Stage 2 drivability on a 6spd

**phanker** · 12-14-2015 03:07 PM

Contemplating of going straight to Stage 2 for my 2013 S4, 6spd, LSD, light weight 19" wheels.
Car feels pretty peppy thanks to the lighter wheels already. But the power of the dark side always beckon, Stage 1 or Stage 2?
I could just hit Stage 1 first and see but it's too tempting jump straight to Stage 2 and cut down the cost.

How is the drivability with a manual tranny on Stage 2?
Even with AWD, i imagine 1st gear is kinda useless as it's too short.
Would setting Comfort mode (instead of Dynamic) help with the touchy throttle?
Anyone here with a 6MT regret going to Stage 2 from a Stage 1.

Thanks.

**creativecody** · 12-14-2015 03:12 PM

Nobody has ever regretted going Stage 2. Manual or DSG. Go Stage 2 and don't look back.

**fitzydude** · 12-14-2015 03:21 PM

Originally Posted by phanker

Contemplating of going straight to Stage 2 for my 2013 S4, 6spd, LSD, light weight 19" wheels.
Car feels pretty peppy thanks to the lighter wheels already. But the power of the dark side always beckon, Stage 1 or Stage 2?
I could just hit Stage 1 first and see but it's too tempting jump straight to Stage 2 and cut down the cost.

How is the drivability with a manual tranny on Stage 2?
Even with AWD, i imagine 1st gear is kinda useless as it's too short.
Would setting Comfort mode (instead of Dynamic) help with the touchy throttle?
Anyone here with a 6MT regret going to Stage 2 from a Stage 1.

Thanks.

When I find the time I want to create a thread discussing my experience with upgrading to JHM's overdrive pulley and upgrading from Revo stage 1 to 2(1+). Initially after installing the JHM pulley with the stage 1 tune the throttle was really touchy with immediate low end torque. Needless to say it put a huge smile on my face, but I could see how it could be trouble in normal driving situations.

Once I flashed to Revo 1+ the immediate low end torque was gone, the torque builds smoothly. So at least with the Revo tune they thought about drivability, but I tell you what I really liked the insane instant torque! And I easily was able to compensate my driving style to make it work :)

The moral of the story is... Just go straight to stage 2 drivability is great with the 6MT.

-Alex

**JMUNFORD** · 12-14-2015 03:31 PM

Originally Posted by creativecody

Nobody has ever regretted going Stage 2. Manual or DSG. Go Stage 2 and don't look back.

+1

**MrFunk** · 12-14-2015 03:56 PM

I will say this, the throttle is much more sensitive...
There's nothing wrong with going stage 1 first... build up to if if you want...

**StealthBlackA4** · 12-14-2015 04:22 PM

Stage 2...greatest thing I have ever done. DSG here, though.

**doug97gxe** · 12-14-2015 04:26 PM

feels like i'm high on meth

**Sceanzo** · 12-14-2015 04:39 PM

An angel gets its wings everytime a B8 gets a pulley. You don't hate angels do you?

**Jay@JXB** · 12-14-2015 04:46 PM

No issues with traction stage 2 with a manual, even on crqppy all seasons. I will warn you should always turn off traction control if you're going to floor it in 1st, it can kick on for the front wheels. If you're launching in the stock clutch too be especially careful to have it off, it will heat up your clutch and it will slip, even on a newer clutch (I went Uni stage 2 at 9k miles)

Sent from my VS986 using Tapatalk

**doug97gxe** · 12-14-2015 04:55 PM

Originally Posted by jbullin2

No issues with traction stage 2 with a manual, even on crqppy all seasons. I will warn you should always turn off traction control if you're going to floor it in 1st, it can kick on for the front wheels. If you're launching in the stock clutch too be especially careful to have it off, it will heat up your clutch and it will slip, even on a newer clutch (I went Uni stage 2 at 9k miles)

Sent from my VS986 using Tapatalk

do you even sports diff bro?

**doug97gxe** · 12-14-2015 05:06 PM

number 1 reason you shouldn't go Stage 2 ... i almost died this weekend

**Sceanzo** · 12-14-2015 05:11 PM

Originally Posted by doug97gxe

number 1 reason you shouldn't go Stage 2 ... i almost died this weekend

Because of the mad power? You gained ground too quickly?

**doug97gxe** · 12-14-2015 05:12 PM

Originally Posted by Sceanzo

Because of the mad power? You gained ground too quickly?

Stage 2 is the devil.. get a rosary and stay clear

**Sceanzo** · 12-14-2015 05:14 PM

Next thing you know there is money missing off your dresser and your daughter is knocked up. I've seen it a hundred times

**phanker** · 12-14-2015 05:29 PM

Turn it totally off by holding the button for 5 seconds, or just minimized by hitting the button once?

Originally Posted by jbullin2

No issues with traction stage 2 with a manual, even on crqppy all seasons. I will warn you should always turn off traction control if you're going to floor it in 1st, it can kick on for the front wheels. If you're launching in the stock clutch too be especially careful to have it off, it will heat up your clutch and it will slip, even on a newer clutch (I went Uni stage 2 at 9k miles)

Sent from my VS986 using Tapatalk

**mmm def** · 12-14-2015 05:35 PM

Why don't you go stage 1 enjoy that for a while and then when you are bored with that go stage 2. I'm doing that, should keep me interested for a while.

**mmm def** · 12-14-2015 05:37 PM

Stage 2 made you pass on the right like a madman huh? ;)

**doug97gxe** · 12-14-2015 05:38 PM

Originally Posted by mmm def

Stage 2 made you pass on the right like a madman huh? ;)

see.. he gets it .. actually my exit was up next .. i was getting ready to exit right

**Jay@JXB** · 12-14-2015 05:38 PM

Originally Posted by phanker

Turn it totally off by holding the button for 5 seconds, or just minimized by hitting the button once?

Turn it all the way off.

Sent from my VS986 using Tapatalk

**Jay@JXB** · 12-14-2015 05:39 PM

Originally Posted by doug97gxe

do you even sports diff bro?

Yes I sports diff.

Sent from my VS986 using Tapatalk

**GiothomasB8S4** · 12-14-2015 09:27 PM

Originally Posted by creativecody

Nobody has ever regretted going Stage 2. Manual or DSG. Go Stage 2 and don't look back.

Yeah what he said.

**phanker** · 12-14-2015 10:08 PM

That's the plan. Thinking of purchasing Uni Stage 2+ but play around with Stage 1 & 1+ for a while first flashing from home. Once I'm bored with the foreplay, on go the pulley and Stage 2+. Cheaper this way if I'm certain Stage 2 is where I'll end up.

Originally Posted by mmm def

Why don't you go stage 1 enjoy that for a while and then when you are bored with that go stage 2. I'm doing that, should keep me interested for a while.

**will13k7** · 12-14-2015 10:57 PM

Originally Posted by Sceanzo

An angel gets its wings everytime a B8 gets a pulley. You don't hate angels do you?

lol.

the only reason not to go stage2 for mt is that if you're not careful, you'll need a new clutch and that's not an inexpensive job.

**pdqgp** · 12-15-2015 05:20 AM

Originally Posted by jbullin2

No issues with traction stage 2 with a manual, even on crqppy all seasons. I will warn you should always turn off traction control if you're going to floor it in 1st, it can kick on for the front wheels.

^^ This. Even more so now that it's cooler outside. My car will hit TC so much/hard that it will bog down. No WOT in first without turning it off or you'll feel like you drove into a mud pit. I remember after going stage 2 and flooring as I left my side street to the secondary road which is 45mph I thought something was wrong and actually pulled over. Duh! I LOL'd though.

Originally Posted by doug97gxe

do you even sports diff bro?

^^ I do but I don't think it impacts or does anything unless you're in a curve.

**Sceanzo** · 12-15-2015 05:44 AM

Originally Posted by will13k7

lol.

the only reason not to go stage2 for mt is that if you're not careful, you'll need a new clutch and that's not an inexpensive job.

No sense of being scared about it. Apparently they dump out with stock power with ease. I removed the CDV,go easy on the launching and cross my fingers

**Rez90** · 12-15-2015 05:48 AM

Originally Posted by creativecody

Nobody has ever regretted going Stage 2. Manual or DSG. Go Stage 2 and don't look back.

This. my car is a manual. Drives like stock with more nuts.

**johnstah** · 12-15-2015 06:13 AM

Originally Posted by Sceanzo

An angel gets its wings everytime a B8 gets a pulley. You don't hate angels do you?

+1

**schirm** · 12-15-2015 06:32 AM

Originally Posted by will13k7

lol.

the only reason not to go stage2 for mt is that if you're not careful, you'll need a new clutch and that's not an inexpensive job.

I had 101,000 miles on my OEM clutch tuned for 60k of them. It was still going strong, but Audi just replaced it for free so I couldn't say no.

**jmac1** · 12-15-2015 07:05 AM

Originally Posted by Rez90

This. my car is a manual. Drives like stock with more nuts.

I agree 100% I just took my 2013 to stage 2. Adds so much to the car, at the same time if you want to drive around town with the kids in the car no issues. I find no real difference in throttle response if you are just going about your daily business. However when you light it up it pushes you in your seat and makes you smile. In certain instances it goes from Fast to Stupid Fast however after a few weeks you get used to it and it is just a solid all around performer.

Go stage 2 all at once. It is a no brainer and the extra torque is awesome.

**Thurston** · 12-15-2015 09:30 AM

This thread resonates w/ me, I've been wondering the same thing. If it provides more low end torque and obviously the tune does then I'll be exceedingly happy - i find myself needing more low end grunt all the time besides 1st gear. Often I'll be on a slow roll and go from 1st to 3rd or 2nd to 4th maybe even 5th because - lazy - and that low rpm roll in 3rd or 4th or 5th w/e would def. benefit from the power gains, right?

**jokingjimmy** · 12-15-2015 09:50 AM

Originally Posted by doug97gxe

number 1 reason you shouldn't go Stage 2 ... i almost died this weekend

Not your fault. Everyone knows that the magnetic resonance created by the coupling of big rigs and their trailers are strongly attracted to the magnetic field generated by Stage 2. Everyone knows this.

Originally Posted by Sceanzo

An angel gets its wings everytime a B8 gets a pulley. You don't hate angels do you?

+1

BTW, I don't hate angels, but my pocket book hates them, and my wife hates TD1 LOL!

**doug97gxe** · 12-15-2015 09:52 AM

Originally Posted by jokingjimmy

Not your fault. Everyone knows that the magnetic resonance created by the coupling of big rigs and their trailers are strongly attracted to the magnetic field generated by Stage 2. Everyone knows this.

I've saving explanation this if my wife ever finds this video

**jokingjimmy** · 12-15-2015 10:04 AM

Originally Posted by doug97gxe

I've saving explanation this if my wife ever finds this video

Yep. Just tell her, "cuz evryone knowz!" and all will be well in the homestead.

**JonS4** · 12-15-2015 10:27 AM

Originally Posted by phanker

...How is the drivability with a manual tranny on Stage 2?

When I think driveability, I think living with it day to day. So on that note I'd say throttle response is better, it is noticeably smoother through midrange, tons of more torque right off idle, seems to be in the sweet spot more often at freeway speed. Hell, it even sounds better. It's the cherry on top mod.

**phanker** · 12-15-2015 12:29 PM

"noticeably smoother"? Great to hear. I'm feeling much better about Stage 2's drivability with every post here.
It sounds better how? Louder? Please elaborate. Thanks.

Originally Posted by JonS4

When I think driveability, I think living with it day to day. So on that note I'd say throttle response is better, it is noticeably smoother through midrange, tons of more torque right off idle, seems to be in the sweet spot more often at freeway speed. Hell, it even sounds better. It's the cherry on top mod.

**schirm** · 12-15-2015 12:33 PM

Originally Posted by phanker

"noticeably smoother"? Great to hear. I'm feeling much better about Stage 2's drivability with every post here.
It sounds better how? Louder? Please elaborate. Thanks.

Driving my car normal you would ever know its tuned. Do not worry about it!

**phanker** · 12-15-2015 12:39 PM

Stage 2 is the answer it seems. What also helped for me so far, without a tune, has been reducing unsprung weight. Shaving off over 8lbs each corner with lighter wheels did wonders for acceleration, braking, and steering response. Reduced the S4' lumbering feeling quite a bit. Looking to go with lightweight rotors when they need replacing also.

Originally Posted by Thurston

This thread resonates w/ me, I've been wondering the same thing. If it provides more low end torque and obviously the tune does then I'll be exceedingly happy - i find myself needing more low end grunt all the time besides 1st gear. Often I'll be on a slow roll and go from 1st to 3rd or 2nd to 4th maybe even 5th because - lazy - and that low rpm roll in 3rd or 4th or 5th w/e would def. benefit from the power gains, right?

**schirm** · 12-15-2015 01:37 PM

Originally Posted by phanker

Stage 2 is the answer it seems. What also helped for me so far, without a tune, has been reducing unsprung weight. Shaving off over 8lbs each corner with lighter wheels did wonders for acceleration, braking, and steering response. Reduced the S4' lumbering feeling quite a bit. Looking to go with lightweight rotors when they need replacing also.

Taking off spinning weight is the best weight.