Audi A3 1.8Tfsi stage 2 vs 2.0Tfsi stage 1?
Discussion
So I have had my A3 8P 1.8 tfsi with 23000 miles on the clock for the last 3 months and have had a Revo Stage 1 remap on it from the first week of ownership. The dyno figures showed 212bhp with a fair gain of torque across the rev band. A stage 2 which would need an updated Fmic, tbe and air intake would produce 245ish bhp. I have also been offered Swaps for a like for like A3 8P 2.0tfsi with 59000 miles on the clock. As you guys probably already know, this engine comes from factory with a power output of 197bhp advertised, and a stage 1 map from revo can be expected to return anywhere between 250-280 bhp. What would you recommend as the best route to follow? I know that ideally if I was truly power chasing the obvious move would be S3, but insurance is a limiter. Have any of you taken a 1.8 tfsi to stage 2?
I have not, but I did have a Leon with the 2.0tfsi mapped at around 240hp and 260ftlb and it was a cracker, but I always wished I had held out for a Cupra (an FWD S3) or a GTI Edition 30. I guess it would be even more so with a 1.8tfsi.
You get used to the power and more will always be welcome!
You get used to the power and more will always be welcome!
I had a 2006 '56 Leon FR with the BWA engine, so smaller ko3 turbo and the original output was 197hp.
The map was on the car when I bought it, I wouldn't have chosen this myself, but it was actually not bad. The company was Quantum Tuning and the Internet seems to despise them for being providers of generic, cheap and dodgy maps. I did about 30k miles without engine trouble, so my experience differs.
Some really good tuners are R Tech near Leicestershire who do a custom rolling road remap for your car or Revo / APR who provide quality, but more generic maps (expensive but good). There are others, but these are the ones closer to me that I would have considered.
Have a look at a mk2 SEAT Leon Cupra. It is not as nice inside as an A3, but fundamentally the same car. The Cupra has the larger k04 turbo and a simple remap often gets around 300hp with similar torque numbers. The Cupra has bigger brakes too.
The FWD chassis can handle this as long as you invest in the tyres! Stage 2 can be around 320hp and there are very highly tuned examples over 400hp.
The map was on the car when I bought it, I wouldn't have chosen this myself, but it was actually not bad. The company was Quantum Tuning and the Internet seems to despise them for being providers of generic, cheap and dodgy maps. I did about 30k miles without engine trouble, so my experience differs.
Some really good tuners are R Tech near Leicestershire who do a custom rolling road remap for your car or Revo / APR who provide quality, but more generic maps (expensive but good). There are others, but these are the ones closer to me that I would have considered.
Have a look at a mk2 SEAT Leon Cupra. It is not as nice inside as an A3, but fundamentally the same car. The Cupra has the larger k04 turbo and a simple remap often gets around 300hp with similar torque numbers. The Cupra has bigger brakes too.
The FWD chassis can handle this as long as you invest in the tyres! Stage 2 can be around 320hp and there are very highly tuned examples over 400hp.
Personally I would say better the devil you know. More than double mileage for 0.2 of a litre bigger engine, seems your getting ripped off to me. The 2.0 litres have had way more problems than the 1.8 too.
It may be more tunable but how far do you want to go with it really?
It may be more tunable but how far do you want to go with it really?
Edited by benjijames28 on Thursday 6th October 09:24
benjijames28 said:
Personally I would say better the devil you know. More than double mileage for 0.2 of a litre bigger engine, seems your getting ripped off to me. The 2.0 litres have had way more problems than the 1.8 too.
It may be more tunable but how far do you want to go with it really?
The 2.0 are not problematic, and the "common faults " can all be done at home and less than 100 quid for all. It may be more tunable but how far do you want to go with it really?
Edited by benjijames28 on Thursday 6th October 09:24
Yeah the Cupra does seem like the better bet if you're chasing all out power. If I had my time again that would probably have been the route I would have followed. Unfortunately I've only had the offer to go down the route of the 2.0 tfsi audi A3 swap. I think I feel a bit dubious as to the swap if I'm honest but wanted to know if it was too good an opportunity to miss. The A3 I currently own was previously owned by a 60 odd year old woman who had racked up 19000 miles over 7 years, probably never hit boost and had a full audi dealer service history. When I had it dyno'd post map you could smell the exhaust burning off the factory coating as it had never been heated to that extremity before. Just wondering if stock internals and turbo would be durable enough for 250 odd bhp with a stage 2 map
AyyJayy said:
So I have had my A3 8P 1.8 tfsi with 23000 miles on the clock for the last 3 months and have had a Revo Stage 1 remap on it from the first week of ownership. The dyno figures showed 212bhp with a fair gain of torque across the rev band. A stage 2 which would need an updated Fmic, tbe and air intake would produce 245ish bhp. I have also been offered Swaps for a like for like A3 8P 2.0tfsi with 59000 miles on the clock. As you guys probably already know, this engine comes from factory with a power output of 197bhp advertised, and a stage 1 map from revo can be expected to return anywhere between 250-280 bhp. What would you recommend as the best route to follow? I know that ideally if I was truly power chasing the obvious move would be S3, but insurance is a limiter. Have any of you taken a 1.8 tfsi to stage 2?
You could probably take the 1.8 a bit further with an aftermarket downpipe and exhaust, but it's getting expensive for an additional 30-40hp, maybe 50.Moving up to the 2.0 gains you plus 30hp, which isn't really going to be that noticeable if you've come from ~ 250hp.
You might be surprised on the S3 insurance. Usually a bit lower to insure than an equivalent VW and by the time you've factored in the modifications on the FWD cars, you might find the premiums aren't that different. And of course, the S3 has a lot more potential than the other two.
Edited by SuperchargedVR6 on Thursday 6th October 14:27
Would be interested to know what the insurance quotes are on:
- A3 1.8T Stage 2
- A3 2.0T Stage 1
- S3 standard
I'd expect the modified cars to be relatively expensive.
Personally I'd take a standard S3 over either of the others as it'll retain its value over the long term and could be tuned later if required (or an Edition 30).
- A3 1.8T Stage 2
- A3 2.0T Stage 1
- S3 standard
I'd expect the modified cars to be relatively expensive.
Personally I'd take a standard S3 over either of the others as it'll retain its value over the long term and could be tuned later if required (or an Edition 30).
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