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I used the time interval because that's what the factory does. Some things need replacing by time, e.g. wiper blades, but with plugs, I'll amend my previous statement and would go by mileage alone.
Still, if you are going to get the pulley and tune, it won't hurt to start with fresh plugs.
Thank you, yep I agree worth the piece of mind having new plugs. So for the $2kish premium stage 2 tune you have no regrets? I know personal but still good to hear guys saying yes years and many miles after. My fear would be to in some way negatively affect the car while spending 2k but all seems fairly reliable and solid. 😎 I'll search for some oe plugs
@WSHudds Haha yes I get that, and I realize I am a minority in this forum regarding the subject. Also the pops, bangs and crackles are a very different experience for the automatic transmission F-Type.
Can I ask you when your overruns appear during shifting and can you manipulate the sounds? As a reference, I would get a large gunshot bang after depressing the clutch past 4K unless I let the revs come down to 3.5K before depressing the clutch. The more pleasant pops, crackles, burbles only occurred during deceleration.
Its all quite unpredictable to be honest. The gunshot at 4K is more likely to happen if the engine is hot and I had been holding in second gear going down a slope for example. Most pops and burbles happen during deceleration. I can get more burbles and soft pops by feathering the throttle in dynamic mode during engine breaking in 2 or 3rd gear all the way down to 1,800 revs (fuse 15 off).
To @jagcode3 @unhingd @wshudds @ozxfr and @thunder dump
When you guys did the tune did you guys end up swapping anything else out? I guess first thing that comes to mind would be spark plugs..is this necessary or recommended for a stage 2? Surely can't hurt..I have a 2016 with 29k miles so likely original plugs which probably would last plenty longer but if going for the vap stage 2 would changing plugs out prior be a good idea? Any of you with input on this? Staying with original oe plugs or something else to handle the altered tune better?
I have a VAP Stage 2 tune on my 2016 F-Type. When I asked VAP about fresh spark plugs, they responded with: "We’re pretty comfortable sticking with OEM plugs and intervals. It’s not needed but wouldn’t hurt to gap the plugs down by 5 thou or so."
Originally Posted by Unhingd
...Yes, I am still delivering short-shifters upon request. $250 delivered plus a $200 refundable core charge. Takes about 7-10 days to get it out to you. Post enough so you can PM me, and I'll hook you up. That shifter transforms the shifting experience.
Lance
Lance,
I would like to purchase a short-throw shifter. I'll send you a PM.
To @jagcode3 @unhingd @wshudds @ozxfr and @thunder dump
When you guys did the tune did you guys end up swapping anything else out? I guess first thing that comes to mind would be spark plugs..is this necessary or recommended for a stage 2? Surely can't hurt..I have a 2016 with 29k miles so likely original plugs which probably would last plenty longer but if going for the vap stage 2 would changing plugs out prior be a good idea? Any of you with input on this? Staying with original oe plugs or something else to handle the altered tune better?
OEM plugs with factory recommended intervals is pleanty good unless the car lives at the track much of the time..
I have 5000 miles on my tune - my engine and I love it - @KsducatiYOLO - Go for it!
@Therock88, a true legend here, made some great posts on the procedure (and many other procedures, thank you!), and Connor (YT legend, thank you too!) made a nice video on his channel to get an idea of what's involved:
I ended up doing the full mina intakes and vap stage 2- crap over 2k$ later😭🤑 it'll be fun I'm anxious to get it all going. Unhingd also will be sending a short throw shifter so pretty excited for it all. Thanks for the all your info
Wow.. great thread.
I have been away from the Forums for a while and miss this group.
I will soon call up VAP and get a tune for my V6 MT.
Thanks @JagCode3 John for the link.
Changed plugs at 50k miles. They looked brand new.....so plan is to go back to factory interval of 100k...so will change them at 150k unless I have to be "there" for some reason.....they are cheap...the labor to get there is not ... I use an indi....he's pretty fast now, but I am assuming this would be 1-2h. Min.
Wow.. great thread.
I have been away from the Forums for a while and miss this group.
I will soon call up VAP and get a tune for my V6 MT.
Thanks @JagCode3 John for the link.
Herman / Onca Engineering
hey man! Excited to hear you're going that route with the tune. I was hoping to give you feedback sooner but at this point I might be hearing from you on your results before getting the car back from the shop. Should be a solid great feeling upgrade😎
I will soon call up VAP and get a tune for my V6 MT.
I expect you'll be pleased. I know I am. Be sure to include anything you're particularly looking for and they'll set it up. I'm not interested the "extra pops" option because cats are expensive and don't really care about the auto start/stop disable because I've already got a button for that, but those are popular requests.
I've still got that diff in the garage, but am not driving much and am spending my wrenching time on freshening up a '91 Miata. Nevertheless, I appreciate the considerable effort you put into that project.
Last edited by lizzardo; May 17, 2025 at 08:20 PM.
My Torsen diff is also still sitting on a shelf as I complete the resto-modding on my A-H 3000. Installed power steering and 4-pot front calipers. Will convert the rear brakes to discs. Also, trying to sort out an issue with the electrically activated overdrive. Works great when the tranny fluid is cold, but won't lock into overdrive when at operating temp. The tranny and OD will need to come out (up through the transmission tunnel).
@HermanWiegman You can ask VAP what tune they did for me.
The pops and bangs were "interesting" at first, but after 2 years I was tired of it. I had to change the way I shifted to avoid a particularly loud gunshot whilst shifting over 4K RPM. It was like driving the Beverly Hillbillies' truck!
Besides the welcome increase in HP, it is totally smooth during shifting at any RPM with a nice burble at the end. No more gunshot when I press the clutch in and no more premature O2 sensor and cat destruction.
Last edited by JagCode3; May 18, 2025 at 10:58 PM.
A few things to add.
For those V6 MT owners looking for simplicity, more torque capacity, faster engine response and quicker shifting…
I do have a Single Mass Flywheel solution with two clutch options :
1) one is organic disc with stock ft lbs rated
2) the other is a 6 puck ceramic with elevated torque rating
The Quaife ATB equipped rear diffs were a big hit and are running well.
And some owners have opted to adjust the rear diff gear ratio to favor lower RPM on the highway.
@Unhingd If you don’t think you will install your Quaife ATB diff, I will offer to buy back your unit as there are several enthusiasts wanting the upgrade.
‘Drive well,
Herman Wiegman
Last edited by Onca Engineering; May 24, 2025 at 03:03 PM.
A few things to add.
For those V6 MT owners looking for simplicity, more torque capacity, faster engine response and quicker shifting…
I do have a Single Mass Flywheel solution with two clutch options :
1) one is organic disc with stock ft lbs rated
2) the other is a 6 puck ceramic with elevated torque rating
The Quaife ATB equipped rear diffs were a big hit and are running well.
And some owners have opted to adjust the rear diff gear ratio to favor lower RPM on the highway.
@Unhingd If you don’t think you will install your Quaife ATB diff, I will offer to buy back your unit as there are several enthusiasts wanting the upgrade.
‘Drive well,
Herman Wiegman
Herman,
I’ll let you know after I ponder the matter a bit.
