Im coming from a stage 2 S3 and considering an S5 3.0 but would like more power than stock. Im thinking about stage 2 and wondered on cost and results with this tune, ill probably use MRC as ive used them a few times before. thanks
Remapping the 3.0 S5
- Thread starter Starry
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Thanks for the tag @JG51 AUD. I am running MRC stage 2 on my S4 for the last 2.5 years without any issues. @Dippy is running it slightly longer than mine.
Personally, I am an MRC fan boy and can't recommend them highly enough. The cost for their stage 2 is around £1800-ish and would / should give you around 470-490ps and 570-590NM (420-435 lb ft) of Torque. Remember that these numbers are quite subjective and you might get a slightly different readings dependent on the Dyno you use afterwards.
I also think that MRC intentionally safe tune the car and there is slightly more to be had even from their stage 2 map/tune. You should also consider cooling as an option as it helps with the IATs beyond Stage 1, worth considering for a stage 2 and a must-have for DP (Dual Pulley).
If you are looking at going beyond Stage 2, i.e. DP then you are looking at 505-510ps (potentially), snd you'll have to consider extra cooling, potential decat and test pipes to compliment the tune.
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It is all inclusive. MRC use an undampened crank pulley (179mm) and high grip belt, TCU tune, modified airbox and 034 intake pipe.
Absolutely. Stage 2 without a TCU tune is like trying to riding a horse without horseshoe
. TCU tune smooths out gear changes, raises torque limiter as well as the shift points for the gears. A must have for stage2.
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Actually @Tashfeen mine is 2.5 years old - went to MRC at the end of Feb 2017.
@Starry - have you had a test drive in a B8 S5? If not I advise it because it is not possible to compare on paper. I haven't driven an S3, but I have driven a TTRS (340PS IIRC) and I'd expect your stage 2 S3 to be similar or even better. You would likely feel that a stock S5 is unexciting in comparison, not only because the lower power and torque, but because it is a heavier car.
Even when stage 2, the characteristics of the 3.0 TFSI are different because of the supercharger. The torque band is broad and relatively flat unlike the peaky torque of your S3's turbo engine. This will be noticeable so you'll want to be sure its what you want. That "shove in the back" feeling of a turbo car when the torque is rapidly rising to its peak is quite exhilarating, and it does not exist with the supercharged engine.
I'm not trying to put you off, just making sure you are aware of the difference. Personally I love the difference because I hated the turbo lag (I came from the 2.7 biturbo of the B5), but I do still remember that "turbo rush" which I got in my S4 that I do not get in my S5.
IMO the gearbox remap is the least beneficial part of the MRC package. I don't often drive in M, so the 'box is usually changing gear before the increased redline. However the torque limit is raised, and although Doug told me that unlike the S3/RS3 s-tronic, he has not seen clutch slip with the B8's OB5, the reputation of that gearbox is such that I'd rather take no chances.
Speaking of which if you are thinking of getting into a B8, have you read up on its problems? In short get one built mid-2014 or later if you can, but if not no more that 1 year earlier in order to get the latest gearbox. If that's not possible then consider a manual, but even then you need to be ready for the timing chain issue, and lesser ones such as the crank pulley and cooling components (pump & stat).
@Starry - have you had a test drive in a B8 S5? If not I advise it because it is not possible to compare on paper. I haven't driven an S3, but I have driven a TTRS (340PS IIRC) and I'd expect your stage 2 S3 to be similar or even better. You would likely feel that a stock S5 is unexciting in comparison, not only because the lower power and torque, but because it is a heavier car.
Even when stage 2, the characteristics of the 3.0 TFSI are different because of the supercharger. The torque band is broad and relatively flat unlike the peaky torque of your S3's turbo engine. This will be noticeable so you'll want to be sure its what you want. That "shove in the back" feeling of a turbo car when the torque is rapidly rising to its peak is quite exhilarating, and it does not exist with the supercharged engine.
I'm not trying to put you off, just making sure you are aware of the difference. Personally I love the difference because I hated the turbo lag (I came from the 2.7 biturbo of the B5), but I do still remember that "turbo rush" which I got in my S4 that I do not get in my S5.
IMO the gearbox remap is the least beneficial part of the MRC package. I don't often drive in M, so the 'box is usually changing gear before the increased redline. However the torque limit is raised, and although Doug told me that unlike the S3/RS3 s-tronic, he has not seen clutch slip with the B8's OB5, the reputation of that gearbox is such that I'd rather take no chances.
Speaking of which if you are thinking of getting into a B8, have you read up on its problems? In short get one built mid-2014 or later if you can, but if not no more that 1 year earlier in order to get the latest gearbox. If that's not possible then consider a manual, but even then you need to be ready for the timing chain issue, and lesser ones such as the crank pulley and cooling components (pump & stat).
Thanks Dippy, great info there. I too had a B5 rs4 which was stage2 with mrc as was my B7 rs4 and a a5 3.0tdi. The s3 is stage 2 and running just under 400bhp. I loved the looks of my a5 and at 310bhp it went well but id like a bit more this time. The other option is the rs5, plenty to think about.
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So how did you feel about the B7 RS4? I test drove one when I had my B5 S4 which was stage 2 on the K03s, so only 315PS/56oNm, less than your B5. Whilst I liked the car it was clear that it only "came alive" at licence-losing speeds and when I got back in my S4 I was glad to feel that turbo rush again. I suppose if you still enjoyed the NA V8 then you might be fine with the supercharged engine.
Loved the b7 but as you say, you need to really use the 8k red line to have it on song. I think it was the sound as well that made me keep it for as long as I did. The b5 was a much faster car and much more exhilarating. I'll probably get a drive in an S5 but it won't be tuned so it might just be a waste of time as it'll be missing 100+ bhp.
