Question about APR stage 2

[WaxonWaxoff]

Hey guys, first post (so be nice).

I got my 2007 polo 9n3 GTI APR tuned a few weeks ago, they gave me several programs ect. Car really liked the tune, instant smiles too be had

Now, ive saved enough for a Full resonated turbo-back exhaust system from Milltek, my car guy gave me a good discount and will help with installation.

Im confused about APR v1 and APR v2 (or stage 1 and stage 2) i think i have v2 stage 1?

after getting the turbo-back with larger downpipe, will i be able to get the stage 2 tune? what are the performance increases like? thats all i really want to do to the car.

(p.s i went with APR due to the lack of support of other tuners in my area)

thanks heaps! i might be completely lost

[h100vw]

Lack of support but where are you?

You should get stage 2 to account for the downpipe. APR should be your point of call for the information really. The benefits are pretty impressive over a basic tune.

Gavin

[noone]

Welcome.

APR have 2 versions of the Stage 1, Stage 2 is for a K04 (and supporting mods). You will likely have Stage 1, V2 as this is the most common version, its more mid-range torque focused than peak power, as the V1 was.

After you get the exhaust done, you will either need an exhuast spacer or to have the exhaust sensor coded out (check with your local dealer if there is a charge for this or possibly already done)

Thats all there is, no stage 2 with APR unless you go to a bigger turbo.

IMO, a full exhaust is not a big performance gain. A dump pipe and sports cat is good, but the rest adds minimal power, mainly just better noise. The engine will breathe better. Power wise, some numbers around 6kw were thrown around for a dump and another couple for the full. These numbers are more dependent on the tune IMO. As the 1.8T is a torque rather than peak power engine, its a bigger peak and range that will impress.

If you are after power, I would HIGHLY recomend the following mods for more power at a minimal cost:
- upgrade intake section to PD160 (reduces air resriction causing slow boost build, then a torque lump)
- Cone in the box filter (slightly better response).
- Better diverter valve (I rate the Forge 008, lots of options)
- Dump pipe (with high-flow cat optional, I have one waiting for me to do something with it if you want a good one cheap).
- New spark plugs, 1 step colder (not required, but a good idea)
- Talk to me about adding some timing to the Map once all the above are sorted (easy to tinker a little)

Once you've got the best from your new power, I would think about:
- better suspension as you'll struggle to get that power down on bends
- stickier tyres and maybe rims to boot
- short shifter, shifter bushes, etc to make the manual feel sporty
- rear sway bar and front brace (lots of handling options, these 2 are a great place to start)

It would be worth asking your tuner if the SAI bypass was included, these things are dropping like flies and will likely one day make your car run like balls. Then you have to remove and live with the code (or be lucky and not throw one, but all the APR tunes seem to) or buy a new one at a couple of hundred (for something that really does not do much IMO).

Lots of reading if you have the time, lots of opinions if you ask.

Cheers,

B

[h100vw]

Its a turbo back Ben.

Apologies if I have it wrong about the stage2/downpipe scenario. Hence going to APR for information rather than miss-information.

Gavin

[WaxonWaxoff]

Lack of support but where are you?

You should get stage 2 to account for the downpipe. APR should be your point of call for the information really. The benefits are pretty impressive over a basic tune.

Gavin

Hey Gavin! ive read many of your posts, great polo, great contributor!

I know C-C, Giac, Revo ect. kill APR on dyno's ect. (and are cheaper) but my 'car guy' who is just 10 mins away just happens to be an APR dealer, more out of loyalty than anything.

Im located in Newcastle, NSW.

[h100vw]

Hit him up for the info on the tune.

My own Polo ran pretty badly with the downpipe fitted on a Phase 1 tune. I can't see you using the downpipe at it's full potential without a replacement tune.

i couldn't see anything on APRs site about downpipes but usually you have to pay for an upgrade, if you aren't buying APR hardware. I don't think they do a downpipe any longer but could be wrong.

Off topic but I have tuned a fair few Polo's interstate.

Gavin

Hey Gavin! ive read many of your posts, great polo, great contributor!

I know C-C, Giac, Revo ect. kill APR on dyno's ect. (and are cheaper) but my 'car guy' who is just 10 mins away just happens to be an APR dealer, more out of loyalty than anything.

Im located in Newcastle, NSW.

[WaxonWaxoff]

[IMG]www.flickr.com/photos/43000765@N02/8602427424/in/photostream[/IMG]

Thats a picture of Gretel (cars name )

from the PDF they gave me my tune name was:

VW Golf,Polo EURO MY2006 6-spd 1.8T 06A906032TL S0040 Stages 1/2
V2.0

i rather like the tune of my polos stock exhaust, so the real question is, what is the second thing (after tune) you can do for an affordable increase?

Thanks noone for the list! ill look into them.

[WaxonWaxoff]

Hit him up for the info on the tune.

My own Polo ran pretty badly with the downpipe fitted on a Phase 1 tune. I can't see you using the downpipe at it's full potential without a replacement tune.

i couldn't see anything on APRs site about downpipes but usually you have to pay for an upgrade, if you aren't buying APR hardware. I don't think they do a downpipe any longer but could be wrong.

Off topic but I have tuned a fair few Polo's interstate.

Gavin

When you say the Polo ran Badly, do you mean there was little improvement in performance? or that it actually effected the performance from its previous state?

Also i have a few issues with the car, would you happen to know the most appropriate place to post these?

Thanks heaps!

[noone]

Feel free to raise your questions / issues here, see if we can help.

[WaxonWaxoff]

Feel free to raise your questions / issues here, see if we can help.

Okay, Thanks!

1.When the car has low revs, say 1500-2500 and i accelerate, there is this whining noise under acceleration that goes when the revs climb. Im not sure is this is just the normal noise but it sounds odd.

2. Under heavy acceleration it feels like the whole car is banging up and down, my tyres are worn, but its really rather violent.

3. Behind the drivers seat in the rear gets rather damp when its wet. If i press the carpet down the water feels like its stored underneath the car.

4. The air bag light came up, my mechanic ran a diagnostic with VAG COM before installing APR he said everything was fine and the Air bag light came up from a fault in the side curtain air bag. He cleared the codes, it came back.

Anyway, if you can help its much appreciated!.

[h100vw]

When you say the Polo ran Badly, do you mean there was little improvement in performance? or that it actually effected the performance from its previous state?

Also i have a few issues with the car, would you happen to know the most appropriate place to post these?

Thanks heaps!

The boost was inconsistent and swung all over the place. Just not a progressive thing, I just didn't like it. A tune written for the job is much better. It can make use of the earlier/more responsive spool.

I can't speak for the way that APR write their software but if the turbo is making more boost and the fuelling isn't correct, then the mixture will be lean and without logging it, the first thing you know is possibly a catastrophic failure.

I am not aware of a tuner that would create a tune, that would run well with and without a downpipe. You just wouldn't do it.

Gavin

[noone]

1.When the car has low revs, say 1500-2500 and i accelerate, there is this whining noise under acceleration that goes when the revs climb. Im not sure is this is just the normal noise but it sounds odd.

Is this just 1st gear? My first gear is whiny, but the others are OK. Jmac (another Polo Guru) has suggested Redline gearbox oils for our car, many with good results.

2. Under heavy acceleration it feels like the whole car is banging up and down, my tyres are worn, but its really rather violent.

Is your traction light coming on? If so, likely axle tramping, one of the reasons I'd suggest better suspension. What tyres do you have? If you can spare the cash, I'm loving the 595 RSR's for getting power down.

3. Behind the drivers seat in the rear gets rather damp when its wet. If i press the carpet down the water feels like its stored underneath the car.

Sounds like something was or is leaking. Could be a window seal.

4. The air bag light came up, my mechanic ran a diagnostic with VAG COM before installing APR he said everything was fine and the Air bag light came up from a fault in the side curtain air bag. He cleared the codes, it came back.

intermittent faults suck... could be a bad connection, but I don't want to give you any advice here as I've not read up on the topic and doing the wrong thing could cost you money and you don't want one going off in your face.

If you ever find yourself in Sydney, let me know, happy to show you my toy.

[WaxonWaxoff]

1.When the car has low revs, say 1500-2500 and i accelerate, there is this whining noise under acceleration that goes when the revs climb. Im not sure is this is just the normal noise but it sounds odd.

Is this just 1st gear? My first gear is whiny, but the others are OK. Jmac (another Polo Guru) has suggested Redline gearbox oils for our car, many with good results.

2. Under heavy acceleration it feels like the whole car is banging up and down, my tyres are worn, but its really rather violent.

Is your traction light coming on? If so, likely axle tramping, one of the reasons I'd suggest better suspension. What tyres do you have? If you can spare the cash, I'm loving the 595 RSR's for getting power down.

If you ever find yourself in Sydney, let me know, happy to show you my toy.

1. It actually happens in 3rd or 4th, i thought it might of been a boost leak or something but it didnt show on the scan, and the car runs well.

2. It does come up, but it happens even when i turn traction control off. i thought this could be an engine mount fault? i might put a video up of both the odd sound and the banging :s my tyres are the same type as the originals at the front CS2's i think their called (worn to indicators, will replace this week) and the rears Hankook Ventus Me01's. im going to look into the tyre recommendations!

3. Yes, the car window on the drivers side make a noise like air passing through at high speed when the window is up! so thats most likley the reason thanks!

4. im going to leave that for the mechanic, electrical's freak me out!

Im in sydney 2/ 7 days of the week, on the North shore/ Northern beaches! where abouts are you!

[WaxonWaxoff]

The boost was inconsistent and swung all over the place. Just not a progressive thing, I just didn't like it. A tune written for the job is much better. It can make use of the earlier/more responsive spool.

I can't speak for the way that APR write their software but if the turbo is making more boost and the fuelling isn't correct, then the mixture will be lean and without logging it, the first thing you know is possibly a catastrophic failure.

I am not aware of a tuner that would create a tune, that would run well with and without a downpipe. You just wouldn't do it.

Gavin

Ill email APR and let you know, thanks heaps for your help.