Folks,

Need help from all the factory jcw power junkies out there so appreciate the help in advance. I'm getting different answers from folks so I thought this post would also help other fellow factory jcw owners on the same boat as me.

Currently, I have a bone stock engine with the ALTA AP tune Stage 1.

1. If I add an FMIC + AKRA downpipe, is this considered to be stage 1 since I have the factory catback exhaust or what stage is this ?
2. If no FMIC and just add the akra downpipe, is this still stage 1 or what stage is this ?
3. how can I go to stage 2 and 3 respectively ? I'm guessing the only difference from a stage 2 and 3 is the catback exhaust.

Hope you guys can help.


Thanks,
J.

 

I think stage one would be accessport+intake, two would add a turboback exhaust, and three adds the intercooler.

 

You can call Alta for clarification but, basically your looking at this:

Stage 1 - access port, no other mods.

Stage 2 - access port and turbo back exhaust....alta specifies 3" but, that may be debatable.

Stage 3 - access port, turbo back exhaust and front mount intercooler.

There also is a stage 1.5 which for people with intercooler but, no exhaust, down pipe.

I would have a conversation with alta about what you're trying to do if you plan on utilizing their tuning.

Good luck and have fun!

Jack

 

Downpipe,intercooler + ap = stage 3

Get a water/meth injection kit

 

Thanks for the replies. That's exactly the reason why I asked the question. Alta said that AP+FMIC+downpipe will be a stage 1 FMIC just because I have a factory jcw exhaust. They said in order for me to go to stage 3, i need a 3" catback.

So if that's the case, what is stage 2 then ? Seems like the catback exhaust will be the only difference from stage 1 fmic to stage 3


It doesnt make sense to me.

 

I would shoot Jeff or Chris an email and hear it straight from them...you raise some good questions.


-Steven

 

Agreed. Those are solid questions. I've seen people post who run stage 2 and 3 without 3" exhausts. Alta usually insists that the 3" exhaust must be utilized. However, there are tuners that say 3" is too much and prefer 2.5" exhausts. I've also seen posts where it looks like there is little power to be gained in an aftermarket catback exhaust beyond the one that comes on the factory jcw. From what I've seen the power is primarily in the downpipe.

I would call and speak with alta to clarify.

Good luck

 

I agree with everything ArchetypeJCW said! Definitely seem the downpipe is key with the big debate being the 2.5" vs. 3" debate lingering somewhere in between. I'm pretty sure Alta did all their stage 3 maps using a 3" exhaust but it seems most folks running stage 3 have decat or highflow cat DP's and 2.5" exhausts.

 

Hello,

1. With a FMIC and aftermarket downpipe and factory catback, you will run a stage 1 FMIC map.

2. If you run that downpipe and factory catback, you will run a stage 1 map.

3. To run a stage 2 map, you need a 2.5" catless turbo back, or 3" high flow cat turbo back system. To run stage 3, you need a turbo back and FMIC installed. No stock exhaust can be installed, that includes MCS and JCW exhaust.

Hope that helps!

 

Does anyone know what size is the factory jcw exhaust ? Thought it was close to 2.5 if not the same ?

 

Yes 2.5".

 

Thanks.. for if thats the case, then ap + fmic + dp + factory jcw exhaust will be stage 3.

 

I have a 2009 JCW. I am running the Akrapovic DP, a Helix FMIC, a AEM CAI (not really applicable to the discussion) and am currently running Stage 2 on the AccessPort. I was told, via a phone conversation initially when I had my Riss Racing Catless DP that the above mods STILL only justified a Stage 2 map. Then, on a second call speaking with someone else, I was told only Stage 1 would be recommended. This kinda coincides with the information above. I had some people in the know tell me that a Stage 3 map would've been fine with the Catless DP, FMIC and stock JCW exhaust...against Alta's recommendations. I ran it like that for a little while but slumped back to Stg 2.
When I put in the Akrapovic DP, I stayed with Stg 2 even though Alta recommends only Stg 1 with my mods.
Sorry to confuse, but this is just my opinion.

Oh..and furthermore, I don't think the JCW exhaust is a full 2.5. I think it is closer to 2.25

 

The factory exhaust is not 2.5, it's more like 2.3. You can not run a stage 3 map with any factory exhaust part installed unless it's the header. Doing so will do bad things!

 

So stage 3 MUST be a 3" exhaust?

 

At least DP back.

 

I stand corrected! This is the problem with the Alta AP thread. Soooo much info it starts to all mash together. It's ashame we can't start a sticky thread for each stage to keep things a little more organized.

 

I have been thinking about doing that. I just can't edit the posts under ALTA!

 

That would be super helpful...as this is getting quite cumbersome. Chris, could you do a simple sticky listing what are the mod requirements for each stage? Thanks!


-Steven

 

I'd be happy to start a thread concerning stage 1! Perhaps the stage 2 and stage 3 folks could start separate threads respectively. This way there's no doubt and confusion about the possibilities when modding for each stage. I realize it would add three more threads concerning the AP but afterall isn't that what these forums are for? I'm game for other ideas to tackle this as well.

 

I can do it! I can't make it a sticky because I'm not a mod, but I can make a new thread.

 

Sweet! A sticky'd be nice but I think these threads would get enough attention regardless (like the official AP thread) that they'll stick around, so to speak, no matter what!

 

Thanks Chris
Thanks Andrew for stepping up

-Steven

 

Another thought to ponder, even with a 3" exhaust, like the new one available from Alta, you are still "technically" running a 2.5 exhaust if you have an Akrapovic DP. Does anyone offer a true 3" DP? Is the outlet even 3" on the turbo?

 

I believe AR DESIGN makes a 3" decat DP for the R56 but I'm not certain if it necks down to 2.5" or not. Good question though. If any part of the system is less than 3" would that not defeat the purpose of having a 3" system?