2016 A6 3.0T APR Dual Pulley Dyno - Before/After

[academytim]

I had some work done today on my 2016 A6 3.0T. I'm actually a little disappointed in the numbers, but it is what it is. I took the car to my local APR authorized shop. We did a baseline dyno before any modifications. The car put down 262awhp. I thought that was a little on the low side, but figured it might be because its the middle of summer in Florida and its pretty hot/humid. The shop then installed the following...

ECS Intake
JHM Heat Exchanger
APR Dual Pulley
Stage 2 APR Tune

The car then dyno'd 344hp. So it picked up right at 82awhp. If my 262whp baseline equates to 333hp at the crank, I'm figuring about 20% drivetrain loss. So the 344awhp puts it about 420hp at the crank. I think that's lower than it should be. Even with as hot as it was.



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[PeytonBrandt]

I’ve heard people say it can take time for the tune to adapt. Maybe try driving it around for a couple days, and then try the dyno again?


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[seandon_792]

That’s interesting because I just dynoed my car maybe a month or so ago. I’m just stage 1 apr and intake. Manual b8 S4 and hit 331 awhp consistently.



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[jcoleman_11]

I mean, those aren’t terrible numbers. I assume you’re on pump gas? 91, 93?


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[academytim]

93. They aren’t terrible. I wasn’t expecting the 390awhp that APR claims...but I was expecting 365-375awhp. The shop forgot to order the colder spark plugs so that was with stock spec plugs. Maybe after I install the recommended plugs it will make a difference as well.

[BobbyWatts]

I wouldn’t get too hung up on dyno numbers being low, can always try a different dyno (mustang, dynojet). Adaptation takes time... when I went stage 2 I was around 370whp, then ran on the same dyno a month later in hotter conditions and put down over 390.


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[academytim]

I wouldn’t get too hung up on dyno numbers being low, can always try a different dyno (mustang, dynojet). Adaptation takes time... when I went stage 2 I was around 370whp, then ran on the same dyno a month later in hotter conditions and put down over 390.


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That’s encouraging.

[paul-g]

two of the same cars same dyno, same day can put down different numbers. keep that in mind as well

[JWebb_C7_Comp]

two of the same cars same dyno, same day can put down different numbers. keep that in mind as well

Also note that the tune was just installed with no time to adapt. It’s possible your gas was lower in octane than necessary to get the timing advance necessary to hit the best numbers, and, as you said, the plugs hadn’t been replaced. Those “issues” can contribute to lower awhp numbers and the ECU gives instructions based on what it sees..

I’d bet you butt dyno really feels the extra power on the street in normal driving? Passing, on ramps, etc are more fun?


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[WatchMeSpend]

How come in a lot of people's dyno videos after stage 2 I can hear the blower whine, but not in this video? As a stage 2 owner I think that when there is little to no whine, the boost bypass seems to be opening. I see a lot of people say the car is pulling timing, but I don't think so. I have no aftermarket heat exchanger yet and if I drive and floor the car when it is cool outside, after a cruise on the highway, or when the car is barely warmed up, I hear the whine no problem and I still have the factory intake and everything that goes with it.

Anybody have any boost gauge videos of what it looks like when the engine gets hot?

[jcoleman_11]

Cause that dyno is louder than anything else in that video. You can’t even hear the exhaust. You can’t hear shit except the rollers.


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[academytim]

Yeah. The dyno rollers were ridiculously loud. The Supercharger whine is very evident when driving the car now, even at only partial throttle.

[WatchMeSpend]

Yeah. The dyno rollers were ridiculously loud. The Supercharger whine is very evident when driving the car now, even at only partial throttle.

So what does your butt dyno say?

[academytim]

So what does your butt dyno say?

There is no doubt that it picked up power. 262 to 344 awhp is around a 30% increase in power...and its noticeable. The power is also definitely much stronger lower in the rpm range. I’ve done a couple of launch controlled 0-90s and it plants you in the seat fairly well. Having had several cars in the past that I’ve run 1/4 mile times ranging from high 11s to low 13s...if I had to guess, it would run low 12s. There’s no question that it picked up power...I guess I’m just questioning if it picked up enough over a basic Stage 1 to be worth all the extra cost. I’ll see how it feels after a couple weeks of driving and after I swap the plugs out. If it feels significantly stronger I might go back and dyno again. If not I’ll wait until the weather gets colder and go dyno again then. I’m also on the fence of whether or not to add a TCU tune.

[Dutch_A6]

TCU tune will definitely help in regards to acceleration times, wakes up the car really well.

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[academytim]

TCU tune will definitely help in regards to acceleration times, wakes up the car really well.

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What is the general consensus on the best TCU tune for an APR stage 2 car? I contacted Chris at EPL to get pricing. I’ve seen a few others listed.

[Dutch_A6]

What is the general consensus on the best TCU tune for an APR stage 2 car? I contacted Chris at EPL to get pricing. I’ve seen a few others listed.

Melen TCU had gotten rave reviews, I've got EPL, John Rapkoch also does them.

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[academytim]

Melen TCU had gotten rave reviews, I've got EPL, John Rapkoch also does them.

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https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...n-ZF8-TCU-tune

^^^That thread sold me on the Melen TCU tune. Apparently night and day difference between it and even the EPL TCU tune. I reached out to him on Instagram and started the process. Thanks for the advice.

[Patrick Matte]

Melen all the way

[Dutch_A6]

https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...n-ZF8-TCU-tune

^^^That thread sold me on the Melen TCU tune. Apparently night and day difference between it and even the EPL TCU tune. I reached out to him on Instagram and started the process. Thanks for the advice.

Welcome, if I ever decide to spend the money for a second tune in definitely going to go with Melen. Right now tho I've got to many more wants/needs I have to address first.

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[chet.rowles]

You absolutely need the tcu tune to see all the power, if nothing else the car is still pulling hard up past 7k.

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[JWebb_C7_Comp]

Who doesn’t love the smell of a good Dino run in the morning....;)

[WatchMeSpend]

Yeah. The dyno rollers were ridiculously loud. The Supercharger whine is very evident when driving the car now, even at only partial throttle.

Don't know the difference between certain brand of dynos. Was expecting something more like this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_c...ature=emb_logo

[academytim]

Melen TCU Tune loaded. Won’t get a chance to test it out until tomorrow. My spark plugs delivered as well so those will be installed in the morning. Been driving it a week now. Hard to tell if any adaption has taken place but the car does feel strong.

[ANMS4]

^^^ you’re going to be very happy with the TCU! Especially launch control

[killer_s4]

Log the car and see what your IAT’s are getting to by the end of the pull. You might be pulling timing.

[WatchMeSpend]

Log the car and see what your IAT’s are getting to by the end of the pull. You might be pulling timing.

Does it actually pull timing or bypass boost instead? The more boost the car makes the louder the whine. When my car, with no aftermarket HX gets hot, I can't hear the whine at all (stock intake). After a short run on the highway, the car cools off and the whine comes back for a few hits. Thoughts?

[killer_s4]

It can do both depending on how bad it is

[WatchMeSpend]

It can do both depending on how bad it is

Someone has a video with a gauge reading IAT while they are flooring it and the temps go up like crazy. Can't seem to find it on YT. I think it was from an S4 and it had the gauge in the vent.

[academytim]

Log the car and see what your IAT’s are getting to by the end of the pull. You might be pulling timing.

I’ll try to do that at some point. Im noticing in the dyno chart that it registers peak HP at like 5200rpm and then practically falls off a cliff after that. I would think with the JHM heat exchanger that it shouldn’t be an IAT issue unless they didnt bleed it properly and there was air in the system. I will say that the few pulls I’ve done in the last week i definitely don’t feel a drop in horsepower past 5200 rpm like the dyno sheet shows. It pulls strong all the way to redline...which is now around 7k thanks to the Melen tune. It also launches so incredibly hard now with the increased launch rpm.

[paul-g]

well it's been 10 days has the car "learned" like people were saying and getting better?

[ANMS4]

I’ll try to do that at some point. Im noticing in the dyno chart that it registers peak HP at like 5200rpm and then practically falls off a cliff after that. I would think with the JHM heat exchanger that it shouldn’t be an IAT issue unless they didnt bleed it properly and there was air in the system. I will say that the few pulls I’ve done in the last week i definitely don’t feel a drop in horsepower past 5200 rpm like the dyno sheet shows. It pulls strong all the way to redline...which is now around 7k thanks to the Melen tune. It also launches so incredibly hard now with the increased launch rpm.

What did you set your launch at? Mine is at 2800, wondering if I should move it higher?

[academytim]

well it's been 10 days has the car "learned" like people were saying and getting better?

Could be placebo but the car does feel a little stronger. I don’t go around banging off the redline so it’s hard to say. Now looking at the dyno chart and seeing where it’s showing to have made peak HP before dropping off...I do think it was pulling timing. Shop might not have fully bled the system when installing the heat exchanger. Now I’m researching the best way to fully bleed that system even though i haven’t noticed any power drop at high rpm when driving it on the street.

What did you set your launch at? Mine is at 2800, wondering if I should move it higher?

Mine is set to 2600. Now you have me wondering if I need to request it to be higher.

[E-SWIFT]

How do you contact or order the Melen TCU ?

[Dutch_A6]

How do you contact or order the Melen TCU ?

His Instagram is melen_tcu you can message him on there.

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[academytim]

Yep. Just message him on Instagram and he will send you a link to what you need. Process is pretty painless. You won’t be disappointed

[ANMS4]

^^ The service you will receive is A+++ he awesome to work with

[academytim]

427B148A-5745-44B5-80EA-F56545B7421D.jpg334DD452-6F4E-4E7F-B3B0-0297213F1836.jpg

Quick update. Took the car out tonight with my new Dragy. I’m pretty happy with the result considering it’s still summer down here in Florida and it’s pretty hot and humid. Car did 0-60 in 3.98s and 1/4 in 12.2 @ 113. I talked to the shop and they confirmed that they fully bled the system...however I honestly think the car got heat soaked sitting on the dyno in the 95 degree heat. I think the car might be able to crack the high 11s once it cools off and the humidity goes down.

[WatchMeSpend]

427B148A-5745-44B5-80EA-F56545B7421D.jpg334DD452-6F4E-4E7F-B3B0-0297213F1836.jpg

Quick update. Took the car out tonight with my new Dragy. I’m pretty happy with the result considering it’s still summer down here in Florida and it’s pretty hot and humid. Car did 0-60 in 3.98s and 1/4 in 12.2 @ 113. I talked to the shop and they confirmed that they fully bled the system...however I honestly think the car got heat soaked sitting on the dyno in the 95 degree heat. I think the car might be able to crack the high 11s once it cools off and the humidity goes down.

I have a factory heat exchanger. The last 2 weeks it has been 90-95 up here in Canada. Only if the car was driven for a few minutes and then floored did I hear the charger whine and get full boost (still have the factory intake/silencer. The temperature dropped for the last 4 days and it is around 70. I get charger whine all the time and the car is noticeably faster. I don't usually drive during the day as I have a work vehicle. I'm torn between getting stage 2 plus and then getting the HE next year or vice versa. Need the trans tune though.

Anybody that I am on the phone with when I drop the hammer gets their speaking interrupted with me yelling "Whoo Hoo!!" Of course they hear the engine and end up laughing because they know I am enjoying the car.

[Dutch_A6]

I have a factory heat exchanger. The last 2 weeks it has been 90-95 up here in Canada. Only if the car was driven for a few minutes and then floored did I hear the charger whine and get full boost (still have the factory intake/silencer. The temperature dropped for the last 4 days and it is around 70. I get charger whine all the time and the car is noticeably faster. I don't usually drive during the day as I have a work vehicle. I'm torn between getting stage 2 plus and then getting the HE next year or vice versa. Need the trans tune though.

Anybody that I am on the phone with when I drop the hammer gets their speaking interrupted with me yelling "Whoo Hoo!!" Of course they hear the engine and end up laughing because they know I am enjoying the car.

My 2 cents is to do the HX and the pulley upgraded together, it'll be easier that way but I went through all this piece meal and for the HX over a year before I did the dual pulley.

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