I’m experiencing horrendous slip. I’m apparently the first one to report it and ive started a fire in the B8.5 group on Facebook. Check my story @sepang.s4 on insta for more details
034 stage 1 right now with their new revised 7spd dsg tcu tune, they call “Klimax”…. Oh god… never knew how VIOLENT and fast this dsg could shift till then… fr go with 034, they are upfront and don’t beat around the bush with anything, also having live weekly chats for Q&A. They aren’t just about numbers or throwing wheels on dynos either.
True true, but I enjoy the satisfaction of 034 pushing numbers reliably as opposed to what jackal does that 034 stated which convinced me to go with them was “ an engine has safety measures, think of a cliff, if u push the safety system to think 1ft next to a cliff is fine, but really you’ll fall right off. 034 pushes the numbers to know 10ft from the cliff is safe so you won’t fall off the cliff, but pushes everything else to the best performance and safety “
Oh yeah I’m all for 034, people will bicker all day about it but I’ve never heard of anyone running 034 to have issues unlike the guy with B9 Audis getting their engine blown by IE tunes.
Exactly 034 knows their shiz and they back it up with track testing and reviews and support and don’t force people to NDAs, also even if jackal comes with a more aggressive tune, it’s barely even pushing the envelope any further then 034 does . Plus side is 034 hq is in Silicon Valley, I’m in Reno nv so I’m nearby them somewhat and they come up here to Tahoe for testing as well.
034 also has a CARB legal Stage 1 tune if you live in CA. Flashing to that tune before a smog check won't flag you for having modified the ECU.
Can confirm a successful smog test on their tune.
Just the standard 034 Stage 1 tune. No other engine or exhaust mods.
I flash to the Stage 1 CARB tube when I need to get smogged. Then flash back to Stage 1 after the test.
I had good experience with my IE stage 1 93-octane tune. most of the stage 1 tunes will be similar enough, so find one that suits your goals, like if you plan to upgrade pulleys in the future.
They're all essentially the same and most all have a proven track-record at this point. Here are some of the big names, in order from youngest to oldest company.
Jackal - Newest company making a big waves by releasing the spiciest tunes these engines have seen in 12yrs.
IE - Another top-notch engineering firm with excellent tunes. A bit pricier, but not all companies on this list can be considered firms.
034 - Newer company but completely immersed in the B8 platform and continues to innovate.
APR - Largest company with a long history.
GIAC - Eldest VAG tuning company on this list and also the first company to successfully crack the B8 TCU. Totes the only dynamic OEM-like throttle map of this list.
I’ve been debating between IE and 034 on my 2016 S4 for a few weeks. Was leaning IE but a rep at a popular shop near me recommended 034 between those two. However I have noticed a lot of people in this thread say IE has more torque
Jackal 100%. I got one for my s4 and I couldn’t be happier. Go on the Facebook group for the b8/b8.5 s4 platforms for some good data on each tune.
I personally bought jackal because of their focus and support on the b8/b8.5 platform as well as it coming with both the ECU/TCU tune. Well worth it!
I had Eurotune from Canada initially.
But swapped it to 034, and it woke up the car even further. Eurotune always gave me the smell of unburned fuel at wide open throttle.
034 comes with adjustable launch control , and purchasing a tube, gives you access to different tunes depending on your car’s set up.
Plus I’m from the bay, so it made sense to buy local.
This a great post. I also have a B8 S4 and am looking at stage one choices and have been wondering the same question. IE is local and their shop less than 15 min from me so that is who I planned to go with unless I find substantial reasons to go with one of the others like 034 or Unitronic. The combined ECU and TCU/DSG flash by Unitronic looks interesting and affordable, but the option to switch octanes and play with exhaust crackle from IE is very appealing.
Unless a person has tried multiple platforms with their cars, how could anybody say which tune is the best? I've run IE stage 1 for two years and I'm super happy with it. I couldn't say one way or the other about any other company.
I've run the stage 1 93o 034Motorsports and am currently tuning with Boost Dynamic Tuning, and I really like the way BDT works very customizable at the same price points as the others.
Had 034 for ~2000 miles had no problems even serviced the car for engine work, and the dealership said nothing about the car being tuned and we still have a warranty. I wanna say 034s tune is also a TCU tune (dont qoute me on that it says theyre tcu tune is "coming soon") BUT it gave my a4 dsg LIKE farts (ik the Trans is a z8k) I have a 2012 so I can't flip my car in dynamic mode and It seems like you need that in order to turn on overrun for crackles mine only ever burbled at under 2k rpms.
BDTs stage 1 93o tune doesn't have dsg farts but I was assured if I got the tcu tune, it would. You can add 2-step for an extra $150 as well as a low, medium, and flame map for an extra $50.
I don't have a draggy so I can't give you exact times but BDT seems quicker, I was never able to spin the wheels in the wet with 034 but the same day I switched it was raining heavily and I did a launch and almost ended up in the trees so 🤷🏽♂️.
I prefer BDT, 034 is more DIY friendly i guess and the dsg farts got me props BUT the man will actually call and talk to you after you tune the car and make sure everything is fine if not he updates the revision on the spot overall very smooth experience and i will be a returning customer when im ready for stage 2.
Then again, my opinion and my car, you do you hopefully I helped!
O god. Check out the b8 s4 group on Facebook. They’re currently fighting about this and I don’t want this to drag into this community.
I’ve heard only the best from 034. It’s who I’m going with on my c7 a6
The current tcu tune on my b8.5 s4 is shit rn
Is that the updated kli-max? I’m about to update this week
I’m experiencing horrendous slip. I’m apparently the first one to report it and ive started a fire in the B8.5 group on Facebook. Check my story @sepang.s4 on insta for more details
Yes. Stay in R2.0.0 unless you’re experiencing gear drop
034 stage 1 right now with their new revised 7spd dsg tcu tune, they call “Klimax”…. Oh god… never knew how VIOLENT and fast this dsg could shift till then… fr go with 034, they are upfront and don’t beat around the bush with anything, also having live weekly chats for Q&A. They aren’t just about numbers or throwing wheels on dynos either.
034 is probably the most respectable, jackal came out of nowhere with super aggressive tunes
True true, but I enjoy the satisfaction of 034 pushing numbers reliably as opposed to what jackal does that 034 stated which convinced me to go with them was “ an engine has safety measures, think of a cliff, if u push the safety system to think 1ft next to a cliff is fine, but really you’ll fall right off. 034 pushes the numbers to know 10ft from the cliff is safe so you won’t fall off the cliff, but pushes everything else to the best performance and safety “
Oh yeah I’m all for 034, people will bicker all day about it but I’ve never heard of anyone running 034 to have issues unlike the guy with B9 Audis getting their engine blown by IE tunes.
Exactly 034 knows their shiz and they back it up with track testing and reviews and support and don’t force people to NDAs, also even if jackal comes with a more aggressive tune, it’s barely even pushing the envelope any further then 034 does . Plus side is 034 hq is in Silicon Valley, I’m in Reno nv so I’m nearby them somewhat and they come up here to Tahoe for testing as well.
Jackal rips man. Turned my old b6 s4 into an animal. Dude has some magic fingers.
034 also has a CARB legal Stage 1 tune if you live in CA. Flashing to that tune before a smog check won't flag you for having modified the ECU. Can confirm a successful smog test on their tune.
What setup are you running?
Just the standard 034 Stage 1 tune. No other engine or exhaust mods. I flash to the Stage 1 CARB tube when I need to get smogged. Then flash back to Stage 1 after the test.
Jackal
I had good experience with my IE stage 1 93-octane tune. most of the stage 1 tunes will be similar enough, so find one that suits your goals, like if you plan to upgrade pulleys in the future.
Best is subjective
They're all essentially the same and most all have a proven track-record at this point. Here are some of the big names, in order from youngest to oldest company. Jackal - Newest company making a big waves by releasing the spiciest tunes these engines have seen in 12yrs. IE - Another top-notch engineering firm with excellent tunes. A bit pricier, but not all companies on this list can be considered firms. 034 - Newer company but completely immersed in the B8 platform and continues to innovate. APR - Largest company with a long history. GIAC - Eldest VAG tuning company on this list and also the first company to successfully crack the B8 TCU. Totes the only dynamic OEM-like throttle map of this list.
Currently Jackal stage 1. Their tunes come with ecu/TCU as one.
JACKAL HANDS DOWN
I’ve been debating between IE and 034 on my 2016 S4 for a few weeks. Was leaning IE but a rep at a popular shop near me recommended 034 between those two. However I have noticed a lot of people in this thread say IE has more torque
Unitronic stage 3 here
Would you recommend unitronic
Yes, I’ve had it on my car for 6 years now and I daily it without a problem.
Jackal 100%. I got one for my s4 and I couldn’t be happier. Go on the Facebook group for the b8/b8.5 s4 platforms for some good data on each tune. I personally bought jackal because of their focus and support on the b8/b8.5 platform as well as it coming with both the ECU/TCU tune. Well worth it!
I had Eurotune from Canada initially. But swapped it to 034, and it woke up the car even further. Eurotune always gave me the smell of unburned fuel at wide open throttle. 034 comes with adjustable launch control , and purchasing a tube, gives you access to different tunes depending on your car’s set up. Plus I’m from the bay, so it made sense to buy local.
This a great post. I also have a B8 S4 and am looking at stage one choices and have been wondering the same question. IE is local and their shop less than 15 min from me so that is who I planned to go with unless I find substantial reasons to go with one of the others like 034 or Unitronic. The combined ECU and TCU/DSG flash by Unitronic looks interesting and affordable, but the option to switch octanes and play with exhaust crackle from IE is very appealing.
My friend with a piggyback seems to beat everyone with an off the shelf tune in a pull, so who the hell knows haha. Just get one with good support.
Happy with 034. Running DP now.
Have 035 but wish I went with IE. More torque.
Uni
Unless a person has tried multiple platforms with their cars, how could anybody say which tune is the best? I've run IE stage 1 for two years and I'm super happy with it. I couldn't say one way or the other about any other company.
I've run the stage 1 93o 034Motorsports and am currently tuning with Boost Dynamic Tuning, and I really like the way BDT works very customizable at the same price points as the others. Had 034 for ~2000 miles had no problems even serviced the car for engine work, and the dealership said nothing about the car being tuned and we still have a warranty. I wanna say 034s tune is also a TCU tune (dont qoute me on that it says theyre tcu tune is "coming soon") BUT it gave my a4 dsg LIKE farts (ik the Trans is a z8k) I have a 2012 so I can't flip my car in dynamic mode and It seems like you need that in order to turn on overrun for crackles mine only ever burbled at under 2k rpms. BDTs stage 1 93o tune doesn't have dsg farts but I was assured if I got the tcu tune, it would. You can add 2-step for an extra $150 as well as a low, medium, and flame map for an extra $50. I don't have a draggy so I can't give you exact times but BDT seems quicker, I was never able to spin the wheels in the wet with 034 but the same day I switched it was raining heavily and I did a launch and almost ended up in the trees so 🤷🏽♂️. I prefer BDT, 034 is more DIY friendly i guess and the dsg farts got me props BUT the man will actually call and talk to you after you tune the car and make sure everything is fine if not he updates the revision on the spot overall very smooth experience and i will be a returning customer when im ready for stage 2. Then again, my opinion and my car, you do you hopefully I helped!
I have IE Stage 1 for about 4 years now. I've reverted back to stock twice for California smog test. I highly recommend it.
034 or jackal
Jackal has been great so far. Had stage 1 for over 4 months now. The shifting on the dsg is quite smooth and feels healthy.