“Stage 1” and “stage 2” aren’t official terms \u2014 no standard defines them \u2014 but tuners use them in roughly the same way.<\/p>\n
A stage 1 tune<\/strong> is a software change on a stock car. No new parts: the engine calibration \u2014 fuel, ignition timing and, on a turbo engine, boost \u2014 is adjusted to use the margin the factory left.<\/p>\n Stage 1 is where most people start, and where most of the “easy” gain is.<\/p>\n A stage 2 tune<\/strong> is a calibration written for a car that has supporting hardware: typically a less restrictive intake and exhaust, on turbo cars a downpipe and a bigger intercooler. The hardware lets the engine breathe and stay cool, and the tune is written to use it.<\/p>\n Stage 2 gives more than stage 1, but it costs more, takes a shop, and is much harder to undo. On many cars it also affects emissions compliance \u2014 check your state’s rules before you buy parts.<\/p>\n Stage 1 can be delivered three ways, and they are not the same:<\/p>\n Flash tune.<\/strong> The engine computer’s permanent memory is rewritten with a new map, through the OBD-II port or on the bench. Largest stage 1 gains. Going back means flashing the stock file again, and some changes can remain recorded.<\/p>\n Piggyback.<\/strong> A box wired between sensors and the engine computer, altering signals on the fly. Moderate gains, mostly on turbo engines. Installation involves wiring.<\/p>\n Plug-in tuner (what Monte is).<\/strong> A device in the OBD-II port that changes fuel delivery and ignition timing values in the computer’s temporary memory, without rewriting its permanent memory. Unplug it and the car is back to stock. Gains are moderate \u2014 smaller than a flash \u2014 and measured on a dyno.<\/p>\n Typical market ranges (not our measurements):<\/p>\n On our dyno tests, before and after Monte:<\/p>\nWhat is a stage 2 tune?<\/h2>\n
Stage 1 vs. stage 2 at a glance<\/h2>\n
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\n \n<\/th>\n Stage 1<\/th>\n Stage 2<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n \n Hardware<\/td>\n Stock<\/td>\n Intake, exhaust, downpipe\/intercooler on turbo cars<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Where<\/td>\n Software only<\/td>\n Parts + software, usually at a shop<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Gain<\/td>\n Moderate<\/td>\n Larger<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Easy to undo<\/td>\n Depends on the method<\/td>\n No \u2014 parts have to come off<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n How a tune gets into the car: chip, flash or piggyback<\/h2>\n
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\n \n<\/th>\n Flash tune<\/th>\n Piggyback<\/th>\n Monte<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n \n Install<\/td>\n 1\u20133 h at a shop<\/td>\n 1\u20132 h<\/td>\n 5 min, no tools<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Price<\/td>\n $500\u20131,500<\/td>\n $300\u2013900<\/td>\n from $279<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Power<\/td>\n Largest<\/td>\n Moderate, mostly turbo<\/td>\n Moderate, dyno-tested<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Back to stock<\/td>\n Re-flash<\/td>\n Remove the box<\/td>\n Unplug<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n What does a stage 1 plug-in tune add?<\/h2>\n