I have a 2016 Audi TTS with 60k miles. I am thinking about a Stage 1 tune to increase the horsepower from 310HP to 360HP, along with a DSG tune. However, a friend, an experienced VW mechanic, advises against it without hardware upgrades. I am getting mixed advice and I am not sure about what to do.
It’s safe to don’t worry.
The engine can take more than the base.
I recommend leaving it alone because it can potentially hurt your turbo or even engine.
Don’t do it, it’s not worth it for the 50 more HP. What if the tune kills your DSG, Turbo, or even the engine? It’s not unheard of.
I would like your thoughts on this:
I have always done yearly oil changes and other maintenance as needed for my TTS, and it’s never given me any trouble. Even though I’m not as young as I used to be and don’t need the extra horsepower, this is our second “fun” car, and I figure, why not enjoy it to the fullest? It racks up around 6,000 miles per year. What do you guys think?
@Aggravating_Break762 Nice! Yeah, I’m on the fence; I adore this automobile and intend to retain it. Unfortunately, Audi decided not to make it anymore. To me, it’s a one-of-a-kind ride that yet fits inside my price range (unlike the R8).
@FinancialElevator586 My long-time mechanic, who also handles tuning, stated Stage 1 is safe, but you’ll need to keep up with maintenance a little more. Basically, you’re straining things out, so he said if I go Stage 1, I should a) perform the DSG maintenance a few thousand miles early, and b) be willing/prepared to do some maintenance earlier than planned if necessary.
Having said that, he was ready to preserve the 12-month warranty on the massive overhaul I was doing (8K) provided I only did a Stage 1 tune (which he was not providing). He simply advised to keep an eye out down the road and to be more vigilant. If you’re okay with that, pull the trigger.
@AudiAficionado The engine would still be good but don’t forget about the brakes, which will need to brake harder as you accelerate, and the entire transmission, which will have to support all of the increased torque. Power is about everything, from the engine to the tires.
Car engines also blow up right out of the factory, so while tuning “may” damage the turbo, there’s no real proof that if it does, the tune is to blame or the turbo was already headed for failure.
Since your warranty has expired, I believe this is the greatest approach to get a little more use out of what you already have.
@AudiDynasty I agree with this. If you have a reliable mechanic look at it, I would undertake a complete fluid flush and a diagnostic before tuning to avoid aggravating any existing problems with the engine. Apart from that, Stage 1 drivetrains are capable of handling a lot more power than what they were designed to have from the factory.
My 2021 S6 just completed Stage 1 of the APR the moment it reached 50,000 miles. At my neighborhood Audi dealership, the repair technician made fun of me and remarked, “I bet you wish you did it 50,000 miles ago.” He says that stage 1 is secure. He did, however, advise against doing anything more to it.
@EchidnaEmbarrassed21 If the vehicle has been tuned, will the Audi dealership technician still service it? I just found out that it cancels the warranty, but I’m not familiar with these specifics, so I appreciate the information!
@GangAClue If you want any repairs done, you should have no trouble paying them their regular rates. If there is any connection between the alteration and failure, they will reject warranty claims.
@GangAClue They will always steal from you. They get to determine what constitutes tune-related issues, and they will void any warranty for tune-related difficulties. I put off doing mine until after my warranty expired for this reason.
Before I became a mechanical engineer, I worked for around five years in a shop that modified Audi vehicles as an audi technician. Almost minimal risk exists in a stage 1 tune. You won’t have any appreciable impact on longevity or dependability.
I believe that sometimes people mistakenly believe that since cars are designed and tuned to the absolute maximum, adding additional power will make them unworkable. There are a plethora of factors that influence a manufacturer’s decision-making, including fuel economy, pollution, noise and vibration, product line placement, rivalry, and more. Never, ever should the product’s engine be made as powerful as feasible. Provided that you’re working with a reliable company, you don’t have to think twice about a stage 1 tune.
