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Another MRC convert
Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2013 10:17 am
by spr0cket
I arrived at MRC yesterday with stage 2 APR map and pulley on my S4, along with a filter upgrade. It was running around 425ps and 520nm which I knew Doug would be able to improve.
Despite my needing to run it on 95 Ron fuel (company pays that way)' still reached just over 460ps and 575 nm with Dougs stage 2 map. Only further upgrade was silicone intake hose between air box and supercharger inlet. I suspect another 10 to 15 ps could be found on some 98 Ron fuel. Main noticeable benefit is the increase and further flattening of torque delivery.
I just love how versatile this car is, from wife pootling around, to taking our large dog in the back and then occasionally surprising the odd sports car.
It's all just so linear and useable... Goes from bugger all, to bugger me, to bugger this so deceptively easily.
Only trouble is, unlikely to head back to MRC for a time as it seems so well equipped now.
Re: Another MRC convert
Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2013 11:47 am
by 999pooch
spr0cket wrote:I arrived at MRC yesterday with stage 2 APR map and pulley on my S4, along with a filter upgrade. It was running around 425ps and 520nm which I knew Doug would be able to improve.
Despite my needing to run it on 95 Ron fuel (company pays that way)' still reached just over 460ps and 575 nm with Dougs stage 2 map. Only further upgrade was silicone intake hose between air box and supercharger inlet. I suspect another 10 to 15 ps could be found on some 98 Ron fuel. Main noticeable benefit is the increase and further flattening of torque delivery.
I just love how versatile this car is, from wife pootling around, to taking our large dog in the back and then occasionally surprising the odd sports car.
It's all just so linear and useable... Goes from bugger all, to bugger me, to buggier this so deceptively easily.
Only trouble is, unlikely to head back to MRC for a time as it seems so well equipped now.
Aaaaaaaarrrrrrggggghhhhhhh, STOP IT. (fingers in ears) La La La La La La La La La LA LA LA. I can't hear you. LA LA LA LA LA LA LA!!!!!!
Re: Another MRC convert
Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2013 12:00 pm
by 999pooch
Bugger, seen it now! knowing how these things tend to consume my life it's probably all I will think of now, cheers Sprocket
.
Seriously though, I always knew I would end up mapping this car (had stage 1 on my last car & loved it). Having done a bit of homework it seems a straight decision between MRC & APR, and it appears most on here seem to favour MRC.
Couple of Q's -
Do MRC do a switchable / removable map? or have you lost this function now?
I think I will only be going to stage 1, so no hardware mods. Am I right in that MRC's outputs at stage 1 are much higher?
I know the risks associated with maps etc and warranty issues, but I didn't have any problems getting stuff sorted under warranty with my last car (I did remove each time it visited the dealer). I have read Audi are a less map friendly, any experience of this with warranty claims.
Anyone experience of MRC stage 1 on here?
Another MRC convert
Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2013 12:32 pm
by spr0cket
I chose APR originally simply as they were only vendor at time with a pulley option.
Now, having experienced both options, I'd have gone MRC as first choice. You don't get the switchable option though can say after first 48 hrs of playing when first loaded, I never used the feature again. Common thinking seems to be that the car will adjust to suit pretty much any typical pump fuel anyways.
The stage 2 gains over stage 1 are not nearly as significant as stage 1 vs stock so even with stage 1 you'll find it goes from be a reasonably good car to a great one.
Not had need to test any warranty claim as yet and hoping no need to anytime soon.
Re: Another MRC convert
Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2013 6:24 pm
by 999pooch
TBH, the switchable option is just so I can remove the map when visiting the dealers for services etc. I think you have a mucher better chance of having things resolved if the map isn't on the car. Although I have heard that Audi look at various engine logs and may refuse some claims based on out of spec parameters. Not sure how true that is though.
I do think the engine in stock form is OK, but nothing startling. As you say it's very very linear, so you don't get that torque spike anywhere that gives you the impression of sudden acceleration.
Having said that I really would like more torque, I do feel that sometime's I have to ring the engines neck to get the best out of it. It would be nice to whistle along lower down the range
Does the S-tronic handle the improved output OK?
Another MRC convert
Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2013 9:12 pm
by spr0cket
No complaints thus far with the s-tronic.
I believe Audi will easily identify an ECU that's running anything other than stock software. Lets face it most of the techs wouldn't figure it thus it has to be easily identified by cheksum or similar of the default program.
Would be very easy to put such check in place that is queried as soon as diags connected.
Re: Another MRC convert
Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2013 9:32 pm
by xxx_mojo_xxx
Do the remaps work fine with the FL 2013 models that have stop-start technology, economy modes, etc?
Re: Another MRC convert
Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2013 10:05 pm
by 999pooch
xxx_mojo_xxx wrote:Do the remaps work fine with the FL 2013 models that have stop-start technology, economy modes, etc?
Forgot the most important question - did they have to open up the ECU, or was it through the OBD port.
Another MRC convert
Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2013 10:41 pm
by spr0cket
Couldn't tell you if they are possible on the fl variant, best to give Doug a call for a chat.
As for ECU removal, I think that is required, though mine had already been opened anyways for APR to load it into their jig. I am not sure for MRC though believe all other tuners require removal to allow hardware interfacing to unlock or bypass the factory encryption.
Re: Another MRC convert
Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2013 11:02 pm
by xxx_mojo_xxx
spr0cket wrote:Couldn't tell you if they are possible on the fl variant, best to give Doug a call for a chat.
As for ECU removal, I think that is required, though mine had already been opened anyways for APR to load it into their jig. I am not sure for MRC though believe all other tuners require removal to allow hardware interfacing to unlock or bypass the factory encryption.
Is it a simple unplug ECU or is soldering required?
Re: Another MRC convert
Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2013 2:02 pm
by xxx_mojo_xxx
Just spoke to Doug. Turns out the ECU on the face-lifted S4 hasn't been cracked just yet.
It may take several months before I can go to MRC for a remap.
Re: Another MRC convert
Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2013 2:20 pm
by 999pooch
xxx_mojo_xxx wrote:Just spoke to Doug. Turns out the ECU on the face-lifted S4 hasn't been cracked just yet.
It may take several months before I can go to MRC for a remap.
Bugger!
Re: Another MRC convert
Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2013 2:45 pm
by xxx_mojo_xxx
I guess it serves me right for being a show-off and buying a new S4!
Re: Another MRC convert
Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2013 5:40 pm
by Nickyboy
Should have bought an RS.
Re: Another MRC convert
Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2013 9:14 pm
by 999pooch
Nickyboy wrote:Should have bought an RS.
£65k is a lot of dosh, certainly out of my reach.
I think I'll wait for it to be cracked, it's not as if it's a slow car.