3.0T Tune Options?

[1flossedS4]

Looking at flash (stage 1 options) for my 13 A6 3.0T. EPL seems the logical choice as they ship everything to you.

Is the TCU tune really necessary? Car shifts pretty nice in stock form.

Also looking at picking up a Roc Euro intake.

[jrsAudiA6]

There is no TCU tune for the ZF8 speed transmission (Tip Tronic) yet.

You also have APR, GIAC for tunes.

[Rudolfo]

The TCU tune is VERY necessary. One of the big reasons why the B8 S4 is so much quicker than the C7 A6 is because it can shift at 7200-7400 RPMs whereas the C7 A6 is shifting at only 6200-6300 or so. If you look at the dyno sheets on APR's website (I posted one below), you'll see the 3.0T makes power all the way to 7400 RPMs. You want to shift at that high of an RPM not just because it's making peak power there but because after each shift you'll be at a much higher RPM in the next gear which corresponds to higher HP as per the dyno sheet. It helps keep you in the meat of the powerband. With the way your car shifts now at the beginning of each new gear you'll be at only 4600 to 5000 RPMs. With the TCU tune if you shift at 7400 instead of 6300, you'll be at a much higher RPM, somewhere in the high 5K's. Now look at the dyno sheet below and check out the difference between 4600-5000 RPMs and say 5600-5800 PRMs. Huge difference. The TCU tune can raise the shift points to 7400 RPMs to achieve this. It's probably worth 2 tenths in the 1/4 mile easy. The only problem is APR hasn't released it yet...

The Roc-Euro intake won't really pick up anymore power on the 3.0T. You can do the homemade airbox mod yourself and get the same power increase.

Looking at flash (stage 1 options) for my 13 A6 3.0T. EPL seems the logical choice as they ship everything to you.

Is the TCU tune really necessary? Car shifts pretty nice in stock form.

Also looking at picking up a Roc Euro intake.

[1flossedS4]

Now I'm confused because the previous poster said there is no TCU tune available...

and Rudolfo, thank you for that informative post.

[SPONGE]

The TCU tune is VERY necessary. One of the big reasons why the B8 S4 is so much quicker than the C7 A6 is because it can shift at 7200-7400 RPMs whereas the C7 A6 is shifting at only 6200-6300 or so. If you look at the dyno sheets on APR's website (I posted one below), you'll see the 3.0T makes power all the way to 7400 RPMs. You want to shift at that high of an RPM not just because it's making peak power there but because after each shift you'll be at a much higher RPM in the next gear which corresponds to higher HP as per the dyno sheet. It helps keep you in the meat of the powerband. With the way your car shifts now at the beginning of each new gear you'll be at only 4600 to 5000 RPMs. With the TCU tune if you shift at 7400 instead of 6300, you'll be at a much higher RPM, somewhere in the high 5K's. Now look at the dyno sheet below and check out the difference between 4600-5000 RPMs and say 5600-5800 PRMs. Huge difference. The TCU tune can raise the shift points to 7400 RPMs to achieve this. It's probably worth 2 tenths in the 1/4 mile easy. The only problem is APR hasn't released it yet...

The Roc-Euro intake won't really pick up anymore power on the 3.0T. You can do the homemade airbox mod yourself and get the same power increase.

Who sells this magical TCU tune for the ZF tranny?

[Audibot]

Now I'm confused because the previous poster said there is no TCU tune available...

and Rudolfo, thank you for that informative post.

The TCU tune is VERY necessary. One of the big reasons why the B8 S4 is so much quicker than the C7 A6 is because it can shift at 7200-7400 RPMs whereas the C7 A6 is shifting at only 6200-6300 or so. If you look at the dyno sheets on APR's website (I posted one below), you'll see the 3.0T makes power all the way to 7400 RPMs. You want to shift at that high of an RPM not just because it's making peak power there but because after each shift you'll be at a much higher RPM in the next gear which corresponds to higher HP as per the dyno sheet. It helps keep you in the meat of the powerband. With the way your car shifts now at the beginning of each new gear you'll be at only 4600 to 5000 RPMs. With the TCU tune if you shift at 7400 instead of 6300, you'll be at a much higher RPM, somewhere in the high 5K's. Now look at the dyno sheet below and check out the difference between 4600-5000 RPMs and say 5600-5800 PRMs. Huge difference. The TCU tune can raise the shift points to 7400 RPMs to achieve this. It's probably worth 2 tenths in the 1/4 mile easy. The only problem is APR hasn't released it yet...

See the above in bold...

[Rudolfo]

MRC sells one now.

APR should be releasing theirs any day now.

https://instagram.com/p/BV-kNbeAnWX/

Who sells this magical TCU tune for the ZF tranny?

[jrsAudiA6]

Ok, I'll refine my statement. There is no ZF8 speed tune from a US tuner yet. As indicated, APR is working on one but not yet released AFIK.

I agree having a tune for the ZF8 would be a great thing to have as we, on the C7 platform, are being held back by early shifting.

I checked out MRC website and could not find a tune for a Tip Tronic transmission. If they sell one please provide link.

[BenMTL]

Would a TCU tune for the same transmission (ZF tiptronic 8 speed) be the same for a diseal and petrol car or would they have to be separate?

[Rudolfo]

The tune itself would have to be different. Lots of different parameters, limits etc. are different for the twin turbo TDI. For example, you wouldn't want shift points anywhere near 7400 RPMs since you're running a twin turbo diesel. They'd be programmed a lot lower.

There probably isn't much benefit to the TCU tune for your car.

Would a TCU tune for the same transmission (ZF tiptronic 8 speed) be the same for a diseal and petrol car or would they have to be separate?

[TuanQT]

The tune itself would have to be different. Lots of different parameters, limits etc. are different for the twin turbo TDI. For example, you wouldn't want shift points anywhere near 7400 RPMs since you're running a twin turbo diesel. They'd be programmed a lot lower.

There probably isn't much benefit to the TCU tune for your car.

You got
My pm ? Lol


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[Rudolfo]

Yep. Responding now.

You got
My pm ? Lol


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine

[dc2002]

EPL stage 1 here and love it. No issues with the ZF 8spd transmission from me. Shifts are still smooth and sport mode is really fun.

Look at injen intakes too...utilizes the stock airbox which arguably can keep intake temps cooler than a totally open intake. You can even drill 2 or 3 1" holes in the box to slightly increase whine and tone when you get on it.

My torque pro app that I calibrated when I flashed back to stock for a few days indicated 240-250 wheel hp which lines up with 310 at the crank. Flashed back to stage 1 and indicates 300-310 which indicates 380 or so at the crank which also lines up with the estimated 70hp increase.

I bought an EPL cable and a cheap HP stream 8 on eBay for like $45 shipped that runs vagcom and the EPL flashing software.

Super happy with every purchase....thinking stage 2 now.

[Rudolfo]

MRC's website sucks and is rarely ever updated. They can do the TCU tune. I'd recommend emailing them or messaging them on FB. Here's a link to an RS7 with the same trans that they did a TCU tune on:

https://www.facebook.com/mrctuning/p...15706228471624

Ok, I'll refine my statement. There is no ZF8 speed tune from a US tuner yet. As indicated, APR is working on one but not yet released AFIK.

I agree having a tune for the ZF8 would be a great thing to have as we, on the C7 platform, are being held back by early shifting.

I checked out MRC website and could not find a tune for a Tip Tronic transmission. If they sell one please provide link.

[Kevman9]

Guaranteed APR won't release the TCU tune before Oct 31st due to the 15% off sale, that is if it's ready

[llex02]

I recently purchased the EPL Stage 2 with the Roc Euro intake as a package. I chose EPL because of being able to tune it myself— it lets me feel more involved in the process.

Chris Gave me the Stage 1 software to run until I had time to install the pulley. Just go straight to Stage 2. You won’t regret it a bit. It was a night and day difference. I wouldn’t have been happy had I only gotten the Stage 1. I didn’t feel much of a gain with it.

You’ll either like an intake (Roc Euro or otherwise) or won’t . I’m happy with mine.


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[SpectreGadget]

EPL stage 1 here and love it. No issues with the ZF 8spd transmission from me. Shifts are still smooth and sport mode is really fun.

Look at injen intakes too...utilizes the stock airbox which arguably can keep intake temps cooler than a totally open intake. You can even drill 2 or 3 1" holes in the box to slightly increase whine and tone when you get on it.

My torque pro app that I calibrated when I flashed back to stock for a few days indicated 240-250 wheel hp which lines up with 310 at the crank. Flashed back to stage 1 and indicates 300-310 which indicates 380 or so at the crank which also lines up with the estimated 70hp increase.

I bought an EPL cable and a cheap HP stream 8 on eBay for like $45 shipped that runs vagcom and the EPL flashing software.

Super happy with every purchase....thinking stage 2 now.

I also have an EPL Stage 1 tune and Injen intake on my 2012 A7. Great bang for the buck. Put 351 hp down to the wheels on an all wheel drive dyno in early summer.

[DownUnder]

Has anyone gone from single pulley to dual pulley? Was it a noticeable or worthwhile upgrade in your opinion?

I'm considering EPL or a local tuner for my stock C7 A6 3.0t (DSG). Can't decide whether to go single or dual, whether dual is worth the extra cost for the gain etc.

Also would the car be happy on dual pulleys with no tune (eg. just bleed off the extra boost) or should the tune be loaded immediately after install?

[dc2002]

Has anyone gone from single pulley to dual pulley? Was it a noticeable or worthwhile upgrade in your opinion?

I'm considering EPL or a local tuner for my stock C7 A6 3.0t (DSG). Can't decide whether to go single or dual, whether dual is worth the extra cost for the gain etc.

Also would the car be happy on dual pulleys with no tune (eg. just bleed off the extra boost) or should the tune be loaded immediately after install?

Problem as I understand with dual pulley is that your cooling system loses efficiency as the main crank pulley turns slower. Not recommended in hot climates unless you do some cooling system upgrades.

Typically you are dealing with laws of diminishing returns as you go up in stages. Stage 1 is the biggest gain over stock, stage 2 adds not as much, stage 2+ or 3 however you want to think adds even less. It all comes down to how much maximum gain you are willing to pay for.

I live in the southeast USA and will not go over stage 2 with the supercharger pulley. It gets cool here in winter but we get 2-3 months of 90F+ days in summer on average.

And yes you will need a tune to optimize the increase boost...not sure the car would run so good with more boost without adjusting fuel/ignition curves.

[Dippy]

Can't decide whether to go single or dual, whether dual is worth the extra cost for the gain etc.

The are only two reasons to go dual pulley:
1) You already have single pulley (supercharger) but want to tune further. Since its not a good idea to reduce the supercharger pulley size further, the only option is to increase the crank pulley size.
2) You plan to use a tuner whose only "stage 2+" option is dual pulley (e.g. APR)

If you are stock, your first decision has to be how much top end power do you want, however this is really focused on whether or not you are prepared to invest in increasing the efficiency of your charge cooler. Depending on your climate, which I know is variable depending on where you are in Oz, it is generally OK to keep stock cooling with a pulley ratio up to nearly 3.0, so that's a 189mm crank pulley. Above that the limiting factor is the supercharger spec which is max 24000rpm, so you can fit a crank pulley which allows up to that when your engine is redline.

[DownUnder]

Thanks for the replies guys, it is much appreciated . Upgrading the charge cooler is definitely something to consider given the temperatures here in Australia during summer (90-110°F is not uncommon).

Would running an E85 tune with the single pulley would yield similar results to a dual pulley on a 93 (98 RON) tune? Upgraded HPFP being less than a new crank pulley and charge cooler. E85 is reasonably accessible in my area and I'd have a 93 tune available also.

[Velvet Hammer]

Problem as I understand with dual pulley is that your cooling system loses efficiency as the main crank pulley turns slower. Not recommended in hot climates unless you do some cooling system upgrades.

Typically you are dealing with laws of diminishing returns as you go up in stages. Stage 1 is the biggest gain over stock, stage 2 adds not as much, stage 2+ or 3 however you want to think adds even less. It all comes down to how much maximum gain you are willing to pay for.

I live in the southeast USA and will not go over stage 2 with the supercharger pulley. It gets cool here in winter but we get 2-3 months of 90F+ days in summer on average.

And yes you will need a tune to optimize the increase boost...not sure the car would run so good with more boost without adjusting fuel/ignition curves.

Correct me if I'm wrong but the supercharger crank pulley bolts the the front of the harmonic balancer/serpentine crank pulley which runs the water pump (see diagram). That being said, the supercharger pulley has no effect on the water pump or coolant flow rate in anyway. Give the Stage 3 a shot, live a little, lol!