NeverEnoughBoost

So I have a 2011 A5 that I couldn't be happier with it overall. Coming from an 08 Evo, the quality of the car inside and out and the ride comfort is just miles ahead of Mitsubishi which is what I expected, but there seems to be some untapped power from the 2.0T. Since the Evo also has a 2.0 with a turbo I just figured it would be pretty easy to get the A5 tuned to be relatively close to the factory Evo specs regardless of the difference in design and engineering. I came across the APR tunes and I found numbers that I would be more than happy with if I go ahead and get the tune. I noticed stage 1 and stage 2 aren't too far apart as far as power, but if all I need is an intake and a high flow cat I wouldn't mind getting the stage 2. If I need a whole new exhaust I'll pass and just get stage 1.

My questions:

As most probably already know, in the tuner world, an intake, exhaust, and tune will get a forced induction engine very noticeable gains (my Evo gained about 80whp from these alone). I have read a bunch of posts in this forum and I'm under the impression that getting any intake is just a waste of money and that the factory system is just fine unless you're upgrading the turbo and going all out. Is this true? I don't care about sound or an extra 1-2 HP. If it won't be complimented very well with a tune then I'll just leave it out.

Can I run the stage 2 with a high flow cat rather than a whole exhaust system? With under 300hp, I would think most stock exhaust systems can handle it without needing to be replaced. Are the stock systems super-restrictive or something?

I'm not looking to race this car or do anything crazy. I just like to have the option to accelerate better than the factory 2.0T when I need to, or when I just want to have a little fun. Thanks everyone

Lastly, if anyone wants to recommend another tune other than APR, feel free. This one just seems to have the biggest gains.

NeverEnoughBoost

My guess is people normally don't modify their Audi, huh?...

knightriderRS5

No people do modify their audis. I have a friend with A5 2.0t with 300hp but I don't remember what mods he had. I know he had an apr carbonio intake with an exhaust. But he just traded up to an s5.

edwin907

2014 Audi A5 S-Line Tip, White/Black, Black Optic, Black Spoiler & Gills and Mirrors, Audi Sport Suspension, Alc Sport Seats, MMI/NAV, Piano Black, S-Line Wheels with P-Zeros, Tint, and got APR Stage 2 93 octane and full turbo back single (APR), plus APR turbo muffler delete, today. 4600 miles on car and I am thrilled with the results. Not that it was slow before but pulls like a b-tch, can not wait wait to try E-85 on the Flex Fuel 2.0.

Autobahn Automotive (706)-877-2835 here in the CSRA. Fantastic Fantastic Service from Dan. H-ll of a good guy, got a lot in common with him, even gave him a LaRue Tactical Hat.
APR Intake on order.

Just a wonderfully balanced chassis with much much more than sufficient power now and I love the tone.

KarlFEvans

Lots of people mod their Audis. I would suggest Stage 1 only - new software map only. I have had Stage 1 APR on my 2003 A4 1.8T since it had 500 miles and it now has 160,000 miles. During that time I have had zero issues with the APR.

Contrast that with the Max951 chip and associated parts for my 1987 Porsche 944 Turbo. I get great power with the setup but throttle response is volatile- I like it but only because it is not my daily driver. The exhaust also stinks - likely because of the increased fuel pressure regulator and aggressive mapping. Long story short- for an Audi I would stick with Stage 1 APR.

Nastybutler

I also have a 2014 A5, and I decided that for the cost of a $200 test pipe it was worth it to go straight to Stage 2. I have the APR 2.0 version tune and it's a night and day difference from stock. I probably should have just gone Stage 1 since I still have 3 years of warranty left, but these engines are pretty much bulletproof at this stage of development, so I decided to risk it.

No E85 where I live, but even with just 90 octane gas (the max sold here) it still puts a grin on my face.

Borpa11

Neverenough Boost,
This is a great comparison. This is from HPA so you can get a look at whats out there. Have fun and YES people do mod these.
8 Audi A5 2.0 TFSI

Max Power Max Torque
Tuner hp kW PS @ rpm ft-lbf Nm @ rpm

Factory 208 155 211 6000 258 350 1500-4200
1 ABT tuning 271 202 275 5400 288 390 2000-4900
2 O.CT tuning 268 200 272 NA 295 400 NA
3 MTM tuning 267 199 271 NA 288 390 NA
4 STaSIS tuning1 257 192 261 NA 305 414 NA
5 Superchips tuning 255 190 259 5300 288 390 2261
6 BSR tuning 253 189 257 NA 282 382 NA
7 GIAC tuning 253 189 256 NA 333 452 NA
8 mcchip-dkr tuning 252 188 256 NA 317 430 NA
9 SKN tuning 251 187 254 NA 306 415 NA
10 Senner tuning 248 185 251 NA 302 410 NA
11 Sportec tuning 247 184 250 5000 313 425 1750-4000
12 Unitronic tuning 245 182 248 NA 312 423 NA
13 Pogea tuning 245 182 248 NA 312 423 NA
14 PES tuning 244 182 247 NA 292 396 NA
15 Hofele tuning 237 176 240 NA 288 390 NA
16 APR tuning 231 172 234 5500 333 451 2250
17 B&B tuning 222 165 225 NA 277 375 1800
1STaSIS stage 1 tuning includes effects of a catback exhaust

KarlFEvans

Nasty,

How does your exhaust smell after removing the cat? My experience with both my 944 Turbo and my MR2 (removed first cat, kept second downline cat) was that the exhaust smells without a cat. Long ago I removed the cat on my 1978 Pontiac 400 CID Trans Am. That Pontiac exhaust did not smell and actually passed Pennsylvania emissions tests.

Nastybutler

There is more smell now without the cat. It's enhanced even more right now as the temps are in the low single digits. It's not as bad when it's warm out.

mikejaeggi

I agree, APR is great. I had stage 1 APR in my 2007 A4 and was very pleased with the enhanced performance and never had any mechanical issues with the car. I will be getting it done on my S5 when the warranty expires.