Unitronic Stage 1+ ECU and Stage 1 TCU RS3 review

[WhiteShadow89]

Hi everyone,
I recently added Unitronics Stage 1+ ECU and Stage 1 DSG tune for my RS3. I haven’t seen many reviews for both of these tunes together so I figured I would share my thoughts. I will break this review up in the order I purchased these items so I will do a short write up on the stage 1+ ecu tune first, then the stage 1 DSG.

Stage 1+ ECU
I purchased the Stage 1+ ECU tune and have been running to for a little over 1k miles now. The RS3 was a fantastic driving vehicle in stock trim, but what Unitronic has managed out of the stage 1+ tune is just impressive. After uploading the tune onto my RS3 I took it out for a spin. The first thing that was evident to me was that the throttle response was better from a dead stop/low speeds. As I continued driving it felt like an OEM tune, but more responsive and smoother. I have always enjoyed driving my RS3 around town as I found it to be a fun yet compliant vehicle. Now with this tune the RS3 just has less lag, and more throttle response in lower rpms.

Eventually I cave in and have to feel what the tune actually feels like. I dump it into dynamic and let it fly. I am greeted by a very forceful slam into my seat as the car bangs down on gears then jettisons off to speeds I dare not say. This was a highway pull and it felt like I was punching it from a lower speed from when my RS3 was stock. I quickly scurry to use launch control. I set it up and let it fly again. The impact into the seat is even more forceful. I thought the RS3 could slam you into the seat before, yea….my oh my how naive I was.

After driving for a month with this tune I am just flat out in love. The difference I feel on what was already a fantastic car is noticeable in every way. Driving around town? Smoother, more responsive, and even more fun. Cruising on the highway? Smooth, efficient, and who wants to play. Spirited driving? To quote Samuel L Jackson from Jurassic Park “Hold onto your butts.” What was also impressive is the MPG increase. Despite driving more spiritedly, my mpg’s still show an increase. My first 3 tanks with my RS3 I had 22, 25.3, and 23.1 in that order. My next 3 tanks with the stage 1+ tune are as follows: 23, 26.3, and 23.7. Perhaps it is the commute I do typically that boost my ratings, but I noticed that my mpg’s are better for sure.

Stage 1 DSG
FINALLY. I see Unitronics public post of the RS3/TTRS DSG stage 1 tune release. Phil Collins “In the Air Tonight” goes through my head instantly as I frantically make my purchase through modded euros. My order goes through thanks to Modded Euro’s and Unitronic’s superb customer service in a couple hours. As I upload the tune I am shocked at how quickly the stage 1 dsg tune completed. With the tune on my car I proceed to take it out for a quick spin.

The first thing I noticed was that the shifts seemed smoother, and in “D” mode the car seemed to get to your mpg gear more quickly. Messing with the paddle shifters any hesitation with downshifting that could rarely come up is gone. As I mess with the shifting capability around town I decide to switch in “S” mode. In “S” mode the car seems to hold gears even longer than before, but under wide open throttle it does seem to snap gears slightly faster. I detected nothing rough at all in any mode, and the tune itself seems smooth. From an MPG standpoint I haven’t really noticed any differences worth noting currently.

The two tunes paired together, while not necessary, really do give you the most out your tuning experience. They play very well together and you can tell they were made for each other. I now have the power, but with shifts that match the power. If there is one thing to complain about it is the adjustable launch control. I have yet to be able to get launch control to work at 3000 rpm. They say don’t do the extra click with the throttle while in launch control, but from what I can tell the sucker just shoots right up to a hair under 3500 rpm every time. Perhaps I am doing something wrong so input here would be much appreciated.

Conclusion
I tip my hat to John and the boys/girls at Unitronic. They made a great pairing of tunes that work beautifully together. Stage 1+ is all about responsiveness and power. Stage 1 DSG is about better shift points, more optimal drive modes, and being able to get 100% from your stage 1+ ECU tune. The difference made from the Stage 1+ ecu tune is more noticeable than the stage 1 dsg, but I would recommend both tunes to anyone willing to upgrade their RS3. It took a blazing fast and smooth vehicle to a whole new level.

[OE2]

thanks for the review

[speeddemon69]

Hi everyone,
I recently added Unitronics Stage 1+ ECU and Stage 1 DSG tune for my RS3. I haven’t seen many reviews for both of these tunes together so I figured I would share my thoughts. I will break this review up in the order I purchased these items so I will do a short write up on the stage 1+ ecu tune first, then the stage 1 DSG.

Stage 1+ ECU
I purchased the Stage 1+ ECU tune and have been running to for a little over 1k miles now. The RS3 was a fantastic driving vehicle in stock trim, but what Unitronic has managed out of the stage 1+ tune is just impressive. After uploading the tune onto my RS3 I took it out for a spin. The first thing that was evident to me was that the throttle response was better from a dead stop/low speeds. As I continued driving it felt like an OEM tune, but more responsive and smoother. I have always enjoyed driving my RS3 around town as I found it to be a fun yet compliant vehicle. Now with this tune the RS3 just has less lag, and more throttle response in lower rpms.

Eventually I cave in and have to feel what the tune actually feels like. I dump it into dynamic and let it fly. I am greeted by a very forceful slam into my seat as the car bangs down on gears then jettisons off to speeds I dare not say. This was a highway pull and it felt like I was punching it from a lower speed from when my RS3 was stock. I quickly scurry to use launch control. I set it up and let it fly again. The impact into the seat is even more forceful. I thought the RS3 could slam you into the seat before, yea….my oh my how naive I was.

After driving for a month with this tune I am just flat out in love. The difference I feel on what was already a fantastic car is noticeable in every way. Driving around town? Smoother, more responsive, and even more fun. Cruising on the highway? Smooth, efficient, and who wants to play. Spirited driving? To quote Samuel L Jackson from Jurassic Park “Hold onto your butts.” What was also impressive is the MPG increase. Despite driving more spiritedly, my mpg’s still show an increase. My first 3 tanks with my RS3 I had 22, 25.3, and 23.1 in that order. My next 3 tanks with the stage 1+ tune are as follows: 23, 26.3, and 23.7. Perhaps it is the commute I do typically that boost my ratings, but I noticed that my mpg’s are better for sure.

Stage 1 DSG
FINALLY. I see Unitronics public post of the RS3/TTRS DSG stage 1 tune release. Phil Collins “In the Air Tonight” goes through my head instantly as I frantically make my purchase through modded euros. My order goes through thanks to Modded Euro’s and Unitronic’s superb customer service in a couple hours. As I upload the tune I am shocked at how quickly the stage 1 dsg tune completed. With the tune on my car I proceed to take it out for a quick spin.

The first thing I noticed was that the shifts seemed smoother, and in “D” mode the car seemed to get to your mpg gear more quickly. Messing with the paddle shifters any hesitation with downshifting that could rarely come up is gone. As I mess with the shifting capability around town I decide to switch in “S” mode. In “S” mode the car seems to hold gears even longer than before, but under wide open throttle it does seem to snap gears slightly faster. I detected nothing rough at all in any mode, and the tune itself seems smooth. From an MPG standpoint I haven’t really noticed any differences worth noting currently.

The two tunes paired together, while not necessary, really do give you the most out your tuning experience. They play very well together and you can tell they were made for each other. I now have the power, but with shifts that match the power. If there is one thing to complain about it is the adjustable launch control. I have yet to be able to get launch control to work at 3000 rpm. They say don’t do the extra click with the throttle while in launch control, but from what I can tell the sucker just shoots right up to a hair under 3500 rpm every time. Perhaps I am doing something wrong so input here would be much appreciated.

Conclusion
I tip my hat to John and the boys/girls at Unitronic. They made a great pairing of tunes that work beautifully together. Stage 1+ is all about responsiveness and power. Stage 1 DSG is about better shift points, more optimal drive modes, and being able to get 100% from your stage 1+ ECU tune. The difference made from the Stage 1+ ecu tune is more noticeable than the stage 1 dsg, but I would recommend both tunes to anyone willing to upgrade their RS3. It took a blazing fast and smooth vehicle to a whole new level.

agreed except i felt like the DSG tune did more for me than what you have listed.

[Karbon]

I would think the TCU tune would be night and day with the speed of shifting ? My V shifted insanely fast afterwards. Went from sounding like regular shifting to NLS

[BenLaz]

I've been impressed with my 1+/1 Combo so far. Almost trapping 124mph in the 1/4 on 94 with just the ECU/TCU/K and N drop in and a STM IC. Just wish it was more aggressive off the line, the first 15mph is a little soft when launching.

[FBO 335i]

Question for you guys with the tcu tune, does the TCU eliminate the initial bog when you floor it at a complete stop (without using launch control)? I have a stg 1 ecu and every time I floor it (without using LC), I experience that initial hesitation/bog, very annoying. Hoping the TCU would eliminate it..

[saxon]

Question for you guys with the tcu tune, does the TCU eliminate the initial bog when you floor it at a complete stop (without using launch control)? I have a stg 1 ecu and every time I floor it (without using LC), I experience that initial hesitation/bog, very annoying. Hoping the TCU would eliminate it..

i would say its not completely night and day, however it does making driving down low a little more enjoyable

[seanix9]

Question for you guys with the tcu tune, does the TCU eliminate the initial bog when you floor it at a complete stop (without using launch control)? I have a stg 1 ecu and every time I floor it (without using LC), I experience that initial hesitation/bog, very annoying. Hoping the TCU would eliminate it..

Totally agree. this is one of the biggest set backs of the oem tune.

[comingabriel]

I just wanted a tune I can say, now this car feels like 100+hp over stock.
IMHO, it feels, at most, like 40-50hp over stock, and with a pretty short window of additional hp.
Wish I had stayed stock :/
All tuners suck, one way or another. Wish there was a tuner worth a damn.

[96Mustang460cid]

I just wanted a tune I can say, now this car feels like 100+hp over stock.
IMHO, it feels, at most, like 40-50hp over stock, and with a pretty short window of additional hp.
Wish I had stayed stock :/
All tuners suck, one way or another. Wish there was a tuner worth a damn.

Blaming all the tuners is pretty short-sighted. Do you think there’s some collusion amongst them to limit the power coming out of the tunes? Or, is it possible the reason they’re all ending up in similar power ranges is because that’s what the platform supports?

AFAIK, most tuners offer a refund period. If you’re so disenfranchised, take advantage of it.

Have a good day!
Michael

[BenLaz]

Blaming all the tuners is pretty short-sighted. Do you think there’s some collusion amongst them to limit the power coming out of the tunes? Or, is it possible the reason they’re all ending up in similar power ranges is because that’s what the platform supports?

AFAIK, most tuners offer a refund period. If you’re so disenfranchised, take advantage of it.

Have a good day!
Michael

Id just ignore him, he isn't happy with anything.... Its like he expects them to magically make the car twice as powerful... the bang for the buck value from a stage 1/1+ tune depending on the company is tough to beat value wise. The HP to dollar ratio is almost untouchable for these cars when it comes to tunes.

[BenLaz]

APR, and their occassional oveboosting, pass.
Uni, is good, but it got beat by a local with another brands Stage 1 93 octane tune over and over, stock for stock HW.
CC, um no.
Who is left?
IE, pass. 034, laughable! UM, patheticly dangerous.

JB4 will release a nice suprise, no tune, just a plug and play device, and reversible.
Not the most powerful, but it is well designed and tested, and the power will be enough, and half the cost of these other dudes.

I know what the JB4 is, had one on my MK7R, it'll always have limitations vs a flash tune. It'll get you about 90 percent of the way there.... Not sure why you'd ditch Uni, considering it seems like your reasoning is it'll lose to a competitors stage 1 tune....but you'll go with a JB4....which will lose to the Uni car...just to save some money?

[comingabriel]

MTM?

[speeddemon69]

TTRSleeper?

[speeddemon69]

I know what the JB4 is, had one on my MK7R, it'll always have limitations vs a flash tune. It'll get you about 90 percent of the way there.... Not sure why you'd ditch Uni, considering it seems like your reasoning is it'll lose to a competitors stage 1 tune....but you'll go with a JB4....which will lose to the Uni car...just to save some money?

only reason is for warranty anyone would use that, and in his case it's too late anyway. plus like you said slash tunes are better than piggybacks.

[noswalz]

Uni stage 1+ vs apr stage 1 both on 93 octane... Results? Comparisons? Quarter mile and 0-60 times.

Instagram: mattyrs3

[911andS4]

Nice review. In buying the TCU stage I tune, the vendor is asking for TCU information for my car. How did you get your information, and what do they need?

[John@Unitronic]

Thanks for your review! We're glad you're enjoying our Software!

Nice review. In buying the TCU stage I tune, the vendor is asking for TCU information for my car. How did you get your information, and what do they need?

Please send an email to support; support [at] getunitronic [dot] com.

[shivaswrath]

I just found out my dealer is flash friendly....is it easy to flash back to stock and then back again?

I'm toying with a tune more now, plus all stage 1 items. Has anyone combined this tune with the IE Intake and an IC?

[saxon]

I just found out my dealer is flash friendly....is it easy to flash back to stock and then back again?

I'm toying with a tune more now, plus all stage 1 items. Has anyone combined this tune with the IE Intake and an IC?

very easy to flash

check out my thread for a thorough 1+ review

https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...3-dyno-results

[Bezlar]

I’m leaning going unitronic because of the flash at home. Wondering if your tune messed with the exhaust flaps like the apr tune does. I don’t want to change the way the car sounds at all. I’ve removed the mid pipe cats and after 3000 miles the car sounds amazing. Also is the e85 tune close?


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[MrBlonde]

This is the kind of "review" that I don't find helpful for my purposes. All about feelings and impressions, no facts or figures. No before and after at a dyno or drags strip.
What's more all the enthusiasm and hyperbole makes me feel scepticism. I'd love a more balanced viewpoint after time has passed and the excitement has gone out of the experience.

[Ross_T_Boss]

On the other side of the coin, I'd say you should remove the "patronising quotes" - this is a review, not a data-driven impact analysis. If it's not to your liking then there are plenty of others posting dyno comparisons, dragy results etc.

Driving is an emotive experience for me and I'd like to see more reviews discussing the 'seat of your pants' feel, drivability (specifically with regard to TCU) and immediately after is the best time to capture that. After some time it starts to feel too normal (until you go back to stock).

I've driven cars on different tunes with similar power and there's more to it than numbers, and I'd not always be inclined to go with the fastest for a daily driven street car. So personally I appreciate the OP's more thorough review and would like to see a follow-up after a month too. I'd especially like to hear more about the TCU as it's a fantastic 'box but the software leaves something to be desired - there's a number of improvements I want to see here.

[Bours]

I've been impressed with my 1+/1 Combo so far. Almost trapping 124mph in the 1/4 on 94 with just the ECU/TCU/K and N drop in and a STM IC. Just wish it was more aggressive off the line, the first 15mph is a little soft when launching.

got a timeslip !? what tires ? what ET ?

[comingabriel]

I’m leaning going unitronic because of the flash at home. Wondering if your tune messed with the exhaust flaps like the apr tune does. I don’t want to change the way the car sounds at all. I’ve removed the mid pipe cats and after 3000 miles the car sounds amazing. Also is the e85 tune close?


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Go Unitronic, they "may" not be the strongest, but it is most safe and fast.

Higher stages are coming soon. Just enjoy 1+ until E70/E85 is released.

We need better/more fueling (PAG LPFP upgrade?), the weakest link for higher power.

[Bours]

Go Unitronic, they "may" not be the strongest, but it is most safe and fast.

Higher stages are coming soon. Just enjoy 1+ until E70/E85 is released.

We need better/more fueling (PAG LPFP upgrade?), the weakest link for higher power.

i heard mixed things about APR vs UNI ? UNI is safer but slower a bit if i get it right ? anybody compared both yet ?

[Bezlar]

Also does uni change the way the exhaust valves work?


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[comingabriel]

Also does uni change the way the exhaust valves work?


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My understanding is that they can. Open valves, and not lose power.

[S3DUDE]

I really don't want to stir the pot but I am very confused about the real world results that some people are getting with their tunes. Here is a person that has Unitronic + tune(505 hp/500lb-tq) and traps only a couple of miles higher than my bone stock RS3.. and get this, he ran at Mission Raceway Park which is at only 25ft of elevation, I ran 117mph traps at 3100ft elevation with no mods. On the other side you also have people running low 11's and trapping almost 125 mph with the same unitronic 1+ tune so I am scratching mu head trying to figure out why.

One half of me says get the tune, the other half says not worth based on results.

Unitronic customer running 11.7@116mph with a Stage 1+(video below)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGJPwQhZp1A

The Dragstrip is only at 25ft elevation: https://www.google.com/search?ei=CvC...30.43G-J_eMqiQ

but then, you have another dude running a 11.1@125 mph with the same tune (video below):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKaGFd0yP-Q

[purekoryo]

I really don't want to stir the pot but I am very confused about the real world results that some people are getting with their tunes. Here is a person that has Unitronic + tune(505 hp/500lb-tq) and traps only a couple of miles higher than my bone stock RS3.. and get this, he ran at Mission Raceway Park which is at only 25ft of elevation, I ran 117mph traps at 3100ft elevation with no mods. On the other side you also have people running low 11's and trapping almost 125 mph with the same unitronic 1+ tune so I am scratching mu head trying to figure out why.

One half of me says get the tune, the other half says not worth based on results.

Unitronic customer running 11.7@116mph with a Stage 1+(video below)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGJPwQhZp1A

The Dragstrip is only at 25ft elevation: https://www.google.com/search?ei=CvC...30.43G-J_eMqiQ

but then, you have another dude running a 11.1@125 mph with the same tune (video below):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKaGFd0yP-Q

The slower guy clearly stated it got faster once ecu adapted. I feel the exact same thing. Every day I feel it is faster. It takes a good 50 to 100 miles to adapt.

[comingabriel]

When I unplugged my exhaust valves, I was sure I did not lose power, until I put the logging contraption to it... Did the before and after, same day and same temp.. Unplugged robbed significant amount of power! Don't trust the butt dyno. Logging tells all. Uni in 3rd gear load pushed 25psi, there is deff power there.

[John@Unitronic]

I really don't want to stir the pot but I am very confused about the real world results that some people are getting with their tunes. Here is a person that has Unitronic + tune(505 hp/500lb-tq) and traps only a couple of miles higher than my bone stock RS3.. and get this, he ran at Mission Raceway Park which is at only 25ft of elevation, I ran 117mph traps at 3100ft elevation with no mods. On the other side you also have people running low 11's and trapping almost 125 mph with the same unitronic 1+ tune so I am scratching mu head trying to figure out why.

One half of me says get the tune, the other half says not worth based on results.

Unitronic customer running 11.7@116mph with a Stage 1+(video below)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGJPwQhZp1A

The Dragstrip is only at 25ft elevation: https://www.google.com/search?ei=CvC...30.43G-J_eMqiQ

but then, you have another dude running a 11.1@125 mph with the same tune (video below):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKaGFd0yP-Q

You're comparing two different vehicles, at two different tracks with different air (density altitude). If you look in the video you linked to of YouTuber "RS3 - 12453", you'll see the comparison between a totally stock RS3 on the same day, at the same drag strip.



Another customer, which you linked to as well, managed to run 11.1@125mph, in significantly better air (+153ft DA). For reference, that vehicle ran 11.8@117mph when stock at the same track, around the same time of the year.

So, as I hope you can see, the delta gain is nearly the same of 0.6-0.7 seconds improvement, along with an improvement of 6-8mph.

[SolarRS3]

thanks for the question S3Dude, I had the same dilemma. I just ran 11.8 @ 116 stock (on dragy) and saw some people running that with stage 1 tune (apr / uni not much on custom code stage 1 only). John@unitronic thanks for the info comparison, it does make it seems like proper value now with result side by side.

[S3DUDE]

never mind

[hilltop804]

Also does uni change the way the exhaust valves work?


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John, I'm curious if there's any possibility this functionality will be added at some point. I run your 1+ tune now, and it would be really nice to not have to shell out $500 for the ASR controller to keep my valves open outside of comfort mode.

I'm sure this would be low on the priority list, but it usually doesn't hurt to ask.

[John@Unitronic]

Also does uni change the way the exhaust valves work?


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We can, but our Stage 1+ does not [currently]. Stage 2 will/does.

John, I'm curious if there's any possibility this functionality will be added at some point. I run your 1+ tune now, and it would be really nice to not have to shell out $500 for the ASR controller to keep my valves open outside of comfort mode.

I'm sure this would be low on the priority list, but it usually doesn't hurt to ask.

What is the desired behavior that you're looking to achieve?

[Evilevo]

I'm running the Beta Stage 2 file and the flaps stay open 100% in dynamic right now. The crackle is sweet also

[hilltop804]

What is the desired behavior that you're looking to achieve?

To appeal to everyone, I think you should just add "Mode Memory. " In other words, you wouldn't need to cycle the drive modes in order to get the correct valve behavior whenever the car is restarted. From the factory, it seems like the car always uses Comfort mode for the behavior whenever the car is turned on, regardless of what the current drive mode is.

Personally, I would also like to have the valves always open when the "Engine Sound" option is set to Dynamic. I'm not sure if that would appeal to everyone, though. From the factory, they're still open most of the time like this anyway, so Idk how much value this adds for other people.

An added bonus would be the double-tap ESC button to open or close on-demand (while still respecting the RPM-based safety opening, of course). I'm not sure how feasible this is, but just throwing it out there.

These changes would negate the need for an external valve controller (and, by extension, free up $500 for more Uni parts), but I think a lot of people would probably be satisfied with just the first one. You don't want to play with valve behavior too much, as evidenced by the users that were unhappy with APRs changes.

Just let me know if any of that doesn't make sense.