APR or EPL tune (both ECU and TCU)?

[flyfishing]

I am getting the itch for stage 2 and saying F it to warranty.

I plan to go with APR downpipes unless you all tell me no (matted up to Miltek exhaust)

The question is whether to go with EPL or APR. If I am going stage 2, it doesn't matter b/c they will see my downpipes. Anyone here try both tunes?'

How is the power difference?

Actually more important to me is how is the TCU tune? I want D to be more aggressive.

[saxon]

I know you didn't state Unitronic but it would be my suggestion, it gets you a big company backed tune like APR but the flash at home ability of epl....best of both worlds

The tcu tune is phenomenal and absolutely no issues at all!

[MadAboutCars]

Hey, saxon. Can you tell us more about the differences the Unitronic TCU tune made. Is there any difference in D mode or just S mode? What do you like best about it? TIA

[Logtec]

I am getting the itch for stage 2 and saying F it to warranty.

I plan to go with APR downpipes unless you all tell me no (matted up to Miltek exhaust)

The question is whether to go with EPL or APR. If I am going stage 2, it doesn't matter b/c they will see my downpipes. Anyone here try both tunes?'

How is the power difference?

Actually more important to me is how is the TCU tune? I want D to be more aggressive.

I have the EPL stage 1 ECU&TCU. Ecu came week ago, Tcu just yesterday and I can say the TCU tune is a must be, it takes the car to another level, much more power. Go for the Epl, then you can always flash it yourself back to stock before going to the dealer.

[pez81]

I have the EPL stage 1 ECU&TCU. Ecu came week ago, Tcu just yesterday and I can say the TCU tune is a must be, it takes the car to another level, much more power. Go for the Epl, then you can always flash it yourself back to stock before going to the dealer.

The TCU makes more power, please explain

Sent from my XT1580 using Tapatalk

[Logtec]

You have to ask it from Epl. I can only tell the car accelerates much better after the tcu tune.


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine

[Sport Line]

I have EPL stage 1 ECU +TCU and APR dp waiting for the install , so the plan is to do EPL stage 2 with APR dp. Unfortunately there are no head to head comparison in between EPL and APR stage 2 that I know , however I think there are some here planning to run some dyno testing soon so maybe if you wait another month or so you may be able to see some results .I think it was planned for March and saxon being one of them . Warranty wise ,yeah those APR dp will be impossible to hide but even so being able to flash at home it is still a great advantage , dealer will prefer working on the car with oem software

EPL TCU Tune it dose shifts more aggressively in D mode as well .It is not that car makes more power , but because of quicker and more aggressive shifts power gets to the wheels more effectively so there is no lag in delivering all amount of power

[parkstr8]

Where can I see more info on / buy on the EPL tunes? Google says their site is under construction. I've been playing with the idea...and reading about all the various tunes...but making a decision is tough. My car is a '16 so I want to be as safe as possible to avoid a TD1 so early in ownership...and flashing back to stock is always easy, albeit not guaranteed.

[Logtec]

Where can I see more info on the EPL tunes? Google says their site is under construction. I've been playing with the idea...and reading about all the various tunes...but making a decision is tough. My car is a '16 so I want to be as safe as possible to avoid a TD1 so early in ownership...and flashing back to stock is always easy, albeit not guaranteed.

Best info you can get is from the users here. Flash it back to stock and there will be no warranty problems.

[Sam S]

When you flash EPL back to stock, are you removing the EPL software completely or is it just an OEM tune within the EPL Software? If EPL software isn't completely removed a deal shop would be able to fine it if they really wanted.

[saxon]

Hey, saxon. Can you tell us more about the differences the Unitronic TCU tune made. Is there any difference in D mode or just S mode? What do you like best about it? TIA

Sure :)

With their stage 2 file the tcu tune allows a more aggressive tune to handle all of the yo and their new stage 2 tune can't be used without it :)

The trans shifts much smooth at low speeds and I don't use dynamic as much as I used to because auto mode is just pretty darn good!!

In dynamic mode the tcu combined with ecu tune and the redline is moved to 6900 instead of 6500

[LittleDozer]

When you flash EPL back to stock, are you removing the EPL software completely or is it just an OEM tune within the EPL Software? If EPL software isn't completely removed a deal shop would be able to fine it if they really wanted.

It's the OEM Audi stock map unlike APR or other companies stock "mode."


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Prh]

I'm running Stage 2 APR with their downpipes. Love it. I did my 35k Audi service (flashed back to stock) and no issues. Obviously tech noticed the downpipes but all good. I want to get TCU next.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[MadAboutCars]

Sure :)

With their stage 2 file the tcu tune allows a more aggressive tune to handle all of the yo and their new stage 2 tune can't be used without it :)

The trans shifts much smooth at low speeds and I don't use dynamic as much as I used to because auto mode is just pretty darn good!!

In dynamic mode the tcu combined with ecu tune and the redline is moved to 6900 instead of 6500

Sounds great. Thanks!

[turbello]

Anyone know if epl has any recent code updates? I'm about 8 months with mine. Very happy but curious if the tcu got even better.


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine

[Sport Line]

Where can I see more info on / buy on the EPL tunes? Google says their site is under construction. I've been playing with the idea...and reading about all the various tunes...but making a decision is tough. My car is a '16 so I want to be as safe as possible to avoid a TD1 so early in ownership...and flashing back to stock is always easy, albeit not guaranteed.

PM Chris http://www.audizine.com/forum/member...7278-Chris-EPL

You can also message him on facebook , usually responds pretty quickly

https://www.facebook.com/EPLabs/

[Sport Line]

Anyone know if epl has any recent code updates? I'm about 8 months with mine. Very happy but curious if the tcu got even better.


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine

I don't see any updates under my EPL Acc on the flash loader so I assume there are non for the TCU

[papadoc]

I am getting the itch for stage 2 and saying F it to warranty.

You have that correct. There is no reason to flash back to stock at the dealer, for if there is an issue, there is an ECU flash counter that you cannot alter. Audi will get that and say goodbye to warranty coverage. So yes, pay to play, but those who think the ability to flash back to stock is an advantage are mistaken. If you go with an ECU tune, just forget the possibility of Audi paying for anything drive train related.

[Julius_855]

Is that backed up by some real experience or just a thought?

[Sport Line]

You have that correct. There is no reason to flash back to stock at the dealer, for if there is an issue, there is an ECU flash counter that you cannot alter. Audi will get that and say goodbye to warranty coverage. So yes, pay to play, but those who think the ability to flash back to stock is an advantage are mistaken. If you go with an ECU tune, just forget the possibility of Audi paying for anything drive train related.

With or without warranty , dealer prefers working on the car with stock software vs tune on it . This is what I been told at my dealership ,as it is easier for them to diagnose a issue if something happens . Yes , you cannot reset flash counter , however that is not the only way they can check if a tune was installed

[Logtec]

I never had warranty issues, my a6 gearbox got damaged with the tune on and they fixed under warranty.


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine

[MikeDwerks]

You have that correct. There is no reason to flash back to stock at the dealer, for if there is an issue, there is an ECU flash counter that you cannot alter. Audi will get that and say goodbye to warranty coverage. So yes, pay to play, but those who think the ability to flash back to stock is an advantage are mistaken. If you go with an ECU tune, just forget the possibility of Audi paying for anything drive train related.

Ability to flash back to stock 100% is an advantage, flash counter or no flash counter.

My S6, with EPL tune, was in for drive train warranty work. Flashed back to stock prior to taking it in... during the course of the diagnosis, Audi kind of took over the situation and instructed the dealer to do a "spec vs actual" before they would warranty anything further. The "spec vs actual" is where Audi will catch a tune and flag TD1 by comparing parameters the ECU is supposed to have against what it does have.

The spec vs actual is detailed enough they caught my VCDS mods, such as lap timer enabled, and changed it back. But they detected nothing else that would cause me to be flagged TD1 because i had flashed back to stock. If I would have taken your point of view and said "might as well leave the tune on because they will see the flash count change anyway" I am 100% confident I would have gotten flagged and Audi would have stopped right there with their warranty work.

In addition to dong the spec vs actual can they go in and look at the flash counter? Maybe, I don't know. I can't say I know exactly how all that works with the flash counter nor have I ever read anything definative. Does it log date and time is was flashed? Does it tell them what parameters where adjusted with the flash?

i would much rather them notice a flash counter issue than also be able to detect an actual change in the timing and boost parameters. At least with the flash counter there is probably some gray area for argument and pleading ignorance, as just because the car has been flashed does not mean they know what might have been adjusted with the flash and if it had any bearing on drive train parametners.


Unitronic also has flash at home ability, so they should be considered an option as well if that is important.

[papadoc]

In addition to doing the spec vs actual can they go in and look at the flash counter? Maybe, I don't know. I can't say I know exactly how all that works with the flash counter nor have I ever read anything definative. Does it log date and time is was flashed? Does it tell them what parameters where adjusted with the flash?

Actually, you can go in and look at the flash counter using your VCDS cable, and it might be instructive to see what you find. Look in the 01 Engine block, and then Advanced ID. This gives the number of flashes and number of attempts, and the date. Similar to looking under the 02 Auto Trans block and under Advanced ID find the launch counter. I have not had the "pleasure" of a TD1 designation, but have heard of others based on the extensive data that our cars log. I'd be very curious to see if your flash and reflash numbers show up. If they do, and you had transmission warranty work done, just count yourself as being very fortunate! Somehow Audi missed it.
I wasn't trying to imply that if one has the ability to flash back to stock that should not be done prior to bringing the car in for work, only to suggest that by itself if there is significant warranty work, there are ways beyond the state of the ECU Audi can void the claim. That said, if your flash counter has not changed, that might be a winner!