GIAC Stage 2 + AWE Pulley... to do...or not to do...that is the question!!

[PSUGOLD]

Not looking to do it right away since I just picked up the car a week or so ago, but been going back and forth here. It is my daily driver but I work at home, only put about 8000 miles a year on the car. I am not looking to beat the hell out of it all the time, just looking to have the pop there when I need it, and to do a couple track days. I am coming from a 2009 BMW 335i that had the DInan stage II installed without any problems over the 5 years I had that car. Always in the back of my mind is what happens if something major goes wrong with the engine and I am up the creek with regards to getting it fixed... been reading a lot so far, and have not seen too many things like that where the tune was causing engine issues, and once again, I like to drive hard at times, but definitely not flying around all the time at redline. My wife of course gives me the "Why do you NEED it...." well, why do I need the S4 when I can easily drive a 2008 Honda Civic....it isn't about NEED! Just hard to pass up for around $2000 another 30% or so HP boost. (I live 15 mins from AWE tuning too...so can be in and out during the day..shhhhhhhhhhh)

Anyone have the Stage 2 tune regret it? Always afraid of parts breaking since they may push the limits too far, but I do not drive like a maniac with the pedal to the floor all the time, just once in a while when I feel in the mood....

[Jango3434]

I gurantee the general consensus here will be do it! So I will say... DO IT!!!

[AKPS4]

in the end, you are going to get it. If anything get out and drive the car, make sure there are no issues that immediately show up. if nothing by the first service. get it done and get on the track. if anything, get on the track before the tune so you can appreciate the difference.

[zamm3k]

I did stage 2 and never looked back. The car still surprises me from time to time on how much it pulls all the way thru mid to high RPMs. And it's not really an exorbitant amount of money (in my opinion). You can go directly to stage to for somewhere around 2k, which is not too bad.

[MrFunk]

Stage II is not a massive mod. It's basically a tune and modest bolt on to make the SC spin faster (within parameters). Drive ability is 100% what stock is (if not better) and reliability has been rock solid... It's really not a big deal. If you are considering a stage 1 tune - going stage 2 is no more risky. It's how the car should have come from factory and I think there is a TON more potential in this engine...

That being said - I think once you start looking at stage 3 - more internal components and supporting systems will need to be upgraded to handle the additional heat and output.

[r1eater]

I did stage 2 and never looked back. The car still surprises me from time to time on how much it pulls all the way thru mid to high RPMs. And it's not really an exorbitant amount of money (in my opinion). You can go directly to stage to for somewhere around 2k, which is not too bad.

Is exhaust needed for this stage 2 or is it just a chip and pulley?

[chudiddy]

Come up to reading and I'll give u a ride in mine. That'll make ur mind up real quick.

[chudiddy]

Posting this from my phone so not sure if its gonna work but this was my wifey getting a ride after i got tuned.

Audi B8 S4 GIAC Stage 2 Tune w/pulley: http://youtu.be/RA94KWzcLkk

[zamm3k]

Is exhaust needed for this stage 2 or is it just a chip and pulley?

No need for exhaust at all. Just software and pulley. And an intake so you can hear the supercharger scream. J.K. YOU ONLY NEED: software and pulley.

[raudiace4]

Put a couple thousand miles on the car, make sure its not a lemon. If no problems by 10k miles they why wait? STAGE 2!!

[Ze_Nardo6]

Bought the car with a stage 1 tune....going stage II next month

[MrFunk]

Put a couple thousand miles on the car, make sure its not a lemon. If no problems by 10k miles they why wait? STAGE 2!!

+1

Break it in... don't do anything prior to 5k at the min.

[SwissBliss]

do it soooo great!!! have to say it like this!!! this power should have come stock!!

[PSUGOLD]

Thanks for the replies...Im shocked that people are all so positive and not talking me out of it....

Going to stop by the shop tomorrow to check things out, live 15 mins from AWE. 3800 miles on the car now, they have a sale going through May for about $150 off the Stage 2 tune + Pulley so I will probably pull the trigger in a month or so if all goes well with the car...so far, so good.

[NWS4Guy]

Posting this from my phone so not sure if its gonna work but this was my wifey getting a ride after i got tuned.

Audi B8 S4 GIAC Stage 2 Tune w/pulley: http://youtu.be/RA94KWzcLkk

Haha! Awesome

[jzamorski]

Posting this from my phone so not sure if its gonna work but this was my wifey getting a ride after i got tuned.

Audi B8 S4 GIAC Stage 2 Tune w/pulley: http://youtu.be/RA94KWzcLkk

This video was one of the youtube videos that sold me on buying my S4!!

[AzWildCat04]

Do it, and never look back. Unless its in your rearview mirror to see the look on peoples faces… priceless

[itzjonjon69]

Once you do it and put in E85/91 you'll never turn back...

[Wusty]

The question actually just is: To have a warranty or Not?

The power is awesome!

[TTZMatt]

The question actually just is: To have a warranty or Not?

The power is awesome!

Is there any way to avoid the issue with the warranty? Is it possible to get a tune, and then purchase a stock ECU for example to swap in when the car needs to go to the dealer?

[Wusty]

Is there any way to avoid the issue with the warranty? Is it possible to get a tune, and then purchase a stock ECU for example to swap in when the car needs to go to the dealer?

More and more are stating you can be completely flashed back to stock by your tuner prior to services and it will not show the ECU has been altered so you will not be flagged TD1. APR pretty much confirmed this to be true with there tune. Not sure about GIAC.....GIAC wanna chime in?

[gaudium in veri]

This video was one of the youtube videos that sold me on buying my S4!!

This video sold me on getting the tune.

Get the tune, it's worth it. I remember going to my local tuner and signing all the warranty waivers and not giving two sh*ts (I'm a lawyer too). Like it's been implied in a previous post, this tune doesn't push the vehicle to reckless, unsafe and unreasonable limits. I've had the tune now for about 25,000km; I've driven it hard and I've driven it through all sorts of crazy weather and the car still puts a smile on my face everytime I drive it.

[TTZMatt]

More and more are stating you can be completely flashed back to stock by your tuner prior to services and it will not show the ECU has been altered so you will not be flagged TD1. APR pretty much confirmed this to be true with there tune. Not sure about GIAC.....GIAC wanna chime in?

That is my understanding as well. I am just trying to think of another option for those that don't have a tuner near by. Would there be anything preventing you from putting in a different physical ECU that has never been flashed?

[Joe85sti]

That is my understanding as well. I am just trying to think of another option for those that don't have a tuner near by. Would there be anything preventing you from putting in a different physical ECU that has never been flashed?

I think the the only way to get a new ECU is through audi. I believe they're encrypted and VIN specific so only the dealer can do it, that's what I've heard anyways.

[NWS4Guy]

I think the the only way to get a new ECU is through audi. I believe they're encrypted and VIN specific so only the dealer can do it, that's what I've heard anyways.

This is correct.

[ptper]

Once tuned (Stage 1 or 2), will there still be a difference between "D" vs. "S" mode?

[NWS4Guy]

Once tuned (Stage 1 or 2), will there still be a difference between "D" vs. "S" mode?

Yes, there still will be - the differences are controlled some within the ECU some inside the TCU (Transmission Control Unit) and this will do things like hold gears longer and shift faster/harder in S over D.