lculot

Is the 12v engine the same as the VR6 engine? They look very similar: 2.8L, 174HP, etc. It looks like these are one in the same.

If this is true, then is it possible to use the VR6 chips in the 12v? WETT produces one for the VR6 which brings it to around 190HP.

DaveN

the VR6 has a 15 degree angle between the banks with a common head, the 12v in a more conventional 90 degree (like a V8) design. Now that doesn't preclude the control designs being similar, but as the remainder was a different design team I would be surprised if it were.

Cathleen

A4 12v V6 is not the same engine as the VW Vr6.
The ECUs are also different.

The 12v (I own one) has a Hitachi ECU and there are no current chips for these. Historically, various chip tuners who have looked in to trying to crack the Hitachi ECU have been unable to. That's not to say it could not be done if they cared to devote more time and money to it but the ECU is unlike the Bosch Motronic system and is not chip-tuner friendly.

Chips are not that great of an investment for normally aspirated engines, anyway. They will not give you hp/torque gains unless you do something to (significantly)increase airflow. In some cases, people have reported that they even felt power losses in the low end.

However, don't despair. This does not mean that you can't do other things. Most people dislike the Hitachi ECU but it really is quite amazing. The Hitachi ECU is extremely adaptable and it will actually relearn upgrades you do to your car. I had done a stage 1 with Vortrag ported heads and intake manifold, Schrick cams. The ECU "learned" the new paramaters with incredible ease.
I now have a highly modified A4 12v quattro which I will be posting more info about after we get it on the dyno. Increased displacement and a host of other internal upgrades. At this point we are still using the stock ECU as development continues. My engine is pretty significant in increased power. The ECU is adaptable but we realize that we can gain even more if we are able to go beyond the limits that may be with the ECUs level of adaptability.
The ECU system is going to be upgraded (in the very near future). In the mean time, the "stock" ECU does not seem to have any problems with keeping up with the upgrades and has not adversly affected how the car is running. Power is (measured in 'butt dyno') SIGNIFICANTLY improved. (Until I have real documented numbers, however, I'd prefer not to speculate.)
We'll see how it does at Mid-Ohio QCUSA Nationals coming up. There are many S4s and a lot of chipped 1.8Ts (even some stage 3s). It will be interesting to see how it fares against these powerful cars.
Back to A4 12v V6 chips. My point to you overall, is that a 12v V6 chip is pretty much pointless unless you are doing upgrades to take you to the 300hp+ level and even then it can still work (proof is right here).
-Cathleen
Vortrag A4q 12v 2.9+ liter upgrade

blanco

if possible pleae snd me alist of your engine performance upgrades. I have a 1997 12v a4 and a need for speed.

pat33

Do you think there is a chip available now for my 12v