Got the S3 stage 1 mapped at AMD

[luke_m87]

So after much deliberation over where to take the S3, and armed with plenty of input from many of you guys in a previous thread before Christmas, thank you to everyone that gave their advice and experiences it was a great help.

I had decided that i was going to go to AMD as they were probably the closest tuner to myself with a great reference from @S3Alex (thank you again I know you answer about 20 of these questions an hour).

About a month ago I came across a classified add for an Auto Specialists CAI with heat shield, I'd had no intention of going down this route, but this was a good price and also had an enclosed filter which I preferred over a huge open filter. Swiftly got it on the car whilst also changing out the old revision C DV for revision D and also a new cam follower in the HPFP to be safe (the original wasn't in bad shape, but showing signs of wear at 60k).
The intake wasn't overly loud you could just about hear it with windows up and music turned down and a little flutter on gear change...perfect.

So I was all booked in at AMD ready for the Easter weekend, got down there nice and early and was the first car to arrive, once the workshop opened the car was straight in. It was given a clean bill of health and onto the rollers it went.
In all the hole thing took about 1 1/2-2 hours, whilst there I watched the car on the rollers, and i was lucky enough to get a glimpse of the BTCC S3 Saloon being unloaded from the trailer after the media day too, it looks great in the flesh.

A few people had mentioned that a stage 1 map is over hyped and not that different, granted I had the addition of the intake, but my god the first open stretch of duel carriageway showed this is a completely different car now!
The torque from around 2000rpm and then once on the power band right up to 6500rpm is unreal pinning you in the seat.
I've attached my before and after graph, for those wanting to see them, plus a cheeky little on the rollers shot.
Before 285 bhp and 292 lbft (with CAI)
After 324 bhp and 346 lbft
I'm aware this may be beyond the capabilities of the standard clutch so taking it easy on it, more a case of when not if it slips I think. Once it happens I'm thinking I'll go the route of Sachs organic and LUK DMF.

I had said originally I'd only get it mapped, but it's easy to see how the bug can catch you, so I we'll see if it stays this way. Being half way to stage 2+ it'd be rude not to, wouldn't it? Watch this space.

Thanks for reading and I hope this helps anyone considering a remap and also choosing a tuner.

 

[desertstorm]

I hope the oil temperature isn't correct . Just need to get used to the higher RPM change point now you have got all the extra top end at 7K .

 

[S3Alex]

Glad you're pleased with the results.

I've always come back with a smile on my face after each upgrade.

Enjoy!

 

[luke_m87]

I'm not sure where that oil temperature was read from? I'm fairly sure it'd of been apparent if things go that hot. It's not just the higher changing point the way the car comes to life at lower range too has made a big difference to how I drive it even at a normal pace. @desertstorm
I can believe that! I still grin everytime I've gotten in the car since. @S3Alex

 

[S3Alex]

Just looked at an old dyno trace from mine.....the oil temp was 451.9C as well.
I expect this is just a parameter set to maximum in software.

I found the biggest noticeable difference straight off was the extra torque meaning I didn't need to stir the car through the gears so much.
It became much more usable and easy to drive.

 

[HHS3]

Before 285 bhp and 292 lbft (with CAI)
After 324 bhp and 346 lbft

I had said originally I'd only get it mapped, but it's easy to see how the bug can catch you, so I we'll see if it stays this way. Being half way to stage 2+ it'd be rude not to, wouldn't it? Watch this space.

Looking good mate, I had a Revo stage 1 remap and Revo CAI done last month and I'm very happy with the results as well! As you say it's the torque which is the biggest noticeable improvement, 3000rpm+ it just pulls so much better.

I was in the same boat as you where I had originally planned to only go stage 1 and that's it performance wise but thanks to ASN, I've now got a £3K stage 2+ plan in the works haha!

I've got Storm Developments (recommended by S3Alex) near me so I'll be going to them for custom mapping in future, otherwise I'd be going to AMD as well because Revo Stage 2+ results are not as good compared to AMD/APR as a few unlucky people on here have found due to Revo not updating their maps..

 

[S3Alex]

I've got Storm Developments (recommended by S3Alex) near me so I'll be going to them for custom mapping in future, otherwise I'd be going to AMD as well because Revo Stage 2+ results are not as good compared to AMD/APR as a few unlucky people on here have found due to Revo not updating their maps..

Mine is going back to both AMD and Storm soon.

AMD for the routine servicing and a few other bits,and Storm for some adjustments to the Syvecs mapping.
Both places have looked after me very well.

 

[HansfishS3]

Nice! Planning on getting mine mapped at AmD soon! The difference it made on my 8L was night and day...cant wait for the new one to get mapped.

 

[S3Alex]

Nice! Planning on getting mine mapped at AmD soon! The difference it made on my 8L was night and day...cant wait for the new one to get mapped.

You know how it goes though......the beginning of a slippery path to financial ruin!

 

[luke_m87]

Cheers Alex, that clears up the oil temperature conundrum.
I find the way the car drives from so much lower in the rev range actually is like learning a new car again previously it felt a little more old school turbo waiting for everything to come to life for a moment, now it's more like trying to keep the car and yourself tamed as it just wants to go. I can only imagine that feeling even more so as you go through the stages.

 

[S3Alex]

It just gets better and better.

I think that the APR Stg3 kit or the TTE 420/450 hybrids offer the best compromise of outright performance without too many trade offs which mine has probably hit to be fair.
It's very loud,and can be a bit of a handful at times,when it all hooks up on full boost.

The other solutions get you a good bit of the way there,without it feeling like it wants to bite you.

 

[luke_m87]

I would love to go all out Stage 3 with a hybrid or big turbo build like yours, but with the car used daily, 2 kids on the school run in it every morning and hoping to buy a house it'll be staying as is for a while now. Maybe Stage 2+ if I went BCS route.

A friend has recently gone Stage 3 hybrid on his RS3 making around 500hp and 600 lbft thats a handful. I had a drive of it and you can feel all 4 wheels fighting for grip even through 4th and into 5th gear.

 

[S3Alex]

I would love to go all out Stage 3 with a hybrid or big turbo build like yours, but with the car used daily, 2 kids on the school run in it every morning and hoping to buy a house it'll be staying as is for a while now. Maybe Stage 2+ if I went BCS route.

A friend has recently gone Stage 3 hybrid on his RS3 making around 500hp and 600 lbft thats a handful. I had a drive of it and you can feel all 4 wheels fighting for grip even through 4th and into 5th gear.

Just to help you down this rocky road.....

Mine is a daily driver.
'Nuff said....

 

[luke_m87]

Just to help you down this rocky road.....

Mine is a daily driver.
'Nuff said....

Haha thread closed!!
I didn't realise you drove it as a daily. Part of me would like to get it fully back to factory fresh and get a daily derv, then i see a guy every morning on the school run in a brand new RS6 Avant and think if he can do that my little S3 can get over it.

 

[SootySport]

Is the rev limiter also raised when you have S3's mapped?
Just curious and I don't know what the standard rev limit is.

 

[THQuattro]

A good result with remap mate.

 

[S3Alex]

Is the rev limiter also raised when you have S3's mapped?
Just curious and I don't know what the standard rev limit is.

Depending on the tuner,and how brave they feel with your car,yes.

I'd say that keeping the stock limit with stock valves is a very good idea,and in any case,with the K04,there really isn't any point chasing silly rpms,as it's pretty much done by 6500-7000rpm.

I have a Ferrea valvetrain on mine and we did raise the limit a bit,but again not to daft levels,and also using a multistage limiter.

 

[luke_m87]

Is the rev limiter also raised when you have S3's mapped?
Just curious and I don't know what the standard rev limit is.

Although it has been raised slightly as you can see the power doesn't really climb much, you can hold it in gear for a moment longer, but I still shift just after 6k.
I'm also pretty sure that as they don't have a hard cut limiter everything seems to slow down at little at top end rather than hitting the wall as such. I thought the standard limit was around 6500 or 6800.

 

[Moxy89]

I've got a custom mapped booked, hope I get figures like yourself