Almost ready to get GIAC stage 2 but...

[z_curtis_s4]

So I have the money and have the time to get an appointment for install but I'm still hesitating for some reason to get my car chipped with GIAC stage 2 software and pulley. I have a 2011 S4 with approx. 62,00 miles and DSG and am worried that something might happen to my engine or DSG. (More DSG then engine) I've read plenty of threads on here and mostly all have been positive reviews for getting the stage 2 upgrade. My car is stock other then a roc euro intake. I'm looking for more power but don't want any issues. Knock on wood my car is driving great stock at the moment. One last thing I've also thought about going GIAC stage 1 with TCU tune. Not sure which would drive be better/faster stage 2 or stage 1 with TCU. I'm sure its still stage 2 but how close I wonder in a spirited closed track race. Also would getting stage 1 have less quote, "heat soak" therefore providing more power; then stage 2 with more power potential but often "heat soaked" thus less power. Or am I way overthinking it. Any thoughts/comments would be great appreciated.

[whiped]

I would go stage I first as it is still a big jump over stock and likely much cheaper than Stage II.

TCU tune is up to you.

Once you have that drive your car for a month and if you want more power go back for Stage II.

Total cost might be a little higher than going straight to Stage II.

[B8 S4]

Straight to stage 2, your worrying too much...

[Johnnycash]

if yer gonna be a monkey be a gorilla!

[awwturbo]

Skip stage 1 and go straight to stage 2. I'm not a real fan of GIAC's stage 1 file. It's a good improvement over stock for sure, but I've had APR's stage 1 v3 on my 2011 S4 and it felt much better and stronger. This Tuesday I have an appointment to have the CTS Turbo pulley installed and getting the Stage 2 flash. And get the tcu tune for sure. I love it.

[Loe]

Skip stage 1 and go straight to stage 2. I'm not a real fan of GIAC's stage 1 file. It's a good improvement over stock for sure, but I've had APR's stage 1 v3 on my 2011 S4 and it felt much better and stronger. This Tuesday I have an appointment to have the CTS Turbo pulley installed and getting the Stage 2 flash. And get the tcu tune for sure. I love it.

Will GIAC allow you to use a CTS Turbo pulley without purchasing theres now? It used to be that the software was activated via a serial # on the pulley.

[Loe]

So I have the money and have the time to get an appointment for install but I'm still hesitating for some reason to get my car chipped with GIAC stage 2 software and pulley. I have a 2011 S4 with approx. 62,00 miles and DSG and am worried that something might happen to my engine or DSG. (More DSG then engine) I've read plenty of threads on here and mostly all have been positive reviews for getting the stage 2 upgrade. My car is stock other then a roc euro intake. I'm looking for more power but don't want any issues. Knock on wood my car is driving great stock at the moment. One last thing I've also thought about going GIAC stage 1 with TCU tune. Not sure which would drive be better/faster stage 2 or stage 1 with TCU. I'm sure its still stage 2 but how close I wonder in a spirited closed track race. Also would getting stage 1 have less quote, "heat soak" therefore providing more power; then stage 2 with more power potential but often "heat soaked" thus less power. Or am I way overthinking it. Any thoughts/comments would be great appreciated.

I don't think there have been any issues with any stage II files from any tuner, APR/GIAC has been in the game for years, and others are IHMO just as safe. But yes, the car will "heat soaked" quicker after back-to-back runs with a stage II pulley as the blower is spinning faster/engine rpm.

[waxxonMTL]

...or you could install an OD crank pulley and keep oem S/C pulley ! :)

[pdqgp]

Straight to stage 2, your worrying too much...

if yer gonna be a monkey be a gorilla!

^^ this.

[awwturbo]

Will GIAC allow you to use a CTS Turbo pulley without purchasing theres now? It used to be that the software was activated via a serial # on the pulley.

My local GIAC shop says that there are different stage 2 files he can flash to my car depending on the pulley size. GIAC has a file for the Forge pulley which is 57.2mm. He is going to check to see if there is something for the CTS pulley which is 57.02mm. If not, he'll run the Forge file for my car which should be better than the AWE pulley/file.

AWE Tuning worked with GIAC for their stage 2 pulley setup. Which is the most popular setup for our cars. You can use any pulley you want and get the GIAC tune. If you buy the AWE pulley, they give you that serial # so you can get the tune for free at a GIAC shop. I have to pay for the file for stage 2 with the CTS pulley.

[Loe]

My local GIAC shop says that there are different stage 2 files he can flash to my car depending on the pulley size. GIAC has a file for the Forge pulley which is 57.2mm. He is going to check to see if there is something for the CTS pulley which is 57.02mm. If not, he'll run the Forge file for my car which should be better than the AWE pulley/file.

AWE Tuning worked with GIAC for their stage 2 pulley setup. Which is the most popular setup for our cars. You can use any pulley you want and get the GIAC tune. If you buy the AWE pulley, they give you that serial # so you can get the tune for free at a GIAC shop. I have to pay for the file for stage 2 with the CTS pulley.

That is great information! I like it that you are no longer bound by an AWE pulley and now have other cheaper alternatives for a GIAC file.

[ptper]

3.0T has been mainly 'bulletproof' over the years. Stage 2 is what it should have been from the factory, imo. It's fine in daily driving, especially in 'D'. Put it in sport mode if you wanna smash fools on the regular, lol....don't waste your time, go straight to stage 2 and thank us later. Be the gorilla!!! haha.

[z_curtis_s4]

Skip stage 1 and go straight to stage 2. I'm not a real fan of GIAC's stage 1 file. It's a good improvement over stock for sure, but I've had APR's stage 1 v3 on my 2011 S4 and it felt much better and stronger. This Tuesday I have an appointment to have the CTS Turbo pulley installed and getting the Stage 2 flash. And get the tcu tune for sure. I love it.

I'm sure this will cause a stir but I thought GIAC's cars were faster then APR? Also has anyone heard of an Immanuel design's chip and pulley? Apparently Immanuel D's chip is faster then GIAC and APR.

[Loe]

I'm sure this will cause a stir but I thought GIAC's cars were faster then APR? Also has anyone heard of an Immanuel design's chip and pulley? Apparently Immanuel D's chip is faster then GIAC and APR.

I have not ran into Emanuel Designs files yet, would love to hear more about it if its faster. APR currently holds the fastest 93 pump @ 11.813, but GIAC has the fastest single-pulley'd race file at [email protected] (Auditude 2.0t) and me at [email protected], however the #3 & #4 single pulley'd spots are APR tuned with the difference being a couple hundredths of a second (barely even a half-car length really).

[Hofahome]

Don't do it man. You'll blow the motor.

[z_curtis_s4]

I have not ran into Emanuel Designs files yet, would love to hear more about it if its faster. APR currently holds the fastest 93 pump @ 11.813, but GIAC has the fastest single-pulley'd race file at [email protected] (Auditude 2.0t) and me at [email protected], however the #3 & #4 single pulley'd spots are APR tuned with the difference being a couple hundredths of a second (barely even a half-car length really).

Thanks for the great info. I'm thinking stage 2 now for sure. Just have to decide GIAC, Immanuel Designs, or APR.

[windowguy]

I just did Unitronics stage 2 and I am very impressed. No issues and it pulls very hard to redline. I have a 6 speed manual and the clutch is still holding all the power.

Rob.

[MrFunk]

Read my uncle's quote below...

[Loe]

I just did Unitronics stage 2 and I am very impressed. No issues and it pulls very hard to redline. I have a 6 speed manual and the clutch is still holding all the power.

Rob.

Unitronic is a gr8 tune as well, I would love to see more development into race files and dsg files. Other than that, not sure why it's overlooked, its proven to be consistent and strong.

[z_curtis_s4]

Unitronic is a gr8 tune as well, I would love to see more development into race files and dsg files. Other than that, not sure why it's overlooked, its proven to be consistent and strong.

Forgot all about Unitronic. Not sure if there is a local shop around me that has this software. I'll def check thanks to you. I'd love to see a race between GIAC stage 2, APRs2 and Unitronic stage 2 and see the winner.

[doug97gxe]

Read my uncle's quote below...

Uncle Harry listens to Huey Lewis?

[MrFunk]

Most likely

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[waxxonMTL]

Forgot all about Unitronic. Not sure if there is a local shop around me that has this software. I'll def check thanks to you. I'd love to see a race between GIAC stage 2, APRs2 and Unitronic stage 2 and see the winner.

best time we saw with unitronic stg 2 is 11,9 from bhvrd. it appears the record for 93 octane is 11.8 by EPL.. either way, i wont argue for .1

Only thing that suck is theres no dsg tune for unitronic.

Also, from all my research, it appears both GIAC and EPL are tuned to offer the most torque under the curve. I personally prefer down-low torque and fun on the street than world-record breaking-tune.

[z_curtis_s4]

Since I'm at 62,000 miles and want to go stage 2 +TCU tune, should I get a dsg fluid change first before I chip it? Or should I just chip it and wait until 75k to change the fluid.

[Loe]

best time we saw with unitronic stg 2 is 11,9 from bhvrd. it appears the record for 93 octane is 11.8 by EPL.. either way, i wont argue for .1

Only thing that suck is theres no dsg tune for unitronic.

Also, from all my research, it appears both GIAC and EPL are tuned to offer the most torque under the curve. I personally prefer down-low torque and fun on the street than world-record breaking-tune.

APR actually has the 93 pump record, but by a few thousandth of a second

Bhvdr had a b8.5 and ran on a stock TCU; higher shifts on an aftermarket TCU on the b8.5 has shown to improve 1/4mile times by .2-.3 tenths, so the Unitronic is definitely a strong tune.

[waxxonMTL]

APR actually has the 93 pump record, but by a few thousandth of a second

Bhvdr had a b8.5 and ran on a stock TCU; higher shifts on an aftermarket TCU on the b8.5 has shown to improve 1/4mile times by .2-.3 tenths, so the Unitronic is definitely a strong tune.

True, but then again, sometimes things just don't add up when your trying to squeeze every tenth of a second, I would be suprise to see a stg 2 93 octane making a 11.6 run. ( I just remember, i dont think bhvrd ran with LW rims and sticky tires so imagine that + tcu tune.. maybe a 11.6 could be achievable after all lol!)

However, it's all personal here, but I would prefer a tune that offer me a better torque curve in exchange of .1-.3 on the 1/4 miles :) My memory can serve me wrong, but before I bought the S4, i test-drove a friend's S4 with uni 2+, althought i remember it was quick, i never felt the ''kick in the butt''. Of course, this was the first time i was driving a DSG paddle shift car, so maybe if i were to test drive this car tomorrow, my review would change !

[Loe]

Since I'm at 62,000 miles and want to go stage 2 +TCU tune, should I get a dsg fluid change first before I chip it? Or should I just chip it and wait until 75k to change the fluid.

It shouldn't be an issue since it should have been done at your 35K service, just remember to keep the 75K service.

[Djw1030]

I have a 2012 S4 6mt and have the same issue - go from GIAC stage 1 to stage 2 or not. Leaning towards it but wondering whether, if I go to Stage 2, I really should be getting intake and/or exhaust too to get the most from the tune. That would be tough on the wallet. Any thoughts? Thanks.

[theweebabyseamus]

Intake does a little for power, exhaust doesn't really contribute. Stock exhaust is fine.

[Corradobrit]

Intake does a little for power, exhaust doesn't really contribute. Stock exhaust is fine.

+1 both those mods are really for soundz & lookz

[Djw1030]

Thanks. I had been told it related to air flow, on both ends. And without the better flow, the tune can't max its potential.

[Alfonso@GIAC]

With our testing in house we seen almost no horsepower difference when we fitted an exhaust system to our test vehicles. The intake system on these 3.0 supercharged vehicles really are restricted as Audi wanted to keep the supercharger quiet.
A intake system is required with our stage 2 ECU software. I only tell customers to go with an exhaust system if they want to make some noise. Other than that it really does nothing for power unless you don't like your neighbors, then by all means get an exhaust system.

Keep in mind we support basically all intake systems. Our customers tend to stick with either CTS or Roc-Euro as they seem to be the cheapest and loudest. The AWE intake system is most certainly the best looking IMO or the ECS one and the AWE one tends to be a bit quieter than the other competitors.

[Djw1030]

Super helpful. Thanks Alfonso. I like my neighbors so I think I'll go with the AWE intake and hold off on the exhaust.

[jimrobbington]

Super helpful. Thanks Alfonso. I like my neighbors so I think I'll go with the AWE intake and hold off on the exhaust.

Lol it's true. The cops have come to my house twice because of exhaust complaints. I now have to drive like 20 mph in 3rd gear through my neighborhood.

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[doughboy17]

Lol it's true. The cops have come to my house twice because of exhaust complaints. I now have to drive like 20 mph in 3rd gear through my neighborhood.

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Wow! You must have done more than replace the center resonator with the X-pipe.

[jimrobbington]

Wow! You must have done more than replace the center resonator with the X-pipe.

I removed all the resonators and mufflers and just threw a resonated xpipe in. Its even louder now that i'm stage 2. Sounds so good though. Got the complaints when I was on 3 months parental leave and taking my son to/from school every morning.

https://youtu.be/BA-KEy8Qr9I

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[doughboy17]

I removed all the resonators and mufflers and just threw a resonated xpipe in. Its even louder now that i'm stage 2.

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LOL That would do it.