omarcarbomb

Does anyone have any feedback on the chip fromhttp://www.ebay.com/itm/innovative-Programmer-For-Audi-A8-And-S8-3-0L-3-7L-4-0L-4-2L-5-2L-6-0L-And-6-3L/222096816948?_trksid=p2047675.c100010.m2109&_trkparms=aid%3D333008%26algo%3DRIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D36499%26meid%3D8efec47f31294da0be18ac5f13f7c593%26pid%3D100010%26rk%3D7%26rkt%3D20%26sd%3D272152984693?

the_duke

I have no first hand experience. The only "performance chips" that do any good are ones made for boosted motors. They fool the ecu into thinking it's making less boost than it really is. Therefore the ECU tells the turbo/supercharger pressure control valve to make more boost. On a NA car none of that is possible. The only reliable way to increase performance is to upgrade exhaust/intake and then have the ECU flashed with a new map to take advantage of the increased flow. Unfortunately with NA motors that gain is usually very little.

2001 S8

+1

An increase of up to 35 hp by just plugging in a device on a NA engine. As the wise man says, If it sounds to good to be true, it probably is.

silverd2

A "wise" man would have checked his grammar ... "to good" ?



Cheers

osin34

If you do a google search for this topic there is one (I cant remember if its AF, AW, Vortex or what forum) but there is a guy who has a blue S8 and has it tuned with Unitronic as they are one of the few reputable companies with a tune out for these cars, and their website claims 27hp and 22ft lbs torque on a completely stock car on 93oct. And according to his review of their tune, it sounds very viable and he says you can feel it without a doubt. He even compared it to almost like going from stock to stage one on a turbo car (think b5 A4 1.8t). Not quite as much of a night and day difference, but between the throttle response remapping and added torque he says its well worth the money. I plan on doing this tune here in the near future, and with a K&N panel filter should add some nice pep in its step. He also did it to his car with over 200k miles on it. I know on my R32, the UM tune from bone stock was an excellent choice, easily felt and worth every penny. That claims less than a 20hp increase on a stock car on 93, so im sure this is even more dramatic. That would be the only way to go in my opinion. Otherwise, enjoy it stock!

JAA 4.2

I couldn't imagine a MORE aggressive pedal map. It's already obnoxious in stock form.

They could be doing a 93 octane tune vs stock 91, but I don't see that netting 20hp.

the_duke

20 hp is believable. But saying it's almost the same as stage one on a turbo car is a stretch. Stage one on a turbo car will net 50-100hp. Software only tune on my 2008 Dodge diesel jumps it from 350hp stock to 500hp. APR tune for my 2004 A6 2.7t jumps it from the factory claimed 265hp to 318hp. Not to mention the huge torque gains as well.

osin34

Here is the thread I was referring to.

https://www.audiworld.com/forums/a8-s8-d2-platform-discussion-8/s8-unitronic-tune-done-2889459/

To me it doesn't sound like the throttle map is more aggressive but smother and much more linear cause I would agree, it is aggressive as is. I'm just going by reading first hand experience from this guy and how he's describing it. I know in my R32 the tune made a very noticeable and worth while difference, so I can imagine the tune for our cars being great as well. I'll let you guys know how it feels to me after its done.

Give that thread a read and see what you guys think, and see if it sounds worth while to you, I guess that's the only way to really know! they do offer a complete satisfaction guarantee, so if the tune doesn't live up to your expectations, you get your money back, flashed back to stock and enjoy as is.

huntfortravel

from bad "to good"?

jfrahm

Placebo effect is strong with car tuneups and mods. You'd have to do some rigorous testing to see if there really are any gains. Look at the claims from people who have done all kinds of debunked do-nothing modz: +20HP, smoother idle, smoother acceleration, better throttle response, nice minty taste.

With modern tools you can do some good testing at legal-ish speeds if you have a good hill with a landmark on it where you can tip-in at a preset speed and the same place multiple times. You do have to be careful with atmospheric conditions and fuel quality, they are a big factor.