Stage 2 Remap
Tuning optimised for your modified hardware. Bigger intercooler, upgraded exhaust, uprated fuelling — we calibrate around what you've actually fitted.
Stage 2 Is For Modified Cars
Stage 2 is not for standard vehicles. If your car is completely stock, a Stage 1 remap is the right choice.
Stage 2 requires you to have fitted specific hardware first. At minimum you need a bigger intercooler on turbocharged vehicles. Most builds also include an upgraded exhaust or downpipe, and many include larger injectors or a complete fuel system upgrade.
You need the hardware first because the calibration has to know what's actually bolted to the engine.
Why Stock Tuning On Modified Hardware Fails
A Stage 1 remap assumes stock hardware. The calibration assumes your intercooler works at a certain effectiveness, your turbo boost pathway has standard backpressure, your fuel system can flow exactly what a factory setup demands.
When you change that hardware, the ECU's assumptions are wrong. Fit a bigger intercooler and charge-air temperatures drop — your Stage 1 tune will pull too much boost. Change the exhaust and reduce backpressure — the turbo behaves differently. Add larger injectors — the fuel map no longer matches what those injectors actually deliver.
You end up with either poor performance (the tune is too conservative for your hardware) or potential damage (the tune is too aggressive for something else that's actually stock).
Stage 2 means we discuss what you've fitted, understand how those changes interact, and write a calibration that knows about your specific setup. Much more involved process than Stage 1, but the result is reliability and performance.
The Stage 2 Process
We start with a conversation about what hardware you've fitted, what power targets you're aiming for, and what the vehicle is used for (track day, fast road, competition, etc).
If you have datalogging available (previous sessions with a tuner, or from your own equipment), we review that to understand how the engine's responding to your current setup. This is optional but valuable.
We read your ECU and begin calibration specifically around your hardware combination. This often requires follow-up sessions or data review — we may need to see how the engine responds on the road under your specific modifications before we finalise everything.
This is why Stage 2 isn't a quick in-and-out job like Stage 1 typically is. We might schedule a longer initial session, or arrange a follow-up after road testing your modified setup.
Common Stage 2 Modifications
Intercooler Upgrade
Bigger front-mount intercooler or top-mount on some vehicles. Charge air passes through more core area, stays cooler, denser air reaches the engine. Denser air = more oxygen molecules = more power when properly calibrated. Critical for any turbo Stage 2 build.
Exhaust & Downpipe
Reduced backpressure means the turbo spools faster and the exhaust scavenges better. With a freer exhaust, the turbo can push more boost earlier in the rev range. We calibrate to take advantage of that faster spool.
Fuel System Upgrades
Larger injectors, uprated fuel pump, or complete fuel rail upgrade. Factory fuel systems have limits — if you're targeting significant power increases, you need the hardware to deliver it. We size the calibration to what those injectors can actually flow.
Who Needs Stage 2?
Track day cars: You've spent money on suspension, brakes, and aerodynamics. Engine tuning matched to your other upgrades makes sense.
Fast road builds: You're making serious power and want reliability. Proper Stage 2 calibration across your specific hardware is essential.
Competition vehicles: Rally, hillclimb, circuit racing — you need every component working in harmony. Stage 2 tuning is part of that.
Serious performance vans or 4x4s: Often fitted with substantial modifications. Stage 2 ensures the modifications actually work together safely.
FAQ
Not necessarily. If your hardware is already fitted, we go straight to Stage 2. A Stage 1 tune would just need replacing anyway when we write the Stage 2 calibration. If you've just modified the car and want a quick Stage 1 to experience the gains while planning further mods, that's fine — but we'd eventually replace it with a proper Stage 2.
At minimum, a front-mount intercooler for turbocharged vehicles. For naturally-aspirated builds, the baseline is different. We'll advise based on your specific engine, what power you're targeting, and what the hardware can safely support. Contact us with details about your build.
Yes. We keep your original ECU file. If you need to go back to stock for any reason — selling the car, warranty work, or just changing your mind — we can restore it in 30 minutes. Completely reversible.
We calibrate from road data and datalog feedback from your actual vehicle. A dyno is useful for validation and baseline comparisons, but not always necessary for street or track builds. For competition vehicles where exact numbers matter, a dyno session can be helpful — we'll recommend it if appropriate for your build.
Ready to Tune Your Modified Car?
Contact us with details of your hardware and we'll discuss the best approach.