What ECU Tune to go with?

[Ks3.0]

I did my research, searched the forum and Im still stuck on deciding which one to go with.
I recently purchased a 2012 S4 DSG (love it) but Im looking to get the Stage 1 ECU tune. After looking through the forums I have come to the conclusion to pick between either GIAC Stage 1, or REVO Stage 1. Just wanted your guys opinion on which one to go with.

[GRUMPY-S4]

GIAC

[LINDW4LL]

GIAC

[Shaun Perry]

Considering GIAC as well. I'm assuming off their site the "Xplus" tune is stage 1? Says it is compatible with a stock car but can benefit by an intake and exhaust.

And their transmission tune. Is anyone running stage 1/Xplus and the "T2" tune together or is there no real benefit until adding the pulley and going stage 2(X2).

[DannyDeez]

I'd say GIAC over revo if that's the only two you're set on. I still remember how bad revo sucked for the B5 market years ago so it's hard to get it outta my head.

Any reason you're not considering EPL?

[jimrobbington]

You didn't do enough research if REVO and GIAC are your only options...

IMO, EPL is at the top of the list, as well as 034, who should have an official software release next month I'm hoping. If I were to purchase software in the next few weeks, it would be between those two companies.

Nothing against GIAC, they do hold the 1/4 records, but only because it just happens to be GIAC users thinking outside the box. I do believe 034 will come out stronger than GIAC...

[Loe]

At stage 1 levels of power, you really can't go wrong with REVO or GIAC.

[rwtzero]

I have AWE stage 2 which is GIAC tuning, with the GIAC DSG tune. its smooth when you want it to be, and violent when you step into it. Overall, I am very pleased!

That said, I'm certain that the REVO or EPL etc will give you the same results.

From what I have read, I would steer clear of the APR DSG tune, or at least until they work out the bugs.

[bmoreS4]

EPL

[BDP]

I'm in the same boat, I literally have $$ burning a hole in my pocket. Since this is the seventh VAG car I've had over the years, I've actually had pretty much all of the major tuners on my vehicles, APR, GIAC and REVO. I have no allegiance to any of them and they all worked well for me. I slightly lean towards APR because they gave me a free tune back in the day when they were releasing their "V-tune" software for the 1.8T...years ago, I helped beta test it. My only problem is APR is literally the most expensive and the shop that would do the install is the most expensive in getting the work done (Dubwerx, Cincinnati). I can go to the local GIAC shop and have resonated downpipes & Stg 2 installed for less then just getting a Stg 2 tune down there.

The jury is still out with me on EPL, I've been reading the forums and the threads on them. However, there just isn't enough of a user base or results that make me feel comfortable jumping that direction. On top of that I don't know much about the company...will they support the platform for years to come. Plus I'd have to do the pulley install myself.

[TexasDfwS4]

I'd say GIAC over revo if that's the only two you're set on. I still remember how bad revo sucked for the B5 market years ago so it's hard to get it outta my head.

Any reason you're not considering EPL?

Or Unitronic

[ALAN12186]

APR!

[dyl0n]

https://youtu.be/xWxE1neO774

My APR Stage 2 shifts funky.

[sh!tmagnet]

Daz Dillenger (RIP) did my stg 2 tune; look into Vagwerks. They're in the NY area. Very happy with the tune over the last 15k miles. Alot better pricing too than the major tuners.

[Tony@EPL]

The jury is still out with me on EPL, I've been reading the forums and the threads on them. However, there just isn't enough of a user base or results that make me feel comfortable jumping that direction.

Of course I beg to differ the jury being still out . results are proven and solid. Track times continue to get faster and faster (most recently 11.8 @116 on pump fuel stage 2 single pulley set up). Development on the platform started in late 2012 our own shop car which we owned and developed on for over a year before releasing software to the public.

However, there just isn't enough of a user base or results that make me feel comfortable jumping that direction.

Without getting into specifics, we're selling tunes as fast as we are able to provide flashing cables. Our customer base is quite broad at this point.

On top of that I don't know much about the company...will they support the platform for years to come. Plus I'd have to do the pulley install myself.

We have been in business for 10+ years. Little known fact is my business is a direct result in lack of support from a company that is still active on this forum. We were the first to bring home flashing to this community and we actively update calibrations (often weekly).

The support for this platform has only BEGUN and I dont see any reason why it will tapper off any time soon (we still support 1992-1995 s4's and s6's for reference). As for installing the pulley yourself, I can recommend several shops in OH and honestly most general repair shops that do even a little performance work will have no issue installing the pulley for you as well.

We'd gladly call you if you would like to discuss tuning.

[shoe3k]

https://youtu.be/xWxE1neO774

My APR Stage 2 shifts funky.

I have seen this issue with GIAC, APR, and even stock tunes. I believe it is something with the ECU and TCU not being in sync. It's funny because I get this with the stock tune when shifting at WOT after 5000 RPM. If I manually shift a few hundred rpm before 5000 RPM it is always lighting quick with very crisp shifts. Otherwise, in S or manual mode I get this annoying hesitation after a shift when crossing the 5k barrier. I can replicate this all the time where it will shift, pause, drop 100 RPM, and pick up accelerating again.

[ModdedEuros]

Would take a look at Unitronic and UniConnect+. Can now just flash your ECU yourself right at home. No more need to go to shops for labor fees. You can upgrade and downgrade in minutes on your own

Have more info on tunes onsite
https://www.moddedeuros.com/audi/s4/b8-10-13/tuning

[Loe]

The jury is still out with me on EPL, I've been reading the forums and the threads on them. However, there just isn't enough of a user base or results that make me feel comfortable jumping that direction. On top of that I don't know much about the company...will they support the platform for years to come. Plus I'd have to do the pulley install myself.

More and more times will come out for EPL, you have to remember that the EPL group buy started when the majority of tracks were closed. I think they recently took the stage 2 pump fuel record (albeit by a few hundredths of a second, but that's to be expected for our platform). The progression is good coming from the days when Saxon had an EPL tune, and I too had one previously; I was running .2 @ 2mph slower than a comparable APR stage 1 tuned car with AZ member FLYINLEGGS, but that was last Sept. and there has been revisions since then.

Tony@EPL is very dedicated to making sure the tune progresses, which is admirable and something to consider when purchasing as well!

[mrmomo313]

go with REVO if you want to be the slowest

[Elderan]

EPL, Cannot beat being able to flash at home and then flash back if needed. Also updates wont require going to some shop for flash updates.

[BDP]

More and more times will come out for EPL, you have to remember that the EPL group buy started when the majority of tracks were closed. I think they recently took the stage 2 pump fuel record (albeit by a few hundredths of a second, but that's to be expected for our platform). The progression is good coming from the days when Saxon had an EPL tune, and I too had one previously; I was running .2 @ 2mph slower than a comparable APR stage 1 tuned car with AZ member FLYINLEGGS, but that was last Sept. and there has been revisions since then.

Tony@EPL is very dedicated to making sure the tune progresses, which is admirable and something to consider when purchasing as well!

Why aren't you using them? Don't they have a dual pulley tune that would allow you to maybe ditch the chipwerks piggyback?

[Loe]

Why aren't you using them? Don't they have a dual pulley tune that would allow you to maybe ditch the chipwerks piggyback?

They do, but my current set-up works fine the way it is and how it integrates nicely with the GIAC stage II file that I don't feel the need to spend another $1000 or so to obtain a dedicated file at the moment. If someone beats my current record, then I would possible consider switching

[BDP]

They do, but my current set-up works fine the way it is and how it integrates nicely with the GIAC stage II file that I don't feel the need to spend another $1000 or so to obtain a dedicated file at the moment. If someone beats my current record, then I would possible consider switching

Ha! understood. There is no chance in me beating the record for sure. Even though there is literally 3 tracks within an hour from my house, with one being 20 minutes away. We are sitting about 1k above sea level here.

[VandyZ]

I simply cant say enough great things about EPL. Top notch service and support not to mention awesome results.

[mrmomo313]

Ha! understood. There is no chance in me beating the record for sure. Even though there is literally 3 tracks within an hour from my house, with one being 20 minutes away. We are sitting about 1k above sea level here.

How far are you from Thompson dragway? Primetime has put up some quick times there

[Loe]

Ha! understood. There is no chance in me beating the record for sure. Even though there is literally 3 tracks within an hour from my house, with one being 20 minutes away. We are sitting about 1k above sea level here.

You may be able to or at least run near it with a similar set-up to mine in 1K D/A's...

not to derail the thread, when I reviewed my logs in my most recent run in 1200ft D/A's where I ran [email protected] (I guess I'm technically the unofficial place holder for the next 7 or 8 spots as records, but I haven't shared all of my 11.2-11.3 second times I've had...lol), I feel an 11.2x@121-122mph could have been doable with proper cooling on that run.

some food for thought

[Batman0424]

I simply cant say enough great things about EPL. Top notch service and support not to mention awesome results.

Agreed. I was not sure I wanted to tune at all until I looked into EPL and spoke with Tony (and this was back in Feb of this year). After going Stage I at home, I quickly decided that I want to go Stage II and now I'm adding the dual pulley and giving my car to Tony to dyno tune. My only problem is that I have to wait another 2 weeks before my car goes to the shop.

[doug97gxe]

your research led you to revo as one of your top choices? you sure you weren't in the 1.8T forum?

[shoe3k]

Agreed. I was not sure I wanted to tune at all until I looked into EPL and spoke with Tony (and this was back in Feb of this year). After going Stage I at home, I quickly decided that I want to go Stage II and now I'm adding the dual pulley and giving my car to Tony to dyno tune. My only problem is that I have to wait another 2 weeks before my car goes to the shop.

Sorry. Had to do this.

[joediesel]

I, for one, am glad I went EPL. Flash from home, great feel and power, 1/4 mile results, and my experience with Tony has been nothing short of awesome. Now if I could find the time to get this damned pulley installed!

[Acejam]

From what I have read, I would steer clear of the APR DSG tune, or at least until they work out the bugs.

Source?

[bmoreS4]

I, for one, am glad I went EPL. Flash from home, great feel and power, 1/4 mile results, and my experience with Tony has been nothing short of awesome. Now if I could find the time to get this damned pulley installed!

x2

all good so far

[Evan2]

While I have a GIAC stage 2 (came with car) if I was untuned EPL was my choice.

[VandyZ]

For those of you EPL customers still waiting to get your pulley installed and flashed to stage II....all I can say is hurry up and wake the beast!

[GRUMPY-S4]

Note: I run EPL and to me its the best out there based on flexibility (flash at home, E85, dual pulley, etc etc)

I figured he asked between Revo and GIAC, so that was a no brainer.

[BDP]

How far are you from Thompson dragway? Primetime has put up some quick times there

Thompson is about 4hr's north of where I'm at. I can run down to Edgewater in Cincinnati to defeat some of the elevation. They are about 800ft above sea level down there but that is probably the furthest track for me to travel to at just outside an hour.

[Zaxon55]

I was in the same boat, finally decided that they are all within a tight range in terms of daily driver performance for my needs and scheduled with APR Stage 2 for ECU and TCU.

[bmoreS4]

For those of you EPL customers still waiting to get your pulley installed and flashed to stage II....all I can say is hurry up and wake the beast!

lol thats me, should have the pulley kit by Friday, very excited.

Nice improvement over stage 1?

[fitzydude]

Just dropped Revo like its hot today.

[bmoreS4]

Just dropped Revo like its hot today.

Well done sir