GIAC ECU & S-Tronic Performance Software for 2013-2014 Audi S6/S7 are Now Available!

[kiku]

I think its been discussed already that the launch limit is not in the ECU, its in the Trans unit. Talking to an Audi tech, that unit is actually inside the transmission casing, making it extremely difficult to remove/replace. Unless GIAC found a way to overwrite that limit in the tranny unit itself?

[gatorguy]

This could be the deciding factor for GIAC over APR. I'm nowhere near the 200 limit, but after a tune I'm sure I'll use it even more.

I agree when you consider over the life of the car. Either you keep it a long time, or the person who buys it from you finds out you reached your max launches. This whole thing was just really stupid by Audi.

[CreoSTi]

Unless GIAC found a way to overwrite that limit in the tranny unit itself?

GIAC offers an ECU and a DSG (transmission) tune, so the coding is (most likely) in the DSG tune file.

I do know there are a couple threads in the B8 S4 section with regards to transmission issues after a GIAC DSG tune, but there are also transmission issues with stock cars so it could just be coincidence.

I used launch control a whopping 5 times in my S4, so I'll be fine... But for others that use it a lot more, it will be incentive to choose GIAC over APR (until APR offers their DSG tune).

[Austin@GIAC]

GIAC offers an ECU and a DSG (transmission) tune, so the coding is (most likely) in the DSG tune file.

I do know there are a couple threads in the B8 S4 section with regards to transmission issues after a GIAC DSG tune, but there are also transmission issues with stock cars so it could just be coincidence.

I used launch control a whopping 5 times in my S4, so I'll be fine... But for others that use it a lot more, it will be incentive to choose GIAC over APR (until APR offers their DSG tune).

Even then, we've been creating software for transmissions for 14 years. We've got tons of experience with them and have a much greater understanding than most anyone when it comes to understanding the code, which is VERY different than an engine computer. Just because someone can flash something and make a file, doesn't mean they'll know what they're doing out of the gate. We've got the time invested in transmission software to know well what we're doing with them.

[MLee]

im assuming with either tune we choose, td1 will flag as well?

[Ara]

Got mine done today. Car feels incredible now!

[Ms.S4]

When is 2014 A7 going to be available??

[MilesM]

Mid 3's to 60.

[HyperM3]

Subscribed...

[Austin@GIAC]

im assuming with either tune we choose, td1 will flag as well?

The potential is there when modifying your car at all. However, flashing your car doesn't automatically trigger it.

[Austin@GIAC]

Got mine done today. Car feels incredible now!

Glad to see you're happy with it!

[Ara]

So after spending the weekend with the car tuned, all I can say is WOW! For anyone on the fence about this, do it, you won't regret it. This coming from someone who was on the fence about having the car tuned at all.

[Austin@GIAC]

So after spending the weekend with the car tuned, all I can say is WOW! For anyone on the fence about this, do it, you won't regret it. This coming from someone who was on the fence about having the car tuned at all.

You're not alone in that feeling

another review here

[VVG]

Looks great!! Any plans for making your Flashloader compatible with the iphone or ipad? I noticed that on your website, it says "windows based". We are an all apple househould !! I only have 700 miles on my car now, but will likely be good to go by this summer.

Thanks !!

[Dr Chill]

Austin, after having worked with both ECU and TCU tunes, do you have any insight into the well documented lag found on the stock S6/S7's when accelerating from a stop in D and S modes? Any chance a TCU tune alone with the stock ECU tune would be of benefit (if you were ever to offer a stand alone TCU tune)?

Also, is there going to be a separate 93 octane Tune available?

[///M Traitor]

And, if I may, we should choose the terminology carefully when discussing this "issue." I don't think lag is the appropriate term, as it has been long understood to be associated with the phenominon of turbo lag - which I'd dare to say the S6/7 has none of.

I'd like to nominate "throttle delay" to describe this issue specifically. In my estimation, it's clearly a programmed in delay in the drive by wire system and algorithms.

I say programmed because the car is not trying to do anything when the throttle delay happens, it's not struggling or trying to motivate. It seems to simply be waiting for a preset timeout window to expire after a brake application, or a significant steering input...

With that said, Austin have you discovered anything in the ECU or TCU code that amounts to a programmed in throttle delay of sorts? And more importantly, have you effectively removed the delay?

[Dr Chill]

Yes, throttle delay is the best description.

[Ara]

Did some testing tonight. Getting lots of wheel spin causing the transmission to shift out of first early.

[pandi]

^^ nice! What do you have? s6?

[Ara]

Yes, S6.

[VeryBadman]

Did some testing tonight. Getting lots of wheel spin causing the transmission to shift out of first early.

Nice timing. Stock or tuned?

[S6Jouster]

i think the throttle lag is not associated with turbo lag, but instead and the clutch engaging slowly by computer guided variances. mashing a gas pedal on this type of transmission would unleash a good amount of torque right to the driveline. i assume its something the car does to gradually allow the power to hit the pavement.

[Ara]

That time is with the GIAC tune.

[///M Traitor]

i think the throttle lag is not associated with turbo lag, but instead and the clutch engaging slowly by computer guided variances. mashing a gas pedal on this type of transmission would unleash a good amount of torque right to the driveline. i assume its something the car does to gradually allow the power to hit the pavement.

Some of it is transmission protection related, but most of it is not. A 2s delay is unnecessary. Rounding a turn at an intersection yields a 2s delay before any engine throttle occurs after straightening the wheel.

[S6Jouster]

really interested to hear people who thought our cars had throttle lag as we have explained, and think that their tune has changed, or helped the issue

[Austin@GIAC]

Some of it is transmission protection related, but most of it is not. A 2s delay is unnecessary. Rounding a turn at an intersection yields a 2s delay before any engine throttle occurs after straightening the wheel.

There are a couple of "lagging" items. One pertains to the engagement disengagement of the DSG clutch packs when you're at certain RPMs. This happens because within a certain window, the car will begin to upshift of downshift to a different gear if you're off throttle. This will cause disengagement, and if you press the pedal in that gear again, there will be a delay for it to re-engage the clutch packs. Some of this is remedied with how we re-calibrate the torque requests in the S-Tronic transmission software, however it's impossible to remove all of this type of behavior. The second "item of delay" relates to the drive-by-wire throttle mapping on direct injection vehicles. OEMs use certain calibration tricks to tip toe around federal regulations for emissions. We fix these items to make the vehicle immediately responsive.

[///M Traitor]

There are a couple of "lagging" items. One pertains to the engagement disengagement of the DSG clutch packs when you're at certain RPMs. This happens because within a certain window, the car will begin to upshift of downshift to a different gear if you're off throttle. This will cause disengagement, and if you press the pedal in that gear again, there will be a delay for it to re-engage the clutch packs. Some of this is remedied with how we re-calibrate the torque requests in the S-Tronic transmission software, however it's impossible to remove all of this type of behavior. The second "item of delay" relates to the drive-by-wire throttle mapping on direct injection vehicles. OEMs use certain calibration tricks to tip toe around federal regulations for emissions. We fix these items to make the vehicle immediately responsive.

And there you have it. Thanks for the reply Austin.

I would love to hear more about the particulars of the "calibration tricks to tip toe around federal regulations for emissions" part, but it may cause some eyes to glaze over :-)

Anyway, I would say it's time for a "critical" individual to report on before tune/after tune throttle delay behavior. Critical as in someone who notices, and can quantify this type of throttle delay behavior, without having someone else point it out to them in the first place..

[Ara]

I definitely was aware of the throttle delay before the tune, specifically when applying throttle after making a turn at an intersection. With the tune, it does seem to be better, but I will need more time behind the wheel to evaluate it.

[Austin@GIAC]

Did some testing tonight. Getting lots of wheel spin causing the transmission to shift out of first early.

I assume you have roll out turned off? Curious for those who will compare this time to a car & driver type time (with a 1 ft roll out turned added).

[Ara]

I'm not even sure what that is. The AIM belongs to my passenger. I'll ask him.

[gatorguy]

There are a couple of "lagging" items. One pertains to the engagement disengagement of the DSG clutch packs when you're at certain RPMs. This happens because within a certain window, the car will begin to upshift of downshift to a different gear if you're off throttle. This will cause disengagement, and if you press the pedal in that gear again, there will be a delay for it to re-engage the clutch packs. Some of this is remedied with how we re-calibrate the torque requests in the S-Tronic transmission software, however it's impossible to remove all of this type of behavior. The second "item of delay" relates to the drive-by-wire throttle mapping on direct injection vehicles. OEMs use certain calibration tricks to tip toe around federal regulations for emissions. We fix these items to make the vehicle immediately responsive.

Exactly what I expected to hear.

[S7_UAE]

Did some testing tonight. Getting lots of wheel spin causing the transmission to shift out of first early.

Nice, Does the solo give a 1/4 ? if so get one .. I can't wait to get my car out of service and into the dealer.

[Wusty]

I assume you have roll out turned off? Curious for those who will compare this time to a car & driver type time (with a 1 ft roll out turned added).

The wheel spin and shifting out of first early is obviously holding the car back a bit in it's 0-60 times. Car & Driver's clocking a 3.7s 0-60 on a stock S6. This cars been ECU tuned & TCU, it should be much quicker. My 13' S4 with a $2,000 stage 2 pulley & software upgrade was running 3.7s 0-60 times.

[S6Express]

I'm pretty sure the C&D test car had a press tune. It's numbers are superior to what any one has achieved in the real world on a stock tune.

[Austin@GIAC]

The wheel spin and shifting out of first early is obviously holding the car back a bit in it's 0-60 times. Car & Driver's clocking a 3.7s 0-60 on a stock S6. This cars been ECU tuned & TCU, it should be much quicker. My 13' S4 with a $2,000 stage 2 pulley & software upgrade was running 3.7s 0-60 times.

I've cut a 3.50 0-60 with my 2012 S4 using our software combo. In the S6, I've cut a 3.56 0-60 with no roll out on non-treated surfaces.. You need to understand that when comparing magazine times, they adjust the times for D.A. and use a one foot roll out. When Motor Trend tested my 2012 S4, they turned a raw time of 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds into a 4.4 second time with their corrections. Take that for what it's worth.

[Wusty]

I've cut a 3.50 0-60 with my 2012 S4 using our software combo. In the S6, I've cut a 3.56 0-60 with no roll out on non-treated surfaces.. You need to understand that when comparing magazine times, they adjust the times for D.A. and use a one foot roll out. When Motor Trend tested my 2012 S4, they turned a raw time of 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds into a 4.4 second time with their corrections. Take that for what it's worth.

This is good info, thanks Austin.

[Austin@GIAC]

This is good info, thanks Austin.

No problem sir!

[VVG]

I'm pretty sure the C&D test car had a press tune. It's numbers are superior to what any one has achieved in the real world on a stock tune.

Motorweek did a 3.8 0-60 during their test.

[VVG]

Looks great!! Any plans for making your Flashloader compatible with the iphone or ipad? I noticed that on your website, it says "windows based". We are an all apple househould !! I only have 700 miles on my car now, but will likely be good to go by this summer.

Thanks !!

Still waiting for a response. I think iphone ECU programming control cpability is huge. Is anything in the pipeline? I do know that APR has intoduced this if I am not mistaken.

[Ara]

The flashloader I received is a handheld unit that plugs into the OBD port and allows you to select the tune from there. Has nothing to do with a mobile device or computer.