McLaren 570S Stage 1 vs Stage 2 ECU Tune — M838T 3.8T V8 Power Comparison
McLaren 570S — Stage 1 vs Stage 2 ECU Tune
The McLaren 570S is powered by the M838T 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 — McLaren's entry-level supercar engine producing 562 HP stock. Despite being the "entry" McLaren, it's already faster than most rivals. ECU tuning pushes it firmly into 600-series territory for a fraction of the cost.
Power Comparison — M838T 3.8T V8
| Specification | Stock | Stage 1 | Stage 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peak Horsepower | 562 HP | ~640 HP | ~720 HP |
| Peak Torque | 600 Nm | ~700 Nm | ~780 Nm |
| Hardware Required | — | None — ECU only | Sport exhaust / downpipes |
| 0-100 km/h (est.) | 3.2s | ~2.8s | ~2.5s |
Stage 1 — 640 HP, Software Only
McLaren deliberately software-limits the 570S below the 600LT and 650S. A Stage 1 tune increases boost pressure and optimizes ignition timing to extract approximately 80 HP — pushing the 570S past the factory output of the 600LT (600 HP). At 1,313 kg dry weight, every additional horsepower translates directly into faster acceleration.
Stage 2 — 720 HP with Exhaust
Stage 2 adds a sport exhaust or catless downpipes. At ~720 HP, the 570S matches the stock output of the 720S — essentially turning a 570S into a 720S for a fraction of the price. The M838T's compact twin-turbo design responds well to reduced backpressure.
M838T vs M840T
The 720S uses the M840T — a 4.0-litre evolution of the M838T with a larger bore. Both engines share architecture and tuning philosophy. For the 720S upgrade path, see our 720S Stage 1 vs Stage 2 comparison.