Is stage 2 worth it?

[Justadam]

So I recently went with Integrated Engineering Stage 1 with the TCU tune for my 2014 S5. The car runs great, lots more power and way more responsive. Now with everything going on, I have the time and space to move to Stage 2 and wondering if I should. What are the pros and cons to going to stage 2?

Its a daily driver, and I get stuck in traffic, is there any additional wear on the cooling system? I would be going single pulley only, is that OK for a daily? Do I really need to upgrade my cooling system? I dont really get on the car, but when I do, Id like it to perform, thats the only reason Im thinking of going Stage 2.

Thanks for your opinions.

[s3lman]

I daily my '14 S5 as well. I went stage 2 towards the end of August and I really like it. There's a pretty big difference between stage 2 and stage 1's top end pull that you'll notice right away. I have a merc racing heat exchanger and crank ready to install but just haven't gotten around to it so I've been rocking the stock one and it hasn't killed performance for me yet. If you ever go dual pulley or you live in an area that gets really hot and humid I would recommend it, but here in Wisconsin it's not too bad to be able to run stage 2 without a heat exchanger as long as it isn't beaten or tracked on too much. That being said, it's a good idea to at least give cooling a thought. I would definitely recommend going stage 2 and if possible dual pulley. It really wakes the car up.

[Devorak13]

I've got a stg2 EPL tune w/ single pulley.

Absolutely 0 issues daily driving it for 4mo

[spensley]

APR stage 2, dual pulleys (~1yr).
Daily driver.
No problems at all.

[Brozee]

I'm stage 2, isn't my daily driver but in the months of late April to November it just about is. I've had it tuned for 2 years, really wakes up the car. You don't need to do cooling unless you're really going to push the car hard for a considerable amount of time. Random quick sprints and launches are completely fine on stock cooling. With the info you provided, you don't need upgraded cooling. Honestly, if you already went stage 1, just go to 2. Last step before pure bliss. Or even better, go straight to ultra-charger, might as well.

[Justadam]

I'm stage 2, isn't my daily driver but in the months of late April to November it just about is. I've had it tuned for 2 years, really wakes up the car. You don't need to do cooling unless you're really going to push the car hard for a considerable amount of time. Random quick sprints and launches are completely fine on stock cooling. With the info you provided, you don't need upgraded cooling. Honestly, if you already went stage 1, just go to 2. Last step before pure bliss. Or even better, go straight to ultra-charger, might as well.

I like how you think!

[HazeMyth]

I daily mine. EPL stage 2 ECU and TCU, upper pulley only so there was no need for improved cooling. Definitely well worth it, and a noticeable difference. I ran the stage 1 for about a month before pulley and stage 2.

[Brozee]

I went from bone stock (engine with no tune) rest of the car was fully modded suspension, etc. wise. Went to Stage 2 with ultracharger and the TCU tune and wow what a difference. Expensive as heck but worth it in the long run. I wouldn't worry so much about your cooling as I would about your cats burning up, its no't if it's when.

[S5Black]

I'm Stage 2 dual pulleys and haven't see any real difference in IAT with the stock heat exchanger.

[HazeMyth]

I'm Stage 2 dual pulleys and haven't see any real difference in IAT with the stock heat exchanger.

You'd certainly notice a difference on the track or after extended spirited driving.

[S5Black]

You'd certainly notice a difference on the track or after extended spirited driving.

I have a gauge and have been watching it closely, don't plan on tracking either.

[Dippy]

@Justadam - if you decide to go stage 2 then consider uprating the crank pulley instead of the supercharger pulley because if you are not aware, there have been enough reports of OE crank pulley failure to warrant getting rid of it.

[Justadam]

@Justadam - if you decide to go stage 2 then consider uprating the crank pulley instead of the supercharger pulley because if you are not aware, there have been enough reports of OE crank pulley failure to warrant getting rid of it.

I didn’t know this, I’ll look into it. You mean get a larger crank pulley? I have the IE tune, does this work with their tune?

[carrrnuttt]

@Justadam - if you decide to go stage 2 then consider uprating the crank pulley instead of the supercharger pulley because if you are not aware, there have been enough reports of OE crank pulley failure to warrant getting rid of it.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but Stage 2 usually involves a dual pulley setup, hence replacing the supercharger AND crank pulley.

Adam, I have no idea how summers are in Atlanta, but there was NO way I was going Stage 2 in AZ without additional cooling. But that's me being extra careful with it. I also knew I was very likely going to up my tune from the base 91 octane to my current 93 tune. The extra cooling has definitely helped with my peace of mind.

[HazeMyth]

Stage 2 does not require dual pulley. Stage 2 single pulley does not necessarily require improvements to cooling and is also less likely to melt the cats, as well. So, single pulley stage 2 is a good option for people who want a lot of extra "umph" without having to do a lot of other improvements.

[mikedizzzo]

I’m on stage 2, single pulley with TCU tune. No upgraded cooling need like HazeMyth said.


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[carrrnuttt]

Stage 2 does not require dual pulley. Stage 2 single pulley does not necessarily require improvements to cooling and is also less likely to melt the cats, as well. So, single pulley stage 2 is a good option for people who want a lot of extra "umph" without having to do a lot of other improvements.

Ah, I see.

I jumped from a Chipwerke that I bought two days after I bought my S5 straight into Stage 2 DP Ultracharged, which happened within two months of owning my S5, so I have no experience with the in-between.

[On3Go]

I'll be going stage 2 here shortly. 187mm cp, stock sc pulley with a chipwerke pro. I'll post my thoughts afterwards. Just have to find time to install the pulley.

[Dippy]

For those who don't know:
OE s/c pulley is 63.25mm diameter. The OE crank pulley is 162mm diameter. This gives a ratio of 2.56 turns of the supercharger to one turn of the engine. So when the engine is at 7,200rpm (which may require a TCU remap) the s/c is at about 18,500 rpm.
Stage 1 "simply" keeps the s/c bypass valve closed for longer, allowing the boost to rise above the stock level. To go even higher then the s/c needs to turn faster at the same engine revs. This is done by increasing the drive ratio.
This can be done by reducing the size of the s/c pulley. The only problem with that is if its too small the belt can slip. On this engine it seems that 57mm is the smallest to be safe, and this would increase the ratio to 2.84 and at the top end the s/c will now be doing about 20,500rpm.
But we can go further because the Eaton s/c has a spec of up to 24,000rpm. Since the s/c can't get any smaller, the only option is to increase the size of the crank pulley, i.e. "dual pulley". With a 57mm s/c pulley and a 190mm crank pulley the ratio will be 3.33, hitting the s/c limit at that 7,200 redline.
However from stock, if you want a ratio above 2.84, just use a larger crank pulley and leave the s/c pulley alone. At the extreme case a 210mm crank pulley will nearly hit the s/c limit at that 7,200 redline. But there are plenty of other ratios possible, depending on what tune you want and whether or not you are prepared to uprate your charge cooling.

[Brozee]

I'll be going stage 2 here shortly. 187mm cp, stock sc pulley with a chipwerke pro. I'll post my thoughts afterwards. Just have to find time to install the pulley.

Any reason you're not just going straight to dual pulley?

[Justadam]

I decided to go stage 2 single pulley and going to see how it does with the stock heat exchanger. I ordered the ECS pulley to go with my IE tune.

Thanks for everyone’s input.

[Surfer8210]

I’m a EPL stage 2, single pulley, ECU and TCU and not a hiccup.
No extra cooling, here in NY.
Enjoy the added performance, we’ll worth it.


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[On3Go]

Trying to hold onto my warranty for a bit longer before I start flashing, hence the chipwerke. Plus right now it was cost efficient to give stage 2 single pulley a try beings I got the chipwerke programmed to stage 2 for free, and the pulley at a good price. Also not quite ready to do a HX or jeopardize my cats quite yet.

[Twotonicnite]

To answer your question simply, yes it is.

[2by2handsofblue]

I'm on IE stage 1.
I'm considering stage 2 sp myself.
I'm also thinking of porting my sc too. But all this costs money lol

we are the borg! resistance is futile.

[Justadam]

I'm on IE stage 1.
I'm considering stage 2 sp myself.
I'm also thinking of porting my sc too. But all this costs money lol

we are the borg! resistance is futile.

I ordered the ECS pulley and belt for $100. The upgrade from stage 1 to stage 2 is $100, so I think it’s a no brainer. I was more worried that there was either not going to be a benefit or make the car less daily drivable. Seems like I have nothing to worry about and everything to gain. I went and bought some 100mm bolts from Home Depot and should be good to go on the swap next weekend.

I’ll let you guys know how it goes.

[2by2handsofblue]

I ordered the ECS pulley and belt for $100. The upgrade from stage 1 to stage 2 is $100, so I think it’s a no brainer. I was more worried that there was either not going to be a benefit or make the car less daily drivable. Seems like I have nothing to worry about and everything to gain. I went and bought some 100mm bolts from Home Depot and should be good to go on the swap next weekend.

I’ll let you guys know how it goes.

So the stage 2 tune file is $100 from IE?


we are the borg! resistance is futile.

[2by2handsofblue]

I ordered the ECS pulley and belt for $100. The upgrade from stage 1 to stage 2 is $100, so I think it’s a no brainer. I was more worried that there was either not going to be a benefit or make the car less daily drivable. Seems like I have nothing to worry about and everything to gain. I went and bought some 100mm bolts from Home Depot and should be good to go on the swap next weekend.

I’ll let you guys know how it goes.

R u going with just a larger crank pulley and leave the OEM size sc pulley?
I'm also thinking about getting the fluidamper. But that's pretty pricey. But it might be a peace mind. Even though a lot of other tuners doesnt have issues.
Cant hurt other than your wallet lol

we are the borg! resistance is futile.

[Justadam]

Going from stage 1 to stage 2 with IE is $100 more. And I’m just changing the supercharger pulley, nothing else. Well, for now lol.

[2by2handsofblue]

Going from stage 1 to stage 2 with IE is $100 more. And I’m just changing the supercharger pulley, nothing else. Well, for now lol.

Well I might as well do the same lol. So the sc pulley and belt and the cost of the stage 2 tune file is what all together?

we are the borg! resistance is futile.

[Justadam]

both about $200. You need todo the work yourself, but it seems straightforward.

[2by2handsofblue]

both about $200. You need todo the work yourself, but it seems straightforward.

Well I have friend who will give me a discount lol.
I'm thinking I'll go with vdamper way. But it's not cheap unfortunately.

When u get it set up keep us updated

we are the borg! resistance is futile.