24/05/2024
"TUNING STAGES" - Stage 1 - Stage 2 - Stage 3
Lets get things straight...!
The main problem is how the definition of "STAGES" changes, depending on who you are talking to. First and foremost, stages look very different across various vehicle models they are applied to, and tuners can differ on what they consider a stage to be when dealing with the same car. Generally speaking, there are some rules of thumb to follow.
Stage tuning describes the manner in which various upgrades and enhancements are made to your vehicle's engine components, hardware and how the software or engine management has been adapted or changed to accommodate upgrades.
According to the majority of those quoting their upgrades as stages could differ from our views. Each stage depicts a different level of upgrades that are fitted as a set.
As you may have guessed, Stage 1 represents the most basic levels of performance upgrades, while Stage 3 represents the most tuning you can do to your engine.
Stage 1 tuning would usually include and result in:
- ECU Remap, or as we like to call it an optimization of engine function based on stock components and factory hardware design & values.
- Least cost for most power gains, as well as fuel economy.
- Hardware changes and upgrades like exhaust could improve benefits further without compromising function and ECU calculations.
- The safety of remapping for your engine depends on the tuner, and unfortunately in SA the tuner is not the guy connected to your car with a laptop....
Stage 2 tuning:
- Goes hand in hand with hardware upgrades to improve upon factory limitations in function and design
- Hardware upgrades like Exhaust, Turbo, Charge cooling etc. changes the engine functioning drastically and its critical to tune accordingly.
- Tuning Stage 2 is what we call custom remapping. A load dyno is used to log AFR's throughout the engine RPM and alterations to the software (MAP tables) are done in increments based on live values as the engine operates and functions under load and operation simulation.
Stage 3 Tuning:
- We consider Stage 3 as the highest form of upgrades capable on a stock ECU and might need external Add-ons in conjunction, depending on ECU, vehicle or engine.
- Major Changes to engine components such as injectors, Added forced induction or fuel type, Larger fueling components such as injectors or fuel supply pumps, engine capacity or compression changes, etc. can no longer be calculated or managed by the stock engine ecu alone. There are too many factors to mention and these differ from vehicle to vehicle.
I believe you get the point...
Our slogan is "PERFORMANCE_ECONOMY_RELIABILITY_SOLVED" for a reason and Remapping or tuning is just a small part of what we do.
We are fully qualified and accredited in a very broad field of automotive services we offer, and there's not much we cannot do.
We pride ourselves as one of the most knowledgeable and safest tuners in the business.
Our 5 star reviews and Zero-Comeback policy speaks for itself. We only use the best quality parts, upgrades and tools. All our customers are advised in depth on the above when we consult and discuss their vehicle upgrade needs. Best bang for buck and customer satisfaction is our priority.
Feel free to contact me should you have any other questions not applicable to public discussion.
Regards,
Francois Conradie
11DegreeTuning
