O.K. <br>I talked to someone that seems to have some inside info on the chipping subject (to keep rumors down, and stuff like that I won't mention any names or affiliations). This person had some interesting comments about chipping cars that use the "throttle by wire" (i.e. Audi TT, the new 1.8T Bug, 2000 model year A4?) Supposedly the programming is going to be so complex that tuners may not be able to chip tune these cars. Think about it, not only will the ECU hold the code for the turbo boost, but also the throttle position! Think about what could happen if one number in the wrong place got changed, and instead of changing boost at a certain RPM, may have changed the way the throttle reacts! This could not only be harmful to the driver, but also the tuners reputation, and above all else the stellar rep Audi has regained!<p>I guess most of the tuning on the TT has been mechanical (i.e. bigger Turbo etc.) This brings up a really interesting point. I know there are some amazing tuners out there, but think about the extra cost involved in doing the testing to make sure they don't screw up the throttle, or their reputation. Could this be the end of Chip tuning as we know it? Could our cars become "collectors" items in the realm of enthusiasts? If I hear more I will let you know.<p>I realize that there may be some very smart people out there that know more about this than me...I'm just re-stating what I heard. Maybe someone else can shed some light on the subject.<p>Chris Ciccone

 

a chip exists for the 850Ci which is drive by wire, I can't see why they wouldn't do it for other drive by wire cars

 

Speaking about chipping, are new chippers supposed to update/answer donp's survey?

 

Nope, in my opinion it is just a ramping up of technological skill. The throttle position is already a variable seen by the ecu. It will just take some trial and error.<p>Several years ago the magazine blowhards all decried OBD as the death of performance engineering. People are smarter than that. It will just get harder and more expensive to play the game.

 

There's been a ton of APR and Autothority purchases lately - What's the address?

 

Talking to VWoA engineers, it is possible to make changes to the fuel parameters and wastegate frequencies at the existing stock throttle position tables. In other words, it is possible to program the ECU for fuel and boost without directly affecting or having to change throttle position settings.<p>The European market is chock full of 1.8T chips for models with drive-by-wire systems. VWAG/Audi AG went to the drive-by-wire systems primarily so that it will interface with ESP (electronic stability program). The Golf IV 1.8T models originally released in Europe had cable connected throttles. In second year production this was changed to drive-by-wire.<p>There is no denying the wonderful state of litigation happy U.S. consumers, but in talking with several U.S. tuners about this issue, they claim that they are continuing with development of chips for the drive-by-wire 1.8T models anyway.<p>I guess we'll see in the end, but no need to think the sky is falling yet. <p>- jamie<ul><li><a href="http://www.vwvortex.com">www.vwvortex.com</a></li></ul>

 

Re: Is Chipping Dead?........didn't they say the same thing about OBDII?......

 

Chipping these cars is slightly more complex but definitely not impossible. We are reverse-engineering this box now. We will have a chip for the TT and 1.8T Bug later in the summer. A chip for the S4 will be released in the fall.<p>Some other chips that are in the works:<p>2.8L 30V<br>A8 4.2L<br>Euro-spec A4 1.8T<br>possibly A4/A6 12-valve<br>Audi 90 10V race program<br>Older S4/S6<br>5000CS turbo quattro<p>Brett<br>APR

 

We have a TT chip and a 1.8T Beetle chip for the US market allready.<p>Alot harder than the older chips, but not impossible. <p>e-Manager @ Hoppen Motorsport