APR stage 2 or Awe Track for first mod

[AnthonyNY]

I recently purchased my s5 and i have some extra cash (around $3k) that i want to put into the car. Just looking for some opinions on what you would do first. Im coming from a 2011 A5 so the power is already a big difference but from what from what I've seen around the forums the apr tune is pretty much a must have on the s5 but than the awe track sounds so good . Also the car is a 13 and had 24k miles when bought, just wondering if i do go with a tune am i going to be looking at some parts eventually wearing due to the extra power.

[dyl0n]

APR

[jrabakker]

+1

[yjypm]

awe exhaust + apr/giac stage 1 tune, around 3k and a little over. if you want to save some money you can go for chipwerke piggyback instead of stage 1 tune first and put the rest of the money to rear sway bar, end links, CR15, and interior leds.

edit: sorry i misread your post i thought you were wondering how to spend the $3k
ill choose exhaust coz the beautiful sound is there all the time you are on the road, a tune is nice but you are not gonna feel it every second during you daily driving unless you go wot everytime you press the gas paddle.

[Powderhound]

Depends on what you want first...more fast or more sound. For me I did exhaust first for a few reasons: Lack of sound on stock exhaust and soundaktor fake exhaust note just pissed me off, wanted to keep car under factory warranty for first year of driving, figured I would leave some power on the table for when I get used to/bored of stock power, and wanted to tweak suspension/handling before adding more power. Also, on my previous vehicle I did power mods first, then handling, and cosmetics last. This time around I figured do the opposite, cosmetics first, then handling, and power last. Kinda glad I waited on power as originally would have gone with stage two APR, but now undecided as EPL seems to be doing some nice work lately and the dual pulley set up looks interesting.

[jamin_00]

Tune!

Did mine a couple of days after picking it up lol

[doug97gxe]

stage 2

[LordMagnet]

awe exhaust + apr/giac stage 1 tune

This.

Both are a must.

There's zero price difference for doing stage 1 now and upgrading to stage 2 later versus going right to stage 2 (at least with APR). You'll also love the the power boast from Stock to 1, then again at 1 to 2, double the pleasure.

I think the universal truth is more power will put more wear on the car, especially if it is significantly more than it was designed in mind with. But with that said, I haven't heard much about parts wearing out excessively fast on these cars with stage 2 beyond maybe the clutch on manuals with many aggressive launches.

[AnthonyNY]

This.

Both are a must.

There's zero price difference for doing stage 1 now and upgrading to stage 2 later versus going right to stage 2 (at least with APR). You'll also love the the power boast from Stock to 1, then again at 1 to 2, double the pleasure.

I think the universal truth is more power will put more wear on the car, especially if it is significantly more than it was designed in mind with. But with that said, I haven't heard much about parts wearing out excessively fast on these cars with stage 2 beyond maybe the clutch on manuals with many aggressive launches.

Im most likely going to go with the awe track and non res dp first since I did just get the car the stock power is still a big upgrade over the a5 for now. I was thinking apr stage 1 over giac but i don't know much since I'm new to modding and tuning cars.

[AnthonyNY]

This is off topic but this is my previous car, audi gave me $16k for the trade which I feel was a rip off. It's a 2011 A5 with 63k miles there is a reported accident on the Carfax from when I had a lady sideswipe me but the damage was very minor and was 100% repaired. The car also had brand new brakes and tires on it with less than 3k miles on them. Just wanted to hear your guys opinions on the trade offer.
http://www.audilynbrook.com/used/Aud...9ea7c9406f.htm

[bknewtype]

This is off topic but this is my previous car, audi gave me $16k for the trade which I feel was a rip off. It's a 2011 A5 with 63k miles there is a reported accident on the Carfax from when I had a lady sideswipe me but the damage was very minor and was 100% repaired. The car also had brand new brakes and tires on it with less than 3k miles on them. Just wanted to hear your guys opinions on the trade offer.
http://www.audilynbrook.com/used/Aud...9ea7c9406f.htm

that sounds on par with book value

[doug97gxe]

Im most likely going to go with the awe track and non res dp first since I did just get the car the stock power is still a big upgrade over the a5 for now. I was thinking apr stage 1 over giac but i don't know much since I'm new to modding and tuning cars.

glad you said this so i can leave a little knowledge .. i wasn't going to tell you to keep other another tunes as options since you said you wanted APR

Also if you haven't heard a 2013 S5 with AWE Track i would reconsider


AWE Exhausts Sounds vs Stock Rating

Let me know if I can assist you in any way with your decision!



Good question.

Our resonated pipes would be quieter than the stock downpipes. Targeted user would be an owner with our Track Edition exhaust looking to take the "edge" off of the volume.

To quote TAG Motorsports in order of volume level:

Stock Downpipes + Stock Exhaust
AWE Touring Exhaust + AWE Resonated Downpipes
AWE Touring Exhaust + Stock Downpipes
AWE Touring Exhaust + AWE Non-Resonated Downpipes
AWE Track Exhaust + AWE Resonated Downpipes
AWE Track Exhaust + Stock Downpipes
AWE Track Exhaust + AWE Non-Resonated Downpipes

The low down on tunes

there are a couple tuners to choose from GIAC/APR/EPL/Ultronic/REVO

all offer close to 100 hp increase with their Stage 2 (Pulley/Tune) for about $2000

If you bring your car in for service with a tune once the car is plugged in for diagnostic it will be automatically flagged with a code of TD1 which will void your powertrain warranty...

so far and a couple people have proven to avoid this .. you must bring the car back to the Tuner to flash back to stock "NOT STOCK MODE TUNE" .. but a stock flash and it will prevent the TD1.

Flashing back to stock and restoring the tune will cost anywhere from $40 - $200 depending on your tuner.. so your tune choice should really be based on the closest tuner for you as all the tunes are pretty much close to each other it will be a drivers race

there is also no risk with running stock tune with an upgraded pulley as the ECU is smart enough to only apply stock boost.

So far only 2 of those mentioned tuners above offer flash from home capabilities (EPL and Ultronic), .. this allows you to flash back to stock from the comfort of your own home without having to pay and visit your tuner to flash for service appointments ..

another option is having ur service done at a local shop.. however going in for recalls to teh dealer will still cause the connection to Audi of America

don't pay attention to 1/4 mile times too hard.. some tunes are more widespread so they will have a big number of times and also alot of those drivers are just seasoned 1/4 mile veterans

Stage 2 Pulley Sizes

I wanted to make a quick thread that was searchable for all of the pulley diameters for the S4. Whenever I use the search the other thread doesnt come up. Maybe because of spelling it "pullies" in that thread I guess. Either way. Here is what I have. Still waiting on the CTS results if anyone gets it.

B8 / B8.5 S4 Supercharger Pulley Diameters / Sizes from largest to smallest - measured at the tips of the ribs

Stock: 63.25mm - verified independently

Unitronic: 58.30mm -

APR: 57.75mm - verified independently

Revo: 57.65mm - revo provided number

GIAC/AWE: 57.55mm - verified independently x2

CTS: 57.02 - verified independently

Mike

[brunogomes]

My first choice of mods was APR stage 2+ and intake.

But i also came from a TT G37 at the time that was pushing over 550rwhp. So I really needed to squeeze more power to feel comfortable.

I'd say AWE Touring + Resonated down pipes is the best sound you will get. The track + non res is gonna sound like a canon, but that is subjective to personal opinion since I don't want my car to sound like that unless it was lets say a sexual V8 growl or a lovely supercar v10 sound.

After that I'd say Alu K and suspension mods are some of the most rewarding for your buck. Really great noticeable improvements.

Then I'd look into E-codes and minor things like P3 vent gauge, OEM mirror folding kits, RS5 Mesh style grille.

Again that is my personal order of mods.

If you plan on doing track days I'd strongly suggest a front BBK kit ofc.

Again, the order of mods really comes down to your personal needs.... U just want more sound? Go exhaust first... Really craving power? Stage 2+ ofc. Track days? BBK... etc etc

[LordMagnet]

glad you said this so i can leave a little knowledge

Lots of great info there, Doug.

I myself was on the fence about which exhaust to get, track vs touring. I was worried that the touring would be too tame and was leaning towards the track, but was strongly urged by my installer to go touring. And I'm glad I listened, I couldn't be more happy with my touring, it's plenty loud when I want it to be. A lot of people claim that the two versions are just as loud at WOT, only difference is down low cruising. So that means I can keep it quiet or I can be an attention whore when I want. Videos don't do any exhaust justice, find someone who has it in person. If you find your way to Connecticut, you're more than welcome to hear my touring.

I can't comment on stage 2, but stage 1 tunes are stupid close. Over at EPL last week I saw a layover of my APR stage 1 dyno vs EPL stage 1 and they were almost identical. Only EPL made a little more torque down low, and APR made a little more HP up high. Can't lose either way.

[dux ducis]

Lots of great info there, Doug.

I myself was on the fence about which exhaust to get, track vs touring. I was worried that the touring would be too tame and was leaning towards the track, but was strongly urged by my installer to go touring. And I'm glad I listened, I couldn't be more happy with my touring, it's plenty loud when I want it to be. A lot of people claim that the two versions are just as loud at WOT, only difference is down low cruising. So that means I can keep it quiet or I can be an attention whore when I want. Videos don't do any exhaust justice, find someone who has it in person. If you find your way to Connecticut, you're more than welcome to hear my touring.

I can't comment on stage 2, but stage 1 tunes are stupid close. Over at EPL last week I saw a layover of my APR stage 1 dyno vs EPL stage 1 and they were almost identical. Only EPL made a little more torque down low, and APR made a little more HP up high. Can't lose either way.

I have touring as well. perfect for my needs, no buyers remorse. low and classy when in D, but in S I can rip it