Set it and forget it Stage1 tune recommendation?

[XMetal]

I'm looking for a stage 1 tune (pump gas) that doesn't require much monitoring/tinkering...pretty much set it and forget it. Not looking to get the most power out of it, just something that is fairly conservative that I don't have to constantly tinker with.

APR is what I had initially wanted, but having to visit an APR dealer everytime I need to remove/re-install the tune is somewhat off putting. For example, I was told that it's recommended to have the stock ECU tune when doing the PODS recall...so I would have to visit an APR dealer prior/after the recall is done as well as all future recalls if any comes along :-(

I'm leaning more toward an EQT stage 1 (91 octane) ECU/TCU simply because I don't have to lug around a laptop to tune or update it. I like that you can do this at home and your specific factory tune is backed up in the process so you can revert back to it when needed. I had the "popping out of gear" issue and got the TSB applied to resolve the issue. Therefore, if the TCU tune was based on a pre-TSB software and has the issue, I can easily revert back to my TSB'ed stock tune if needed. Those of you that have the EQT stage 1 ECU/TCU, how do you like it? Any niggling issues with it? Is it a set it and forget it tune?

What is everyone's opinion on this? Thanks.

[b1aZe]

Uni Stage1 plus is it. Can use it bone stock with great results.

[Spinnetti]

Pretty much all stage 1 tunes are no hassle. I've had pretty good luck with Uni also.

[Pete Moss]

Went EQT Stage 1 93 plus TSU tune earlier this year, and am very happy with it.
Eliminated most, but not all, of shifting harshness/clunkiness (though the Second to first downshifting still rough at times).
That the car is that much more spritely at revs > 3k is just awesome. Really unreal difference.
You can obsess about the monitoring gauges as much as you want (and some do), but the best advice is to toss the Accessport in the glove after you're done installing (I use to monitor boost, knock and dsg temp once in a while just for peace of mind).
Install was easy; would recommend, as Cobb does, that you have good charger on the battery, as it does tend to deplete it after 20 min or so.

I was going to uninstall for the Airbag recall when Dealer got parts, to remember what the car ws like before, but, of course Audi hasn't gotten around to making the parts available.
It's just a passenger airbag, after all.

[XMetal]

Uni Stage1 plus is it. Can use it bone stock with great results.

Pretty much all stage 1 tunes are no hassle. I've had pretty good luck with Uni also.

Thanks for the feedback. Does Unitronic backup your specific version of the S/W (ECU and TCU) prior to installing their tune in case you have to revert back to stock? I want my specific version of the S/W, not just some random canned stock versions. The backup process is one of the main reason I want to go with EQT or any variation of Cobb Access Port tune.

Went EQT Stage 1 93 plus TSU tune earlier this year, and am very happy with it.
Eliminated most, but not all, of shifting harshness/clunkiness (though the Second to first downshifting still rough at times).
That the car is that much more spritely at revs > 3k is just awesome. Really unreal difference.
You can obsess about the monitoring gauges as much as you want (and some do), but the best advice is to toss the Accessport in the glove after you're done installing (I use to monitor boost, knock and dsg temp once in a while just for peace of mind).
Install was easy; would recommend, as Cobb does, that you have good charger on the battery, as it does tend to deplete it after 20 min or so.

I was going to uninstall for the Airbag recall when Dealer got parts, to remember what the car ws like before, but, of course Audi hasn't gotten around to making the parts available.
It's just a passenger airbag, after all.

Thanks. I'll probably do the same...just monitor it at the beginning to make sure all is well. Sounds like you're happy with the tune. Would you choose the same if you had to do it all over?

[Pete Moss]

Yes; but if I had unlimited resources I would also try Unitronic for butt dyno comparison...
Unofficially it seems that folks that come from other tunes rave about EQT all day long.

[Boomerdw]

I'm looking for a stage 1 tune (pump gas) that doesn't require much monitoring/tinkering...pretty much set it and forget it. Not looking to get the most power out of it, just something that is fairly conservative that I don't have to constantly tinker with.

APR is what I had initially wanted, but having to visit an APR dealer everytime I need to remove/re-install the tune is somewhat off putting. For example, I was told that it's recommended to have the stock ECU tune when doing the PODS recall...so I would have to visit an APR dealer prior/after the recall is done as well as all future recalls if any comes along :-(

I'm leaning more toward an EQT stage 1 (91 octane) ECU/TCU simply because I don't have to lug around a laptop to tune or update it. I like that you can do this at home and your specific factory tune is backed up in the process so you can revert back to it when needed. I had the "popping out of gear" issue and got the TSB applied to resolve the issue. Therefore, if the TCU tune was based on a pre-TSB software and has the issue, I can easily revert back to my TSB'ed stock tune if needed. Those of you that have the EQT stage 1 ECU/TCU, how do you like it? Any niggling issues with it? Is it a set it and forget it tune?

What is everyone's opinion on this? Thanks.

Being in California I went with APR. Seeing as it has a CARB#. No issues and my car hasn’t suffered from th PODS issue. Besides as far as I know Audi hasn’t come up with final fix. Regardless I don’t have to switch tunes every two years for smog.

[rxer311]

Uni Stage1 plus is it. Can use it bone stock with great results.

But its not set it and forget it. They bypass emissions sensors. I have to switch back to stock every year to pass emissions because otherwise my emissions won't reach readiness...because they are turned off...they will never reach readiness.

I am seriously thinking about switching tunes because of this. Read my thread.

[Spinnetti]

Really? Stage 1+ is jut 93 octane.. it doesn't disable anything - that's stage II ya? I have stage 1+ on my R8 and passes emissions with no issues. I have to do the song and dance on the S3, but that's stage II.

[Boomerdw]

[QUOTE=Boomerdw;14827116]Being in California I went with APR. Seeing as it has a CARB#. No issues and my car hasn’t suffered from th PODS issue. Besides as far as I know Audi hasn’t come up with final fix. Regardless I don’t have to switch tunes every two years for smog, providing the car is kept for over 6 years.

[rxer311]

Really? Stage 1+ is jut 93 octane.. it doesn't disable anything - that's stage II ya? I have stage 1+ on my R8 and passes emissions with no issues. I have to do the song and dance on the S3, but that's stage II.

I confirmed with unitronic. They do disable emissions on stage 1 and 1+. It is a major flaw with the tune.

I have 2 nodes that will never reach readiness so will never pass emissions...because they are turned off. I have to flash back to stock and drive it for a week before I take it in for obd2 testing.

[XMetal]

Yes; but if I had unlimited resources I would also try Unitronic for butt dyno comparison...
Unofficially it seems that folks that come from other tunes rave about EQT all day long.

Thanks for the feedback. You're not getting any CEL with EQT, right? All monitors are still on?

Being in California I went with APR. Seeing as it has a CARB#. No issues and my car hasn’t suffered from th PODS issue. Besides as far as I know Audi hasn’t come up with final fix. Regardless I don’t have to switch tunes every two years for smog.

Cobb's tunes have CARB# as well. If I can't pass smog with EQT's tune, I can always fall back to Cobb's tune for smog or may even keep that if it performs well enough. The thing that I like most about tunes that uses Cobb's AP is I always have a backup of MY version of the OE tune in case I ever have to revert back to it, which is the biggest reason. I have a thread floating around about my transmission popping out of gears and Audi appeared to have a fix for it and applied the TSB to my car. Last thing I want to do is tune it and the issue re-appear. My car hasn't suffered the PODS issue either and I know Audi won't have the parts for a while, but I don't want to have to visit an APR dealer whenever I have to take it back for a recall or any recalls in the future. I tend to keep my cars for a LONG time, which is why the Cobb AP based tune really appeals to me.

But its not set it and forget it. They bypass emissions sensors. I have to switch back to stock every year to pass emissions because otherwise my emissions won't reach readiness...because they are turned off...they will never reach readiness.

I am seriously thinking about switching tunes because of this. Read my thread.

Really appreciates the feedback on this. I didn't know uni stage 1 messed with readiness. Very glad I had made this post so I didn't have to find out the hard way!

[fizmixa]

I've had stage 1 EQT ECU and TCU tune for the past 1.5 years on my 2017 S3. zero issues zero CEL's.

[Pete Moss]

No CELs at all in last 8 k miles on EQT stage 1 93 tune.

On Stage 2 and higher tunes, people seem to be getting check lights for fuel delivery issues, etc, or if they keep O2 sensor plugged into aftermarket downpipes, etc.

The guys at EQT are knowledgeable and helpful if problems do arise (surmising from others' comments, as I have not really had any problems).

[Boomerdw]

Quote

Cobb's tunes have CARB# as well. If I can't pass smog with EQT's tune, I can always fall back to Cobb's tune for smog or may even keep that if it performs well enough. The thing that I like most about tunes that uses Cobb's AP is I always have a backup of MY version of the OE tune in case I ever have to revert back to it, which is the biggest reason. I have a thread floating around about my transmission popping out of gears and Audi appeared to have a fix for it and applied the TSB to my car. Last thing I want to do is tune it and the issue re-appear. My car hasn't suffered the PODS issue either and I know Audi won't have the parts for a while, but I don't want to have to visit an APR dealer whenever I have to take it back for a recall or any recalls in the future. I tend to keep my cars for a LONG time, which is why the Cobb AP based tune really appeals to me.

My car is out of warranty, I will use dealer only for recalls. Won’t do the PODS unless mine suddenly fails. For me CARB# is huge. Been down the road with a M3 and a C6 both with engine mods. I don’t do my own work so it was expensive going back to stock after 6 years. Tampering with the emissions in California island with it anymore, at least not for me.

Good luck what ever you decide.

[XMetal]

I've had stage 1 EQT ECU and TCU tune for the past 1.5 years on my 2017 S3. zero issues zero CEL's.

Thanks for chiming in. EQT is looking really good now!

No CELs at all in last 8 k miles on EQT stage 1 93 tune.

On Stage 2 and higher tunes, people seem to be getting check lights for fuel delivery issues, etc, or if they keep O2 sensor plugged into aftermarket downpipes, etc.

The guys at EQT are knowledgeable and helpful if problems do arise (surmising from others' comments, as I have not really had any problems).

I will only do Stage 1, so I should be fine and free from these issues.

My car is out of warranty, I will use dealer only for recalls. Won’t do the PODS unless mine suddenly fails. For me CARB# is huge. Been down the road with a M3 and a C6 both with engine mods. I don’t do my own work so it was expensive going back to stock after 6 years. Tampering with the emissions in California island with it anymore, at least not for me.

Good luck what ever you decide.

My car is also out of warranty. Like you, I will only use the dealer for recalls. Having a CARB# is huge for me as well. At this point, it will either be APR or Cobb/EQT. But I'm leaning towards the latter due to ease of flashing at home and I can retain a backup copy of MY OE tune. Thanks again for your feedback.

[Gberg888]

I used to have IE... but then my motor blew up. I firmly believe it was a combination of LSPI and the software pulling back some safety parameters via the tune to achieve their stage 1 numbers. PS IE tune doesn't pass emissions if your state tests for that during car inspections. They say they do not but they do because my car failed with the stage 1 on and then same day, passed with the tune removed. All work was done via their software and obd2 dongle. They mess with the emissions equipment in the car end of story.

IE hardware = good. IE software = bad.

I now have APR stage 1. APR is a true set and forget...

[XMetal]

I used to have IE... but then my motor blew up. I firmly believe it was a combination of LSPI and the software pulling back some safety parameters via the tune to achieve their stage 1 numbers. PS IE tune doesn't pass emissions if your state tests for that during car inspections. They say they do not but they do because my car failed with the stage 1 on and then same day, passed with the tune removed. All work was done via their software and obd2 dongle. They mess with the emissions equipment in the car end of story.

IE hardware = good. IE software = bad.

I now have APR stage 1. APR is a true set and forget...

Thank you for your feedback, very much appreciated. I have decided to go with EQT with Cobb AP. I'm in Commiefornia, so passing emission is really important to me as I don't really want to do that song and dance every 2 years. EQT have been very responsive and answered all the questions that I've thrown at them...so I will be getting an AP in the mail soon.