Thinking of an APR Tune

[Milos2504]

Hi guys,

So I've had the APR stage 1 tune for a few months now, its good I love it, but I was thinking about getting an intake and maybe a down pipe

I wanted to ask you guys what are my options, is a down pipe with a tune classified as stage 2? I was thinking of getting a full exhaust but I think it costs too much for an APR exhaust. So I decided just to stick with a down pipe and stock cat back.

I had a look around and I think I wanna get the forge twin take system, so I was wondering if I get the intake and an APR down pipe and do a tune, would the intake make any difference, also would the tune cost me more because the intake isn't APR?

Also would all this make a lot of difference in power, how much power would I roughly be gaining by all this?

Thanks a lot for you advice

[Dutch77]

I had a non-APR dump pipe with my APR tune and was not charged extra, but I did it at the same time. It used to be about $250 from memory for an upgrade, but could have changed since.

I've read some threads on the Yankee forums that showed some improvements with an intake, this will generally be at high revs and WOT from memory, but the gains aren't significant. Certainly not enough to justify the costs anyway but it's a great under bonnet look and will provide some different noise if that's your thing.

[dArK5HaD0w]

I wanted to ask you guys what are my options, is a down pipe with a tune classified as stage 2? I was thinking of getting a full exhaust but I think it costs too much for an APR exhaust. So I decided just to stick with a down pipe and stock cat back.

not sure about the mk5 tfsi, but with the mk6 tsi:-
- stg 2 = tune + downpipe
- stg 2+ = tune + downpipe + hpfp

not much is gained with the apr catback.
I went for the full exhaust cause I wanted the "sound"

[Milos2504]

I had a non-APR dump pipe with my APR tune and was not charged extra, but I did it at the same time. It used to be about $250 from memory for an upgrade, but could have changed since.

I've read some threads on the Yankee forums that showed some improvements with an intake, this will generally be at high revs and WOT from memory, but the gains aren't significant. Certainly not enough to justify the costs anyway but it's a great under bonnet look and will provide some different noise if that's your thing.

Is there much difference in power gain between apr down pipe and a tune and non-apr one?

I wanted the cold air intake mainly for the sound and coz it looks pretty cool

not sure about the mk5 tfsi, but with the mk6 tsi:-
- stg 2 = tune + downpipe
- stg 2+ = tune + downpipe + hpfp

not much is gained with the apr catback.
I went for the full exhaust cause I wanted the "sound"

I kinda want the sound but that sound would cost me a lot haha
Is there much difference in power between stage 2 and stage 2+, does the hpfp make much difference?
Are all your upgrades APR?

[tigger73]

Hi guys,

So I've had the APR stage 1 tune for a few months now, its good I love it, but I was thinking about getting an intake and maybe a down pipe

I wanted to ask you guys what are my options, is a down pipe with a tune classified as stage 2? I was thinking of getting a full exhaust but I think it costs too much for an APR exhaust. So I decided just to stick with a down pipe and stock cat back.

I had a look around and I think I wanna get the forge twin take system, so I was wondering if I get the intake and an APR down pipe and do a tune, would the intake make any difference, also would the tune cost me more because the intake isn't APR?

Also would all this make a lot of difference in power, how much power would I roughly be gaining by all this?

Thanks a lot for you advice

First you only need a new tune file when you install a dump pipe. Most people call this stage 2. There are a lot of DP manufacturers for the Golf V and you can probably pick one up second-hand if you keep your eye out.

For the cost of the APR DP you could come close to buying a decent custom system from a local exhaust shop. Plus you'll get the install done for "free". The DP by itself won't make much difference to the exhaust note - just a slightly deeper note coming out from behind the engine.

I'd be catching up with a few guys and listening to the intakes before heading down a particular path. The forge twintake is one of the noisier intakes on the market. Quite a few people take them off for this reason. There's not a major performance gain to be had - just more intake noise and some under bonnet bling.

The DP will give the next biggest gains in power... and probably more important increases torque across the range.

Personally if I had a Mk5 GTI, I'd do the DP and stage 2 tune then upgrade the intercooler as the stock intercooler will likely be the next "weak link". I'd do this before putting an intake on as you'll get more gains from removing the restrictive intercooler than changing the filter element on the front end.

[Dutch77]

No difference, I was very happy with my 42dd pipe from forum sponsor Carformance.

I think Darkshadow meant the analysis the other way around - the hpfp is an upgrade on the mk5 GTIs using the EA113 motor, I believe only the mk6 R and ED35 require one to go full stage 2+.

As I didn't require one I'm not well versed in them, best to read up on them some more. Ultimately depends how far you want to take the car.

[Milos2504]

Thanks for the advice guys.

So my understanding is I get any dump pipe and then go to APR approved dealer and just get the software updated. Is there any recommendations on the dump pipe? Would a cold air intake or the intercooler change need a retune?

I see that 42dd has a full exhaust for $1500 and an APR dump pipe is $1350, hmm.. the dump pipe is also much cheaper.

[Lucas_R]

I use and would recommend the SPM dump pipe from DubAddiction over the 42DD. My 42DD had various fitment issues that i could not resolve (poor design and rubbing on heat shield and gear shifter cables).

The SPM has flawless fitment and also looks great.

[tigger73]

The only times you need a new tune are when you install a DP and also if you do put in a HPFP I think there's a new tune for that one too (best to check on this one though).

If you're going to get both then makes sense to get them done together so you don't have to go back twice.

The air intake and intercooler don't require a new file so there's no need for a tune file for these mods. As long as you don't change the pipe diameter for the intake at the MAF sensor you shouldn't have a problem. Some suppliers give you new pipework and there have been issues with differences in pipe diameter effecting the air flow calculations taken off the MAF sensor. As long as you're just changing the filter element on the front end (pod) you should be fine.

Yes there's a fair bit of difference in pricing for hardware and APR is at the top end of town. You would have to seriously consider your investment in a full APR exhaust when it could be worth close to 20% the value of your car!!!

[Milos2504]

Thank you so much for advice. I think I just have to decide which dump pipe to get. I don't think I will get the full exhaust, like you said tigger it could be worth close to 20% of the value of my car.

I think forged twintake comes with a new pipe, but I don't know if it's different size to stock. I might send them an email and check.