Stage 2 Build Complete - not slow but not fast ?....

[Mowe]

So.... just finished my stage 2 build. APR hardware , Unitronic ECU/TCU and injectors. I currently am only using the pump file.

Sound - amazing. Love the burble, swoosh, and various other noises the car makes now. 10/10

Power - I will preface that my weather has been poor. Lots of rain. I have not launched the car yet but have done several pulls off the line and 60-130. I’m not sure if my expectations were too high but it isn’t exceeding them. It’s quick but not fast. I’m hoping my E85 map and a few quarter mile runs will change my opinion. 7/10 on Pump gas.

Stock Draggy time was - 12.0 @115.7

My previous 2 cars were a 700whp C7Z06 and a stock 991.2 GTS.

Has anyone else gone stage 2 and not been floored or truly impressed ? I’m happy and hoping the E map delivers more sauce. If not... time for a turbo upgrade lol.

Thoughts ?

[r26372]

Don't have stage 2 - but have stage 1+ with everything but the DP and run e85 in the summer which would be on par with a 93 octane stage 2. It's exactly as you say, quick, but not blisteringly fast.


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[gokchen]

Well...700whp in your previous car vs a pump gas stage 2 that's like 470ish whp? If you're comparing the 2 then your expectations were too high.

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[cseaman]

I mean, the cars make more on E85 w/ stock hardware than stage 2 on 91/93..sounds about right.

[S3DUDE]

Do you think that perhaps you downloaded the wrong file? not long ago (a few months back) someone with a RS3 and UNI tune was also running crappy and it ended up being the wrong file. If I have time I will find you the link. I personally ran the 91oct file with absolutely no other mods and I felt a kick in the pants even with the basic file but I always run 2-3 gallons of ethanol so that probably helped.

[OE2]

These cars are bananas on ethanol. If you are running a pump gas file stage 2 is not nearly the jump that stage 1 was from stock. To put it another way stage 2 pump is about equal to stage 1 e85. Stage 3 hybrid pump will equal stage 2 e85.

[Drkstorm]

Stage 2 93 file is about 150fhp over stock I believe, should be good for about an 11.2-11.4 quarter with a 3.4-3.5 0-60, stage 2 e85 however is like 228fhp over stock and 78fhp over stage 2 93 and you will feel a huge difference then people on the stage 2 e85 file with supporting mods (depending on the maker of the parts) have gone 10.2-10.4 with some as low as 9.9 with weight reduction... e85 is def the way to go for sure ☺️ (Fhp- flywheel horsepower)

[r26372]

Stage 2 93 file is about 150fhp over stock I believe, should be good for about an 11.2-11.4 quarter with a 3.4-3.5 0-60, stage 2 e85 however is like 228fhp over stock and 78fhp over stage 2 93 and you will feel a huge difference then people on the stage 2 e85 file with supporting mods (depending on the maker of the parts) have gone 10.2-10.4 with some as low as 9.9 with weight reduction... e85 is def the way to go for sure (Fhp- flywheel horsepower)

Right from apr website stage 2 93 file is 110hp at peak and e85 165 peak hp. Now some will say uni is getting more power but no chance they are getting 60+ hp over the same setup as apr. Typical stage 2 e85 stock weight on Dragy is 10.7-10.9 at about 130. Stage 2 pump seems close to the 11.2-11.4 you suggested at 123-125.

So coming from a 700 whp Z06 to something that's probably 10-15 mph faster in the quarter I'd think it'd feel downright slow, which relatively speaking, it is.


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[cheeba]

Given your vehicle history, you already this is impossible for anyone else to answer. Some people would damn near have a heart attack in a 500hp car, and some would be mashing the pedal and thinking it definitely needs a few hundred more HP - It's all subjective.

Having modified cars, you also already know that half of the modified cars on the road aren't running properly. I don't know how many times I've ran some car with enough mods to match whatever I was running, only to absolutely obliterate them. Get us some Dragy times, and it will be obvious whether or not your is running properly, and you can decide if it's time for a turbo swap. You sound like the kind of guy that's going to end up with at least a hybrid anyway, haha.

[Potshot]

Try e85, crappy mpg but huge gains. I'm uni stage 1+ e85 with everything but downpipe. What were your other cars running 1/4 in? To me its insane fast, but that's relative to your other cars times. Screenshot_20200202-193211_dragy.jpegScreenshot_20200101-170108_dragy.jpeg

[TheContrarian]

The reality is all the impressive performance of the RS3 is dependent on E85.

[Mowe]

All of the above makes sense to me.

Next steps are triple check my map.... draggy times.... run the 93 out and swap the map to E.... repeat draggy times !

Thanks for the feedback. I didn’t expect it to feel like the Z but I also like the fact that I can mash the gas without going sideways lol.

[Ross_T_Boss]

Your perceptions have been numbed by previous car history. As others have said, most people take a ride in a 500hp car and shit a brick when you launch it. We're making a little over 1G on launch so above stage1 the car is not more extreme in how it feels, just relentless. Unless your throwing drag radials or slicks on of course.

Run some dragy and compare results, thats a good indicator, and VCDS logging if there are areas of concern. So for example having looked at logs for others, it was easy to see slow times caused by inability to make target boost (leaks) or timing pull due to crap fuel, and times were improved considerably once addressed.

The car will be quicker than a stock 991.2 GTS by a good margin at stage 2, but yes E85 is a huge jump. My trap speeds (TTRS, neg DA disclaimer) make a good point of that:
Stock 121mph < Stg1 127mph < Stg2 131mph < Stg2 E 137mph

E is addictive; I still get the trap speed with 1500DA where as I lose a bit on the pump files at that. It also spools quicker and feels more responsive, with a notable torque increase, but the smooth power delivery makes it a little deceiving.

[elijahallen]

I felt the same when I went stage 2 but most of it was just not being used to an automatic and also just how well this car handles hard acceleration and speed. It is almost boring feeling but then you look at your dragy and are like 10.9 on 93?? Thats a good time but it sure doesn't feel like it. I guess that's why we all just keep wanting more. I never would have though a 10 sec car would not be enough for a daily driver but now I'm wanting it to run 9's just to make it feel faster lol.

[Eat.Sleep.Race]

E85 is a must. Truly wakes the car up!!!

[Mowe]

E85 is a must. Truly wakes the car up!!!

I figured.... going to swap this weekend


Thanks for all the feedback.

[bucolic]

I figured.... going to swap this weekend


Thanks for all the feedback.

Please report back on your experience. Hearing E85 really makes a difference, especially from 60-130+...

[r26372]

Please report back on your experience. Hearing E85 really makes a difference, especially from 60-130+...

Correct - the biggest difference on e85 is it keeps pulling strong at high speeds. Certainly faster down low, but this time of year in Chicago with cold streets and tires it's hard enough to get traction on the 93 file.


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[Mowe]

Please report back on your experience. Hearing E85 really makes a difference, especially from 60-130+...

Will do.

[Mkai0]

Is anyone who runs E85 switching back to 91/93 octane every four tanks or so to clean and lubricate your engine and injectors? I’m also hearing some people advocate for sticking with stock plugs and others going one step colder. I’d really like to try ethanol, but I’m slightly hesitant on this platform because it’s still developing. Im also hoping someone can come out with a true Flex Fuel solution (using the stock ECU) that would adapt from 91 octane-E85.

[Mowe]

Update

Stock according to my draggy I went 12.0 @115.7.

Stage 2 FBO = 11.3 @122.6. (0-60 @3,3)

I was hoping to have a bit more MPH but most who I tell said this time was pretty good for just pump gas. Car still doesn’t feel as strong as I thought. Last night I swapped to the E85 map. I’m going to let that work in and then I’ll either draggy it later this week or I’ve got track time set for Friday. The E content was almost 90% so I feel good about my local source.

Everyone says the car is a much different animal on E-85. We will see !

Cheers

[stanglife]

Strange. Locally, people run 11.3 with just APR plus and no bolt-ons. APR plus is the safest (read, least HP) tune available.

[TheContrarian]

Update

Stock according to my draggy I went 12.0 @115.7.

Stage 2 FBO = 11.3 @122.6. (0-60 @3,3)

I was hoping to have a bit more MPH but most who I tell said this time was pretty good for just pump gas. Car still doesn’t feel as strong as I thought. Last night I swapped to the E85 map. I’m going to let that work in and then I’ll either draggy it later this week or I’ve got track time set for Friday. The E content was almost 90% so I feel good about my local source.

Everyone says the car is a much different animal on E-85. We will see !

Cheers

Those are Stage 1+ numbers. Do you have the right file installed? If so, data log and see what the timing is like.

[Mowe]

Those are Stage 1+ numbers. Do you have the right file installed? If so, data log and see what the timing is like.

File and tune were accurate. Car was not logged. I’m in Atlanta and typically the DA is 1k or better here versus times from sea level or sub...

Again this was pump gas and not E.

[Trent212]

File and tune were accurate. Car was not logged. I’m in Atlanta and typically the DA is 1k or better here versus times from sea level or sub...

Again this was pump gas and not E.

I am down just an hour south of you near Columbus, weather-wise/ DA wise, when I was running stage 2 E85 on APR was running mid to low 10s so you should see a healthy increase when you switch over.

You have FMIC and turbo inlet correct? Not just a DP. If not I highly recommend getting both!

[Mowe]

I am down just an hour south of you near Columbus, weather-wise/ DA wise, when I was running stage 2 E85 on APR was running mid to low 10s so you should see a healthy increase when you switch over.

You have FMIC and turbo inlet correct? Not just a DP. If not I highly recommend getting both!

FBO - 4” inlet, intake , down, mids, injectors. Going to track Friday and have swapped to E. We will see

- - - Updated - - -

FMIC too. Just noticed you are a TTRs so you are a bit lighter.

[JBones81]

LOL this is how I feel about my grand sport corvette. I've been spoiled by other cars, so to me it doesnt feel that fast.

But I'm sure if I let a friend drive it - someone who isnt into cars - they'd be blown away.

So like someone else pointed out, it's subjective.

[Mowe]

LOL this is how I feel about my grand sport corvette. I've been spoiled by other cars, so to me it doesnt feel that fast.

But I'm sure if I let a friend drive it - someone who isnt into cars - they'd be blown away.

So like someone else pointed out, it's subjective.

Coming from a 700 whp Z06 I can understand. I’d be bored I’m sure. Dope car though.

[SolarRS3]

I was doing 11.3@122 at around 500DA on winter tire with uni stage 1+ woth NO Hardware not even intercooler. Try to log timing, you may have bad fuel, if so 2 gallon e85 should solve your issues.

[Mowe]

I was doing 11.3@122 at around 500DA on winter tire with uni stage 1+ woth NO Hardware not even intercooler. Try to log timing, you may have bad fuel, if so 2 gallon e85 should solve your issues.

Have 15 gallons of E at 90% pure. Guess we will see.

[jd_rs3]

Run e85 and report back. Don't expect too much from a roll, but from a dig on corn it's a whole different ballgame for this car.

[Mowe]

Tried to go to the track Friday and half way down they announced it was closed due to weather.

I ended up getting a draggy time today.

I will say that this car on E85 Stage 2 is a different car. Much more responsive and felt much quicker. Today I was able to validate.

Stage 2 Pump gas = 11.3 @122.6 (tc off)

Stage 2 E85 = 10.9 @ 129.6 (Tc partially on)

I now have an issue spinning. At least I know the car is healthy. Just need lighter wheels , dogbone, and DSG catch can because one launch and it spewed fluid as I have heard they do.

Overall the car is much faster from the launch and roll on the corn. The unitronic tune is flawless in day to day driving.

Happy RS3 owner !

[Potshot]

Tried to go to the track Friday and half way down they announced it was closed due to weather.

I ended up getting a draggy time today.

I will say that this car on E85 Stage 2 is a different car. Much more responsive and felt much quicker. Today I was able to validate.

Stage 2 Pump gas = 11.3 @122.6 (tc off)

Stage 2 E85 = 10.9 @ 129.6 (Tc partially on)

I now have an issue spinning. At least I know the car is healthy. Just need lighter wheels , dogbone, and DSG catch can because one launch and it spewed fluid as I have heard they do.

Overall the car is much faster from the launch and roll on the corn. The unitronic tune is flawless in day to day driving.

Happy RS3 owner !

Corn for the win!!!

[cheeba]

I will say that this car on E85 Stage 2 is a different car. Much more responsive and felt much quicker. Today I was able to validate.

Stage 2 Pump gas = 11.3 @122.6 (tc off)

Stage 2 E85 = 10.9 @ 129.6 (Tc partially on)

There ya go! Add a dogbone, some lighter (than stock, presumably) wheels, and ideal conditions, and that's more like a mid-10s car. If you need more, mod-wise you're basically ready to bolt on a hybrid turbo and run that time on pump 93, or mid 9s on E85.

I'll also add that a rear anti-sway, some mild springs, more front camber, and good tires also makes this platform a lot better, without getting into the heavily-modified and uncomfortable territory.

[Mowe]

There ya go! Add a dogbone, some lighter (than stock, presumably) wheels, and ideal conditions, and that's more like a mid-10s car. If you need more, mod-wise you're basically ready to bolt on a hybrid turbo and run that time on pump 93, or mid 9s on E85.

I'll also add that a rear anti-sway, some mild springs, more front camber, and good tires also makes this platform a lot better, without getting into the heavily-modified and uncomfortable territory.

Ordered ECE Dog today. Wheels coming. Really want 18s but love the look of a 19. Either will be lighter then stock.

[Brian@Unitronic]

Ordered ECE Dog today. Wheels coming. Really want 18s but love the look of a 19. Either will be lighter then stock.

the extra sidewall of the 18 really help for launching/traction.