of a change from stock except above 5k. 93 octane tune shows a letter improvement across the board. I would switch to the 93 tune and put some 93 in it.

[Sudz]

Stage 1 for me pulled more urgently to red line above say 5k rpm.
Stage 2 added more torque to the low to middle rpm range.
This was the 93 octane tune.

[MrFunk]

Give it time to adapt. For me this took almost a week (but I don't drive a ton).
After a while run the stock file.
You will notice the difference.

[Wreckm]

anyone around 91 that adds race fuel? ratio? and which tune

[grrrrrrr]

Give it time to adapt. For me this took almost a week (but I don't drive a ton).
After a while run the stock file.
You will notice the difference.
I will give it until monday if there's noimprovement they will reflash it. but not sure how it will help.


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[grrrrrrr]

Crazy, I did EPL stage one and it was a HUGE difference immediately, even my GF commented on it. I know your APR but I would think they are all very similar.
could be the 91 octane. [emoji43]

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[cspcrx]

anyone around 91 that adds race fuel? ratio? and which tune

Not race fuel but E85. I mix in 3-4 gal which gets me to almost 94 octane.

[Thurston]

I should have waited and went to stage 2 directly. I'll give it until Monday but I'm thinking of returning to the shop and ask for a refund since APR offers 30 days money back. Also they are asking $375 for labor for pulley install is that fair enough?

I just had mine done at a vw/audi only indy shop and got by for 215$ ! needless to say, they earned my future business (cold front install) w/ a price like that.

[MrFunk]

I will give it until monday if there's noimprovement they will reflash it. but not sure how it will help.


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This motor is different to turbo motors also. Stage 1 tune is not as dramatic on a SC motor. The biggest difference is noticed on the highway in higher RPM where boost does not bleed off. If you are looking for more seat of pants low end grunt then you gotta go stage 2.

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[Usa]

was there a difference after the adaption period?

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Noticeably, where at first I was skeptical for dropping 2K on a tune/pulley but noticed some higher bands being used... days after it was like a new car... and then you get used to it :)

My favorite is flashing back to stock for service and driving stock for a few days and then putting the tune back on, so much more boost

[jrivera]

I had a 93 Stage I for about 3 months. It is noticeable in the high rpm range.

Now that I'm Stage II and TCU tune, what a night and day difference. Others have said it and they are absolutely right. You can feel the difference from 0 all the way up.

[cjw]

I also notice warm weather, not even that hot, seems to affect the feelz. More noticeable in the mid range.

[Albertaoil]

could be the 91 octane. [emoji43]

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I run 94 octane, (petro Canada), they have been out of gas for over three weeks now though.

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[xpoweruk]

If I use my revo 1+ on the crappy fuel setting the difference is huge.

I'd get the 93 file at least as your car will be much happier then :)

[grrrrrrr]

If I use my revo 1+ on the crappy fuel setting the difference is huge.

I'd get the 93 file at least as your car will be much happier then :)

not sure where to find 93 in los angeles

[xpoweruk]

E85 with 91 is just as good if not better


Not race fuel but E85. I mix in 3-4 gal which gets me to almost 94 octane.

[onlyaudis]

epl stage 1 plus 4 gallons E85 + tranny tune and I couldn't be happier with mine. without the E85 octane boost to our weak 91, wasn't as forceful of acceleration. Have had a few car guy friends tell me my car pulls harder than anything they have ever driven. Thing about a good stage 1 set up is car actually feels smoother than stock for normal driving, and its easy to put it back to stock for warranty work. stage 2 not so much.

[cspcrx]

E85 with 91 is just as good if not better

I know mine sure likes the mix of 91 & E85 and I am stock, but I have to deal with stupid hot 110+ degree air temps.

[roadawg]

It's the fuel.

I think people get so hung up on other details, when fuel is the key. 91 is crap, I'd bet money the ECU is pulling a lot of boost/timing.

I would strongly recommend to address the fueling issue first before re-flashing. Any companies tune, stage 1/2 whatever will have the same problem. If you reflash, or switch tunes without better fuel you will end right back up where you are.

I just have an APR flash no pulley and I immediately noticed a difference in power everywhere. The jump from nothing to a flash is way more than the difference from a flash to a pulley.

Any E85 in your area? If not that really sucks, there isn't much you can do then..

[xpoweruk]

Any E85 in your area? If not that really sucks, there isn't much you can do then..

If you have access to denatured ethanol you can pop tht in instead (adjust ratio accordingly)

[grrrrrrr]

It's the fuel.

I think people get so hung up on other details, when fuel is the key. 91 is crap, I'd bet money the ECU is pulling a lot of boost/timing.

I would strongly recommend to address the fueling issue first before re-flashing. Any companies tune, stage 1/2 whatever will have the same problem. If you reflash, or switch tunes without better fuel you will end right back up where you are.

I just have an APR flash no pulley and I immediately noticed a difference in power everywhere. The jump from nothing to a flash is way more than the difference from a flash to a pulley.

Any E85 in your area? If not that really sucks, there isn't much you can do then..
I think you are right 91 is crap. When I drove my car again today I would say I might have felt a difference so i think. Will e85 be safe in the long run? how do you mix it?

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[Loe]

+1 I agree with everyone, the hotter it is outside, the more advantageous it is to run a higher ethanol mix versus straight pump which has almost 10%.

[roydle]

The butt dyno in the S4 sucks being that the boost given by the suercharger is so linear. You will notice the difference in the tune if you race someone you had raced when stock. Race them again now that you are tuned and you will see you will either match them or leave them behind with several car lenghts. And yes adaptadion can be an issue too. Wait a week.

[kpykng1]

I think you are right 91 is crap. When I drove my car again today I would say I might have felt a difference so i think. Will e85 be safe in the long run? how do you mix it?

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I'm in Simi and trying to find anything higher than 91 in CA in impossible, but I did stumble upon this website this morning no sure how up to date it is, or if I really want to spend the $9-9.50 gal. for 100 octane, GL...

http://www.davebarton.com/Unleaded_Racing_Fuel_in_SoCal

[cspcrx]

According to E85 finder you have E85 in the area, not sure how close.

[kpykng1]

Just looked it up, if you commute to the valley, the Chevron off the 5 @ Roxford sells E85 supposedly.

[onlyaudis]

The butt dyno in the S4 sucks being that the boost given by the supercharger is so linear. You will notice the difference in the tune if you race someone you had raced when stock. Race them again now that you are tuned and you will see you will either match them or leave them behind with several car lengths. And yes adaptation can be an issue too. Wait a week.

what's funny is you may think not much happened going to stage 1, (I did think that too) but go ahead and flash back to stock a few weeks later. its much easier to notice power levels that go down! E85 is also the key for sure to a proper stage 1 tune with 91 gas. big big difference in the throttle response and acceleration. 3-4 gallons per fill up, and put the premium in first and top it off with the e85. was told our cars can handle that no problem long term. Have not got any dash lights or had any issues on mine, been running E85 4 gal per fill from when the low fuel light comes on.

[sigaddict]

EPL stage one here and a massive difference from stock. Especially after a few days of driving

[chrisucf99]

Not race fuel but E85. I mix in 3-4 gal which gets me to almost 94 octane.


What are you tuned for? I have the APR Stage II 93 Tune and also have E85 readily available at a gas station by my house. Have you run into any issues mixing a few gallons of E85 w/ 93?

[cspcrx]

Not tuned yet. Have APR pulley and belt sitting in a bag, I have been waiting on a sale.

I knew I wanted to run the 93 tune all of the time so I have been researching and playing with it for over a year now. I have been running 3-4 gal of E85 in every fill up of 91 octane. Never had any codes and the car, even on the stock tune, loves it.

When I do get tuned that is what I am going to continue to do as well. I have run as much as 4.5 gal of E85 and still had no issues. All of these give you well over a 93 octane mix.

[chrisucf99]

Awesome! Thanks for the reply.

[grrrrrrr]

some are saying e85 is prone to corrosion. I have been driving my car hard since the tune hoping it will adapt faster and seems like i do feel a slight change. I have regular 91 apr tune.

[SR7D1]

I have the CW with Stage II tune. 93 is at every gas station around here and I have run 2 tanks so far with 4 gallons of E85. The car seems to run better on it?

So I would be interested in knowing what 93 + 4 gallons of E85 would bring the octane level up to? Also, for the OP, if you can't find E85, you can always try the nearest paint store.

Xylene and Toluene both work in a pinch. Not sure I would recommend long term use without precise ratios?

[doug97gxe]

The butt dyno in the S4 sucks being that the boost given by the suercharger is so linear. You will notice the difference in the tune if you race someone you had raced when stock. Race them again now that you are tuned and you will see you will either match them or leave them behind with several car lenghts. And yes adaptadion can be an issue too. Wait a week.

this is so true.. everytime i feel like my car is feeling like stock.. i run into a stock S4 or A6 and soon as they take off i pull them back in an instant and walk away from them

[cspcrx]

some are saying e85 is prone to corrosion. I have been driving my car hard since the tune hoping it will adapt faster and seems like i do feel a slight change. I have regular 91 apr tune.

All of the newer cars are equipped to deal with ethanol fuels since even 91 octane is 10% ethanol. Can not say what the impacts are running full E85 is, I have not fully explored that.