Comparing Different Stage 3 Tunes: (10secS4 vs Vast vs EPL vs ASP, etc.)

[Liva687]

I searched and found a topic from 3 years ago, and with all the new products coming out every year and what not, I think it's time to start a new thread. What Tunes do/have you guys run on your Stage 3 K04 cars?

I'm currently running a 10secS4 tune and once I get a Meth kit, I'm going to switch and get a Custom Tune, most likely from EPL. Although it's fast as hell, the 10secS4 tune isn't really smooth at all..

So from your experience, what's the smoothest most powerful tune out there? What are the differences between the tunes you have experience with?

Let's hear what you all have to say...

[gearhead1186]

NJ/NY? EPL is local. throw the car on the dyno, custom tune in one day. done.

[flyingfish2626]

NJ/NY? EPL is local. throw the car on the dyno, custom tune in one day. done.

I agree with Mike....if I was back in Jersey I would go see Tony/Robin @ EPL and do it right.

[sherbet]

kind of depends where you are. If I had the money, and I was building a ridiculous car, I would pay to have it hauled to the east, get it tuned by EPL and be done. But for me, as I stand as a poor kid, when I go stage 3 for K04's, i'll end up tuning at 034 most likely

[TighTT]

NJ/NY? EPL is local. throw the car on the dyno, custom tune in one day. done.

3rd. EPL did a custom tune on my wagon for Ko4's/w meth. Sh!t hauls.

[noob5]

See sig.
As to other tunes, I cannot comment, as I have no personal experience.

[Tormented]

I think the OP is asking more along the lines of the kinds of tunes not so much as to where he can get it tuned. But correct me if i am wrong. I am also kind of curious about this so even if that isn't what was being asked then i am asking it.

[spokismB5S4]

Ssp all day

[Liva687]

Yea you got it Tormented, I know where to go for tuners, I'm looking to see what everyone's experience is with the different tunes. Like if you switched from one to the other and the differences between them. I'm sure a lot of people are interested in this too....

[Tormented]

I am glad to see i understood you correctly, i have been curious about this but i figured id wait for it to pop up. I dont like to be the one to ask silly questions even if i want to know as well. haha

[bigern45]

kinds of tunes as where to get it tuned?? what?? that makes no sense. you have a stage 3 tune from marc, you have a stage 3 tune from ssp, you have a stage 3 tune from VAST. what other kind of tune is there?? you mean, tuned aggressive but smooth?? or you mean tuned smooth and not so aggressive? or you mean tuned aggressive and like riding the bull at saddleridge on a friday night??

well. my tune is pretty aggressive, but smooth as silk. i think tony told me we could squeeze probably 10 more whp or so out of it, but it would loose the factory smoothness that it has now. and thats the first thing people say when they take a ride in my car. "damn this thing is an animal, but man its so smooth!!!" EPL dyno tune.. FTW

[J-b5]

I went from an overly aggressive Unitronic file that had a tendency to audibly detonate mainly due to his shit poor timing curve that did not drop sufficiently at peak torque, he pretty much told me it was straight off their GT25-60 tune, and as you know they peak much higher up the band.

At first, the tune would simply drop boost like mad, close the TB and go into protection.

After keeping the car for a WEEK. The only thing he did was blame the car, and remove the safeties in the ECU. The car would go full tilt after that but only run 18psi on the n75. And there was a "noise"... That noise was pinging.

Someone else on this board was sold this same de-safetied tune and had the same issues.

It would run with half a tank of race fuel or meth injection thrown at it, but would dip into the 9s with the meth. (and it would even ping with that too.)



First go with VAST. and it worked right away, no issues and only minor tweaking. Extremely driveable as well, much smoother.

When i last approaced Mike Z of unitronic about reworking my tune after seeing how well the VAST tuned cars ran, his exact words regarding the timing were "bullshit, show me the logs".

Then he basically said, "ive spent enough time on your car". I tried to make it clear that i wanted to PAY for a proper dyno tune but he wasn't interested..

I sent my ECU to vast a week or so later.

I think that says it all.


The only bad thing was it was only just as fast as the shitty unitronic tune on 100 octane. But there is really only so much you can squeeze out of k04 framed turbos.


The good thing about the whole experience is that it forced me to learn a few things about these cars.

[KNaudi]

you are looking for the ranking of tunes in order of aggressive-ness? Kinda hard to do as custom tunes can be as conservative/aggressive as you ask them to do within reason but here's been my impression:

Most Aggressive
10secS4
VAST
EPL
AWE/GIAC
APR
Least aggressive

I left out those like SSP that I haven't seen run myself or haven't at least ridden in. Others can feel free to correct me.

[csre9]

VAST and dont look back

[Tormented]

How do using different files work? Can you have multiple files loaded at once and cycle through them? Also is the timing part of the tune? File=tune right?

[exorcet]

I went from an overly aggressive Unitronic file that had a tendency to audibly detonate mainly due to his shit poor timing curve that did not drop sufficiently at peak torque, he pretty much told me it was straight off their GT25-60 tune, and as you know they peak much higher up the band.

At first, the tune would simply drop boost like mad, close the TB and go into protection.

After keeping the car for a WEEK. The only thing he did was blame the car, and remove the safeties in the ECU. The car would go full tilt after that but only run 18psi on the n75. And there was a "noise"... That noise was pinging.

Someone else on this board was sold this same de-safetied tune and had the same issues.

Don't remind me... I tried the Unitronic tune as well ** heard audible pinging with low correction factors.. HMMMM. Let's just say it came out quick. I do have to say 034 Motorsport was great to work with they offered to dyno tune it to get it right, but they're about 7 hour drive from me so I got a refund. If it hadn't been such a 'smooth' experience with 034 I would feel a LOT stronger about that Unitronic tune.

OP - these cars are fickle and you want SUPPORT, preferably local. You can't go wrong with: EPL, VAST, ASP. There is a lot of support for ASP on the West Coast (WMS in SoCal, for example) and if you're mid-west / east coast VAST is great and if east coast EPL is great. Those are the main 'tuners' who will get your car right for you. Seeing you're in New Jersey go to EPL and don't think twice.

[P0234]

I love all these posts that say go with BrandX and can't quantify the reason.

[GramCracker]

VAST.

customer service FTW

[GramCracker]

I love all these posts that say go with BrandX and can't quantify the reason.

because your post was sooo useful in this thread

[Bimmerchop]

EPL. Go aggressive, or mild... Tony will tune it how you want.

[J-b5]

Don't remind me... I tried the Unitronic tune as well ** heard audible pinging with low correction factors.. HMMMM. Let's just say it came out quick. I do have to say 034 Motorsport was great to work with they offered to dyno tune it to get it right, but they're about 7 hour drive from me so I got a refund. If it hadn't been such a 'smooth' experience with 034 I would feel a LOT stronger about that Unitronic tune.

OP - these cars are fickle and you want SUPPORT, preferably local. You can't go wrong with: EPL, VAST, ASP. There is a lot of support for ASP on the West Coast (WMS in SoCal, for example) and if you're mid-west / east coast VAST is great and if east coast EPL is great. Those are the main 'tuners' who will get your car right for you. Seeing you're in New Jersey go to EPL and don't think twice.

why the hell is 034 dealing with unitronic, mike is clear on the other side of the continent... arg.

The unitronic presence at the shows is also getting to be a little bit much... They are all pop and no sizzle.

[Liva687]

Yea I think personally I'm going to go with EPL.. but aside from that, it's interesting hearing what you guys have to say.

I know there's multiple tunes to choose from, and I started this topic to see what everybody has to say about the different tunes. Being that there's a lot of us with the K04 build, we all use different tunes, and thus all our cars run differently

Marc's tune is a lot of fun, but it's not smooth. Because I know how to drive my car, I know how the throttle works and when the boost is going to hit, and where its going to sputter and fluctuate (if that's the right word)- which usually happens between 8 - 15 lbs of boost. But when other people drive my car, like my father for instance, who drives a 996tt which is a smooth car with minimal lag- he hates driving my car because he's used to driving a turbocharged car that's much smoother than a stage 3 S4. Although my car IS faster and more aggressive than his '04 996tt which is pretty dope.

I like how fast Marc's tune is and being how easy it is to switch a tune, It's easy to experiment with others and see what's up.

Again, I started this thread to be informative to everyone. So let's hear what you all have to say about your tune and what you like about it over the rest.

[97B518TQM]

I currently have a Vast tune and I love it. You can never tell the car is stage 3, it's smooth as stock. At the same time when you want to go fast the turbos spool up fast and the A/F ratio is in the 11s under WOT every time. Very consistent, smooth, and plenty aggressive in terms of power from the car on the dyno.

[BEE5S4]

ive only been in 3 stg 3 cars:
10 sec tune...fastest yet, no pedal control, its either full throttle or idle. scary torque.
kmd tune in nj.... ehhh, it was ok
mine, Vast...drive it everyday ( 250 +miles a week ), smoother than stock, the perfect package, tame under part throttle animal at full.

i would like to drive a epl car if someone is feeling generous.

[Liva687]

97B518TQM, what are your dyno numbers? Have you always had a Vast Tune?

BEEE5S4, How does your Vast Tune compare to the 10secS4 Tune? Did it feel faster than your Vast Tune?

[97B518TQM]

97B518TQM, what are your dyno numbers? Have you always had a Vast Tune?

BEEE5S4, How does your Vast Tune compare to the 10secS4 Tune? Did it feel faster than your Vast Tune?

374awhp/421tq on crappy 91 octane and no meth. I've always had Vast and have no reason not to continue having Vast. I will be getting their latest tune with the EV14 injectors for my new turbos so my stage 3 tune will be for sale in a week or so.

[AudiSportB5S4]

I'm not sure who I'd say to go with.

Check my videos

[AdamS4]

374awhp/421tq on crappy 91 octane and no meth. I've always had Vast and have no reason not to continue having Vast. I will be getting their latest tune with the EV14 injectors for my new turbos so my stage 3 tune will be for sale in a week or so.

I just got the EV14 injectors and love them with my Vast stage 3 file - - you'll love the smooth idle.

[YnotS4]

I love my VAST tune with EV-14 injectors, gas mileage is GREAT!!!!!! 1/4 mile time GREAT smoothness GREAT!!!! MY ASP Tune was not for me and everyone will have different opinions about there Tune. I recommend VAST which gives you the ability to adjust between tunes on the cruise stalk just like APR.

[M.S4]

52lb EPL tune.

Love it.

[Liva687]

What are the benefits over the EV-14 injectors with lets say the "green giants" or the 60lb injectors?

[YnotS4]

What are the benefits over the EV-14 injectors with lets say the "green giants" or the 60lb injectors?

CAR will idle like stock or better. Smooth and more linear

[BEE5S4]

97B518TQM, what are your dyno numbers? Have you always had a Vast Tune?

BEEE5S4, How does your Vast Tune compare to the 10secS4 Tune? Did it feel faster than your Vast Tune?

The 10sec tune was scary quick! thought a rod was gonna blow through the block. but it wasnt drivable. like i said it was either idle or full throttle.
i couldnt be happier with my vast car, looking forward to my meth tune.

[bigern45]

honestly, i love EPL, they ARE my tuner, and will always be. my next big turbo car, EPL.. if i ever do a VR6 swap.. EPL..

that being said, i dont think you can go wrong with VAST either. so from personal experience im gonna go with EPL. from what i hear on the street.. EPL or VAST. you cant go wrong.

[csre9]

honestly, i love EPL, they ARE my tuner, and will always be. my next big turbo car, EPL.. if i ever do a VR6 swap.. EPL..

that being said, i dont think you can go wrong with VAST either. so from personal experience im gonna go with EPL. from what i hear on the street.. EPL or VAST. you cant go wrong.

what he said

[audiluxary]

How do using different files work? Can you have multiple files loaded at once and cycle through them? Also is the timing part of the tune? File=tune right?

Sorry has nothing to do with the thread but it's fucking pissing me off and Tormented you are tormenting the living shit out of me, what the hell is your avator? It looks like a bag of kitty litter but I'm not sure and I have to know....................................

[Tormented]

Sorry has nothing to do with the thread but it's fucking pissing me off and Tormented you are tormenting the living shit out of me, what the hell is your avator? It looks like a bag of kitty litter but I'm not sure and I have to know....................................

My avatar is a bag of nuts called Nut Sack. I found the picture somewhere and thought it was pretty funny. But since noone has answered my question i will ask it again. With different tunes can you cycle through them like you can with the ASP chip i believe it was. Or can you only run 1 and only one. I will be going with EPL when i get my tune for the simple fact that i will be in their area. And i have heard only good things about them along with VAST. Also when people reffer to different files they are talking about different tunes correct?

[Mantis]

I didn't love my GIAC tune, it ran very rich, they offered no support after purchase. I love my VAST tune, lots of support, stock like smoothness.

[bigern45]

My avatar is a bag of nuts called Nut Sack. I found the picture somewhere and thought it was pretty funny. But since noone has answered my question i will ask it again. With different tunes can you cycle through them like you can with the ASP chip i believe it was. Or can you only run 1 and only one. I will be going with EPL when i get my tune for the simple fact that i will be in their area. And i have heard only good things about them along with VAST. Also when people reffer to different files they are talking about different tunes correct?

APR, you can cycle through their tunes with the cruise control. i dont know of another tuner that you can do that with. someone else said VAST a while ago. maybe you can with them.

seriously, though, i hope its not convenience that you are choosing a tuner. im sure EPL or VAST could get you a tune that would be better than an APR off the shelf 15* of timing on a 93 octane tune or a 21* of timing on a 100 octane tune. but... i do know that EPL can get you a number of tunes, you just have to hook up your laptop and spend 3 minutes of your time to switch them over. believe me, i loved when i could do that with my APR tune, it was cool, and i could show all the girls the difference and coolness.. but. . ... get in this car. .. love it.. dont go with the "cool, gimickieness" of something like that. tune with a good, solid, concrete tuner, that will give you the most out of your car that you could expect. and ever want. thats it.

i remember when i first started going stage 3, and i was like, " i want the tuner that can get my boost to show up in the information pixel area, you know, where the gas mileage and such shows up".. and really , is that important?? no.. its just cool as hell..
and i can always switch over to a ms109 file if i want to spend a few minutes, or back to a 93 file, or im sure, i could ask Tony for a 12psi program, and could have that at the touch of my hand.. lil better than stock..

[AudiSportB5S4]

APR, you can cycle through their tunes with the cruise control. i dont know of another tuner that you can do that with. someone else said VAST a while ago. maybe you can with them.

Correct, VAST uses APR flash technology to put up to four programs on a single ECU to be changed via cruise control stalk.