034 Stage 1 - 93 Oct vs 91 Oct

[gabemcclintock]

I am looking to purchase the Stage 1 upgrade this summer but wanted to ask for any input on the 91 vs 93. Now like many I obviously want more power, but with some stations around not having 93+ Oct...there may be the slim chance I would need to fill up with 91.

Is this an all or nothing scenario? Of course 93+ would be the norm, but my concern is in those off moments where 93+ Oct may not be available. Should I simply stick with the 91 Oct Stage 1?

Thanks for any help and sorry in advance for what may be a dumb question 😬

[Dan99]

I am looking to purchase the Stage 1 upgrade this summer but wanted to ask for any input on the 91 vs 93. Now like many I obviously want more power, but with some stations around not having 93+ Oct...there may be the slim chance I would need to fill up with 91.

Is this an all or nothing scenario? Of course 93+ would be the norm, but my concern is in those off moments where 93+ Oct may not be available. Should I simply stick with the 91 Oct Stage 1?

Thanks for any help and sorry in advance for what may be a dumb question 😬

The tunes I am aware of say to use the 91 tune if you have to put 91 in the tank. The tunes advance timing to achieve more power so you don't want the engine to behave like it has 93 when it only has 91, as you can get pre-ignition/spark knock and potentially damage the engine. You could put 91 in it if you can't find anything else at the moment, but don't drive it aggressively on a 93 tune with 91 in the tank. Also, once you put 91 in the tank it takes awhile to get the gas in the tank back up to 93.

I live in an area where 93 is readily available but availability is regional in the US. When I travel to areas without 93 octane, I change the tune from 93 to 91. Some tunes allow you to do this on your own and others require you to go to a dealer for a change like this. I just make the change in my garage with the 034 tune.

On the other hand, if you can't reliably get 93 in your area, just go with the 91 tune for the safety of your engine. That way you can just drive and don't have to think about it. Finally, don't overlook the value of a TCU tune. The Stage 2 TCU tune from 034 definitely adds performance, so you might consider a 91 ECU tune with a Stage 2 TCU tune if 93 is not reliably available in your area.

[JohnEnglish]

I am looking to purchase the Stage 1 upgrade this summer but wanted to ask for any input on the 91 vs 93. Now like many I obviously want more power, but with some stations around not having 93+ Oct...there may be the slim chance I would need to fill up with 91.

Is this an all or nothing scenario? Of course 93+ would be the norm, but my concern is in those off moments where 93+ Oct may not be available. Should I simply stick with the 91 Oct Stage 1?

Thanks for any help and sorry in advance for what may be a dumb question 😬

Yes, it's an all or nothing scenario. If you can't guarantee that you can always fill up with 93+ octane then get the 91 tune.

[gabemcclintock]

The tunes I am aware of say to use the 91 tune if you have to put 91 in the tank. The tunes advance timing to achieve more power so you don't want the engine to behave like it has 93 when it only has 91, as you can get pre-ignition/spark knock and potentially damage the engine. You could put 91 in it if you can't find anything else at the moment, but don't drive it aggressively on a 93 tune with 91 in the tank. Also, once you put 91 in the tank it takes awhile to get the gas in the tank back up to 93.

I live in an area where 93 is readily available but availability is regional in the US. When I travel to areas without 93 octane, I change the tune from 93 to 91. Some tunes allow you to do this on your own and others require you to go to a dealer for a change like this. I just make the change in my garage with the 034 tune.

On the other hand, if you can't reliably get 93 in your area, just go with the 91 tune for the safety of your engine. That way you can just drive and don't have to think about it. Finally, don't overlook the value of a TCU tune. The Stage 2 TCU tune from 034 definitely adds performance, so you might consider a 91 ECU tune with a Stage 2 TCU tune if 93 is not reliably available in your area.

Thanks so much for the answer. I wasn't aware you could change the tune with 034? Is it simply just changing the "Map" from 91 tune to 93 tune?

Also I believe the 034 ECU tunes come with TCU tunes...but you can mix a stage 1 91 tune with stage 2 TCU tune?

Thanks again.

[gabemcclintock]

Yes, it's an all or nothing scenario. If you can't guarantee that you can always fill up with 93+ octane then get the 91 tune.

Kinda what I am hearing. Wonder if the extra gains from the 93 are that much more noticeable? The difference sees to be a bit, but wonderful what the "butt dyno" would feel.

[JohnEnglish]

Thanks so much for the answer. I wasn't aware you could change the tune with 034? Is it simply just changing the "Map" from 91 tune to 93 tune?

Also I believe the 034 ECU tunes come with TCU tunes...but you can mix a stage 1 91 tune with stage 2 TCU tune?

Thanks again.

034's website says:

Stage 1 91: 484 HP / 501 TQ
Stage 1 93: 514 HP / 537 TQ

I've only every used the 93 tune so I can't comment on how it feels vs the 91 tune.

To change between the 91 and 93 tune you need to load the new tune onto your ECU. It's not something that can be done on the fly. You need a Windows laptop, cable, and good internet connection. It takes about 10 - 15 minutes to load a tune.

[gabemcclintock]

034's website says:

Stage 1 91: 484 HP / 501 TQ
Stage 1 93: 514 HP / 537 TQ

I've only every used the 93 tune so I can't comment on how it feels vs the 91 tune.

To change between the 91 and 93 tune you need to load the new tune onto your ECU. It's not something that can be done on the fly. You need a Windows laptop, cable, and good internet connection. It takes about 10 - 15 minutes to load a tune.

I am going to assume that extra 30 HP and 36 TQ will be noticeable. Don't have a windows laptop, so can't do that unfortunately

[Dan99]

Thanks so much for the answer. I wasn't aware you could change the tune with 034? Is it simply just changing the "Map" from 91 tune to 93 tune?

Also I believe the 034 ECU tunes come with TCU tunes...but you can mix a stage 1 91 tune with stage 2 TCU tune?

Thanks again.

Yes, you can change an 034 tune on your own if you buy their cable. It's not just flipping a switch, however. It does not take very long but you actually install/remove the entire 91 or 93 tune. You can also go to E85 if you want. Likewise, the TCU tune can be installed, removed or changed in the same way.

The Stage 1 TCU tune does not do much for performance. Basically, it modifies the transmission to handle the additional power and modified shift points, but it feels mostly stock. The Stage 2 TCU tune goes farther and modifies additional parameters, such as clamping pressure and shift speed. This allows it to get more of the power from the engine to the wheels, and do so more quickly.

The Stage 2 TCU tune is designed to work with the Stage 1 ECU tune. 034 does not provide a Stage 2 ECU tune because they found that the stock cats flow well enough for the stock turbos, so the traditional Stage 2 hardware changes are not needed with the RS5. Hence, there is no Stage 2 ECU tune from 034.

[JohnEnglish]

I am going to assume that extra 30 HP and 36 TQ will be noticeable. Don't have a windows laptop, so can't do that unfortunately

You need a laptop to load the tune on in the first place. Just buy a used one from a thrift store or electronics recycler or buy whatever cheapest laptop Best Buy / Staples is selling.

[Dan99]

You need a laptop to load the tune on in the first place. Just buy a used one from a thrift store or electronics recycler or buy whatever cheapest laptop Best Buy / Staples is selling.

Or, you could go to a local dealer if one is available near you; however, they will charge for the installation, and it's less convenient.

Sent from my SM-S901U1 using Audizine Forum mobile app

[kmarei]

I have 2 Surface Go tablets (ipad form factor if you don't know it)
both work great for tune
willing to sell if anyone is interested
$200 each?