Going Stage 1 - 034 Tune

[AzWildCat04]

Posted in S5 area, but pretty sleepy over there. I thought I'd share being an ex-S4 driver[:D]

As the title states, going in this morning to do the Stage 1 tune. Claimed gains right out of the box are pretty good, and I'm not ready to jump into dual pulley/E85 life yet.

Hoping to feel some similar results as my old S4 as thats the only thing I have to compare. I will say from day 1 my 6spd is no match coming from the DSG, but overall a much more rewarding driving experience.

Any feedback from others who have this? Will post again later today with butt dyno results.

Cheers!

[theweebabyseamus]

It’s a nice boost. Low end isn’t much different but top end obviously gains a lot. I noticed more consistency when I added a HE, and it will definitely benefit from some E85.

[Rectangle]

I'm interested to hear your results. I think that anecdotally, I've read that there's some amount of adaptation that has to occur, so immediate results might not be as mind blowing as you'd expect but it doesn't take too long for it to fully come on line. Not sure though.

[Morritse]

You'll definitely notice the power band widen throughout the upper range. You'll also notice that after a few pulls you'll be down on power due to heat soak. Depending on how you drive, might be worth upgrading your cooling system!

[AzWildCat04]

I'm interested to hear your results. I think that anecdotally, I've read that there's some amount of adaptation that has to occur, so immediate results might not be as mind blowing as you'd expect but it doesn't take too long for it to fully come on line. Not sure though.

True, I'd say this is accurate when I had the GIAC tune done. Progressively got better days following.

[AzWildCat04]

You'll definitely notice the power band widen throughout the upper range. You'll also notice that after a few pulls you'll be down on power due to heat soak. Depending on how you drive, might be worth upgrading your cooling system!

If I go Stage 2, I will upgrade the cooling system for sure. This is upgrade 2.0 haha. Little bits a time to make it fun.

[VeeDubbinJetta]

I just went stage 2 034 from stock and it’s a very noticeable increase right off the bat. I haven’t driven it long enough for it to fully adapt yet, but I am very happy with the purchase. I am planning to do a cooling upgrade at some point but I haven’t seen any issues yet.

[Morritse]

If I go Stage 2, I will upgrade the cooling system for sure. This is upgrade 2.0 haha. Little bits a time to make it fun.

For sure. There's nothing wrong at all with what you're doing. It's smart actually. If you like the car this way, then you don't need to spend more money. If you find heat soak to be an issue, it's not going to damage your car, you'll just lose power, and you know what to do to fix it!

[AzWildCat04]

All done. Very nice pick up in the upper RPM's and better overall throttle response throughout the power band.

Where the car used to die out after 6,200-ish, this just PULLS HARD all the way through 7,200 RPM's.

Well worth the small investment. If you're on the fence and have the means I would not hesitate.

[theweebabyseamus]

Make sure to try it with 3 gallons of e85 in the tank...

[Snowmonkey]

Hijacking the thread a smidge, but does anyone have opinions on which is the better choice, 034 Motorsports or APR for a Stage 1? The local tune shop is offering both for the same price, So im just wondering if anyone has experience with both, or strong points of both?

[bhvrdr]

Hijacking the thread a smidge, but does anyone have opinions on which is the better choice, 034 Motorsports or APR for a Stage 1? The local tune shop is offering both for the same price, So im just wondering if anyone has experience with both, or strong points of both?

I think it would totally depend on your current upgrade path. If you know you are going to want an ultracharger down the road...

Mike

[VeeDubbinJetta]

I think it would totally depend on your current upgrade path. If you know you are going to want an ultracharger down the road...

Mike

I would agree with this. I have 034 on my S4 but have ran APR on previous cars. Both are very solid choices and I don’t think you can go wrong with either. One benefit to 034 over APR is they will have the ability to flash from home allowing you to switch files once flashing cables are released. With APR program switching may or may not ever be released so you would possibly be stuck with what you got, unless you drove back to your shop. That is if you even cared about that ability.

[AzWildCat04]

Make sure to try it with 3 gallons of e85 in the tank...

Really, even on the stage 1 file?

[theweebabyseamus]

Really, even on the stage 1 file?

Definitely, there’s a noticeable difference when I’m running a little E85 vs not. It’s not their file, it’s our fuel.

[AzWildCat04]

Definitely, there’s a noticeable difference when I’m running a little E85 vs not. It’s not their file, it’s our fuel.

Ok i'll give it a try today. I remember on my GIAC tune I used the flash holder if I wanted to run 100 octane so not sure if this was kosher without changing things.

So you go 3 of E85 then fill the rest up with 91?

[Morritse]

Ok i'll give it a try today. I remember on my GIAC tune I used the flash holder if I wanted to run 100 octane so not sure if this was kosher without changing things.

So you go 3 of E85 then fill the rest up with 91?

ya

[Rodizzle]

One benefit to 034 over APR is they will have the ability to flash from home allowing you to switch files once flashing cables are released..

They been releasing this cable for the past year :/ .


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[theweebabyseamus]

They been releasing this cable for the past year :/ .


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+1, possibly longer than the APR map switching.

@AZWildcat- you can try 2 gal if you want, to start. The only issue I've encountered was a CEL for LT Fuel Trims creeping up eventually, but now I have a VCDS cable so I just clear Engine codes periodically before they pop up.

[AzWildCat04]

+1, possibly longer than the APR map switching.

@AZWildcat- you can try 2 gal if you want, to start. The only issue I've encountered was a CEL for LT Fuel Trims creeping up eventually, but now I have a VCDS cable so I just clear Engine codes periodically before they pop up.

Ok cool. Thanks for the heads up!


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[Snowmonkey]

I think it would totally depend on your current upgrade path. If you know you are going to want an ultracharger down the road...

Mike

Don't plan to go too crazy into mods. Exhaust, intake, and a tune are all the performance mods I have planned. I doubt an ultracharger is in the works.

[bhvrdr]

Don't plan to go too crazy into mods. Exhaust, intake, and a tune are all the performance mods I have planned. I doubt an ultracharger is in the works.

Right on. Veedubbinjetta gave you some good advice. APR and 034 would both be great options. If you're looking for stuff that you can flash at home and thereby do your own file swapping down the road then there is also Unitronic and EPL. I think Integrated Enginneering as well. Dont count those out either.

Mike

[theweebabyseamus]

Right on. Veedubbinjetta gave you some good advice. APR and 034 would both be great options. If you're looking for stuff that you can flash at home and thereby do your own file swapping down the road then there is also Unitronic and EPL. I think Integrated Enginneering as well. Dont count those out either.

Mike

Im interested in their options and to see where it goes. Their claimed dyno numbers are pretty high so hopefully people start using them and dynoing them.

[ryanb2013]

Bringing up an old thread- I have an appointment with 034 tomorrow to flash stage 1 tune. Just wondering what your experience with the stage one has been now that youve had it a year. @azwildcat04