Opinions on the various TCU tunes out there. Underwhelmed by the GIAC DSG tune.

[Corradobrit]

I just flashed my '14 S4 B8.5 with the GIAC Stage 1 ECU and TCU tunes last weekend. While I have noticed a welcome increase in power and torque with the ECU mod I'm a little underwhelmed by the TCU changes. Clamping pressure does not feel adequate and my bum dyno is only noticing a marginal increase in gear change speed and positivity. How do others feel about the GIAC TCU file? Has anyone tried another tune and gotten better results?

[Rodizzle]

I feel the same about the 034 Motorsports TCU . They need a lot more pressure on to the clutches. I’m not the only one speaking there’s a handful out there that have the same symptoms that I do.
I’m Really thinking about hopping onto APR latest TCU file, they just updated the file and heard good reviews about it across the board

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[Acejam]

I have the latest version of the APR TCU tune on my dual pulley setup and it’s been flawless. After I put the lightweight JHM 187 pulley on, shifts felt even quicker. (And it definitely revs quicker for sure too)


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[theweebabyseamus]

I feel the same about the 034 Motorsports TCU . They need a lot more pressure on to the clutches. I’m not the only one speaking there’s a handful out there that have the same symptoms that I do.
I’m Really thinking about hopping onto APR latest TCU file, they just updated the file and heard good reviews about it across the board

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+1

[Corradobrit]

I'm considering running stock DSG tune with Stage 1 since the GIAC TCU file seems to offer little in the way of noticeable performance benefits. Potential problems? I'm not particularly hard on the car and have no intention of doing launches or running 1/4 miles.

[JD S4]

Question would be - did you follow any sort of adaptation on the TCU tune? I understand it to be fairly important.

EPL is dope. They have a beta file that is going live soon that is really aggressive in sport mode. I like that.


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[Corradobrit]

Was never told to follow an 'adaptation' procedure. And there is nothing written in the owner manual/instructions.

[BlandySanderson]

I have the latest version of the APR TCU tune on my dual pulley setup and it’s been flawless. After I put the lightweight JHM 187 pulley on, shifts felt even quicker. (And it definitely revs quicker for sure too)


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I also have the APR "stage 2" DSG tune. I love it noe issue, Drive mode is better and doesn't bog as low, Sport mode is better and doesn't hang shifts, all shifts are lightning quick when i'm getting on it especially manual mode 1-2, and rev range is up to 7200.
TCU tunes in general aren't overwhelming to begin with...so I don't know how much change you are looking for

[4RCFED]

Love my EPL TCU tune, better in every way.

[Acejam]

Question would be - did you follow any sort of adaptation on the TCU tune? I understand it to be fairly important.

EPL is dope. They have a beta file that is going live soon that is really aggressive in sport mode. I like that.


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DSG adaptation is a myth IMO. I’ve also never followed them and have never had any issues.


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[Sukks2bu]

DSG adaptation is a myth IMO. I’ve also never followed them and have never had any issues.


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Recently spoke with the master mechanic at Audi in regards to adaptation, and he says that when it is done at the dealership, the car will jolt very roughly as it goes thru the gears. Kind of a rough in if you will, but then while driving, the car will constantly adapt to your driving and the way the car shift to make itself better and better.

Just sharing his words.

[Sukks2bu]

As far as tcu tunes go, I'm Unitronic stage 2. I had the tcu tune but being in a 2010, it added nothing for me to make the car bettter or more enjoyable.
Nothing against their product, but didn't feel it was worth the money at all.

[Acejam]

Recently spoke with the master mechanic at Audi in regards to adaptation, and he says that when it is done at the dealership, the car will jolt very roughly as it goes thru the gears. Kind of a rough in if you will, but then while driving, the car will constantly adapt to your driving and the way the car shift to make itself better and better.

Just sharing his words.

I should have been more clear - there is no doubt that the ECU and TCu learn/adapt to input. What I don’t believe to be true is that one must follow a specific driving procedure on the street in order for a TCU tune to work properly.


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[fstr n u]

What would EPL and APR tunes have over the others to make them that much better?

[BlandySanderson]

What would EPL and APR tunes have over the others to make them that much better?

Probably nothing, I thing there was a slightly unreasonable expectation here. I can understand though, you pay almost a grand for very subtle results, and therefore there is some slight disappointment.
Sorry it didn't spontaneously transform into a sequential race gearbox, but a computer can only alter a piece of machinery so much.

[Corradobrit]

Probably nothing, I thing there was a slightly unreasonable expectation here. I can understand though, you pay almost a grand for very subtle results, and therefore there is some slight disappointment.
Sorry it didn't spontaneously transform into a sequential race gearbox, but a computer can only alter a piece of machinery so much.

Unreasonable? Not when I'm paying $600 for a tune that seems to bring little to the table. I don't expect race gear box performance but I do expect to see some tangible improvements in performance. If I was to quantify the amount of improvement I'd put it around 10%.

[Acejam]

Unreasonable? Not when I'm paying $600 for a tune that seems to bring little to the table. I don't expect race gear box performance but I do expect to see some tangible improvements in performance. If I was to quantify the amount of improvement I'd put it around 10%.

Little to the table? I can’t comment on GIAC’s TCU tune, but my 2014 DSG would upshift around 6400rpm with the stock tunes. With APR’s latest TCU tune, that’s been raised to 7300 rpm. That’s almost 1000 rpm of rev range added - a huge benefit.


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[wangshuo1989]

Little to the table? I can’t comment on GIAC’s TCU tune, but my 2014 DSG would upshift around 6400rpm with the stock tunes. With APR’s latest TCU tune, that’s been raised to 7300 rpm. That’s almost 1000 rpm of rev range added - a huge benefit.


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I still think changing shift point could just be a simple parameter value change in firmware. Asking $1000 for some here and there value changes is a bit too much IMHO. It’s not like tuners have access to the source code and rewrite the whole thing using a better logic.

[bhvrdr]

There was another thread where fun was poked at someone who suggested a tcu tune wasnt the end all be all. I never felt it was either and i had b8.5 cars.

Faster shifts??? Really? How can you measure a faster shift on these cars that shift about as fast as you can get in a modern car? Id like to see real proof of that.

Increased rev limiter for launch control? Thats a hindrance on stage 2 and up power imo since you need to launch lower in the revs to prevent wheel spin at those power levels unless you're on slicks.

Increased clamping pressure? Ok i guess but i never had stock tune clutch slip trapping 119mph so maybe this is an issue for the 125mph folks.

So it comes down to the increases rev limit for me which was nice and all but again i just wouldn't say it was a groundbreaking thing for me. Im glad i got it but it woukdnt be a first mod to me.

And im happy i had no issues at all with my tcu tune either. Ive seen plenty of peple posting shift hangups or other weird behavior and saying theyre waiting for updates... id be getting a refund and tell them to email me when that stuff is right.

Mike

[cspcrx]

I just updated to the most recent TCU tune from APR. So far very happy and noticing the improvements over the original tune. 2 to 1 is actually better and all shifts feel crisper.