Stage 1? Stage 2? Stage 69?! Newbie explanation

Stage 1, stage 2, etc, is just an arbitrary labeling system to define a manufacturing's package deals. A higher stage equals more power, more parts, and a higher cost. More often than not, people are referring to Cobb's labeling system.
-stage 1: ECU tune, catback exhaust optional
-stage 2: ECU tune, downpipe, catback exhaust
Stage 2 could be catted or catless. The Cobb maps also allow their short ram intake to be used. Moreover, it's possible that the car could have a lightweight crank pulley.

After stage 2, things get ambiguous.
-You may hear 'stage 2 protuned'. This definition includes some leeway. The car will have all the stage 2 parts, but it can include other supporting mods, such as a fuel pump, intake, aftermarket boost controller, injectors. It could even have a map for E85 or race gas.
-By the time you start adding headers, a larger intercooler, an EWG, etc, the car should be called stock turbo with bolt ons.
-If the car has an aftermarket turbo, most people will usually identify it by the turbo and possibly the fuel. Examples would be 20G on pump or 30r on E85.
-A built engine can encompass a lot of parts. It could imply that the engine only has forged pistons (most likely a rebuild after a ringland failure), or it could be a full out monster with a sleeved block, ported heads, and large cams.

Below is a list of various tuning shops and their descriptions of their staged packages. It is not an all inclusive list, just what I could gather off the top of my head.

AMR
-stage 1: ECU tune, cold air intake
-stage 2: ECU tune, cold air intake, turboback exhaust, fuel pump
-stage 3: ECU tune, cold air intake, turboback exhaust, fuel pump, headers, FMIC
-stage 4: ECU tune, cold air intake, turboback exhaust, fuel pump, headers, FMIC, TGV deletes, 3" turbo inlet, larger injectors, T-60 turbo

AMS
-stage 0: dyno tune, panel air filter
-stage 1: dyno tune, AEM cold air intake
-stage 2: dyno tune, AEM cold air intake, turboback exhaust

Cobb
-stage 1: AcessPORT, Cobb ECU map, catback exhaust optional
-stage 2: AcessPORT, Cobb ECU map, downpipe, catback exhaust

Crawford
-stage 1: AcessPORT, Crawford ECU map, AOS
-stage 2: AcessPORT, Crawford ECU map, AOS, downpipe
-stage 3: AcessPORT, Crawford ECU map, AOS, downpipe, FMIC

Perrin
-stage 1: AcessPORT, Perrin map, Perrin panel air filter
-stage 2: AcessPORT, Perrin map, catted downpipe, catback exhaust

Looks great Joey! It has been made a sticky.

I'm at stage 69 now! :lol:

I'm a stg 6, like a 69 but I do no work I do miss working on my car though.

Another thing for people new to the Subaru crowd: every now and then, you'll see people with a "Stage 2+" setup, which is basically "Stage 2 Protuned". Typically, this means your normal Stage 2 setup, plus a few other small parts (possibly fuel system, a header, maybe a new intercooler).

im considered 'stage 3' or stock turbo with bolt-ons.

What about cobb stage 3? with the VF39 map? or does it not apply to the sti?

Don't think COBB offers a stage 3 buddy. They have what I think they call a stage 2+ that includes an intake.