GIAC Stage 2 software upgrades are now available for the 8V Audi S3!

[Austin@GIAC]

GIAC Stage 2 software upgrades are now available for the MK7 Golf R and 8V Audi S3. Designed for upgraded turbo back exhaust, intercooler and cold air intake, this program offers dramatic performance improvements over factory software, while retaining factory-like drivability. On 91 octane fuel, performance gains were 70-85* wheel horsepower and 75-85* ft. /lbs. of torque. In certain areas of the power band, gains reached as high as 89 all wheel horsepower and 81 ft. /lbs. of torque (91 octane fuel). As with our stage 1 calibration, our software features a proprietary boost control system to optimize air flow and horsepower. Our engineers have developed this calibration to ensure smooth drive quality and no issues with surging, turbo over speed, EPC lights or limp modes. For DSG models, we've spent a great deal of time combating power loss across shifts, specifically the 1-2 (from a launch control) and 4-5 gear shifts. One item to note: This Stage 2 calibration is not compatible with ethanol blending, as the factory fuel system cannot support it at this power level. Use of any sort of ethanol fuel blend (beyond what is found in normal 91 or 93 octane fuel) will cause fuel starvation limp mode issues.

Features for this new revision are:

• Increased linearity with low speed power control and accelerator input - New version spreads power more evenly across throttle input allowing for absolute driver input. Throttle response is still improved for a drive-by-cable system feel.
• More continuous power under the curve - Smoothed low end torque spike and increased torque and hp under the entire power curve.
• More precise boost control across gears - New revision utilizes a vastly superior proprietary system for boost control with added over boost protection, allowing for consistent boost levels across all gears and in all conditions.
• Properly calibrated air/fuel ratios for specific fuel types - Low emissions vehicle run lean Air / Fuel ratios to meet strict emissions standards which are safe, but not optimal for increase performance. GIAC engineers optimize Air / Fuel ratios for the increase power levels generated by GIAC performance software.
• Raised speed limiters to factory redline in final drive gear - Top speed of vehicle raised to the redline in the overdrive gear, or at the point of maximum aerodynamic drag (whichever comes first).
• Optimized torque control for smoother, faster shifting with consistent power across all gears - Factory torque requests are set for factory power levels, GIAC torque optimization adjusts ECU settings to function properly with increased torque/horsepower levels.
• $150.00 upgrade for existing GIAC Stage 1 users, $750.00 MSRP* for new users - *MSRP pricing for U.S. / Canada. International customers contact your local GIAC distributor for local MSRP pricing.

GIAC’s Flashloader handheld switcher is available for this application, allowing the user to switch between pump and race gas modes.

Dynamometer test results from an MD-500 Mustang dyno are included here. The graph plots power tests (wheel HP and TQ) for a 2015 Golf R with turbo back exhaust, intercooler and intake.

2015 Golf R Raw All Wheel Horsepower: Stock vs. Stage 2 91 octane pump vs. Stage 2 100 octane race

2015 Golf R Power Gains Over Stock: Stock vs. Stage 2 91 octane pump

2015 Golf R Power Gains Over Stock: Stock vs. Stage 2 100 octane race

2015 Golf R Crank Horsepower: Stock vs. Stock vs. Stage 2 91 octane pump vs. Stage 2 100 octane race

[flipside]

would love to see a 0-60 run time on stage 2.

[Austin@GIAC]

would love to see a 0-60 run time on stage 2.

Best we've seen on stage 2 in a full weight S3, on factory tires, is 3.4 seconds.

[CJ_S4]

Assuming this tune still registers a flash with the OEM flash port counter? The one for 2016+ S3's?

[Austin@GIAC]

Assuming this tune still registers a flash with the OEM flash port counter? The one for 2016+ S3's?

I don't believe these increase the flash counter any longer.

[jshwon]

Best we've seen on stage 2 in a full weight S3, on factory tires, is 3.4 seconds.

Good lord. Supercar times

[Austin@GIAC]

Good lord. Supercar times

It's pretty shocking what these 2.0Ts can do with a few bolt ons and proper tuning.

[CJ_S4]

I don't believe these increase the flash counter any longer.

Okay...so fully returnable to stock with no detection by the OEM that a change was made to the ECU? Just wondering if there is still a way to avoid TD1 if possible. So far, it doesn't seem any of the tuners have been able to create a workaround to the flash counter on the later model S3's (for ECU modification). If what you are saying is correct, GIAC would be the first if I'm not mistaken.

[A20V200]

Oh Goody...Doing my Stage 2 upgrade in a couple weeks with an HG Intercooler...can't wait!!!!

[JohnnyUtah787]

Okay...so fully returnable to stock with no detection by the OEM that a change was made to the ECU? Just wondering if there is still a way to avoid TD1 if possible. So far, it doesn't seem any of the tuners have been able to create a workaround to the flash counter on the later model S3's (for ECU modification). If what you are saying is correct, GIAC would be the first if I'm not mistaken.

+1
I would definitely like to know how this impacts TD1.

[onequick4door]

Those numbers are strong considering the HG Intercooler has a smaller core than the Unitronic or newly release APR and it was a on a heart breaker Mustang dyno.

[AllroadCorbin]

Okay...so fully returnable to stock with no detection by the OEM that a change was made to the ECU? Just wondering if there is still a way to avoid TD1 if possible. So far, it doesn't seem any of the tuners have been able to create a workaround to the flash counter on the later model S3's (for ECU modification). If what you are saying is correct, GIAC would be the first if I'm not mistaken.

The dealer can not flag you TD1 for a flash count since you can apparently make that count increase by simply disconnecting and reconnecting the battery. On my B8.5 APR was able to reset flash count but they told me that if the dealer gave you shit about to just say you had stereo work done and the shop disconnected your battery while working on it.

But on a side note....Holy hell 3.4 seconds is fast. Has any research been done on the effect of the massive power increases on the haldex system components? Will GIAC be offering a DSG tune as well?

[CJ_S4]

The dealer can not flag you TD1 for a flash count since you can apparently make that count increase by simply disconnecting and reconnecting the battery. On my B8.5 APR was able to reset flash count but they told me that if the dealer gave you shit about to just say you had stereo work done and the shop disconnected your battery while working on it.

But on a side note....Holy hell 3.4 seconds is fast. Has any research been done on the effect of the massive power increases on the haldex system components? Will GIAC be offering a DSG tune as well?

I guess I was referring to the additional security Audi added to the later model 2016+ S3's I thought it had something to do with a flash counter, but I could be wrong. Some of the aftermarket tuners made note that they have not been able to bypass this additional security. I'm just wanting to know which of the available tunes are detectable should I flash back to stock.

[Austin@GIAC]

Those numbers are strong considering the HG Intercooler has a smaller core than the Unitronic or newly release APR and it was a on a heart breaker Mustang dyno.

The data we've collected on the HG intercooler has been nothing short of fantastic. It's a very good option. If I were spec'ing an S3 for myself it would be between that and the Wagner, no others.

[Austin@GIAC]

I guess I was referring to the additional security Audi added to the later model 2016+ S3's I thought it had something to do with a flash counter, but I could be wrong. Some of the aftermarket tuners made note that they have not been able to bypass this additional security. I'm just wanting to know which of the available tunes are detectable should I flash back to stock.

It's just a hard lock they installed. Flash counters are not a viable source of liability because independent shops are able to install flash updates to ECUs. There is no way to track who installed what, that is, unless your ECU has say 265 flashes / accesses logged on it.

[Austin@GIAC]

Okay...so fully returnable to stock with no detection by the OEM that a change was made to the ECU? Just wondering if there is still a way to avoid TD1 if possible. So far, it doesn't seem any of the tuners have been able to create a workaround to the flash counter on the later model S3's (for ECU modification). If what you are saying is correct, GIAC would be the first if I'm not mistaken.

If you have a dealership that logs flash dates, that is something they can still look at it. It's not something Audi's system pulls, though. It is a manual thing done at the dealer. I've never seen a GIAC S3 that was flashed back to stock get auto flagged at the dealer (I don't even think I've been made aware of any customer who has been TD1'd up to this point). Audi is constantly changing things so I can say it's impossible, just that their system at this very moment has given us issues.

[CJ_S4]

If you have a dealership that logs flash dates, that is something they can still look at it. It's not something Audi's system pulls, though. It is a manual thing done at the dealer. I've never seen a GIAC S3 that was flashed back to stock get auto flagged at the dealer (I don't even think I've been made aware of any customer who has been TD1'd up to this point). Audi is constantly changing things so I can say it's impossible, just that their system at this very moment has given us issues.

Thanks for the info Austin. One other question - Are the other bolt on mods required for the flash, or could I just flash an otherwise stock S3 and still see good gains and no other issues? I feel like this car needs about 50 more HP to be pretty close to perfect - seems like a flash could get me there pretty easy. I may go the intercooler route too, but that would be it.

[Austin@GIAC]

Thanks for the info Austin. One other question - Are the other bolt on mods required for the flash, or could I just flash an otherwise stock S3 and still see good gains and no other issues? I feel like this car needs about 50 more HP to be pretty close to perfect - seems like a flash could get me there pretty easy. I may go the intercooler route too, but that would be it.

Best power combo, bang for the buck-wise, will be intake, downpipe and intercooler with stage 2 flash. You only need the DP and IC, but the intake definitely adds notable power.

[EmmanueleDesign]

Those numbers are strong considering the HG Intercooler has a smaller core than the Unitronic or newly release APR and it was a on a heart breaker Mustang dyno.

It sounds like you are comparing the claimed volume and not the displacement. HG is the only company that actually specifies a volume based on fluid displacement. So far, everyone else takes X, Y and Z measurements and comes up with a volumetric calculation. The problem with this is you are assuming the core dimension has a 100% fill capacity, which it does not. HG measures the OEM intercooler with fluid displacement, then measures their core with fluid displacement to give you a realistic measurement of the volumetric gain (around 30% in this case).

To my knowledge, HG was the first MQB intercooler option as it was for sale way back in 2013. Then and now, the end tanks are cast in Germany and all production is done in-house in Lübeck. CFD simulation is a big tool used in the development phase, and all changes are then tested on the dyno. The intercooler is currently in its 3rd revision since the original release, as fitment was modified for newer platforms such as the TT-S, and slight core changes have been made to improve power output.

We run this intercooler on both our S3 as well as our MK7 GTI and have been very happy with the performance and IAT's. I am comfortable saying that the HG intercooler will perform as good or better than any comparable option

[BayAreaS3]

Is there at 93oct stage 2 file? If so what are the numbers

[onequick4door]

Is this tune available for 2016 models or just the earlier 15's?

[ProjectA3]

I jumped on this and got the stage 2 flash without having a larger IC. I spoke to Alex today at GIAC to discuss the things i was feeling with the car and they were all IC related and would be solved once I get one installed.
So you MUST have an IC for this file to run at it's fullest potential. other than that, i couldn't be happier right now.

[deadbolt]

I had GIAC Stage 2 when I put in my TBE, I had my intercooler installed almost 2 weeks now and running Stage 2+ and I am definitely loving it

[ProjectA3]

I had GIAC Stage 2 when I put in my TBE, I had my intercooler installed almost 2 weeks now and running Stage 2+ and I am definitely loving it

you have an A3 though not S3 different files if I'm not mistaken.

[deadbolt]

Yes they are different files, but I was just speaking about my experience with GIAC and there tune

[diztek]

Still don't see why someone would buy an a3 and put stage 2 on it, when you could of just got an s3.

[doug97gxe]

What rims are those?

[ProjectA3]

Buyers of an A3 for $36-44k see a lot lower price point than an S3 at $44-52k. Unless you'd take a base S over a little added A3 Quattro. The A3 leases better as well. I made the switch from A to S but I'm an Audi employee and get amazing discounts off MSRP.


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[Alex@GIAC]

Is this tune available for 2016 models or just the earlier 15's?

This software is available for the 2016 model's

I jumped on this and got the stage 2 flash without having a larger IC. I spoke to Alex today at GIAC to discuss the things i was feeling with the car and they were all IC related and would be solved once I get one installed.
So you MUST have an IC for this file to run at it's fullest potential. other than that, i couldn't be happier right now.

Glad I was able to help you out

I had GIAC Stage 2 when I put in my TBE, I had my intercooler installed almost 2 weeks now and running Stage 2+ and I am definitely loving it

Glad you are loving the software deadbolt

What rims are those?

The wheels are from Vorsteiner, they are the V-FF 103s

[doug97gxe]

This software is available for the 2016 model's



Glad I was able to help you out



Glad you are loving the software deadbolt



The wheels are from Vorsteiner, they are the V-FF 103s

Sweet they were one of my choice of rims look even better at that profile


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[CJ_S4]

Best power combo, bang for the buck-wise, will be intake, downpipe and intercooler with stage 2 flash. You only need the DP and IC, but the intake definitely adds notable power.

Which downpipe, intake, and IC do you recommend?

[gaogi]

I jumped on this and got the stage 2 flash without having a larger IC. I spoke to Alex today at GIAC to discuss the things i was feeling with the car and they were all IC related and would be solved once I get one installed.
So you MUST have an IC for this file to run at it's fullest potential. other than that, i couldn't be happier right now.

What kind of issues are you having without an IC? Thinking of doing the DP + STG 2, but not quite sure if I want to get the IC just yet...

[ProjectA3]

What kind of issues are you having without an IC? Thinking of doing the DP + STG 2, but not quite sure if I want to get the IC just yet...

dont go stage 2 without the IC. according to my experience and confirmed by Alex, the IC allows things like launch control to hold RPMS correctly, power delivery to stay buttery smooth, and shift characteristics to act properly with the software.
in some instances i feel slower than stage 1. But i fully knew that going to this new stage 2 without all of the parts I wouldn't have the complete package. I'll drive the car normal until later this month when the IC arrives. and then i'll drive hard again.

[CbutterK]

dont go stage 2 without the IC. according to my experience and confirmed by Alex, the IC allows things like launch control to hold RPMS correctly, power delivery to stay buttery smooth, and shift characteristics to act properly with the software.
in some instances i feel slower than stage 1. But i fully knew that going to this new stage 2 without all of the parts I wouldn't have the complete package. I'll drive the car normal until later this month when the IC arrives. and then i'll drive hard again.

Now I'm curious. How does an IC resolve the issues you are currently experiencing with the stg2 sw? I mean, does the lowered air temp(denser air) due to IC change the sw parameter to operate differently? Since the MQB ecu's are target based, I would think that the ecu will always compensate for changes in variables to always operate at a set parameter? I'm not doubting what GIAC indicated to you to get the IC to solve the issues, I'm just trying to understand exactly how the IC actually resolves the issues.

[DesertRS4]

Software updates yesterday - GIAC stage 2 with Wagner intercooler,ROCEuro intake and Miltek turbo back - fast as heck - pulls very hard - still adapting. Also got update on United Motorsport tranny software - fixed all the shifting issues I was having ,Very happy with combo in S3,Also got ride in Iroz's 850HP TTRS - car is insane fast!

[gaogi]

dont go stage 2 without the IC. according to my experience and confirmed by Alex, the IC allows things like launch control to hold RPMS correctly, power delivery to stay buttery smooth, and shift characteristics to act properly with the software.
in some instances i feel slower than stage 1. But i fully knew that going to this new stage 2 without all of the parts I wouldn't have the complete package. I'll drive the car normal until later this month when the IC arrives. and then i'll drive hard again.

Thanks for the feedback. I guess I'll stay with STG 1 if I just get the DP.