[jaza45]

Kelvin are you running meth yet? whos doing the install, I didn't know we had a GIAC dealer in town....

[Kelvin1000]

Not runnng meth, yet...

Champion Motorsports in Pompano is a GIAC dealer.

[FLA 335]

Originally Posted by Kelvin1000

Not runnng meth, yet...

Champion Motorsports in Pompano is a GIAC dealer.

wait huh? there is GIAC dealer in south FLA? last one i saw was in Tampa... when i clicked BMW application!!!!

I was planning on sending the ECU to Nick @ AE... but waiting for the flash loader..

[Mote]

Originally Posted by Kelvin1000

Not runnng meth, yet...

Champion Motorsports in Pompano is a GIAC dealer.

I remember Champion Motorsports in Pompano.. good guys over there. They did some race clutch work on my Audi back in the day.

Good luck on the GIAC! Can't wait to see your results!

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by Dan335i

What supporting mods do you need with the stage 2 flash compared to the stage1?

At this time, S2 will require the following items pre-installed:

Aftermarket Downpipes (HFC or catless)
Upgraded intercooler
Aftermarket intake (recommended)

Obviously, methanol injection is an added plus. Since tuning is not completed yet, these requirements may change.

Originally Posted by FLA 335

wait huh? there is GIAC dealer in south FLA? last one i saw was in Tampa... when i clicked BMW application!!!!

I was planning on sending the ECU to Nick @ AE... but waiting for the flash loader..

We offer GIAC Bench flashing as well, and return the DME via UPS overnight.

[FLA 335]

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

We offer GIAC Bench flashing as well, and return the DME via UPS overnight.

Appreciate it Tom, will keep it in mind. As of right now i am sticking with Nick @ AE as he has been very helpful and understanding with my ocd...

Ah i am so ready for GIAC tune already... i may just send out ECU this week!!! ARGH!!! just worried when i need to take it to the dealer for 15k service....

[NRG]

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

At this time, S2 will require the following items pre-installed:

Aftermarket Downpipes (HFC or catless)
Upgraded intercooler
Aftermarket intake (recommended)

Obviously, methanol injection is an added plus.

Isn't the S2 required a full turbo-back?

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by NRG

Isn't the S2 required a full turbo-back?

Not yet, we're still using a stock catback on our 135 with the power we're making.

[NRG]

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

Not yet, we're still using a stock catback on our 135 with the power we're making.

Nice to know! Thanks.

[brianGriffin17]

Tom, I was told by GIAC that you cannot have secondary cats for stage 2, can you confirm?

I was actually going to be a stage 2 beta tester (I have AMS FMIC, Bastuck Exhaust, AR Catted DP) but once they found out I still had stock 2nd cats they would not send the file.

I plan on getting midpipes and upgrading to stage 2 in the spring time, I have no use for the extra power now that it is winter and snowing

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

At this time, S2 will require the following items pre-installed:

Aftermarket Downpipes (HFC or catless)
Upgraded intercooler
Aftermarket intake (recommended)

Obviously, methanol injection is an added plus. Since tuning is not completed yet, these requirements may change.



We offer GIAC Bench flashing as well, and return the DME via UPS overnight.

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by brianGriffin17

Tom, I was told by GIAC that you cannot have secondary cats for stage 2, can you confirm?

I was actually going to be a stage 2 beta tester (I have AMS FMIC, Bastuck Exhaust, AR Catted DP) but once they found out I still had stock 2nd cats they would not send the file.

I plan on getting midpipes and upgrading to stage 2 in the spring time, I have no use for the extra power now that it is winter and snowing

Since testing is still being performed, requirements can change, here is our last dyno on MD's dynojet:



Here is a list of modifications to the vehicle for this run:

2008 BMW 135i 06/08 build

GIAC Stg. 2 beta calibration
Macht Schnell 3” Catless Downpipes
Macht Schnell Dual Cone intake kit
Macht Schnell Intake Scoops
Snow Performance S2 Boost Cooler
Evolution Racewerks Competition Intercooler
Forge Motorsport Adjustable Diverter Valves

Stock catback was still retained, including secondary cats. A 3.5" catback was just recently fitted and we'll see if more power is available either today or tomorrow (time permitting) on GIAC's dyno.

[Kelvin1000]

Amazing results!!!

[Kelvin1000]

Review coming up...

[Kelvin1000]

Updated on first post:

First impressions are very positive!!!

You guys know that I have had Dinan Stage 2, JB3 1.4 and Procede RevII Canbus V3 so I have no particular loyalty to any tuner out there. This thread is not meant to start yet another tuning war, it is just my honest opinion in trying to help my forum brothers.

Power:
I would say that it compares to JB3 Map 5 and Procede Stage 2. To be quite honest it is smoother and more exact than both from 0 to 100% throttle. If all three are running 100% full throttle, then it becomes more difficult to tell the difference thought the GIAC has less lag and a smoother transition in the 4K area (a problem that typically plagues all Piggybacks that I have tried). The top end is also outstanding (as good as the JB3 map 5) but it also feels like the car is able to add more timing and is not bumping against the limit. In this regards it feels like a Procede that has timing correction but with JB3 power.

Lag, boost targeting and Shift-bog
Better than even stock and piggybacks in both regards. Seriously, I tried 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% intervals and it hits them perfectly and immediately. The big bog I used to get from 1st to 2nd and from 3rd to 4th is also gone which makes the car faster. Partial throttle issues are non-existant as well and while the Procede was better than the JB3 in this regard but the GIAC is better than both and by a significant margin.

There are other variables to consider when choosing a Flash over a Piggyback but I will not be discussing them. In a rolling start race, all three would be neck to neck and it would really be up to the driver but the other 99% of the driving experience is a lot better with the GIAC.

Final Word
I am sold and I don't really care what the Dyno might say, but I will do it for you guys anyways. I can't wait for Stage 2 to come out in a couple of weeks!!! I will Dyno and compare to my JB3 and Procede and give you guys some numbers. I will also include BT logs for those who demand more than the subjective data that I have provided here.

I have yet to quantify it, but my butt Dyno tells me that the GIAC tune is a lot more consistent. It just seems like it pulls the same exact way, every single time. Sometimes I feel like the Piggybacks have to re-learn after driving normally for a while or when the temperature changes or whatever. Sometimes they are really strong and other times, they are still strong but not quite the same as when they reach that "sweet spot". This GIAC tune lives in that sweet spot.

GIAC has really outdone themselves with this tune. Believe the hype!

More to follow...

[NRG]

Originally Posted by Kelvin1000

Updated on first post:

First impressions are very positive!!!

You guys know that I have had Dinan Stage 2, JB3 1.4 and Procede RevII Canbus V3 so I have no particular loyalty to any tuner out there. This thread is not meant to start yet another tuning war, it is just my honest opinion in trying to help my forum brothers.

Power:
I would say that it compares to JB3 Map 5 and Procede Stage 2. To be quite honest it is smoother and more exact than both from 0 to 100% throttle. If all three are running 100% full throttle, then it becomes more difficult to tell the difference thought the GIAC has less lag and a smoother transition in the 4K area (a problem that typically plagues all Piggybacks that I have tried). The top end is also outstanding (as good as the JB3 map 5) but it also feels like the car is able to add more timing and is not bumping against the limit. In this regards it feels like a Procede that has timing correction but with JB3 power.

Lag, boost targeting and Shift-bog
Better than even stock and piggybacks in both regards. Seriously, I tried 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% intervals and it hits them perfectly and immediately. The big bog I used to get from 1st to 2nd and from 3rd to 4th is also gone which makes the car faster. Partial throttle issues are non-existant as well and while the Procede was better than the JB3 in this regard but the GIAC is better than both and by a significant margin.

There are other variables to consider when choosing a Flash over a Piggyback but I will not be discussing them. In a rolling start race, all three would be neck to neck and it would really be up to the driver but the other 99% of the driving experience is a lot better with the GIAC.

Final Word
I am sold and I don't really care what the Dyno might say, but I will do it for you guys anyways. I can't wait for Stage 2 to come out in a couple of weeks!!! I will Dyno and compare to my JB3 and Procede and give you guys some numbers. I will also include BT logs for those who demand more than the subjective data that I have provided here.

I have yet to quantify it, but my butt Dyno tells me that the GIAC tune is a lot more consistent. It just seems like it pulls the same exact way, every single time. Sometimes I feel like the Piggybacks have to re-learn after driving normally for a while or when the temperature changes or whatever. Sometimes they are really strong and other times, they are still strong but not quite the same as when they reach that "sweet spot". This GIAC tune lives in that sweet spot.

GIAC has really outdone themselves with this tune. Believe the hype!

More to follow...

Haha... good stuff! Told you it's all about "feel". Once you go GIAC you never go back.

[brianGriffin17]

great review! once stage 2 officially comes out and they release the handheld switcher there will be a ton more GIAC adopters.

We are slowly growing our army

[vase330]

O hurry up, you got my curiosity peaked now. Kelvin are you saying stage 1 Giac is like stage 2 PROcede?? Wow, this just gets better and better doesn't it?

[Dan335i]

I think i,m just about sold on the GIAC stage 1 flash.Gonna be one helluva difference from my SSTT w/BMS DCI modded 07 335i coupe,ZSP,6mt.Cant wait,theres a GIAC dealer less than an hour from me in NJ.Jack Daniels Audi.

[supracg]

NICE

looking forward to the dyno/datalog

and just to make sure, the giac doesn't trigger codes except for when they flash it right?

[brianGriffin17]

correct, GIAC flash does not throw any tuner codes whatsoever

I did get cat inefficiency codes (29F4 and 29F5) with AR catted pipes, but I installed BMS o2 sims and the codes and SES lights went away

Originally Posted by supracg

NICE

looking forward to the dyno/datalog

and just to make sure, the giac doesn't trigger codes except for when they flash it right?

[TurboBimmer]

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

At this time, S2 will require the following items pre-installed:

Aftermarket Downpipes (HFC or catless)
Upgraded intercooler
Aftermarket intake (recommended)

Obviously, methanol injection is an added plus. Since tuning is not completed yet, these requirements may change.

Not requiring a fully catless setup would be good news! IMO not alot of people are running catless in the "real world".

Keep us posted please. Really looking forward to the release of stage 2.

[Former_Boosted_IS]

What stage?