A7 3.0T APR Stage 2 Reviews

[M.Abbas]

I have a stage 1 APR flash on my A7, great bang for buck but im wondering if anyone has a stage 2 on their 3.0t and if its worth the $$$ and HP. Also if it has compromised the longevity of the motor as its a pretty solid and reliable motor.
Thanks in advance


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[John_Kaufmann]

I have stage 2 united motorsport tune and have put 15 k miles since with no problems.

The acceleration from 50 to 110 is epic!

The dual pulley version will. Add more torque upfront really early in the rpm range. That is where a hear of stuff breaking. Mostly abusing the cat converters.

Go stage 2 and don't hesitate. It's glorious

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[M.Abbas]

I have stage 2 united motorsport tune and have put 15 k miles since with no problems.

The acceleration from 50 to 110 is epic!

The dual pulley version will. Add more torque upfront really early in the rpm range. That is where a hear of stuff breaking. Mostly abusing the cat converters.

Go stage 2 and don't hesitate. It's glorious

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Dude at an APR shop said the facelift models have different computers than the previous gen. said its a waste of money to do the second pulley, only 3 HP difference.
So i’ll probably stick to stage 2 single pulley, downpipes.


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[tnjed]

I have APR stage 2 single pulley. Although I’ve been told the torque is great if you go DP, honestly I love what I’ve got. That, and the value per dollar isn’t great (Stg 1 < Stg 2 SP > Stg 2 DP).


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[QuattroNewb]

Which model year A7 do you have?

So APR is says that facelift models (C7.5, I'm assuming) don't need a second pulley? Interesting...

Dude at an APR shop said the facelift models have different computers than the previous gen. said its a waste of money to do the second pulley, only 3 HP difference.
So i’ll probably stick to stage 2 single pulley, downpipes.


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[gkott78]

I've been APR Stage 1 since just after I got my car in 2017. It has been bullet proof, no complaints at all. My car is currently going dual pulley APR with a Merc Racing Heat Exchanger and ECS exhaust cutouts. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to drive it yet, the shop has been overrun by other repairs, and my car isn't quite done. I was supposed to have it back today, but they are having issues with fitting the ECS cutouts in the rear where I want them.

The word is I'll have it back tomorrow, so I'll report back when I pick it up. My guess is I'll be looking at downpipes rather quickly as I'm not expecting the cats to last very long.

Next on the list is the suspension and brakes. I've never been impressed with the A6 brakes, and now with the extra power it is a priority. I think going DP stage 2 can quickly get expensive. I'm not concerned with anything breaking, more concerned with the other parts of the car keeping up with the power.

Current cost breakout:
Stage 1 was about 1100 or so
Stage 2 DP parts and labor done by APR dealer: 1400
Merc Racing HX: 400, install kit another 50, labor.....?? (not sure yet)
ECS Exhaust Cutouts: 400, plus labor

I figure i'm out about 2500 or so going from stage 1 to stage 2 DP with the HX and cutouts without me lifting a wrench. I'd normally do the work myself, but I just don't have the time.

[AutomaTom]

This is exactly the stuff I want to read. I've been considering Stage 2 Single Pulley for my A6, and was looking at reviews as an A7 is my next goal to shoot for.

[M.Abbas]

Which model year A7 do you have?

So APR is says that facelift models (C7.5, I'm assuming) don't need a second pulley? Interesting...

Its a 2016 (facelift)


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[WatchMeSpend]

Got the car Dec 2018. Did APR Stage 1 in March 2019. Great pull up top, but not a lot of people seem to find it and say just go Stage 2. I drove it for a year on Stage 1 and can tell you it pulls after 4000 but the transmission makes it shift when you know there is more. I will have been driving APR Stage 2 Dual pulley for two weeks this Friday. The car is definitely faster but you won't feel the same difference like between stock and Stage 1. The problem with this car is that it is so comfortable, it has to be really fast to make you uncomfortable (scary), so when you add extra, it feels like less than it is.

So now with Stage 2, the engine aligns closer to the stock transmission's shifting points. I have a road that I like to launch on and normally when I do AMAX launches I have to brake for the next light a bit aggressively with the Stage 1. When I tried with the Stage 2, I was closer to the light and managed to hit the same speeds quicker and had more time to slow down, so I assume the 0-60 was faster. It feels more like a complete package. Wheelspin occurs easier.

Damp roads on Stage 1 would light the TC just before (auto) shifting the 1-2. On Stage 2, TC would light at a lower RPM and a short shift would cause it to come on again in second.

I did go from the 91 octane tune on Stage 1 to the 93 Octane Stage 2. I would still like to see a Stage 2 single pulley with a TCU tune, but also if your power is up that high, i think you will need some exhaust and some intake mods to help it breathe up there as well.

Both Stage 1 and Stage 2 will go a bit softer after multiple hits due to the factory heat exchanger.

[salamanca]

Really really good responses here from first hand experience.

That’s all...grateful and following as I am going to Stage 1.

Carry on 🤩.

[John_Kaufmann]

I have muffler delete because those ecs cutouts don't fit anywhere. With dual pulley it's not about horsepower.... It's the torque!

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[BobbyWatts]

Dude at an APR shop said the facelift models have different computers than the previous gen. said its a waste of money to do the second pulley, only 3 HP difference.
So i’ll probably stick to stage 2 single pulley, downpipes.
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Dual pulley you're paying for about 30+ more ft-lbs of torque at the wheels. Also getting a TCU tune is well worth it.

The deal breaker for you should be how quickly/readily would you like to revert back to stock - is that needed at all? because that's a lot more work with dual pulley.

[AudiSportback]

I don't have Apr. But I recently went from I.E Stage 1 to I.E Stage 2 dual pulley. Low end torque & between 60-120 puts a huge smile on my face. I haven't dynoed the car as of yet. But I've lined up with my buddies stock m4 and its just about dead even. When I was stage 1 he would put almost a car length on me.

2012 a7 with 140k

[gkott78]

Got my car back today. Going stage 1 to stage 2 DP feels completely different than going stock to Stage 1. There is a LOT more torque down low. Top end, at least to me, feels similiar. When going stage 1 I felt the power come on after 4k rpm, now it seems to be everywhere. The supercharger whine is really pronounced now as well with my Injen intake. Car is still super smooth, it really feels quick, but the butt dyno I wasn't as impressed as I thought I would be. I certainly can feel the power, and yes it's quicker, but I was really thinking it would be more in my head.

I only spent about 20 minutes in the car after pick up, so let me get used to it to really report back. It's hot today, 85 degrees, and every pull felt exactly the same. It does appear the Merc heat exchanger is doing it's job. I don't feel any loss in power with back to back pulls.

[TheBlackMarvel]

Got my car back today. Going stage 1 to stage 2 DP feels completely different than going stock to Stage 1. There is a LOT more torque down low. Top end, at least to me, feels similiar. When going stage 1 I felt the power come on after 4k rpm, now it seems to be everywhere. The supercharger whine is really pronounced now as well with my Injen intake. Car is still super smooth, it really feels quick, but the butt dyno I wasn't as impressed as I thought I would be. I certainly can feel the power, and yes it's quicker, but I was really thinking it would be more in my head.

I only spent about 20 minutes in the car after pick up, so let me get used to it to really report back. It's hot today, 85 degrees, and every pull felt exactly the same. It does appear the Merc heat exchanger is doing it's job. I don't feel any loss in power with back to back pulls.

Were you stage 1 single pulley or no pulley at at all?


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[gkott78]

I was stage 1. Stage 1 does not require a pulley upgrade.