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[Old User]
Go Kart Champion
Hi guys,
I finally got the latest APR stage 2 file for my GTI (V2.4), and given that for me it has been significantly different from V2.1, I figured a full review/ discussion was in order. I know the issues with V2.1 are fairly well documented, so I'm going to ask that we refrain from too much talk about it - my goal is just to mention the problems it had as a point of reference to the new tune. I'll be breaking this into 2 parts:
1.) Problems with V2.1
2.) What is improved/ not improved with V2.4
Car is a 2012 GTI (EA888.1), tune, full exhaust, and intake.
Problems with APR Stage II V2.1
a.) Cold starts were very rough, and the idle was ridiculously high. Instead of going to around 1200 RPM, hearing the SAI run, then it shuts off and revs drop (normal), the revs hit 2000, the car would shudder and it sounded like I was starting a Group B rally car. I have a very loud exhaust setup, so needless to say, the neighbors definitely hated me.
b.) Idle fluctuations were happening all the time. IF the revs ever actually dropped to idle, they'd bounce around, up and down a few hundred RPM, and it just generally did not feel smooth. Even when it actually sat at idle according to the tachometer, I could feel the engine lobbing up and down maybe 50 RPM, and it was super annoying - anyone with upgraded mounts surely would be able to feel it.
c.) Rev hang was ridiculous. Like stock x6. When I let off the gas, the revs would sit there like it was nobody's busines, sometimes even going UP a hundred RPM. If you revved in neutral, it would, I kid you not, take between 15 and 20 seconds to reach idle, after randomly pausing or barely dropping through various RPM ranges (5000-4000 would drop fast, then 4000-3500 would be incredibly slow, etc). Then it would drop to 1200 and just sit there, and after FINALLY dropping to 750, the needle would bounce around or jump back up to 1000. This was my biggest gripe with the file by far. The rev hang would have had you think this thing had a 50 pound flywheel and a throttle plate operated via carrier pigeon message.
d.) Throttle response was very, very poor, and the car felt like a sluggish slush box below 4000 RPM. No real other way to describe it... Partial throttle had nothing to give. Zero.
e.) Throttle lift-off was very slow to respond. If I was at WOT, and let off the throttle between 3-5000 RPM (while keeping the car in gear), the car would keep the throttle plate open and it would continue accelerating for about 300 RPM. This scared me the first time it happened! But it sounded weird, and letting off the gas resulted in a moment of continued acceleration before the car registered that I lifted off the accelerator. Bizarre sensation and exhaust tone when this happened.
APR Stage II V2.4 - Improvements
a.) Cold starts: will comment on this tomorrow after the car sits overnight.
b.) Idle fluctuations are gone completely, car idles perfectly now. Smooth and clean.
c.) Rev hang is back to normal levels!!!!! :w00t: Car drops to idle normally, revs drop when I change gear normally, and just generally response better to neutral situations. Revs do not increase by themselves anymore.
d.) Throttle response is hugely improved. Car feels much more responsive down low. Huge increase in low end torque and it comes as soon as you hit the go pedal, no more waiting and waiting. Car just feels like it wants to GO!!!
e.) Throttle lift-off is completely normal again. Car does not continue to accelerate on its own when I let off the throttle in gear. Weird exhaust noise is gone.
Overall:
This file is a HUGE improvement. Every issue with V2.1 that I experienced is gone. The car feels much more responsive, torquey and generally smooth, and there is no more weird engine behavior. I challenge other tuners to make a file that feels this awesome. APR, I'm really impressed. For anyone else who has thoughts on the new file or anything related, let me know what you think/ any questions!
Now running V2.4:
- Stock non-testpipe
- 91 OCT high output/ aftermarket intake (STGII)
- 93 OCT high output/ aftermarket intake (STGII)
- 104 OCT high output/ aftermarket intake (STGII)
I finally got the latest APR stage 2 file for my GTI (V2.4), and given that for me it has been significantly different from V2.1, I figured a full review/ discussion was in order. I know the issues with V2.1 are fairly well documented, so I'm going to ask that we refrain from too much talk about it - my goal is just to mention the problems it had as a point of reference to the new tune. I'll be breaking this into 2 parts:
1.) Problems with V2.1
2.) What is improved/ not improved with V2.4
Car is a 2012 GTI (EA888.1), tune, full exhaust, and intake.
Problems with APR Stage II V2.1
a.) Cold starts were very rough, and the idle was ridiculously high. Instead of going to around 1200 RPM, hearing the SAI run, then it shuts off and revs drop (normal), the revs hit 2000, the car would shudder and it sounded like I was starting a Group B rally car. I have a very loud exhaust setup, so needless to say, the neighbors definitely hated me.
b.) Idle fluctuations were happening all the time. IF the revs ever actually dropped to idle, they'd bounce around, up and down a few hundred RPM, and it just generally did not feel smooth. Even when it actually sat at idle according to the tachometer, I could feel the engine lobbing up and down maybe 50 RPM, and it was super annoying - anyone with upgraded mounts surely would be able to feel it.
c.) Rev hang was ridiculous. Like stock x6. When I let off the gas, the revs would sit there like it was nobody's busines, sometimes even going UP a hundred RPM. If you revved in neutral, it would, I kid you not, take between 15 and 20 seconds to reach idle, after randomly pausing or barely dropping through various RPM ranges (5000-4000 would drop fast, then 4000-3500 would be incredibly slow, etc). Then it would drop to 1200 and just sit there, and after FINALLY dropping to 750, the needle would bounce around or jump back up to 1000. This was my biggest gripe with the file by far. The rev hang would have had you think this thing had a 50 pound flywheel and a throttle plate operated via carrier pigeon message.
d.) Throttle response was very, very poor, and the car felt like a sluggish slush box below 4000 RPM. No real other way to describe it... Partial throttle had nothing to give. Zero.
e.) Throttle lift-off was very slow to respond. If I was at WOT, and let off the throttle between 3-5000 RPM (while keeping the car in gear), the car would keep the throttle plate open and it would continue accelerating for about 300 RPM. This scared me the first time it happened! But it sounded weird, and letting off the gas resulted in a moment of continued acceleration before the car registered that I lifted off the accelerator. Bizarre sensation and exhaust tone when this happened.
APR Stage II V2.4 - Improvements
a.) Cold starts: will comment on this tomorrow after the car sits overnight.
b.) Idle fluctuations are gone completely, car idles perfectly now. Smooth and clean.
c.) Rev hang is back to normal levels!!!!! :w00t: Car drops to idle normally, revs drop when I change gear normally, and just generally response better to neutral situations. Revs do not increase by themselves anymore.
d.) Throttle response is hugely improved. Car feels much more responsive down low. Huge increase in low end torque and it comes as soon as you hit the go pedal, no more waiting and waiting. Car just feels like it wants to GO!!!
e.) Throttle lift-off is completely normal again. Car does not continue to accelerate on its own when I let off the throttle in gear. Weird exhaust noise is gone.
Overall:
This file is a HUGE improvement. Every issue with V2.1 that I experienced is gone. The car feels much more responsive, torquey and generally smooth, and there is no more weird engine behavior. I challenge other tuners to make a file that feels this awesome. APR, I'm really impressed. For anyone else who has thoughts on the new file or anything related, let me know what you think/ any questions!
Now running V2.4:
- Stock non-testpipe
- 91 OCT high output/ aftermarket intake (STGII)
- 93 OCT high output/ aftermarket intake (STGII)
- 104 OCT high output/ aftermarket intake (STGII)
