Sponsored

TSP Stage 1 while Stock(ish)

naafl5

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 4, 2024
Threads
11
Messages
77
Reaction score
35
Location
Maryland
Vehicle(s)
2024 Civic Type R
Anyone else running TSP Stage 1 tune with stock engine piping?

Pulled the trigger on a Hondata and Stage 1 tune from TSP. I'm probably going to run Map 3 99 percent of the time so I'm not in full boost all the time.

Wondering how long I can do that before I need supporting mods or risk damage? New to the whole tuning thing so I'm curious how a tune can have so many optional supporting mods yet be more reliable than the base maps that come with Hondata.

Ideally, I'd get the High Efficiency Downpipe but that thing is backordered for months.
Sponsored

 

Savannah@TSP

Elite Sponsor
Joined
May 22, 2023
Threads
41
Messages
294
Reaction score
343
Location
USA
Website
www.twostepperformance.com
Vehicle(s)
'23 FL1, '98 EJ6, ‘23 Si (sold), '20 FC4 (sold)
Build Thread
Link
You can run the tune on an otherwise stock vehicle and be solid. It’s designed to be fun and reliable. :thumbsup:
 

Two Step Performance

Elite Sponsor
Joined
Apr 24, 2018
Threads
47
Messages
950
Reaction score
1,378
Location
USA
Website
twostepperformance.com
Vehicle(s)
2023 Type R
Anyone else running TSP Stage 1 tune with stock engine piping?

Pulled the trigger on a Hondata and Stage 1 tune from TSP. I'm probably going to run Map 3 99 percent of the time so I'm not in full boost all the time.

Wondering how long I can do that before I need supporting mods or risk damage? New to the whole tuning thing so I'm curious how a tune can have so many optional supporting mods yet be more reliable than the base maps that come with Hondata.

Ideally, I'd get the High Efficiency Downpipe but that thing is backordered for months.
The only thing you need to run the tune safely is high quality fuel. 93 octane is recommended, 91 octane is tolerated. No other modifications are needed to run the tune but you will experience the benefits of standard bolt ons if used along with the tune.
 

ych09041

New Member
Joined
Jun 13, 2026
Threads
0
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
Location
CA Bay Area
Vehicle(s)
FL5
Hello, I’m interested in the TSP stage 1 tune for FL5. I have a few questions:

1. If I buy the tune without pops and bangs, and later want to try it with pops and bangs, will I have to buy the tune again?

2. If I later add more bolt-on’s, will I need to repurchase or reflash any adjustments to the tune?

3 . If I only have access to 91 gas, will I need a special version of the tune, since the standard version seems to be optimized for 93? I see from other forum threads that even on 93, knock and retardation are seen at high rpm’s. I’m concerned that on 91 I’d be constantly knocking and retarding.

4. Others have reported knocking at high RPMs. I do plan on regular spirited driving and tracking. Is the knocking going to be a concern? Again I only have access to 91 but I try to go with Shell as much as possible.

Thanks for your attention!
 
Last edited:


jmheath357

Member
Joined
Feb 13, 2026
Threads
3
Messages
34
Reaction score
24
Location
Phoenix, AZ
Vehicle(s)
2025 Honda Civic Type R
Hello, I’m interested in the TSP stage 1 tune for FL5. I have a few questions:

1. If I buy the tune without pops and bangs, and later want to try it with pops and bangs, will I have to buy the tune again?

2. If I later add more bolt-on’s, will I need to repurchase or reflash any adjustments to the tune?

3 . If I only have access to 91 gas, will I need a special version of the tune, since the standard version seems to be optimized for 93? I see from other forum threads that even on 93, knock and retardation are seen at high rpm’s. I’m concerned that on 91 I’d be constantly knocking and retarding.

4. Others have reported knocking at high RPMs. I do plan on regular spirited driving and tracking. Is the knocking going to be a concern? Again I only have access to 91 but I try to go with Shell as much as possible.

Thanks for your attention!
1. Yes, you will. I actually ran into this exact scenario and they told me I would have to purchase it again with the pops and bangs which I thought was ridiculous so I didn't do that.

2. No, it will work fine with the standard basic bolt-ons, not a race MAF though.

3/4. As far as I know there isn't a special version for 91, it just it what it is. I also am limited to 91 in Phoenix and I can tell you from experience there is significant knock and I personally wouldn't recommend beating on the car with this tune. Would it be ok long term? I don't know but I wouldn't feel comfortable driving it hard like that. Your experience may vary if your gas is of better quality but I tried running it with the car bone stock and also with a DP/FP/IC and I wasn't ok with the amount of knock I saw. Everything else looked good on the tune though.
 

Xmetal

Senior Member
Joined
May 13, 2025
Threads
17
Messages
321
Reaction score
349
Location
SoCal
Vehicle(s)
CTR, S3
1. Yes, you will. I actually ran into this exact scenario and they told me I would have to purchase it again with the pops and bangs which I thought was ridiculous so I didn't do that.

2. No, it will work fine with the standard basic bolt-ons, not a race MAF though.

3/4. As far as I know there isn't a special version for 91, it just it what it is. I also am limited to 91 in Phoenix and I can tell you from experience there is significant knock and I personally wouldn't recommend beating on the car with this tune. Would it be ok long term? I don't know but I wouldn't feel comfortable driving it hard like that. Your experience may vary if your gas is of better quality but I tried running it with the car bone stock and also with a DP/FP/IC and I wasn't ok with the amount of knock I saw. Everything else looked good on the tune though.
What's the point of a tune if you can't drive it hard? IMHO, they should tune it for 91 and give you a slight bump in performance if and when you use 93, or have separate tunes/maps altogether like most tuners (separate 91 and 93 tunes).
 

jmheath357

Member
Joined
Feb 13, 2026
Threads
3
Messages
34
Reaction score
24
Location
Phoenix, AZ
Vehicle(s)
2025 Honda Civic Type R
What's the point of a tune if you can't drive it hard? IMHO, they should tune it for 91 and give you a slight bump in performance if and when you use 93, or have separate tunes/maps altogether like most tuners (separate 91 and 93 tunes).
I agree. It's not a custom tune though, it's just an OTS map. And to be fair they do say they recommend 93 with the tune but 91 is "tolerated". I would have to say after running it though, 91 is no good for that tune which is why I didn't actually drive it for any length of time, just short test sessions and then immediately switched back to the Hondata 91 map.
 

jmheath357

Member
Joined
Feb 13, 2026
Threads
3
Messages
34
Reaction score
24
Location
Phoenix, AZ
Vehicle(s)
2025 Honda Civic Type R
Pops and bangs is the #1 way to a melted cat. Ask me how I know 🫪

Even the ITS has such a restrictive form of the burbles that it'll turn off on its own when conditions aren't perfect
Yep. I just wanted to see if they would send me the map again with that one change just to see what it does. I wasn't actually planning on running it for any length of time and have no desire to have that on my car. It was more just for curriousity.
Sponsored

 
 







Top