GIAC Stage 1 Review! - VW GTI MKVI Forum / VW Golf R Forum / VW Golf MKVI Forum / VW GTI Forum

Retro · 04-24-2012, 03:56 PM

Hey guys,

I barely had about 1500 miles on the car .. I already thought the stock GTI was fast compared to my '94 Camry with super l33t VVTI but after getting the stage 1 flash from GIAC .. fuck. I went to TAG Motorsports in Escondido, CA just cause I was in the area getting some Phil's BBQ AND GIAC was happening to have a sale.. got Stock/Pump/Race/Valet for $600. The guys there are awesome and had a lot of nice cars in the garage. Whole ECU removing/flashing/re-install process took about an hour and a half.

The torque is intoxicating and pulls in every single gear! Everyone is right when they say that the flash is a night and day difference and it is WELL WORTH the $600. It also came with a flashloader handheld but I'm probably going to see if I can do a trade for the GIAC DTM (Android switcher). If I get it I'll post some videos of it working (I don't have a boost gauge [yet]/VAG-COM so I can't really show numbers actually changing, but I can show the switching process I guess).

Another thing that I love about the tune is that it decreases throttle lag and the boost just puts you right in your seat and throws your head back.

I swear, the stock GTI should have came with this power out of the factory. Then again... the Golf R would probably seem not much of an upgrade compared to the GTI with that power.

I'm already craving an exhaust... and unfortunately I have to put a Neuspeed intake 'cause California.

-Retro

ZeroRt · 04-24-2012, 04:16 PM

Nice, I was thinking about going with this same tune this week.

JhnR · 04-24-2012, 04:35 PM

Deaks2 · 04-24-2012, 04:36 PM

The 1MZ-FE or 5S-FE in your 1994 Camry didn't have VVTi.

Retro · 04-24-2012, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deaks2

The 1MZ-FE or 5S-FE in your 1994 Camry didn't have VVTi.

Oh C'MON. Way to break my heart

It's okay, it had a shitty paint job, oil problems, and engine mount problems.

Deaks2 · 04-24-2012, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retro

Oh C'MON. Way to break my heart

It's okay, it had a shitty paint job, oil problems, and engine mount problems.

GTIpilot · 04-24-2012, 06:40 PM

Glad to hear you're happy with your GIAC tune

It was between them and Uni for me... I'm glad I went Unitronic.. their customer service is incredible (not saying GIAC's isnt, of course)

TASWV · 04-24-2012, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTIpilot

Glad to hear you're happy with your GIAC tune

It was between them and Uni for me... I'm glad I went Unitronic.. their customer service is incredible (not saying GIAC's isnt, of course)

Giac customer service blows. I emailed them 4 weeks ago in regards to some questions i had, and havent heard from them since.

Retro · 04-24-2012, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TASWV

Giac customer service blows. I emailed them 4 weeks ago in regards to some questions i had, and havent heard from them since.

Odd.. the customer service they've provided to me has been nothing but great even before they knew I was getting a flash. Try again!

jackgti · 04-24-2012, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JhnR

Billy_Bob · 04-25-2012, 09:34 AM

I drive my car like a grandma most times, and the tune does help with throttle response, I must say.
But it brings a smile when I mash it and it boogies. Comparing it to my MKV and APR stage 1, it doesn't have the same immediate "OMFG" torque pull, and seems smoother. I don't know the boost differences, but my APR was pushing around 22PSI at STG1.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TASWV

Giac customer service blows. I emailed them 4 weeks ago in regards to some questions i had, and havent heard from them since.

Weird. Before I got my tune I asked them quite a few questions via e-mail and they responded promptly. Except for the one time they stated they were out of the office for a week or so. Go figure.

smrtypants44 · 04-25-2012, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TASWV

Giac customer service blows. I emailed them 4 weeks ago in regards to some questions i had, and havent heard from them since.

Call them on the phone. They helped me out with CEL problems on my stage 2.

ZeroRt · 04-25-2012, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billy_Bob

Comparing it to my MKV and APR stage 1, it doesn't have the same immediate "OMFG" torque pull, and seems smoother. I don't know the boost differences, but my APR was pushing around 22PSI at STG1.

So are you happy with this tune vs the APR in your MKV?

Retro · 04-25-2012, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billy_Bob

I drive my car like a grandma most times, and the tune does help with throttle response, I must say.
But it brings a smile when I mash it and it boogies. Comparing it to my MKV and APR stage 1, it doesn't have the same immediate "OMFG" torque pull, and seems smoother. I don't know the boost differences, but my APR was pushing around 22PSI at STG1.

Weird. Before I got my tune I asked them quite a few questions via e-mail and they responded promptly. Except for the one time they stated they were out of the office for a week or so. Go figure.

Curious.. did your MPG go up? I think my did after the tune hahaha. But yeah I try to drive like a grandma too unless there's a G35 or Civic pretending to be fast.

But yeah I agree.. dat omfg torque pull.. I know dat feel.

Billy_Bob · 04-25-2012, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZeroRt

So are you happy with this tune vs the APR in your MKV?

Right now it's like comparing apples to oranges. THe MKV had a suspension and intercooler. I don't remember my STG1 before those things, as it was over 4 years ago when the car was stock.
I think if I had a nice intercooler in the MKVI they'd be fairly similar.

Retro · 04-25-2012, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZeroRt

Nice, I was thinking about going with this same tune this week.

Get it before the sale ends on April 30th!

Austin@giac · 04-25-2012, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TASWV

Giac customer service blows. I emailed them 4 weeks ago in regards to some questions i had, and havent heard from them since.

Can you PM me your email address? I had an email from Astoria, but never got a response after my first email to them.

ZeroRt · 04-26-2012, 03:23 PM

I just dropped off my ECU for my 2012 GTI to Auto Europe in Birmingham, MI. Once I get it back and installed, I'll give you my impressions.

Retro · 04-26-2012, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZeroRt

I just dropped off my ECU for my 2012 GTI to Auto Europe in Birmingham, MI. Once I get it back and installed, I'll give you my impressions.

Aw, they didn't flash it on the spot? Unless they didn't have the tools.

OR... I just misinterpreted your post x]

ZeroRt · 04-26-2012, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retro

Aw, they didn't flash it on the spot? Unless they didn't have the tools.

OR... I just misinterpreted your post x]

Good question. I have a feeling they haven't done too many of these. Who knows....I didn't have time to wait so it really wasn't important.

04-24-2012, 03:56 PM	#1
Retro FIA World Rally Car Newbie Drives: 2012 DSG SB GTI Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: OC Posts: 417	GIAC Stage 1+ Review! Hey guys, I barely had about 1500 miles on the car .. I already thought the stock GTI was fast compared to my '94 Camry with super l33t VVTI but after getting the stage 1 flash from GIAC .. fuck. I went to TAG Motorsports in Escondido, CA just cause I was in the area getting some Phil's BBQ AND GIAC was happening to have a sale.. got Stock/Pump/Race/Valet for $600. The guys there are awesome and had a lot of nice cars in the garage. Whole ECU removing/flashing/re-install process took about an hour and a half. The torque is intoxicating and pulls in every single gear! Everyone is right when they say that the flash is a night and day difference and it is WELL WORTH the $600. It also came with a flashloader handheld but I'm probably going to see if I can do a trade for the GIAC DTM (Android switcher). If I get it I'll post some videos of it working (I don't have a boost gauge [yet]/VAG-COM so I can't really show numbers actually changing, but I can show the switching process I guess). Another thing that I love about the tune is that it decreases throttle lag and the boost just puts you right in your seat and throws your head back. I swear, the stock GTI should have came with this power out of the factory. Then again... the Golf R would probably seem not much of an upgrade compared to the GTI with that power. I'm already craving an exhaust... and unfortunately I have to put a Neuspeed intake 'cause California. -Retro __________________ 2012 DSG Shadow Blue GTI GIAC Stage 1+ Review V4G-C0M M0DZ Last edited by Retro; 07-03-2012 at 02:40 PM.

04-24-2012, 04:16 PM	#2
ZeroRt Oval Champion Drives: 2012 GTI DSG - CSG Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Southeast, MI Posts: 174	Nice, I was thinking about going with this same tune this week. __________________ 2012 DSG - GIAC Stage I - Borla CBE - TSW Interlagos - UB - Nuespeed P-Flow -SOLD 8/24/2012-

04-24-2012, 04:35 PM	#3
JhnR Formula 1 Driver Drives: '11 GTI DSG, '04 CLK55 AMG Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Encino 818, CA Posts: 8,603	__________________ \|2011 CW GTI DSG build thread\| \|OEM R LED Tails\| \|Koni Coilovers\| \|OEM 18" Karths\| \|Hankook V12\| \|BFI 12mm rear spacers\| \|3M Roof Wrap\| \|deAutoKey LED License plate lights\| \|deAutoKey Carbon Fiber Padde Shifters\|

04-24-2012, 04:36 PM	#4
Deaks2 FIA GT Newbie Drives: 2011 VW GTI DSG Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 775	The 1MZ-FE or 5S-FE in your 1994 Camry didn't have VVTi. __________________ 2011 VW GTI DSG GIAC Stage 2, Ultimate Racing DP, Neuspeed P-Flo, DG Springs, RS-3 brake ducts, R20 tails, etc...

04-24-2012, 06:40 PM	#7
GTIpilot FIA World Rally Car Champion Drives: slow Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: 386, FL Posts: 688	Glad to hear you're happy with your GIAC tune It was between them and Uni for me... I'm glad I went Unitronic.. their customer service is incredible (not saying GIAC's isnt, of course) __________________ Mine: 2012 CSG GTI 6MT - Unitronic Stage 2 \| USP Catless/Resonated \| EuroSport CBE \| APR Carbonio 1+2 \| K-Sport Coils \| FK End-Links \| Conti ExtremeContact DW \| GTI 35th Wheels \| NSP VentPod \| LED Headlights Hers: 2012 CW Golf R 6MT \| Stocktastic \| NSP R Boost Gauge \| VW Roof Rack \| ESC Disabled \| APR Stickers +50hp

04-26-2012, 03:23 PM	#18
ZeroRt Oval Champion Drives: 2012 GTI DSG - CSG Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Southeast, MI Posts: 174	I just dropped off my ECU for my 2012 GTI to Auto Europe in Birmingham, MI. Once I get it back and installed, I'll give you my impressions. __________________ 2012 DSG - GIAC Stage I - Borla CBE - TSW Interlagos - UB - Nuespeed P-Flow -SOLD 8/24/2012-

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