[lm1z]

Hey everyone,

Just wanted to offer my quick review on the GIAC Stage 1 Flash. Numbers, dynos and videos soon to come!

Installation
Had the flash done at Auto Assets in Powell, Ohio, which is about 20 minutes outside of Columbus. This is the only GIAC dealer available in Ohio. We encountered some initial issues when installing the flash. It seems that you, without fail, need to have a BVT at the shop to clear all engine codes. The one for sale on Terry's site is recommended. You must have access to all ALL ECU components in order to clear these codes. Also, make sure that the ignition is cycled after the flash is complete. The car will crank and start but will not run properly. The car will repetitively surge to around 1.5k RPM until you shut the engine off. There is also another step (which I was not present for) that needs to be fufilled in order for the car to run properly. I'm sure GIAC can offer insight here. Other than these slight issues, which you would expect when flashing the car for the first time, the installation took around 30 minutes to complete. Big shout outs to Austin @ GIAC and Chip at Auto Assets for OUTSTANDING customer service. Austin was kind enough to follow up with both myself and Chip in the morning to get the issue resolved. Thanks for the quick responses and keep it up, buddy! Chip @ Auto Assets also displayed great customer service by lending me a car to drive overnight when we encountered installation issues. Really nice guy. Now onto the results...

Results
Just WOW! Guys, this is the real deal. The car drives insanely smooth and maintains stock-like drivability. Pulls like a freight train until redline and doesn't stop there. Definitely an improvement in both throttle response and shifting. Also, the increased redline to 7200rpm doesnt hurt, either Butt-dyno says about 340rwhp/360rwtq. Pushed the car relatively hard yesterday. No significant changes in oil temp. EVERYTHING works exactly the same. What really got me is the amount of power you're able to put down without losing traction. The car is completely transformed and both rides given to friends yielded these type of reactions -



Definitely give this flash a try. GIAC also offers a 30-day money back guarantee.

Dyno
TBD

Vids
Not the best due to only having access to a camera phone/road conditions, but check out the below runs. Will post dyno vids and runs soon

60-120mph

0-60mph (no launch)

[kjrulz]

Had you tried different tunes before?

What octane & other mods did you have?

How much was labor, if you don't mind?

[Alpina_B3_Lux]

Originally Posted by lm1z

Hey everyone,

Just wanted to offer my quick review on the GIAC Stage 1 Flash. Numbers, dynos and videos soon to come!


Results
Just WOW! Guys, this is the real deal. The car drives insanely smooth and maintains stock-like drivability. Pulls like a freight train until redline and doesn't stop there. Definitely an improvement in both throttle response and shifting. Also, the increased redline to 7200rpm doesnt hurt, either Butt-dyno says about 340rwhp/360rwtq. Pushed the car relatively hard yesterday. No significant changes in oil temp. EVERYTHING works exactly the same. What really got me is the amount of power you're able to put down without losing traction.

Thanks for this informative review.

I had the same reaction when driving with my Evotech flash for the first time. Just insane, especially when you floor it at more than 200 km/h. Anybody I gave a ride in it had their jaws drop to the floor.

Have fun with it!

Alpina_B3_Lux

[lm1z]

Originally Posted by kjrulz

Had you tried different tunes before?

What octane & other mods did you have?

How much was labor, if you don't mind?

Thanks for the inquiries. This is important info. I left out!

Pump gas, 93 octane. Bone stock except for a BMS single cone intake.

AA charges $50 to install the flash.

Thanks for this informative review.

I had the same reaction when driving with my Evotech flash for the first time. Just insane, especially when you floor it at more than 200 km/h. Anybody I gave a ride in it had their jaws drop to the floor.

Have fun with it!

Alpina_B3_Lux

Anytime! I'll get numbers and vids up this weekend. Insane is right. This tune is no joke. Very pleased.

[branabolic]

nice. i cant wait to see some drag runs with the GIAC. you wouldn't happen to have a track near you would ya??

[stressdoc]

These are great times! Wow it will be fun to see the comparisons among GIAC, ESS, LET, and the piggys. Some intense competition!

Please provide back to back ride and test comparisons with E90poster cars with other tunes in your area ASAP!

[lm1z]

Originally Posted by stressdoc

These are great times! Wow it will be fun to see the comparisons among GIAC, ESS, LET, and the piggys. Some intense competition!

Please provide back to back ride and test comparisons with E90poster cars with other tunes in your area ASAP!

To answer your and the above poster's questions, I have had the SSTT previously, and ridden in a JB3 w/ 1.3 (highest pump map) + DP's + exhaust.

This tune stomps on the SSTT and is right up there with the JB3. The power comes on much smoother than the JB3, but I believe the map I experienced was a beta, high boost map. Torque feels very similiar to the JB3. Pulls like a train and doesn't stop

[stressdoc]

Wow, and just with stage I. Looking forward to objective data.

[Nick@aep]

Great review! Gotta love unanimous approval. I love my flash too. Beastly.

[old account 1]

Originally Posted by lm1z

Hey everyone,

Results
Just WOW! Guys, this is the real deal. The car drives insanely smooth and maintains stock-like drivability. Pulls like a freight train until redline and doesn't stop there. Definitely an improvement in both throttle response and shifting. Also, the increased redline to 7200rpm doesnt hurt, either Butt-dyno says about 340rwhp/360rwtq. Pushed the car relatively hard yesterday. No significant changes in oil temp. EVERYTHING works exactly the same. What really got me is the amount of power you're able to put down without losing traction. The car is completely transformed and both rides given to friends yielded these type of reactions -



Definitely give this flash a try. GIAC also offers a 30-day money back guarantee. GIAC, could you please chime in here to expand on this?

Thanks.

Thank you for the review! Glad to hear you are enjoying it and that we could get you sorted in a timely manner. What would you like to know about the 30 day money back? I can tell you that we do not dictate what dealers charge for labor (legally we cannot) and most of the time that is non-refundable. Other than that, customers are free to try it out. The change is dramatic (as you now know) and 99.9% of the people who buy our software have a very hard time going back to stock.

[joec500]

Hey Austin...Jason is taking my car next week, I just bought a Bav Tech tool, because I am sure STaSIS only has VAG coms

CAN't WAIT!

[old account 1]

Originally Posted by joec500

Hey Austin...Jason is taking my car next week, I just bought a Bav Tech tool, because I am sure STaSIS only has VAG coms

CAN't WAIT!

[rooster3.0]

What psi are you running? Do you have a boost gauge?

[lm1z]

Originally Posted by rooster3.0

What psi are you running? Do you have a boost gauge?

Do not have a boost guage but I believe the tune stated max PSI at 13.7. Considering this level, the amount of power output is very impressive. Austin, can you chime in?

Thank you for the review! Glad to hear you are enjoying it and that we could get you sorted in a timely manner. What would you like to know about the 30 day money back? I can tell you that we do not dictate what dealers charge for labor (legally we cannot) and most of the time that is non-refundable. Other than that, customers are free to try it out. The change is dramatic (as you now know) and 99.9% of the people who buy our software have a very hard time going back to stock.

Only interested in knowing your policy if I have any sort of issues (which I'm sure I won't), or if I decide that I can't utilize the power here in Columbus. The roads aren't the best, but I enjoy the freeways

[kirby135i]

is this tune throwing codes?

[lm1z]

Originally Posted by kirby135i

is this tune throwing codes?

zero.

[stressdoc]

Originally Posted by lm1z

... or if I decide that I can't utilize the power here in Columbus. The roads aren't the best, but I enjoy the freeways

OHP suck. Points are going to pile up.

Oh yeah, and Go Blue.

[lm1z]

Originally Posted by stressdoc

OHP suck. Points are going to pile up.

Oh yeah, and Go Blue.

What does "OHP suck. Points are going to pile up" mean?

Not a Buckeye. Gator at heart

[stressdoc]

OHP = Ohio Highway Patrol. Columbus freeways have the highest density of state police traffic cops of anyplace on earth. And their tolerance levels are nil. I've seen lots of cars pulled over doing 2 or 3 mph over the 55 limit. Draconian. Of course, most of them had Michigan license plates.

You would be wise to remove any Gator emblems.

[FCP Euro]

The GIAC tune is fantastic. I had there tune in my 1994 Volvo 850 T5 and the car was night and day, but it could still be driven by my grandmother. Great work guys.

[lm1z]

Originally Posted by stressdoc

OHP = Ohio Highway Patrol. Columbus freeways have the highest density of state police traffic cops of anyplace on earth. And their tolerance levels are nil. I've seen lots of cars pulled over doing 2 or 3 mph over the 55 limit. Draconian. Of course, most of them had Michigan license plates.

You would be wise to remove any Gator emblems.

Haha! Yes, the OHP are terrible. You definitely need to be careful around here. Luckily my V1 helps me out.

No Gator emblems on the car. Girlfriend and her family are die hard Bucks. I'm originally from Texas, so you can imagine what the past two years/two teams have done to our relationship

Go Gators.

Still working on dyno time.

[stressdoc]

GL w/ the V1. I swear Valentine and Escort have a lobbyist that keeps lidar use down in Ohio (their home state) to keep sales up for radar detectors.