Hi all!

Has anyone ever used or has any experience with Dinan’s Stage 1 software for the R53? This diy package claims to increase horsepower to 175 and torque to 158 and be smog legal in all states. As I’m in California that’s a big plus.

So far I have a Milltek resonated cat-back and an aFe dry filter. I’m looking to do a 15% pulley and ATI stock crank pulley too. Maybe some 380cc injectors. Just wondering if it was worth the $199 for the kit to pull all of this together or if I should look towards other tunes.

https://www.dinancars.com/products/s...s/D900-16R-KIT

 

Have you looked into Adrian Natase? He’s on this forum. He knows how to tune these R53 really well and many members here including myself have used him. Basically you buy a $20 mpps
tool from ebay and allow him remote access and he can tune your car for you. I highly recommend him.

 

Yes, ITS GARBAGE! adraiancl took that tune, returned the car with that tune and made like an additional 15hp..

 

If all you're looking for is a HP bump from stock, I have an ECU from my 2004 S with a Dinan Stage 1 tune imbedded I'll let go for $75 + shipping. It is correct that the Dinan tune is worth an additional 12hp (163 to 175). You should be aware though that you will need to program the ECU to your VIN otherwise your keys won't work. Adrian (adriancl on this forum) can do that for you. Also, because I'm an honest guy, the Dinan Stage 1 tune won't be worth spit after the other mods you're contemplating. It's for a bone stock S.

If you're thinking about an ATI pulley think hard about a +2% (rather than stock size) to go along with your 15% pulley (if you don't track the car), then contact Adrian for a tune that encompasses ALL your mods. Adrian tuned my R53 (15% pulley, 380cc injectors, one-ball exhaust, CAI), and I also highly recommend him. Just be aware that he lives in Romania so there is a time difference when corresponding.

 

Thanks for the info, guys!

I stuck with the stock size ATI pulley because I was concerned about engine reliability. Especially since I do intend on tracking the car.

I’ll consider contacting Adrian for a tune. If he can guarantee that it will be smog legal for California then it’s a go.

What about just doing a JCW tune or Way’s Quicktune?

 

With the mods you're contemplating a JCW tune won't help you. JCWs have an 11% pulley, for instance, and you won't fully realize the full performance from your mods. Adrian is the way to go but touch base with him via PM on this forum and ask him about CA's smog requirements. As I mentioned, he's in Romania so may or may not be attuned to the state's restrictions. Be sure and discuss the other ECU modifications he can provide, i.e., DSC off at startup, higher RPM ceiling, pops/bangs, alterations to the cooling fan start temp, others?, etc. You might as well get everything done at one time and Adrian's pricing is very reasonable.