Unitronic Stage 2 ECU with Stage 1 TCU??

[srvntofhim]

Not on here a lot, but look forward to feedback to this question: I am stage 2 Uni with stage 2 TCU and I don't LOVE it when it comes to the hard shifts, particularly in the lower gears. I have an APR dogbone mount with the inserts. I have read that everyone highly recommends the ECE, but cannot imagine a HUGE difference since I did do the inserts. So with that being said, I am wondering if I backed off to the stage 1 TCU tune if this would soften things up and how crazy/dumb this would be. I am not very technical and not sure what max torque levels the stage 1 TCU is designed for and if I would really be pushing it beyond the limits being stage 2 ECU, and I have EVERY mod there is to open up the air ways from intake to turbo to intercooler to throttle body, so I'm up there in the HP/TQ numbers, but stuck with 93 octane. I was on stage 2 software from Integrated Engineering before this with no TCU tune and I felt like the car shifted marvelously - now a bit harsh for my liking and softened a bit after the software did some 'learning,' but it's still harsh.

Thoughts?

[John@Unitronic]

Stage 2 ECU requires Stage 2 TCU, as it properly manages engine torque and the clutches.

[Potshot]

See if there is anyone in your area with ece on a similar h.p. car and go for a test ride! I'm in southern Indiana, clearly not by you because we have e85.

[thejerseydon]

I'm on pretty much the same setup outside one or two things and I even came from IE. I can say the TCU tune along is magic with no tune with IE I felt the trans was all over the place. With UNi TCU yes I can say firm shifting but nothing that feels like you describe. I have the 034 DB with all the options and i might swap it out due to slop in the drivetrain. I will be taking it out to inspect it not being bent. I few launches with these TQ levels and the aluminum just bends and OEM bushing just goes. I would suggest having a look and maybe a quick flash to Stg 1 and see if this more to linking but like Uni has said stg 1+ and 2 requires Stg2 TCU.

[srvntofhim]

I'm on pretty much the same setup outside one or two things and I even came from IE. I can say the TCU tune along is magic with no tune with IE I felt the trans was all over the place. With UNi TCU yes I can say firm shifting but nothing that feels like you describe. I have the 034 DB with all the options and i might swap it out due to slop in the drivetrain. I will be taking it out to inspect it not being bent. I few launches with these TQ levels and the aluminum just bends and OEM bushing just goes. I would suggest having a look and maybe a quick flash to Stg 1 and see if this more to linking but like Uni has said stg 1+ and 2 requires Stg2 TCU.

Thanks guys, and John, I knew you would say that LOL. @thejerseydon, have you found the IE tune to also have a delay in the wastegate closing when you go full throttle, causing a 'hiccup' ? This is why I recently switched over to Uni. My car will be in shop this week having the Uni 4" inlet pipe installed and some other goodies - I'll have them take a look at the dogbone to make sure it is intact - SHOULD BE! I don't launch my car, but even just under hard acceleration, the shift from 1st to 2nd and often 2nd to 3rd makes my asshole tighten up as it feels too hard on the transmission. May try your suggestion to go to stage1 and see how that feels in comparison.

[brad65ford]

Not on here a lot, but look forward to feedback to this question: I am stage 2 Uni with stage 2 TCU and I don't LOVE it when it comes to the hard shifts, particularly in the lower gears. I have an APR dogbone mount with the inserts. I have read that everyone highly recommends the ECE, but cannot imagine a HUGE difference since I did do the inserts. So with that being said, I am wondering if I backed off to the stage 1 TCU tune if this would soften things up and how crazy/dumb this would be. I am not very technical and not sure what max torque levels the stage 1 TCU is designed for and if I would really be pushing it beyond the limits being stage 2 ECU, and I have EVERY mod there is to open up the air ways from intake to turbo to intercooler to throttle body, so I'm up there in the HP/TQ numbers, but stuck with 93 octane. I was on stage 2 software from Integrated Engineering before this with no TCU tune and I felt like the car shifted marvelously - now a bit harsh for my liking and softened a bit after the software did some 'learning,' but it's still harsh.

Thoughts?

Your not alone. Today was the day I switched back to the stock TCU tune after running the Uni TCU Stage 2 on the stage 1+ ECU tune for a couple weeks. I don't believe in purchasing more "stuff" (stronger bushings) to make things even sifter to make it not clunk which then adds other vibrations etc..... At lower power running setups like my own its just not worth it since I'm not willing to give up drive-ablity. But I do like the other changes Uni did to the over all rpm / down shifting / hold gear / change gear. Shame they couldn't just offer that type of change with out the added pressure change etc.. Personally I couldn't live with the full throttle low rpm shifting hard shift, as well as cold running hard shift conditions as mid throttle shifting till warmed up. Only time I liked it is at full throttle / end of the rpm shifting. I've tested with a dragy there was 0 different in performance, again I'm only a tune but just saying its not a performance increasing 1/4 mile mod at lower power stages. All said and done, there have been a lot of guys running big turbo setups with stock clutches that surprisingly held up with no tcu tune. Hell i'm like half that power so IMO it wasn't the best money spent unfortunately.

[Banny]

Your not alone. Today was the day I switched back to the stock TCU tune after running the Uni TCU Stage 2 on the stage 1+ ECU tune for a couple weeks. I don't believe in purchasing more "stuff" (stronger bushings) to make things even sifter to make it not clunk which then adds other vibrations etc..... At lower power running setups like my own its just not worth it since I'm not willing to give up drive-ablity. But I do like the other changes Uni did to the over all rpm / down shifting / hold gear / change gear. Shame they couldn't just offer that type of change with out the added pressure change etc.. Personally I couldn't live with the full throttle low rpm shifting hard shift, as well as cold running hard shift conditions as mid throttle shifting till warmed up. Only time I liked it is at full throttle / end of the rpm shifting. I've tested with a dragy there was 0 different in performance, again I'm only a tune but just saying its not a performance increasing 1/4 mile mod at lower power stages. All said and done, there have been a lot of guys running big turbo setups with stock clutches that surprisingly held up with no tcu tune. Hell i'm like half that power so IMO it wasn't the best money spent unfortunately.

Really that bad? makes me think twice about flashing mine....

[brad65ford]

can’t say you’d have the same thoughts but I’m feeling the OP’er for sure. His results are the same as mine. Modding a car always has its + & - have to pick which you like more.

[arenared]

Stage 2 ECU requires Stage 2 TCU, as it properly manages engine torque and the clutches.

Unitronic requires the Stage 2 TCU even with the Stage 1+ ECU. Is this real, John?

I have a Stage 1 APR running 93 (~ Uni Stage 1+ on 93). I just put in the APR TCU, and it is absolutely obnoxious. It roasts the tires off the line, and the gear shifts are so violent, it spins the wheels during shifts (stock Pirellis on 60+ oF day), and the engine cuts power as the traction/stability control takes over (on reduced stability control setting). It is a mess of surges and pauses. Dragy times are SLOWER. You can tell about a 1/4 to a 1/2 second is lost during the violent shifts. Plus, it bangs the drivetrain crazy hard. APR doesn't have stages of TCU tunes.

I would consider the Uni Stage 1+ (or the existing APR Stage 1) and Uni Stage 1 TCU, though, if it's not so ridiculously harsh as these stage 2 TCU tunes seem to be running. They might be justified for big turbos and drag slicks, but not on these mild tunes.

[John@Unitronic]

Unitronic requires the Stage 2 TCU even with the Stage 1+ ECU. Is this real, John?

I have a Stage 1 APR running 93 (~ Uni Stage 1+ on 93). I just put in the APR TCU, and it is absolutely obnoxious. It roasts the tires off the line, and the gear shifts are so violent, it spins the wheels during shifts (stock Pirellis on 60+ oF day), and the engine cuts power as the traction/stability control takes over (on reduced stability control setting). It is a mess of surges and pauses. Dragy times are SLOWER. You can tell about a 1/4 to a 1/2 second is lost during the violent shifts. Plus, it bangs the drivetrain crazy hard. APR doesn't have stages of TCU tunes.

I would consider the Uni Stage 1+ (or the existing APR Stage 1) and Uni Stage 1 TCU, though, if it's not so ridiculously harsh as these stage 2 TCU tunes seem to be running. They might be justified for big turbos and drag slicks, but not on these mild tunes.

Yes, Stage 2 TCU is the proper level for use with Stage 1+ and Stage 2 ECU. It's not harsh; it's direct and firm, the way it should be.

[BzzzBom]

Unitronic requires the Stage 2 TCU even with the Stage 1+ ECU. Is this real, John?

I have a Stage 1 APR running 93 (~ Uni Stage 1+ on 93). I just put in the APR TCU, and it is absolutely obnoxious. It roasts the tires off the line, and the gear shifts are so violent, it spins the wheels during shifts (stock Pirellis on 60+ oF day), and the engine cuts power as the traction/stability control takes over (on reduced stability control setting). It is a mess of surges and pauses. Dragy times are SLOWER. You can tell about a 1/4 to a 1/2 second is lost during the violent shifts. Plus, it bangs the drivetrain crazy hard. APR doesn't have stages of TCU tunes.

I would consider the Uni Stage 1+ (or the existing APR Stage 1) and Uni Stage 1 TCU, though, if it's not so ridiculously harsh as these stage 2 TCU tunes seem to be running. They might be justified for big turbos and drag slicks, but not on these mild tunes.

I have the Stage 1 91 octane APR ECU. I recently added the APR TCU along with several other forum members. I really like the APR TCU tune and haven’t had any of the problems you mentioned. I’ve only noticed faster, crisper shifts and higher shift points in both D and S mode. The car is a much better daily driver in D mode than before as the TCU tune keeps you in the RPM power band more often. It sounds like your issues are specific to your car and tune. I can’t imagine what went wrong but I’d reach out to APR if you haven’t already. You can also get your money back if it’s been less than 30 days since installation. Also, why do you still have the stock Pirellis? They are the weak link in the RS3. I would recommend getting your money back on the APR TCU tune and use the money toward a decent set of tires. Then try adding either the Unitronic or APR TCU tune.
Good luck

[srvntofhim]

Your not alone. Today was the day I switched back to the stock TCU tune after running the Uni TCU Stage 2 on the stage 1+ ECU tune for a couple weeks. I don't believe in purchasing more "stuff" (stronger bushings) to make things even sifter to make it not clunk which then adds other vibrations etc..... At lower power running setups like my own its just not worth it since I'm not willing to give up drive-ablity. But I do like the other changes Uni did to the over all rpm / down shifting / hold gear / change gear. Shame they couldn't just offer that type of change with out the added pressure change etc.. Personally I couldn't live with the full throttle low rpm shifting hard shift, as well as cold running hard shift conditions as mid throttle shifting till warmed up. Only time I liked it is at full throttle / end of the rpm shifting. I've tested with a dragy there was 0 different in performance, again I'm only a tune but just saying its not a performance increasing 1/4 mile mod at lower power stages. All said and done, there have been a lot of guys running big turbo setups with stock clutches that surprisingly held up with no tcu tune. Hell i'm like half that power so IMO it wasn't the best money spent unfortunately.

Glad I'm not the only one thinking this way. I know John and Uni wouldn't recommend it, but as hard as the clutch is grabbing, I find it hard to believe it is better. While I am stage2 with every bolt on possible, I don't take my car to the drag strip and I don't track the car and I haven't even launched my car once, so I just want to enjoy daily drive-ability with all the power, but without cringing in low gear shifts would be nice. The Uni ECU tune is awesome - no complaints, but hating the TCU tune. Going to step back to the stage 1 TCU tune and see if that is any better and if not, going to 'risk' it and go back to stock TCU. Everyone can laugh at me later if I blow the transmission, but I wasn't feeling slippage previously with what I do with the car and I drive it in manual mode pretty much 100% of the time so the 'better' shift points in D or S mode are of no value to me, so I don't expect to have any issues - at least not anytime soon! :)

[arenared]

I have the Stage 1 91 octane APR ECU. I recently added the APR TCU along with several other forum members. I really like the APR TCU tune and haven’t had any of the problems you mentioned. I’ve only noticed faster, crisper shifts and higher shift points in both D and S mode. The car is a much better daily driver in D mode than before as the TCU tune keeps you in the RPM power band more often. It sounds like your issues are specific to your car and tune. I can’t imagine what went wrong but I’d reach out to APR if you haven’t already. You can also get your money back if it’s been less than 30 days since installation. Also, why do you still have the stock Pirellis? They are the weak link in the RS3. I would recommend getting your money back on the APR TCU tune and use the money toward a decent set of tires. Then try adding either the Unitronic or APR TCU tune.
Good luck

Yes, I have reached out to APR.

I have the stock Pirellis because they are apples-to-apples comparison before/after. I also don't care if I wear them out, and there is a huge amount of wheelspin with my setup. I have a set of MPSC2s on order, however, I will probably be running DWS06 for a few winter months.

During normal driving, the shift points are better, however at WOT and LC, it is a disaster. It runs like it's broken, and it is slower. I also have all the VCDS setting optimizations.

Anyway, not to hijack this Unitronic TCU thread. Sounds like going to the Stage 2 Unitronic (as required per John) would not be much different than the APR TCU unless there is some kind of problem with mine which I don't believe will be the case.

[BzzzBom]

Glad I'm not the only one thinking this way. I know John and Uni wouldn't recommend it, but as hard as the clutch is grabbing, I find it hard to believe it is better. While I am stage2 with every bolt on possible, I don't take my car to the drag strip and I don't track the car and I haven't even launched my car once, so I just want to enjoy daily drive-ability with all the power, but without cringing in low gear shifts would be nice. The Uni ECU tune is awesome - no complaints, but hating the TCU tune. Going to step back to the stage 1 TCU tune and see if that is any better and if not, going to 'risk' it and go back to stock TCU. Everyone can laugh at me later if I blow the transmission, but I wasn't feeling slippage previously with what I do with the car and I drive it in manual mode pretty much 100% of the time so the 'better' shift points in D or S mode are of no value to me, so I don't expect to have any issues - at least not anytime soon! :)

Have you tried the APR TCU tune? I also don’t track or launch my car but really like the TCU tune for daily driving. The shifts are crisp but not harsh, the shift points are higher so you can enjoy D mode whereas prior to the TCU tune I had to drive in S mode to enjoy the performance of the RS3. I have tried WOT in S mode several times up to about 100 mph and have had no problems. APR offers a 30 day money back guarantee so there is nothing to lose unless your dealer charges to flash. Mine doesn’t.

[srvntofhim]

Have you tried the APR TCU tune? I also don’t track or launch my car but really like the TCU tune for daily driving. The shifts are crisp but not harsh, the shift points are higher so you can enjoy D mode whereas prior to the TCU tune I had to drive in S mode to enjoy the performance of the RS3. I have tried WOT in S mode several times up to about 100 mph and have had no problems. APR offers a 30 day money back guarantee so there is nothing to lose unless your dealer charges to flash. Mine doesn’t.

I may consider that in the New Year. Again, for me, I always drive in manual mode so shift points are a moot point for me - I just want the violent shifts to go away in the lower gears - right now I don't even like getting on it until I'm in 3rd heading into 4th gear and even then, 3rd to 4th is a little rough. 1st to second and second to third feels TERRIBLE.

[BzzzBom]

I may consider that in the New Year. Again, for me, I always drive in manual mode so shift points are a moot point for me - I just want the violent shifts to go away in the lower gears - right now I don't even like getting on it until I'm in 3rd heading into 4th gear and even then, 3rd to 4th is a little rough. 1st to second and second to third feels TERRIBLE.

I’m extremely picky and OCD about my cars and I can unequivocally state that the shifts from 1st to 2nd, 2nd to 3rd, and 3rd to 4th are crisp but not rough in the slightest with the APR TCU tune. I actually prefer the Unitronic ECU tune (bought APR Plus ECU tune due to warranty) but it sounds like the APR TCU tune may be better than the one from Unitronic. Both are great companies that work tirelessly to improve our vehicles.
Just my $0.02

[srvntofhim]

I’m extremely picky and OCD about my cars and I can unequivocally state that the shifts from 1st to 2nd, 2nd to 3rd, and 3rd to 4th are crisp but not rough in the slightest with the APR TCU tune. I actually prefer the Unitronic ECU tune (bought APR Plus ECU tune due to warranty) but it sounds like the APR TCU tune may be better than the one from Unitronic. Both are great companies that work tirelessly to improve our vehicles.
Just my $0.02

I can appreciate that - thanks!

[Brian@Unitronic]

I’m extremely picky and OCD about my cars and I can unequivocally state that the shifts from 1st to 2nd, 2nd to 3rd, and 3rd to 4th are crisp but not rough in the slightest with the APR TCU tune. I actually prefer the Unitronic ECU tune (bought APR Plus ECU tune due to warranty) but it sounds like the APR TCU tune may be better than the one from Unitronic. Both are great companies that work tirelessly to improve our vehicles.
Just my $0.02

your also on a stage 1 ecu tune with 91 oct?

The tcu shifts based on load. The more load , the more clamping pressure.

[BzzzBom]

your also on a stage 1 ecu tune with 91 oct?

The tcu shifts based on load. The more load , the more clamping pressure.

Good information
Thanks

[burnmacs]

Glad I'm not the only one thinking this way. I know John and Uni wouldn't recommend it, but as hard as the clutch is grabbing, I find it hard to believe it is better. While I am stage2 with every bolt on possible, I don't take my car to the drag strip and I don't track the car and I haven't even launched my car once, so I just want to enjoy daily drive-ability with all the power, but without cringing in low gear shifts would be nice. The Uni ECU tune is awesome - no complaints, but hating the TCU tune. Going to step back to the stage 1 TCU tune and see if that is any better and if not, going to 'risk' it and go back to stock TCU. Everyone can laugh at me later if I blow the transmission, but I wasn't feeling slippage previously with what I do with the car and I drive it in manual mode pretty much 100% of the time so the 'better' shift points in D or S mode are of no value to me, so I don't expect to have any issues - at least not anytime soon! :)

Please let us know how it goes. I’ve been holding off making a decision based on the TCU tune myself as one ruined being able to drive my FBO Stage 2 Golf R like a regular car when I wanted to. I’d like to go Uni since I have E85/93 on tap locally but if a TCU tune is needed for 1+ I’ll probably just go for a JB4 whenever it’s sorted out.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[srvntofhim]

Please let us know how it goes. I’ve been holding off making a decision based on the TCU tune myself as one ruined being able to drive my FBO Stage 2 Golf R like a regular car when I wanted to. I’d like to go Uni since I have E85/93 on tap locally but if a TCU tune is needed for 1+ I’ll probably just go for a JB4 whenever it’s sorted out.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

been meaning to update here. I've done some hard accelerations since I dropped back to the stage 1 TCU, which doesn't provide extra clamping, and ultimately I am very happy. I don't THINK I feel any slippage, but need to drive it more and at stage2 it is hard to find places where you can go 20mph to 100mph more than once in a while LOL. But I have a road near me where I've tested it out a bit and will some more soon. JB4 or Uni tune though, you still have more power so same issue. I would go with the Uni ECU tune hands down. Stage 1 you don't have to purchase the TCU. Stage 2 you do, but doesn't mean you have to load it... for now, I'm rather enjoying not slamming into gear in lower gears when I'm driving aggressively but not FULL throttle, which was obnoxious before.

[sirsycott]

damn, i'm glad someone decided to do this and get results,
i'm not too happy with the stage1+ e85 with stage 2TCU combo for daily driving in SoCal traffic

... like stop and go traffic, and hovering around 5-7mph before stopping will somehow cause the dsg to just hard slam into first from 2nd

one other gripe is that if i'm crawling along , it'll hold 1st gear in traffic i move up a few feet, get to 10mph it'll go to 2nd , then hard engage back into first randomly sometimes

i've re-adapted the dsg already but it hasn't really done much in terms of resolving the issue


now i'm wondering if i do the same thing and downgrade to stage1 and see if that may alleviate

[srvntofhim]

damn, i'm glad someone decided to do this and get results,
i'm not too happy with the stage1+ e85 with stage 2TCU combo for daily driving in SoCal traffic

... like stop and go traffic, and hovering around 5-7mph before stopping will somehow cause the dsg to just hard slam into first from 2nd

one other gripe is that if i'm crawling along , it'll hold 1st gear in traffic i move up a few feet, get to 10mph it'll go to 2nd , then hard engage back into first randomly sometimes

i've re-adapted the dsg already but it hasn't really done much in terms of resolving the issue


now i'm wondering if i do the same thing and downgrade to stage1 and see if that may alleviate

I'm no expert here, but I think at stage 1 you really don't need the TCU stage 2 tune...I can kinda see how you might at stage 2 especially if you have other goodies like I do with 4" of piping from intake all the way to the turbo - car pulls HARD, so a lot of torque for transmission to manage, but regardless, the stage 2 TCU was really taking the fun out of it for me in 1st to 2nd to 3rd gear. After that it was okay, but I really didn't enjoy what it felt like I was doing to the car (or my passengers) when accelerating hard in the lower gears and then shifting. Maybe I'll regret it way down the road...who's to know right now? I think from what Iroz has put out there, these transmissions are good for up to about 600lbs of torque and so unless you're running E85 stage2 with ALL the bolt ons, you're probably fine without it... I'm not expert, so don't take my word for it, but that's how I've arrived at my conclusion and so far, very much enjoying the car again!

[brad65ford]

Been now driving for a week back on the stock TCU tune and majorly loving it so much more regarding daily driving with sprint driving as well. Just wasn't going to live with that type of mid rpm hard throttle loading shift harshness. Really want to do the TCU tune once I do DP's and Intake but not looking forward to that type of driving experience again. Seems the mass of the motor / trans being transverse is surely effecting things. Shame Audi couldn't have designed it like the older 5 cyl which were longitudinal, that harsh shifting feel would be side to side instead of forward backwards motion that we are feeling when shifting,,, damn you Audi! So much different than the M2C DCT shifting was when we did the trans tune. Hard shifts were a joy unlike this platform creates when increasing clamping pressure.

[BzzzBom]

Have APR TCU tune. They only have one, no Stage 1 or Stage 2. Shifts are crisp but not harsh. I have a Stage 1 ECU tune.

[arenared]

Have APR TCU tune. They only have one, no Stage 1 or Stage 2. Shifts are crisp but not harsh. I have a Stage 1 ECU tune.

I would disagree with this. I have the APR ECU + TCU, and, during "normal" driving, it is fine. However, using LC and WOT, it is violent, and I am spinning tires in 1-2 and 2-3 gearshifts. During very hard driving, the car is totally unsettled, and the performance is all over the place and generally slower. This is on nothing crazy - Stage 1 93 octane with drop in BMC filter.

[srvntofhim]

Been now driving for a week back on the stock TCU tune and majorly loving it so much more regarding daily driving with sprint driving as well. Just wasn't going to live with that type of mid rpm hard throttle loading shift harshness. Really want to do the TCU tune once I do DP's and Intake but not looking forward to that type of driving experience again. Seems the mass of the motor / trans being transverse is surely effecting things. Shame Audi couldn't have designed it like the older 5 cyl which were longitudinal, that harsh shifting feel would be side to side instead of forward backwards motion that we are feeling when shifting,,, damn you Audi! So much different than the M2C DCT shifting was when we did the trans tune. Hard shifts were a joy unlike this platform creates when increasing clamping pressure.

Good point on the transverse vs longitudinal - makes a lot of sense

[Joecool]

Yes, Stage 2 TCU is the proper level for use with Stage 1+ and Stage 2 ECU. It's not harsh; it's direct and firm, the way it should be.

It's not only direct, but quite jerky mate. I'm running Uni stage 1+ ECU and tried the stage 2 TCU and it was horrible!!! I tuned back down to stage 1 TCU and it's still somewhat jerky in the early gear changes in S. In D, it's great. The whole car lurches you forward in your seat with what you call direct and firm gear changes under stage 2. That's not how this car is supposed to behave, especially when going high speeds. I'll be going stage 2 ECU eventually, but I'll certainly be looking at TCU tunes from TVS for stage 2.

[Ac253189]

Unitronic is no longer offering stage 1 TCU for RS3. Even for Stage 1 ECU it's Stage 2 TCU. This is what the UC rep told me. Thursday I went stage 1 ECU with the Stage 2 TCUrev3 and it's been a good combo.

[Joecool]

Unitronic is no longer offering stage 1 TCU for RS3. Even for Stage 1 ECU it's Stage 2 TCU. This is what the UC rep told me. Thursday I went stage 1 ECU with the Stage 2 TCUrev3 and it's been a good combo.

Explain how you find the rev 3 TCU tune? My tuner loaded the rev 3e tune, I think that's what he called it, and it's a nightmare. So what you're saying is that the stage 1 TCU tune in the software list is actually a stage 2 TCU tune???? I gave the car a good thrash on the road in D, and under WOT the jerkiness of stage 1 TCU is still there. I'm going to go back to stock and see how that goes. My tuner thinks the Bosch transmission of these RS3 is pretty robust and can handle stage 1/1+ tune loads pretty well.

[Ac253189]

Sorry, when I said rev3 I meant, Stage 2 rev1e3. From what the Unitronic rep told me they are no longer offering TCU Stage 1 because they felt the Stage 2 TCU was optimized for both Stage 1, 1+ and 2 ECU tunes.

When you say D , do you mean dynamic or Drive mode? I drive the car mostly in Dynamic and Sport/Manual so can't comment on WOT during Drive mode. If I'm in Drive mode usually just on the highway cruising. If D is for Drive mode, some of the jerkiness during WOT may be related to that Unitronic did not optimize the TCU Drive mode for WOT since it's focused on economy and daily drivability. It's all conjecture based on website description.

[Jeff_Jeske]

I recently moved from Stage 1 Ethanol to Stage 2 Ethanol but continued to run the same Stage 2 TCU. For whatever reason, with stage 2 ECU power levels the electronic stability control (ESC) routine seems to be more involved in power delivery around the shift. If you feel the car shift then slow and then take off again this is likely the ESC trying to "help". Putting the car in sport mode will eliminate that and make it shift like it should.

Also if you are a UNI customer be sure you request access to the UNI forum at https://forum.getunitronic.com/

There is a thread that lists the different ECU and TCU options along with describing what has changed.

Stage 2 rev1e (LC@3500rpm), Stage 2 rev1e2 (LC@3800rpm), or Stage 2 rev1e3 (stock shift speeds) for the TCU.

[LjCalvinLindsey]

I have a TTRS and I personally can't relate at all to these harsh shifts you guys are referring to. I currently have stage 1+ ECU / stage 2 TCU. Keep in mind I ALWAYS drive in manual mode. Every time I shift it's smooth as butter unless I feather the gas pedal then sometimes it has a slight delay. I have also done some setting changes with the transmission using VAGCOM...but I still don't remember my shifts being anywhere near as bad as you guys are experiencing prior to making changes. I am assuming the TTRS / RS3 TCU / ECU flashes are identical right? Perhaps someone can dig deeper on this but I honestly love romping through the gears and hearing those near-instant gear changes with no harshness.