APR Stage 1 and cat back

[wurlzy]

Hi guys, looking for any advice from those who have done this.

I've got my 05 MK5 GTI booked in on Monday the get the APR stage 1 tune done, I have also just purchased (due to land tomorrow hopefully) a cat back system, currently with no other mods.
What I don't know is this - does it make a difference which way it's done? tune first then fit cat back, or fit the system first before the tune.

The guys doing the tune said that the system may log faults due to increased flow and bring on the engine warning light, this will require another patch from APR at a cost of about $280 on top of the original cost. Their suggestion was to fit it prior and see if it throws the engine light on over the weekend, if so I'll need the patch, if not it should be ok.

Any thoughts?

Cheers, Steve

[h100vw]

That's a question for APR but I am sure only a race cat would cause you problems. A cat-back won't make any difference.

Gavin

[Corey_R]

I agree with Gavin, a cat-back (which funnily/confusingly enough, doesn't touch the cat at all, lol) shouldn't make any difference - very little in far as any performance, and I hadn't personally heard of any fault lights from having one. Upgrading the "catback only" is usually done for audiable or visual difference, not performance.

As for the "patch" costing $280 - that sounds to me like the "upgrade cost" to Stage II software. But that is only required when replacing the downpipe (which funnily/confuzingly enough, does replace the cat!). Double check with the representative you were talking to - it sounds to me like a miscommunication has occurred.

[Tim]

I thought upgrades were free? Or do you get charged $280 if you dont purchase the DP from APR?

[Corey_R]

I thought upgrades were free? Or do you get charged $280 if you dont purchase the DP from APR?

Correct, just like Custom Code and GIAC and REVO all have different prices for their Phase 2/Stage II (and higher) tunes, so does APR. But APR includes the upgrade as part of the APR downpipe purchase. However, wurlzy isn't getting a downpipe...

[wurlzy]

Thanks guys for the quick replies, has put my mind at ease!
I am aware of the minimal/no performance gains from a cat back system, but just wasn't sure if there was an order of things for best results/less hassles back and forth.

I will fit the system up over the weekend and then the tune on Monday.........Looking forward to it!

Thanks again, Steve.

[Guy_H]

Catback won't cause any lights etc, also won't effect any software!

[PeDiES]

Correct, just like Custom Code and GIAC and REVO all have different prices for their Phase 2/Stage II (and higher) tunes, so does APR. But APR includes the upgrade as part of the APR downpipe purchase. However, wurlzy isn't getting a downpipe...

GIAC stage 2 files don't cost more, if you were to uprgade at a later date then its up to the dealer weather they charge you or not, no charge from GIAC, although saying that the extreme tunes for 2.0 k04 motors costs more.