I picked up my 00 1.8t QMSC a little over two weeks ago and am approaching 600 miles. I want to start looking into one of the many chips so I can perhaps have it installed in about a month or so. Does anyone see a problem w/ installing a chip at around 1000-1500 miles?

I don't intend to race every chance I get. I just want the opportunity to add power w/out sacrificing everyday driving. But when I need power I would like it to be there, and more than what the car has now. Though, I have yet to redline or full throttle the car, I am confident that 150hp will not do for long. HP and torque are best "down low" for everyday driving, I do not intend to redline my car much. Which of the chips offer the best "low end"?

I would also like to have a space ECU in the purchase so I can switch them before service, because I am leasing. I am not interested in any that do not supply there chip in a spare ECU. which of the chip makers offer this as an option?

I have read that some come with air filters (K&N). I have also read that these filters may allow better airflow, but really fall short in keeping pollutants out of the engine (compared to a stock filter). Do you have to change the filter for the power increase or will stock do just as well? Are the aftermarket filters really that bad?

I have noticed that the prices range greatly from apx $200 to $500+. Why? They all do the same thing, and the cost of production can't vary that much. Does a greater cost mean a greater product when it comes to chips?

My main concern is not hurting the engine or sacrificing reliability, but that doesn't seem to be too much an issue. They have .8 bar, 1.0 bar and a variable chip that depends on throttle and rpm. Is the 1.0 bar pressing the reliability issue. Will the .8 bar be enough? I don't want to wonder "What if?". Is the variable any "safer" on the engine than the others, or is it more "drivable"? I do not want to make this purchase twice, so I am inclined to get the flat 1.0 bar as long as it is not detrimental to my engine, in comparison to the others.

Which chip did you get? Any problems or regrets? Anyone in the Tampa, Florida area with a chipped car that I can drive or ride in?

Lastly, is there a chip out there that suits my needs? Moreover.... 1.0 bar, spare ECU included, that does not sacrifice everyday drivability for maximum power, which has not been reported to hurt the engine or turbo, and focuses more on "low end grunt"? Price is not so much the issue more than the chip meeting these needs.

Thank you in advance for your response.

 

All chip makers offer a seperate ecu, the difference is whether they make a big deal of it in marketing, and how much they charge over what it would if you traded your ecu in. Call around, or check websites for prices (not all post prices with spare ecu, so you may need to call if you're interested in their chip).

As for the filter it really doesn't matter one way or the other. The difference in air flow is marginal (Don P. reported no difference between stock and K&N on his S4), and any additional pollutants let into the engine probably won't make that much of a difference unless you plan on keeping it well beyond the end of the lease. My advice would be: if the filter doesn't cost any more and they'll do the install then why not, but otherwise it's not worth any extra money or trouble (installation).

Cost of chips is very subjective. Most of the price variation is probably based on economies of scale (Neuspeed is a huge company), overhead (smaller companies have lots of costs to cover and if they don't have a lot of other products, they have to cover them somewhere), and name (you will pay extra if you want MTM or Oettinger). Developmentally there are variations. Based on word of mouth, and research on the web and in person, I chose MTM, I would also feel comfortable dealing with APR and Garrett, and would definitely consider Autothority. If you've got a distributor nearby, you should weigh that as well. Being able to bring the car in if it's acting funny is a big advantage.

For leasing purposes I wouldn't worry about reliability, there are plenty of folks here with quite a few chipped miles and no engine problems to speak of. Rich Q. has over 50,000 chipped miles on his MTM 1.0 bar with no engine problems (last I heard), and he probably drives his car as hard as anyone here. I still think the variable chip is just a marketing gimmick. My MTM 1.0 bar varies its boost depending on throttle position and rpms. Most of the time the the boost is just like stock, when I want a little extra it'll bump up to around .8 bar, if I stomp on it between 2500 and 5500 it'll jump up to 1.0 bar and then fall off as rpms fall or or I ease off the throttle.

I've got the MTM chip and am very pleased. If you weren't set on a spare ecu I would strongly recomend it. But I don't think Hoppen will cut a deal on the seperate ecu so you'd be looking at over $1,000, but give them and Stratmosphere a call to see what they say. Otherwise, from descriptions (I've only experienced stage 3 first hand...awesome) here I would say the APR chip would be a good choice...lots of low end power, and very smooth. Good luck, you really can't go wrong with most of them.<p>Regards,
Rodney

'99 A4 1.8tqms

 

Thanks Rodney

 

Check my review in the "User Reviews" section under performance and APR chips for the 1.8t. It will help answer many of your questions. Good luck. - Bill

 

is used in the stock TT, Turbo Beetle and European spec A4's with 180-190 hp ratings (i.e. simple brain swap). Now before I get tons of replys with corrections - I know there are slight engine differences but relatively speaking, they are minor.

 

Sounds like you want an APR 1 bar chip/ECU.