What the hell is with the K04!
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What the hell is with the K04!
Ok i am still looking for a good K04 system, I am hesitant to commit to one brand since i originally thougth neuspeed was the best, now people are telling me to go to AWE because the GIAC software it better. I have spoken to PES people and they tell me the K04 they have nets close to 220hp, while neuspeed claims 225, and AWE and a few others claim over 230hp! SO WHO is telling the truth and would everyone recommend to go with? Keep in mind I do not want this upgrade to detroy my engine by over-stressing it. 2001 A4 1.8tQ is what it will be installed in. thanks a lot
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Most people are having problems with the 2001 chips. The only person not have problems is GIAC.
The 2001 has been the hardest car to do a chip for so many of the tuner/chip makers are having problems getting them right. If you want to go with a K04 for your 2001 I would have to say just wait a little longer for the new ones from Turbo5 that will use a special chip made for them from GIAC or just make sure you get one that uses Garrett chip because he has a 2001 that he drives every day.
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You won't destroy your engine with any of these systems...
... The 1.8t engine can handle over 300-350 hp on stock internals and 500hp with engine work. They're bullet proof reliable. No worries, go with the AWE. More power to the people.
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Com'on mike, got to get the story straight.
APR and Giac do NOT have problems with the '01 chips.
People are having problems with STOCK ecu's, the chipped cars are running SMOOTHER with either chips I mentioned.
APR found the bug while programming for the '01 STAGE 3. The bug problem in the '01 code is exacerbated with larger turbos. that is WHY you have YET to see a '01 K04 GIAC chip. When it comes out THEN we can talk. The '00 K04 has been in development since JULY 2000 - still not bug free, but promised in a week or two.
Here's the excerpt from Vortex, posted by the owner of the test vehicle.
<b>But I have been workign with AWE/GIAC on the KO4 kit since july of 2K. It will hopefuly be completed next week as they will have my car again for a full week for testing. IT has not been released becaue the bugs have not been worked out....
chris
chris86vw@aol</b>
People are having problems with STOCK ecu's, the chipped cars are running SMOOTHER with either chips I mentioned.
APR found the bug while programming for the '01 STAGE 3. The bug problem in the '01 code is exacerbated with larger turbos. that is WHY you have YET to see a '01 K04 GIAC chip. When it comes out THEN we can talk. The '00 K04 has been in development since JULY 2000 - still not bug free, but promised in a week or two.
Here's the excerpt from Vortex, posted by the owner of the test vehicle.
<b>But I have been workign with AWE/GIAC on the KO4 kit since july of 2K. It will hopefuly be completed next week as they will have my car again for a full week for testing. IT has not been released becaue the bugs have not been worked out....
chris
chris86vw@aol</b>
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Yes, let us get our stories straight...
The real reason we do not have an 01 K04 kit yet is because we are still waiting on Garrett to install one on his own car for testing. We do not have an 01 in our test fleet, and no local customers are able to offer their cars for testing. GIAC does have an 01 A4, and they are across the country.
In reality, we have not done much tweaking to create an 01 K04 kit yet. The main reason being: there is very little demand for one right now. We are prioritizing our current projects, and do hope to wrap the code up on that kit ASAP.
As far as the 00 K04: it is and has been finished for months now. Jenner's TT is an isolated example, and since we did not do the install, I cannot speak on why his car is having issues, or even what the latest status is.
There dozens of other DBW AWE or PES K04 kits with GIAC software in successful use right now, on TTs, A4s, and New Beetles.
Please stop saying that GIAC has not been able to successfully produce a DBW K04 kit for the A4s. This is *not* true.
Your quote is from our Golf/Jetta K04 tester, not from an A4 owner.
In reality, we have not done much tweaking to create an 01 K04 kit yet. The main reason being: there is very little demand for one right now. We are prioritizing our current projects, and do hope to wrap the code up on that kit ASAP.
As far as the 00 K04: it is and has been finished for months now. Jenner's TT is an isolated example, and since we did not do the install, I cannot speak on why his car is having issues, or even what the latest status is.
There dozens of other DBW AWE or PES K04 kits with GIAC software in successful use right now, on TTs, A4s, and New Beetles.
Please stop saying that GIAC has not been able to successfully produce a DBW K04 kit for the A4s. This is *not* true.
Your quote is from our Golf/Jetta K04 tester, not from an A4 owner.
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Getting back on topic. Mike claimed that GIAC is the ONLY tuner that has no problems. It is FALSE.
"Please stop saying that GIAC has not been able to successfully produce a DBW K04 kit for the A4s. This is *not* true. "
Perhaps, but the request to "stop" mis-information should flow both ways, shouldn't it?
My initial post was to correct Mike. For every post you deem as false, I can find 10 false posts concerning APR's products.
For those that WANT a Ko4, I have on and OFF the forum directed them to your company Todd as the source for a quality kit. <B>I</b> can be objective in this.
Lets leave it at that.
Perhaps, but the request to "stop" mis-information should flow both ways, shouldn't it?
My initial post was to correct Mike. For every post you deem as false, I can find 10 false posts concerning APR's products.
For those that WANT a Ko4, I have on and OFF the forum directed them to your company Todd as the source for a quality kit. <B>I</b> can be objective in this.
Lets leave it at that.
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Re: What the hell is with the K04!
guys, thanks a lot for all the indfo, i am pretty certain that i will be going with awe since the garrett chips come highly recommended from nearly everyone on this forum and awe also seems to come up as the name to buy. i will take a drive down to there store some weekend and speak to i think todd is the name of the person who i see a lot. i need to correct a question i placed before. i am NOT worried about the engine, i am worried about the K04 Turbo itself, if the chip is making it run a lot of boost, i am worried that after 50K miles, the turbo will die or something like that. Since AWE seems to offer the highest performance on their cars, i am worriied that their software also beats the turbo the hardest. can someone comment on this? thanks!
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Lot of things go to make the statistics stay in your favor.
EGT's (exhaust gas temps) are one key thing, and are dependent on programming ability and other components. Running the turbo out of it's designed operational envelope will compromise the turbo. MANY things go into the SYSTEM, and there is not just one component to manage or upgrade. Running a program too lean and with too much advance will cause EGT's to go up. Advance will depend on intake temps. blah blah. Look for an entire kit, not a kit of parts.
One reason I say if you are going with a K04 go to AWE, is they stay in the designed envelope of the K04, namely 235 hp. Those that claim more are pushing the turbo. I'd prefer larger injectors, but a 5 bar FPR will do. Remember, the TT 225 uses a K04. 235 is not that much more aggressive to cause you concern. I'd also consider a FMIC in the future, as reducing the intake temps help reduce detonation. The more you push to the outer edge of that rated envelope, the greater the intake temps are due to turbo inefficiencies outside of its sweetspot.
Lastly, go with a company that will BE there in an unlikely event you need support. This is where bricks and mortar win out.
Disagreements with Todd aside, I'd recommend AWE, who has a great reputation for customer service.
One reason I say if you are going with a K04 go to AWE, is they stay in the designed envelope of the K04, namely 235 hp. Those that claim more are pushing the turbo. I'd prefer larger injectors, but a 5 bar FPR will do. Remember, the TT 225 uses a K04. 235 is not that much more aggressive to cause you concern. I'd also consider a FMIC in the future, as reducing the intake temps help reduce detonation. The more you push to the outer edge of that rated envelope, the greater the intake temps are due to turbo inefficiencies outside of its sweetspot.
Lastly, go with a company that will BE there in an unlikely event you need support. This is where bricks and mortar win out.
Disagreements with Todd aside, I'd recommend AWE, who has a great reputation for customer service.
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Re: Lot of things go to make the statistics stay in your favor.
Thanks again for the reply! Man you guys are really helpful. I had planned on upgrading the fuel injectors later down the line, mostly because if i am doing the K04 i won't have money for anything else for some time. As for the intercooler, I was probably going to do that too, but not for at least a year seeing as I will again have no money. What intercooler is the best? TAP advertises a sport intercooler for just under 1K, Mach V has one bust its over 1K. What would u say is the best? thanks again!
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Well, When APR's comes out, it's gonna be awesome.
It's supposd to be under 1k (800 or so?), has internal vaning in the cast endtanks, and not require a special bumper or cutting.
The BIG thing is the internal vaning. All FMIC's I've seen for sale are simply a core and an endtank; the air shoots in, then exits. That means the outer edges of the IC is less efficient, as less/no air charge is being pushed thru it. The internal vaning distributes the air evenly across the entire core body. SInce it's more efficient, the IC can be smaller than one that doesn't have vaning. It's one sweet FMIC. Less pressure drop than stock.
No idea on the release date, but if you're waitng a year, then it'll be out by then, and you'll get t see pics from others that have it installed.
The BIG thing is the internal vaning. All FMIC's I've seen for sale are simply a core and an endtank; the air shoots in, then exits. That means the outer edges of the IC is less efficient, as less/no air charge is being pushed thru it. The internal vaning distributes the air evenly across the entire core body. SInce it's more efficient, the IC can be smaller than one that doesn't have vaning. It's one sweet FMIC. Less pressure drop than stock.
No idea on the release date, but if you're waitng a year, then it'll be out by then, and you'll get t see pics from others that have it installed.