R56 2013 r56 JCW tuning advice
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2013 r56 JCW tuning advice
Thinking about a tune for sure, just not sure whether to go stage 1 or stage 2.
current modifications:
Aftermarket Intercooler
Aftermarket charge/discharge pipes
Aftermarket drop in panel filter
muffler/res delete
coilovers
tires
spark plugs
I think all I would need to go stage 2
is a catless downpipe, do I have that correct? My only negative to stage 2 would be California emissions which isn’t too big of a deal to me, but it is something to note.
I was wondering the overall negative impacts stage 2 would have over stage 1 on the engine. I’m currently sitting at around 80k miles. I was also wondering if the gains from stage 1 are worth it, or if I should just wait and go stage 2. Are there any people out there satisfied with their stage 1 JCW? Anyway I just need some solid advice.
thank you
current modifications:
Aftermarket Intercooler
Aftermarket charge/discharge pipes
Aftermarket drop in panel filter
muffler/res delete
coilovers
tires
spark plugs
I think all I would need to go stage 2
is a catless downpipe, do I have that correct? My only negative to stage 2 would be California emissions which isn’t too big of a deal to me, but it is something to note.
I was wondering the overall negative impacts stage 2 would have over stage 1 on the engine. I’m currently sitting at around 80k miles. I was also wondering if the gains from stage 1 are worth it, or if I should just wait and go stage 2. Are there any people out there satisfied with their stage 1 JCW? Anyway I just need some solid advice.
thank you
My Stage 2 was completed on a 2012 w/ the N14 motor but there’s plenty who have reported positive results on their N18 being tuned.
I actually posted a thread regarding my tune and the overall experience. (Below is the link). Your current mileage is almost identical to when I had my done as well. What I appreciated the most about my tune, is the fact that it was not full-time, and the full tune was activated with the sport button. It it was also nice to be able to alter the cooling temperature where the car ran on average 30° lower in temperature at 185. Overall, having the ability to keep the car in light tune mode the majority of the time I felt was very beneficial. And had no adverse effects on the motor. Light tune was identical to the car being in sport mode prior to the tune.
As for emissions restrictions that you have in California, would you be able to utilize a 200 cell sport car instead of a careless pipe. I went with the Scorpion Sport Cat, not for emissions because I live in GA, but because I didn’t want to increase the noise level much more to keep the ride enjoyable.
Based on where you live, Mario Palza may be your guy to help you out. He’s very well known for the RPM Power tune. Plenty of posts and threads on here that provide positive posts with his services.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...st#post4681889
I actually posted a thread regarding my tune and the overall experience. (Below is the link). Your current mileage is almost identical to when I had my done as well. What I appreciated the most about my tune, is the fact that it was not full-time, and the full tune was activated with the sport button. It it was also nice to be able to alter the cooling temperature where the car ran on average 30° lower in temperature at 185. Overall, having the ability to keep the car in light tune mode the majority of the time I felt was very beneficial. And had no adverse effects on the motor. Light tune was identical to the car being in sport mode prior to the tune.
As for emissions restrictions that you have in California, would you be able to utilize a 200 cell sport car instead of a careless pipe. I went with the Scorpion Sport Cat, not for emissions because I live in GA, but because I didn’t want to increase the noise level much more to keep the ride enjoyable.
Based on where you live, Mario Palza may be your guy to help you out. He’s very well known for the RPM Power tune. Plenty of posts and threads on here that provide positive posts with his services.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...st#post4681889
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Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 7,512
Likes: 2,483
From: WNY
The California clause is going to make it more difficult for you. I’m a little surprised with the mods you already have if you have to deal with smog testing.
That being said, even going Stage 1 with the JCW you will see some good gains. Bumping up to a catless (or low cel count) down pipe and going stage 2 will yield better engine efficiency and more power. There are compromises made to the tune when still using the stock down pipe that can be avoided with a stage 2 tune.
@Lou@Prototype-R is a wizard for tuning these cars. While Mario is an excellent salesman, he is still only selling someone else’s tunes. Lou is actually performing the tune, so you’ll get better service with him. You might pay a little bit more to go with Lou, but his level of service is better.
That being said, even going Stage 1 with the JCW you will see some good gains. Bumping up to a catless (or low cel count) down pipe and going stage 2 will yield better engine efficiency and more power. There are compromises made to the tune when still using the stock down pipe that can be avoided with a stage 2 tune.
@Lou@Prototype-R is a wizard for tuning these cars. While Mario is an excellent salesman, he is still only selling someone else’s tunes. Lou is actually performing the tune, so you’ll get better service with him. You might pay a little bit more to go with Lou, but his level of service is better.
Thread Starter
|
Neutral
Joined: Jan 2026
Posts: 9
Likes: 1
My Stage 2 was completed on a 2012 w/ the N14 motor but there’s plenty who have reported positive results on their N18 being tuned.
I actually posted a thread regarding my tune and the overall experience. (Below is the link). Your current mileage is almost identical to when I had my done as well. What I appreciated the most about my tune, is the fact that it was not full-time, and the full tune was activated with the sport button. It it was also nice to be able to alter the cooling temperature where the car ran on average 30° lower in temperature at 185. Overall, having the ability to keep the car in light tune mode the majority of the time I felt was very beneficial. And had no adverse effects on the motor. Light tune was identical to the car being in sport mode prior to the tune.
As for emissions restrictions that you have in California, would you be able to utilize a 200 cell sport car instead of a careless pipe. I went with the Scorpion Sport Cat, not for emissions because I live in GA, but because I didn’t want to increase the noise level much more to keep the ride enjoyable.
Based on where you live, Mario Palza may be your guy to help you out. He’s very well known for the RPM Power tune. Plenty of posts and threads on here that provide positive posts with his services.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...st#post4681889
I actually posted a thread regarding my tune and the overall experience. (Below is the link). Your current mileage is almost identical to when I had my done as well. What I appreciated the most about my tune, is the fact that it was not full-time, and the full tune was activated with the sport button. It it was also nice to be able to alter the cooling temperature where the car ran on average 30° lower in temperature at 185. Overall, having the ability to keep the car in light tune mode the majority of the time I felt was very beneficial. And had no adverse effects on the motor. Light tune was identical to the car being in sport mode prior to the tune.
As for emissions restrictions that you have in California, would you be able to utilize a 200 cell sport car instead of a careless pipe. I went with the Scorpion Sport Cat, not for emissions because I live in GA, but because I didn’t want to increase the noise level much more to keep the ride enjoyable.
Based on where you live, Mario Palza may be your guy to help you out. He’s very well known for the RPM Power tune. Plenty of posts and threads on here that provide positive posts with his services.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...st#post4681889
I don’t think a sports cat is worth it for me since it will still fail emissions here in California, so I might as well go catless and call it day
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jan 2026
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The California clause is going to make it more difficult for you. I’m a little surprised with the mods you already have if you have to deal with smog testing.
That being said, even going Stage 1 with the JCW you will see some good gains. Bumping up to a catless (or low cel count) down pipe and going stage 2 will yield better engine efficiency and more power. There are compromises made to the tune when still using the stock down pipe that can be avoided with a stage 2 tune.
@Lou@Prototype-R is a wizard for tuning these cars. While Mario is an excellent salesman, he is still only selling someone else’s tunes. Lou is actually performing the tune, so you’ll get better service with him. You might pay a little bit more to go with Lou, but his level of service is better.
That being said, even going Stage 1 with the JCW you will see some good gains. Bumping up to a catless (or low cel count) down pipe and going stage 2 will yield better engine efficiency and more power. There are compromises made to the tune when still using the stock down pipe that can be avoided with a stage 2 tune.
@Lou@Prototype-R is a wizard for tuning these cars. While Mario is an excellent salesman, he is still only selling someone else’s tunes. Lou is actually performing the tune, so you’ll get better service with him. You might pay a little bit more to go with Lou, but his level of service is better.
I really want to go stage 2, I am just not sure I want to commit to the downpipe. Stage 1 should be fine but the price difference being so little, it makes me question why not go stage 2?
And with this question, I am having a hard time to find any negative reason
Would I also need an aftermarket intake system for stage 2 or can I run stock with a drop in panel😅
Last edited by m4iled; Jan 10, 2026 at 10:59 AM.
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Stage 1 is already a big jump on a JCW because the factory tune is conservative. If you're worried about CA emissions, just stick with that. A catless downpipe is a massive pain for inspections every couple of years and the gains from Stage 2 aren't life-changing compared to a solid Stage 1 setup.
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Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 7,512
Likes: 2,483
From: WNY
Thank you for the reply! I guess I will see next year when I need to do a smog test. I haven’t needed to do it since I installed a lot of these modifications. I also have been talking with Lou, and he seems like my preferred choice of tuner considering the amount of custom work he puts in and how he tailors the tune towards your own specific vehicle.
I really want to go stage 2, I am just not sure I want to commit to the downpipe. Stage 1 should be fine but the price difference being so little, it makes me question why not go stage 2?
And with this question, I am having a hard time to find any negative reason
Would I also need an aftermarket intake system for stage 2 or can I run stock with a drop in panel😅
I really want to go stage 2, I am just not sure I want to commit to the downpipe. Stage 1 should be fine but the price difference being so little, it makes me question why not go stage 2?
And with this question, I am having a hard time to find any negative reason
Would I also need an aftermarket intake system for stage 2 or can I run stock with a drop in panel😅
Get the stage 1, then focus on some handling and chassis mods.
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Jan 2026
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Stage 1 is already a big jump on a JCW because the factory tune is conservative. If you're worried about CA emissions, just stick with that. A catless downpipe is a massive pain for inspections every couple of years and the gains from Stage 2 aren't life-changing compared to a solid Stage 1 setup.
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