Stage 1 upgrades offer a boost in vehicle performance compared to stock parts.
Any stage 1 modification made will vary from car to car in extra vehicle performance and power gains. This is due to the different car makes and models, as well as the quality of the parts that are used. Some might see a bigger difference in performance, efficiency, or durability, while others will only feel a small change. In the end, it really all comes down to the vehicle itself and what other modifications have been made to it.
Different types of stage 1 modifications
There are various types of modifications that fall under the stage 1 upgrade umbrella. This includes changing a vehicle’s air filters, upgrading to a sports exhaust system, ECU remapping (in some circumstances), brake adjustments and many more alterations.
These will depend on the vehicle in question and whether any larger changes are being made to a part of the car, such as turbo upgrades. Different tuning companies may have different opinions of what stage the upgrade is, depending on the approach they take. In this scenario, there is no right or wrong answer. It comes down to what the customer wants and needs.
If a customer is looking for bigger changes in the performance of their vehicle, then it might be worth paying for a larger stage 2 or 3 upgrade package that offers more significant results.
The difference between stages
If you are looking to transform your daily drive into a high-performance vehicle that takes part in track days, then the odds are you will end up adding performance parts on a stage 2 or 3 levels.
Stage 1 upgrades are smaller upgrades that work independent of other parts of the vehicle, while stage 2 upgrades are more extensive works that require additional parts to be replaced to accommodate the upgrade. For example, an ECU remap requires a stronger turbo to work. Stage 3, however, involves getting a car ready for the track as opposed to driving on the open road, and these vehicles are often not legal to drive on public roads.
To find out more about staged tuning and the difference between stage 1 mods, stage 2 mods and stage 3 modifications, click here.
The impact of stage 1 tuning
Ultimately, there are benefits to stage 1 upgrades which can increase a vehicle’s horsepower and torque, as well as efficiency and durability depending on the purpose the car is used for.
Whilst the benefits depend on the upgrade made, generally, these modifications will yield roughly 20 brake horsepower more than before. Nonetheless, most stage 1 performance parts are the first step to a bigger upgrade package as opposed to big difference-making pieces themselves. These modifications alone are not going to make a sizable difference to the car’s peak power, but there will be a measurable difference.
In some car tuning cases, an upgraded part can save fuel when the car is running due to the increased efficiency created by the modification. In other cases, the durability of the part is better in the upgraded version in comparison to the stock part.
For those looking to make these improvements, it is highly recommended to consult a mechanic with experience in modifying vehicles, particularly high-value European cars from the likes of Audi, BMW, Porsche, Mercedes, Ferrari, Lamborghini and more.
Staged tuning on the Gold Coast
At EA Performance on the Gold Coast, our team can help you maximise the amount of performance your vehicle yields, no matter what stage of tuning you want to extract. Our team of mechanics have years of experience working on the very best European supercars and wants to work with you to find the best modification for your vehicle based on your wants and needs.
If you are looking to add stage 1 modifications to your vehicle, be sure to check out the range of items you can buy in our shop.
To get in touch with the team at EA Performance, be sure to call 0424 757 363 or contact us today.