APR Chip problems
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New Member
Joined: Apr 2002
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APR Chip problems
It seems strange that GIAC has a chip available and has been out for a while.
Of course it has had a few problems but I have read it is rather stable now. On the
other hand APR is late to market and has raised a number of red flags regarding
the fuel system. I am a little suspicious of what APR has said, GIAC has worked
around these problems. It seems likely that APR is having difficulty understanding
the fuel maps/codes or other encryption problems. I work in the IT industry and
the lateness of a project is often an indicator of base level software delivery and
management problems. I of course have no facts and am not attempting damage or
harm APR, I am just asking everyone to look at the facts and ask why is APR
releasing a new $1200 A4 2002 exhaust system before a very profitable chip solution?
It makes sense to use a proven chip technology on your new 2002 A4. APR has a ways
to go before I am convinced. ( disclaimer - I think APR is a fine company and plan
to buy other products from them. I don't work in the auto/tuning industry. )
Of course it has had a few problems but I have read it is rather stable now. On the
other hand APR is late to market and has raised a number of red flags regarding
the fuel system. I am a little suspicious of what APR has said, GIAC has worked
around these problems. It seems likely that APR is having difficulty understanding
the fuel maps/codes or other encryption problems. I work in the IT industry and
the lateness of a project is often an indicator of base level software delivery and
management problems. I of course have no facts and am not attempting damage or
harm APR, I am just asking everyone to look at the facts and ask why is APR
releasing a new $1200 A4 2002 exhaust system before a very profitable chip solution?
It makes sense to use a proven chip technology on your new 2002 A4. APR has a ways
to go before I am convinced. ( disclaimer - I think APR is a fine company and plan
to buy other products from them. I don't work in the auto/tuning industry. )
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Jun 2001
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Because they want to get it done right the first time and deliver a quality product.
GIAC has had several problems and as a result has lost customers. People now are a little leary about GIAC and no doubt will second guess them for a while. APR wants to release a chip that will exceed your expectation for performance and reliability without having to "work around" their flaws like GIAC. There is only one way to go and that way is APR..
AudiWorld Uber User
Joined: Mar 2000
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Pretty simple.
IT's called lead time. From what Stephen told me, they are waiting for the manufacturer to send the part. Now it's the same OEM maker Audi uses.... Wonder if Audi AG has had input into the deal.... hmmm. I would not assume that b/c a software/hardware solution is not out yet that it is automatically b/c of a software issue. Tom of APR has the solution in his car and is running fine - it's been around, including texas just recently with some *** prints on it :P...
But nonetheless, I'd say you are assuming a lot that it is a software hiccup, especially since they completely reverse engineered the hash code for the digital signature. The ability is there. Fuel maps are not complicated - you make em, you try em... I'd suspect in hindsight they wish they HAD released the 195hp non-hardware version, but it's too late, after the fiasco....
But nonetheless, I'd say you are assuming a lot that it is a software hiccup, especially since they completely reverse engineered the hash code for the digital signature. The ability is there. Fuel maps are not complicated - you make em, you try em... I'd suspect in hindsight they wish they HAD released the 195hp non-hardware version, but it's too late, after the fiasco....
New Member
Joined: Apr 2002
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And I'm still waiting for the GIAC vendors to put up current dyno figures. Perhaps their solutions
are having troubles too. The info at there sites is for the original chip and they've been promising real numbers ever since they detuned the first one. It seems pretty easy to do a dyno and put up current numbers. Maybe the detune is deeper than they want seen.
I don't want to spend my money on something based on a chip they aren't really selling anymore.
I don't want to spend my money on something based on a chip they aren't really selling anymore.
Junior Member
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,584
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Maybe it's all a big silly game...APR waiting to see GIAC's final numbers and vice versa...(more)
Although we'll all be happy to see an APR chip on the market, we'll all be left with the same hard decision to make. Especially if APR's chip dyno is similar to GIAC's (which I'm guessing will be the case).
APR Advantage: Peace of mind regarding fuel issue.
GIAC Advantage: No additional hardware mod for the dealer to find out about.
It's a tough decision for us buyers to make either way, whether it be today, tomorrow, or 4 weeks from now.
APR Advantage: Peace of mind regarding fuel issue.
GIAC Advantage: No additional hardware mod for the dealer to find out about.
It's a tough decision for us buyers to make either way, whether it be today, tomorrow, or 4 weeks from now.
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From: Warsaw, Poland
This old story doesn't work on me anymore. I personally think its BS...
you just cant have 215hp reliable power with this motor/injector/turbo combination. GIAC has rised the expectations to high as to what power gain can we expect, and now both GIAC and APR don't know what to do. Note that GIAC didn't publish the dyno numbers of their latest chip - and they can be far less impressive.
If it was so easy all major european tuning companies would offer a 215hp chip. And what do they offer ? 195hp chip (MTM, Dahlback, Oettinger ABT). They also offer an additional 10hp power increase BUT ONLY WITH the new, bigger injectors. You can get the power to 215-220HP (depending on the particular company) but that is only possible with new software/bigger injectors/cat-back exhaust.
If it was so easy all major european tuning companies would offer a 215hp chip. And what do they offer ? 195hp chip (MTM, Dahlback, Oettinger ABT). They also offer an additional 10hp power increase BUT ONLY WITH the new, bigger injectors. You can get the power to 215-220HP (depending on the particular company) but that is only possible with new software/bigger injectors/cat-back exhaust.