Cobb Tuning Group - A3/S3

[X1CONROE]

I'd like to start a thread for anyone that as pulled the plug and tuned their car with COBB. I just did so on my 2017 A3 Quattro and and floored with the results. Once I get some logs I will post them. I encourage anyone with a COBB tune to join this thread!

[aaronc7]

Yep, running it on my 2017 S3. Have a pump gas and E30 tune.

[X1CONROE]

Nice, what do you think? Did put an external battery like the warning said? I didn't because I got advice from some friends that have done a COBB tune. I also ran the car around town before doing the tune.

[aaronc7]

I have a 5 amp charger. I fully charged the battery up and kept the charger on during the initial flash because I wasn't sure how long it would take. First ECU flash always takes longer because it also backs up the stock data etc. I also turned off the DRLs to reduce drain etc. I think the warning is more of a CYA, fully charged battery should be fine...but if you have a weak battery could run into issues. Could always throw some jumper cables onto another car too.

I actually had Eurodyne before this and had my battery die mid flash... was a stressful situation but it all worked out lol! Flashing between tunes after the initial one only takes about 2 minutes, so not a big deal at all... I keep the radio and fans going too.

You running the Cobb OTS tunes or something from a Protuner?

[X1CONROE]

Glad it went well for you. It also went well for me, without an extra battery. However, YMMV.

I figured the whole battery thing was CYA.

I am running the OTS tune. Waiting on the DSG tune that will come out. No need for a custom tune, at least in my situation. I still need to get a turboback/catback. I did all the aesthetics. Now I'm doing performance.

[aaronc7]

Cobb OTS tunes are very basic and generally very conservative.

Where Cobb really shines is with a pro tune. Not necessarily custom tune.

http://www.stratifiedauto.com/index....roducts_id=926

https://eqtuning.com/collections/vw-...mk7-gti-golf-r

[X1CONROE]

Very helpful, thanks for those links.

[Why-man5]

Cobb OTS tunes are very basic and generally very conservative.

Where Cobb really shines is with a pro tune. Not necessarily custom tune.

http://www.stratifiedauto.com/index....roducts_id=926


https://eqtuning.com/collections/vw-...mk7-gti-golf-r

Of the two pro tunes you mentioned, is either one better than the other?

[Quantim0]

I have the EQT stg 2 and ECU tune on my 2016 S3. Coming from a JB4 the power is more linear and controlled. The TCU tune is 100% worth the money. It really transformed how the car drives around town.

[aaronc7]

Of the two pro tunes you mentioned, is either one better than the other?

Better is subjective... but that is the great thing about the AP, it lets you try whatever tune you want. Every tuner has their own flavor if you will....especially when it comes to things like TCU tunes where everyone has their own preferences and it's very subjective. Some want racecar feel all the time, others want the car to drive close to stock in D and light throttle, but the car come alive in S or if you're more into the throttle...etc etc.

EQT is the hotness right now for the GTI and Golf R-- for good reason, their basic 'staged' tunes are putting up great numbers and everyone seems to love it. For the S3 they have Stage 1 and 2, pump gas and E30 tunes. A3/GTI, no E30 tune yet but apparently it's in the works.

Stratified is another well established company that got gained a ton of popularity in the ecoboost world and entered VW scene starting with the mk6. They have basic staged tunes for A3/GTI, to include E30 maps, but only custom tuning for the Golf R/S3 at the moment.

EQT being the hotness right now, their prices are a little higher, especially if you go the custom tune route. For example if you wanted a custom 91 and E30 tune + DSG package... EQT would run you $1025 and Stratified would be $475. And stratified has a $125 "top up tune" you could get down the road after you change parts on your car, vs having to pay full price again. Customer service with both is good.

The golf MK7 forum has a lot of info/discussions on Cobb stuff in general, and of course facebook unfortunately. You can always hit them up if you have any questions and make your decision from there. I don't think you can really go wrong with either. EQT staged tunes seem to be working really well for guys. But buying into the stratified system isn't bad either and not too expensive as you continue to mod the car down the road....with a custom tune you're going to get a more tailored experience, and get to try out various settings along the way and tweak to your liking. Exhaust crackles..... launch control, traction control settings, etc.

[aaronc7]

Here's some info for you guys who may be aware as well, the custom features that cobb tunes add. The flatfoot shifting is more for manual cars and obviously with DSG we already have launch control, so those aren't a big deal, but Cobb traction control is pretty neat. It looks at all wheel speed sensors and when slip is detected, it pulls engine power via ignition timing. Vs closing the throttle or fuel cut or generally being intrusive like the stock TC system. You can actually target different amount of wheel slip percentages for ideal acceleration and traction.

Note that Cobb TC is always active, totally separate of the stock system. Turning off stock TC/ESC will still leave Cobb TC enabled. Assuming it's enabled in the tune of course.

https://cobbtuning.atlassian.net/wik...+MQB+Platforms

[Dubberz]

I made the switch recently from 034 Stage 1 ECU/TCU to EQT stage 1. The TCU tune is amazing. Shifts like I would, if I was driving in M mode. ECU tune is smooth and MPG is good on the Stage 1. Butt dyno tells me it's not as "hot" and peaky as 034's stage 1, but I feel it's so much smoother. Highly recommend it.

[Why-man5]

Better is subjective... but that is the great thing about the AP, it lets you try whatever tune you want. Every tuner has their own flavor if you will....especially when it comes to things like TCU tunes where everyone has their own preferences and it's very subjective. Some want racecar feel all the time, others want the car to drive close to stock in D and light throttle, but the car come alive in S or if you're more into the throttle...etc etc.

EQT is the hotness right now for the GTI and Golf R-- for good reason, their basic 'staged' tunes are putting up great numbers and everyone seems to love it. For the S3 they have Stage 1 and 2, pump gas and E30 tunes. A3/GTI, no E30 tune yet but apparently it's in the works.

Stratified is another well established company that got gained a ton of popularity in the ecoboost world and entered VW scene starting with the mk6. They have basic staged tunes for A3/GTI, to include E30 maps, but only custom tuning for the Golf R/S3 at the moment.

EQT being the hotness right now, their prices are a little higher, especially if you go the custom tune route. For example if you wanted a custom 91 and E30 tune + DSG package... EQT would run you $1025 and Stratified would be $475. And stratified has a $125 "top up tune" you could get down the road after you change parts on your car, vs having to pay full price again. Customer service with both is good.

The golf MK7 forum has a lot of info/discussions on Cobb stuff in general, and of course facebook unfortunately. You can always hit them up if you have any questions and make your decision from there. I don't think you can really go wrong with either. EQT staged tunes seem to be working really well for guys. But buying into the stratified system isn't bad either and not too expensive as you continue to mod the car down the road....with a custom tune you're going to get a more tailored experience, and get to try out various settings along the way and tweak to your liking. Exhaust crackles..... launch control, traction control settings, etc.

Thanks for the info. I had been considering for some time to go with Unitronic; however, with COBB now in the mix, I’m leaning that way and EQT will probably be added as well.

[Allen254]

Yep, running it on my 2017 S3. Have a pump gas and E30 tune.

I ordered one too should be here tomorrow.

Please share your thoughts and how you like it.

Also how did you route the wire ??

[Allen254]

Hey guys.

I have a question for the Cobb stage 1+ can I use a 91 and ethanol mix to use this map ?? Like use two gallons of e85 to raise the octane to 93 ??

[aaronc7]

Hey guys.

I have a question for the Cobb stage 1+ can I use a 91 and ethanol mix to use this map ?? Like use two gallons of e85 to raise the octane to 93 ??

Yeah a couple gallons is fine. The car is always constantly adjusting air fuel ratio and can easily account for the difference. I'm actually running E40 fuel right now on a 91 tune, burning the excess fuel down before I fill up again with straight pump gas. A 1:3 ratio is E29, 1:4 is E25. S3 tank is 14.5 gallons. E25 is probably a good target if you wanted to run 93 octane tune, and you'll never get knock basically. E25 w/ 91 is "equivalent" to about 94 octane.

I've had 3 tuning solutions now for this car and Cobb is hands down the best/easiest. (Eurodyne, Ecutek). I've used the AP in several other cars so I know what it's all about and been wanting it for this car since day 1. Get an EQT or Strat ECU+DSG tune when you can! For you guys buying them new-- get them from a tuner and most will provide their own tunes for free or at a significant discount.

The wire I simply routed above the panel above where you knees are...then across to the center console area. Kinda wedged it in a few places to semi secure it. It's not super clean or anything, just a semi-permanent setup while I continue the tuning process. Long term I don't plan to have it plugged in all the time. I just like to monitor stuff for awhile when I change something to make sure it's safe, consistent etc....then stash it away in the glovebox.

There's some neat mounts for the AP on other cars, I"d love to see what some guys could come up with with a 3D printer.

[Allen254]

Yeah i think ill be doing an E25 mix to try out the stage 1+ map, cant wait. and thanks for the reply. I'm also think about doing a ghetto set up for the wiring.

[Dubstro]

Thanks for starting the thread OP!

I'm a 2.0T A3 Quattro now on Cobb. Was almost an early Ecutek adopter like aaronc7 but since moved over to Cobb too. I picked up a lightly used AP locally with DSG and EQT Stage 1 for under $700. If you part out, you can sell your AP. That is not a bad deal.

Posted below are dragy runs stock (back in March) and EQT Stage 1 93 oct with both on stock TCU. I am FBO but running the Stage 1 file that came with my AP. It's dialed back on launch but power is very linear. I will flash a Stratified E30 map that's in my inbox but still need to cycle in the E30. Saw Cobb posted on FB that A3 TCU support should have released on 6/9 so expecting my Stratified TCU tune any day now. Long term, I'm already paid up for EQT protune/custom tune and TCU so look forward to that. Have a hybrid turbo, MPI, LPFP w/PM4 etc. Hopefully later in the year this setup will be installed and I can start the custom tune. Will share info on here for anyone interested.

[kelvar13]

Just got a new Cobb with eqt stage 1 ots map. Highly recommend the discounted map pricing with a new accessport. Only have ten minutes of seat time so far but am very impressed with the tune. Plan on submitting my trans code for the dsg tune soon!

[X1CONROE]

https://www.cobbtuning.com/products/...gli-audi-a3-8v

[Dubstro]

https://www.cobbtuning.com/products/...gli-audi-a3-8v

Hell yeah! Just downloaded the 3 available maps. Going to flash Sport and test drive.

[X1CONROE]

Damn you! Don't have the funds for the DSG tune just yet but will soon. Have fun and please report back!

[Dubstro]

Do you already have a license for DSG on your AP?

[X1CONROE]

No, I bought the AP direct from Cobb with the stage 1 map, preloaded.

[Allen254]

REVIEW.

Okay you guys.

I just installed the cobb stage one on my A3 quattro.

1) Vvery scary process installing the initial map. DO NOT LEAVE THE CAR WITH YOUR KEY IN YOUR POCKET!!!!!!!!!!! (for those with push to start). took 27 minutes. i thought i had bricked my ECU. some how it saved it self, and cobb quickly helped and put me at ease.

2) the device is kinda confusing when you first use it, its easy to get lost.

3) Okay the power..... first, torque!!! there is way more torque and power. its really hot outside right now and my car needs an oil change so i cant really say to much right now ill update later but i definitly felt a power and especially a torque increase. my wheels are not gonna like this at all.

4) unfortunately, i am one of those guys that really believes that a power increase in a car is not a good thing for the car. (then why did you do it? yeah i know why :)) there is definitly a learning curve to learn how the car behaves. IDK how i feel about the added power and torque i just feel like the car just wasn't designed for that added power. Nevertheless really fun and the first pull scared the shit out of me. Also the brakes are for sure not liking the added power they are struggling to stop so you have stop sooner. (i know so many contradictions)

[X1CONROE]

REVIEW.

Okay you guys.

I just installed the cobb stage one on my A3 quattro.

1) Vvery scary process installing the initial map. DO NOT LEAVE THE CAR WITH YOUR KEY IN YOUR POCKET!!!!!!!!!!! (for those with push to start). took 27 minutes. i thought i had bricked my ECU. some how it saved it self, and cobb quickly helped and put me at ease.

2) the device is kinda confusing when you first use it, its easy to get lost.

3) Okay the power..... first, torque!!! there is way more torque and power. its really hot outside right now and my car needs an oil change so i cant really say to much right now ill update later but i definitly felt a power and especially a torque increase. my wheels are not gonna like this at all.

4) unfortunately, i am one of those guys that really believes that a power increase in a car is not a good thing for the car. (then why did you do it? yeah i know why :)) there is definitly a learning curve to learn how the car behaves. IDK how i feel about the added power and torque i just feel like the car just wasn't designed for that added power. Nevertheless really fun and the first pull scared the shit out of me. Also the brakes are for sure not liking the added power they are struggling to stop so you have stop sooner. (i know so many contradictions)

I should have added in my original post that it took about 30 minutes, my apologies. Cobb also highly recommends that you turn off bluetooth on your phone. Additionally a 10-12 amp battery, which i ignored. Glad you got it to work and are happy with it!

Sent from my BBE100-5 using Audizine mobile app

[aaronc7]

Yeah, just go outside and play around with the AP menus sometime in the garage and get a feel for it. Like anything else there will be a little bit of a learning curve...but its easy to use once you see it all.

[DvC]

Of the two pro tunes you mentioned, is either one better than the other?

Stratified is well know in the Ford ST community and i had them tune my big turbo Fiesta ST (2860r with extra manifold injector). I road raced the car over 2 years and 20+ events (sometimes in 100* weather) and never had any issues with it. For their OTS tunes they constantly make revisions to keep the tunes up to date. For the pro tunes its all done through email and in my experience they take way too long. i would sometimes have to email multiple times and wait as long as 2 weeks to get another revision. My $.02

[Dubstro]

It’s going to take some time to get a custom tune from any of the in-demand Cobb tuners for these cars. 2 weeks would be quick right now.

[DvC]

It’s going to take some time to get a custom tune from any of the in-demand Cobb tuners for these cars. 2 weeks would be quick right now.

for other tuners with similar demand there is same or next day turn around for email tunes. It was sort of a joke in the ST community.

[Dubstro]

for other tuners with similar demand there is same or next day turn around for email tunes. It was sort of a joke in the ST community.

I hear ya. I meant the Cobb tuners who are popular with VW/Audi/MQB platform are having longer than usual response times. Receiving base maps and revisions seem to all take longer than before. With S3/A3 support released it probably won’t get better anytime soon.

[Dubstro]

Flashed the Cobb Sport TCU map last night and went out for a drive. Only complaint is in D the shift from 1-2 is a bit aggressive despite light pedal input. Shifts are smooth though and so far better than my past experience with Eurodyne and APR TCUs on a GTI as far as normal driving.

Did another Dragy run and the TCU map really helped with the launch and shifts where much quicker than stock. Shaved .3 off the 1/4 time using same EQT stage 1 map.

[Nomarhits400]

DELETE

[aaronc7]

I'm doing a little experimentation right now with launch control. OEM strategy vs Cobb LC. OEM mostly closes the throttle to hold rpm vs Cobb which is fuel cut based but you can also play with ignition timing to make it more aggressive/build more boost off the line. Cobb LC "sounds cool" and does build more boost before going, but I feel like it just doesn't take off as well some times, like there's a little hesitation at low speeds. OEM feels good but maybe because that's just what I'm used to.

Going to try and get some dragy runs on the same day using both strategy and see what works best for me. One nice thing about Cobb is you can adjust it on the fly (RPM and increase "load"), but it reverts back to default settings everytime you start the car.

[Dubstro]

I'm doing a little experimentation right now with launch control. OEM strategy vs Cobb LC. OEM mostly closes the throttle to hold rpm vs Cobb which is fuel cut based but you can also play with ignition timing to make it more aggressive/build more boost off the line. Cobb LC "sounds cool" and does build more boost before going, but I feel like it just doesn't take off as well some times, like there's a little hesitation at low speeds. OEM feels good but maybe because that's just what I'm used to.

Going to try and get some dragy runs on the same day using both strategy and see what works best for me. One nice thing about Cobb is you can adjust it on the fly (RPM and increase "load"), but it reverts back to default settings everytime you start the car.

That’s interesting. The A3 OEM LC bounces off the limiter more aggressively than the Cobb Sport LC but falls off hard after releasing brake. Cobb LC doesn’t blow you a way but gets going pretty good. Maybe differences in OEM maps for S3 vs A3? Haven’t tried to adjust Cobb LC. Didn’t even think to, lol.

I just got my Stratified TCU. Will flash and dragy tonight to see if any differences.

[aaronc7]

Yeah there's probably more to it than just OEM vs Cobb LC. I believe Cobb LC is controlled by ECU settings and there's a lot of things to tweak... for example OTS vs EQT vs strat will all be different. EQT is quite a bit more aggressive.

OEM launch control I *think* is controlled by TCU tune but I'm not 100 percent sure on that. Either way, OEM vs EQT vs Strat will probably vary. I'm getting a custom tune so I will provide the tuner feedback and we can work on figuring out what works best/what I like best etc. I think the OEM strategy is a little easier to just tweak the RPM that works well for your setup and it's pretty well maximized. Cobb LC on the other hand there's a lot of settings to define power deliver vs speed etc... it's not as well polished in OTS form if that makes sense, but offers a lot of customization for the serious drag racer. Plus you can adjust stuff on the fly which would be good for drag racer too for a little experimentation on their own.

Another idea is maybe I can play with Cobb LC RPM and load offset--find what works well for me, and then have the tuner make that the default setting for me. But that sounds like a lot of launches lol. I just want something that's not overly aggressive but still gets up and goes/no weirdness.

[X1CONROE]

Hi guys, I need your input. I'm pretty much stock as far as performance goes. I only installed the aFe air filter. After doing the cobb stage 1 tune, is it OK to install a cold air intake? Will it run too lean? Would I have to get a pro tune?

Sent from my BBE100-5 using Audizine mobile app

[aaronc7]

Hi guys, I need your input. I'm pretty much stock as far as performance goes. I only installed the aFe air filter. After doing the cobb stage 1 tune, is it OK to install a cold air intake? Will it run too lean? Would I have to get a pro tune?

Sent from my BBE100-5 using Audizine mobile app

Won't affect the tune at all. Back in the day when cars ran MAFs or mass airflow sensors....air intakes had very big impacts on tunes and fueling in particular. You probably won't gain anything by switching to an aftermarket intake and in fact the stock unit does a great job pulling in cold air, and flows pretty well. Get a turbo inlet (90* piece off the turbo compressor) if you want a little flow improvement without breaking the bank.

[Allen254]

So I’m really confused about how much HP is added in stage one 91 map ?? Anyone know??

Any one tried the 91 and 93 map ??

I think I’m gona try 93 map today :)

[aaronc7]

The Cobb dyno plots are a little confusing to me with all the different variants and then ECU difference between the 15-18 and 19+ cars etc.

Either way I definitely recommend getting a basic tune from a protuner-- I would recommend stratified or EQT. The Cobb tunes just don't have the same level of refinement.

Cobb is much more focused on developing current and new tuning solutions vs crafting that perfect tune. They focus on the tuning tools, not the tunes themselves. It's neat they provide OTS tunes to get you going and serve as a good baseline for tuners, but for 100-200 bucks more, well worth getting something from a protuner IMO!