Question for MTM stage 3 owners.... (Repost, sorry : )
04-29-2003, 08:12 AM
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Question for MTM stage 3 owners.... (Repost, sorry : )
On my S4, I've installed the MTM stage 1/2 chip, milltek downpipes and cat-back exhaust. I'm happy with the performance but interested in possibly adding the MTM stage 3 software and fuel regulator to get a little more top end power. I have a connection to get the software for $795 (retail) and have heard that is it is a little more powerful. However, I'm not sure if it is completely worthwhile. For those with the "official" MTM stage 3 setup, did you run the car with the stage 2 software and turbo-back exhaust before upgrading to the stage 3 software? If so, what were your impressions? Did you honestly find it worth it? Any feedback would be appreciated considering I might throw down close to a grand for the new software, regulator, and shipping fees.
04-29-2003, 08:51 AM
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Agree with zapco - by the way, X chip would give you that and maybe more, and you could
sell the MTM ECU afterwards and not be out that much money (esp. if you find a used X chip ECU, you might end up with no money out of pocket) Otherwise upgrading to Stg3 you are getting a bit screwed if you have to pay another $800 but still having only 1 chip. I tried the MTM Stage III software and it didn't feel noticably more powerful than the Stage I (but then i might not have noticed 10-15hp). Unfortunately didn't acceleration-log Stg3, but I know the X chip is definitely faster than MTM stg 1 and ABT, which I did log.
04-29-2003, 09:16 AM
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Heh, quite honestly, I don't think you can do too much better than X chip tuning
Let's look at the tuning factors that make power - air, fuel, and timing
timing - X is running the max timing possible for power (up to the knock limit), more than any other pump fuel chip.
airflow(boost) - boosting the K03s any higher than the X in the peak powerband (above 4500rpm anyway) does not offer much airflow gains... the K03s are simply out of breath. How do I know? I've run the X and XR and recorded the MAF airflow. On the other hand down low you CAN get some more airflow gain and torque by running a sustained 1.4+ bar, but that is less important to me - at least not worth the extra turbo stress to get some more low-end, when I think we have enough of that already!
air/fuel ratio - this is probably the only area where you might be able to squeeze out a bit more power than the X, as the X runs a tad rich. But it turns out I prefer that for some other things I have planned.
timing - X is running the max timing possible for power (up to the knock limit), more than any other pump fuel chip.
airflow(boost) - boosting the K03s any higher than the X in the peak powerband (above 4500rpm anyway) does not offer much airflow gains... the K03s are simply out of breath. How do I know? I've run the X and XR and recorded the MAF airflow. On the other hand down low you CAN get some more airflow gain and torque by running a sustained 1.4+ bar, but that is less important to me - at least not worth the extra turbo stress to get some more low-end, when I think we have enough of that already!
air/fuel ratio - this is probably the only area where you might be able to squeeze out a bit more power than the X, as the X runs a tad rich. But it turns out I prefer that for some other things I have planned.
04-29-2003, 10:15 AM
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I'm not sure I noticed much difference with stg3 ECU but,
I liked the idea of getting a chip that is tuned for DPs and topend power. I managed to find someone who was selling their MTM stg3 ECU for $900 and than sold my MTM stg1 ECU for $800...$100 was easily worth to me. Not to mention I'm primed for MTM stg4 upgrade if my turbos ever let go. However, $795 is probably not worth it.
I did drive for a couple of months with just turbo-back exhaust and stg1, when I went to stg3 I can't honestly say I felt much difference but I will say this, my car ran door to door with the twin turbo v8 Lotus Esprit (car mags have it running 4.4 0-60 and 13.0 1/4 mile) with 100 octane. I've also outrun a M5 and E46 M3 with 93 octane so it's fast.
I did drive for a couple of months with just turbo-back exhaust and stg1, when I went to stg3 I can't honestly say I felt much difference but I will say this, my car ran door to door with the twin turbo v8 Lotus Esprit (car mags have it running 4.4 0-60 and 13.0 1/4 mile) with 100 octane. I've also outrun a M5 and E46 M3 with 93 octane so it's fast.
