I'm looking for a chip for the A4 1.8T.
I don't want my ECU modified. I just want to buy the EPROM chip itself. Does anybody know which vendors sell just the chip ? Also which chips are impossible for the dealer to tell that it is not stock ?

Thanks for any info.

 

How are you actually gonna use the chip?!
Dip it in salsa, chew and swallow?<p><a href="http://registry.audiworld.com/audi/registry/details.asp?car=161"</a><img SRC="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/AudiWorldPics/2000/a4registrydl.jpg" BORDER=0></a>

 

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Otherwise, your ECU gets modified, however you cut it. No such thing as "impossible", but if you went with APR and EEMCS, you could run separate programs on the same ECU - same goes for GIAC but then you have a socketed chip in your ECU.<p><a href="http://www.dnai.com/~adamant/a4_avant.htm"><img src="http://www.dnai.com/~adamant/adamsavant1.jpg"></a>

 

Of course, a socket is okay. I just don't see why they have to make board modifications. I can put the socket in myself. I just want to buy the chip.

The companies that want your board, like APR, are doing more than just putting a socket in. If you read their website it says they make mods to the board so that they can keep their software private.

I don't want any board mods (except a socket).

Somebody mentioned GIAC. I will look into it.

Any other chip-only vendors out there? Anybody tried GIAC ?

 

Barney, what's so wrong with ECU modifications?

I've watched Todd @AWE install sockets & GIAC chips. All that he does is remove the stock chip, and solder on a socket, and insert the GIAC chip.

I imagine that APR and Wett do the same thing, or something similar. (I *think* that APR uses socketed chips, and I know that Wett does.)

Programming is done on a PC with a connected chip reader/writer. The chip is removed from the ECU socket, and placed into the chip reader. Then the program is loaded from the hard drive to the chip. Then they simply put the chip back into the socket on the ECU.

I believe that MTM solders the chip right to the board. As for Neuspeed, Autothority, AMS and the other chip tuners, I don't know.

But what does it matter ? You want to get a "chip upgrade," and rightfully so. Why don't you just let them do it their way? Why do you insist on modifying the modifications ?
If certain parts are required to make the upgrade work, just go with it.

Incidentally, GIAC will solder the chip directly to the board, if you request, instead of using a socket.

You can be pretty sure that a dealer will rarely open up the ECU box. And if they do open it up, I can almost promise you that they will never open up the ECU itself. If they suspect a problem with an ECU, they'll just replace it.
Dealer technicians are more adept with a wrench than with a soldering iron. They would not know what to do if they opened up the ECU itself.

Most of the chip tuners can program their chips to be undetectable to the VAG computer. All they really have to do is reprogram a few lines of text, so that the program version reads the same as stock when the appropriate page is viewed with the VAG computer.
But one drive in a chipped car, and the dealer will know it is modified. If you want to be safe, your best bet is to get a spare ECU.
Leave your stock ECU unmodified.

Or get the APR ECMS or the forthcoming GIAC "Chipswitch." Either of these options will require additional ECU modifications for the program switching option. But that's the way it is.

You CAN have your cake (chipped ECU) and eat it too (undetectability). You just have to be willing to pay the price -- i.e. buy a spare ECU, and put your stock ECU back when you go for service.

If you absolutely insist on soldering the chip yourself I doubt that any of the tuners would give you a break in the price. You are paying for the technology -- for their programmers.
And I also doubt that they would warrantee the chip if they are not the ones installing it.

Good luck. I hope you find what you are looking for.

-- Peter
98.5 1.8tqms GIAC 1 bar, APR exhaust

 

They solder a set of pins on your board, and you can swap between the stock and Wett chips all day long.

I raced a 2000 tip Avant 1.8t GIAC'd with my 98 stick sedan 1.8t Wett'd and the the Avant was almost just as fast as my car (his front bumper was about where my front fender ended by the time we had to slow...around 40-45mph)...based on that, I'm guessing the GIAC is a bit faster than the Wett, all over things being equal.

Warren

 

Except APR doesn't socket their chips.

Can't wait until the 2001 chips are released. When they are, my 1.8T will be "brain dead" for 2 days <p>Ed

98 2.8-30Vqt black/ecru
01 1.8Tqmsc silver/onyx retrofit HID's, 17" BBS RC polished, Pirelli P7000 SS

 

<p>2000 1.8TQM
150bhp(not enough)A4 1.8T Quattro
Bose,Sports wheel,
Conv pkg,Santorin Blue,Onxy Leatherette,cd changer,Winter pkg,smoked covers on reg plates chrome holders,17" Avus S4 wheels Bridgestone RE730 225/45 17.Phoenix exhaust tips

 

and it's not something you want to do yourself unless you are very experienced in soldering surface mount parts. Plus, if you DIY you run the risk of damaging the ECU, in which case you have to buy a new one. If a chip installer damages your ECU THEY have to buy you a new one.