IE Stage 1 or 2 Tune AUDI S3 8V

[Scug_]

Hey everyone,

I am looking to upgrade my S3 soon with new mods and want to think out loud on here. I just bought the AWE track exhaust and am looking to get the cold air and turbo inlet very soon. However, I still need to get a downpipe for the car down the road to go with the tune. I am looking at IE Tuning I would like to jump to stage 2 plus DSG tune together in one go but I am kind of paranoid I need to get the intercooler first or could I get by that and upgrade that down the road? If I need to get the intercooler first I'll probably do the Stage 1 IE and DSG IE tune together.

Would jumping right to stage 2 with no intercooler on the car be too much stress for the stock turbo and create cooling issues with stock intercooler?

Your insights would be greatly appreciated,

Cheers!

Scug

[noseyp]

I don't have IE but run a uni stage 2 with a milltek catted turboback exhaust, the APR open intake and uni turbo inlet (no intercooler). I live in south florida and there hasn't been an issue with the stock intercooler. I'm sure heat soak happens faster but nothing is breaking. I think you are fine waiting to upgrade the intercooler.

My car is 15 S3 with 80k+ miles.

[Tjtalan]

I would start with the stage 1, and DSG file. I recommend waiting for stage 2 until you have funds for all of the components. I’m currently IE trueflex with the GT2260s, and all IE hardware. You’re making a great choice with IE, I can’t say enough about their products and service.

The stage 1 is a huge leap in performance. You will be quite happy.


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[Scug_]

I would start with the stage 1, and DSG file. I recommend waiting for stage 2 until you have funds for all of the components. I’m currently IE trueflex with the GT2260s, and all IE hardware. You’re making a great choice with IE, I can’t say enough about their products and service.

The stage 1 is a huge leap in performance. You will be quite happy.


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Thank you for the insight, I’ll do my upgrades incrementally!


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[Scug_]

I would start with the stage 1, and DSG file. I recommend waiting for stage 2 until you have funds for all of the components. I’m currently IE trueflex with the GT2260s, and all IE hardware. You’re making a great choice with IE, I can’t say enough about their products and service.

The stage 1 is a huge leap in performance. You will be quite happy.


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Thank for the insight, much appreciated. I’ll do my upgrades over time. I’ll definitely do stage 1 by this year.


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[texasboy21]

I don't have IE but run a uni stage 2 with a milltek catted turboback exhaust, the APR open intake and uni turbo inlet (no intercooler). I live in south florida and there hasn't been an issue with the stock intercooler. I'm sure heat soak happens faster but nothing is breaking. I think you are fine waiting to upgrade the intercooler.

My car is 15 S3 with 80k+ miles.

An intercooler is far more critical of a mod compared to a downpipe. Our cars/ECUs are very finicky with intake air temp, and will pull power once things get too hot. While you dont 'gain' HP with an intercooler, you wont 'lose' 20, 30, or even more when the temps get hot or you start pushing the car some.

[noseyp]

An intercooler is far more critical of a mod compared to a downpipe. Our cars/ECUs are very finicky with intake air temp, and will pull power once things get too hot. While you dont 'gain' HP with an intercooler, you wont 'lose' 20, 30, or even more when the temps get hot or you start pushing the car some.

I guess I misread. I thought he had a downpipe which is why he mentioned stage 2. If you already have a downpipe I don't think you need an intercooler before flashing stage 2 (at least that's what I did). It's certainly better to have an aftermarket IC and I have one on my rs3 which isn't stage 2. I let my 75 year old father 'daily' the s3 so there are never back to back pulls.

Can anything ever go wrong with the stock IC other than pulling power? I always thought the aftermarket IC was just meant to allow you to get max performance over multiple runs. I'm talking non track but curious about track as well.

[jaherer1]

i went IE stage 2 with just a downpipe (had turbo inlet, intake and catback too) and no IC, and it ran fine. colder climates should be fine, i live in NJ, and didnt realy have any heatsoak. but i also didnt autocross or ran the car hard on the streets too long. had it for about 2 years, less than 15,000 miles and no issues.

[JulienB8]

Hey,
Currently running a IE stage 2 tune, IE dsg tune, aftermarket IC, APR intake, downpipe, turbo inlet, and a lot of suspension upgrades (034 rear sway bar, Bilstein coils, Superpro front lower control arms, Bushing, ball joint etc) on my 2015 Audi S3.

I LOVE it and highly recommend IE stage 2! If you are doing any Autocross or track or care about cars longevity definitely get aftermarket IC.

I do not recommend just going IE stage 1, I had a few issues with the stage one. I ran APR intake & IE stage 1 w IE dsg tune. I got EPC light a couple times and went through a brand new sets of Spark plugs even though I was on stage 1 tune for only 7k miles. Don't ask me why, I have no clue (maybe its installation error), but once I upgraded to stage 2 w IC all problems went away. Plus I feel for the money Stage 2 was a better bang for buck.

I live in sunny south Florida and have been running my current setup for 20K+ miles with 0 issues. Hope this helps.

[Spinnetti]

I did the IC last, and I'm in the Texas heat... I wouldn't worry about it over much. Given the cost, incremental gains and hoopla it takes to pass emissions, I'm not sure stage II is really worth it, though I did it lol.

[FlyboyS4]

You don't need to upgrade the intercooler. Yes, you'll be down slightly on power compared to what an aftermarket IC can deliver, but the stock ICs are still doing a good job at cooling.

[Ptravaglini]

Hey,
Currently running a IE stage 2 tune, IE dsg tune, aftermarket IC, APR intake, downpipe, turbo inlet, and a lot of suspension upgrades (034 rear sway bar, Bilstein coils, Superpro front lower control arms, Bushing, ball joint etc) on my 2015 Audi S3.

I LOVE it and highly recommend IE stage 2! If you are doing any Autocross or track or care about cars longevity definitely get aftermarket IC.

I do not recommend just going IE stage 1, I had a few issues with the stage one. I ran APR intake & IE stage 1 w IE dsg tune. I got EPC light a couple times and went through a brand new sets of Spark plugs even though I was on stage 1 tune for only 7k miles. Don't ask me why, I have no clue (maybe its installation error), but once I upgraded to stage 2 w IC all problems went away. Plus I feel for the money Stage 2 was a better bang for buck.

I live in sunny south Florida and have been running my current setup for 20K+ miles with 0 issues. Hope this helps.

Hey, I know this is an old thread but hoping to get some insight. I currently have a lot of the same mods as you, I am stage 1 ECU from IE and have DSG tune from them. I also have the open air APR intake and the B12 pro kit. I am wanting to go Stage 2 IE and want to get their downpipe to match. I wanted to know if you got a check engine light when you went stage 2 with them. I live in NY and I think I can have 1 readiness fail and be ok but don’t want to go through having to swap out old one blah blah. I know o2 sensors are also an option. Either way any insight on if you have a light would be greatly appreciated.

[Gberg888]

I wouldn't trust IE tunes.

They say their stage 1 tunes don't play with emissions but they do and I have evidence of such... If they told me there's no CEL with their stage 2 tune and a DP I guarantee there is or its coded out aka wont pass emissions depending on the sophistication of your states inspection system.

IE hardware = Good

IE software = Bad

[Ptravaglini]

Thank you for replying. Any insight on the o2 spacer and if that would help/which to get? Or if it’s a guarantee the DP will cause a CEL

[o1turbo30v]

I wouldn't trust IE tunes.

They say their stage 1 tunes don't play with emissions but they do and I have evidence of such... If they told me there's no CEL with their stage 2 tune and a DP I guarantee there is or its coded out aka wont pass emissions depending on the sophistication of your states inspection system.

IE hardware = Good

IE software = Bad

^ this, IE tunes are not the best by any means, avoid.

[Gberg888]

Personally, if you want to go stage 2, id check out racing-line and see if their DP will work. They seem to make some of the higher quality parts out there.

APR and AWE make Downpipes, APR stopped because there really wasn't a good way to not throw a code and achieve flows making it worth it apparently and took it off the market because of EPA pressure. IDK about AWE but its also like 50% more than most other Downpipes and I believe comes with some sort of no CEL guarantee.