Hi,

New to the forum and I know this is the best place to get answers.

Have a 03 Allroad and thinking to install a performance chip. I've test drove a 2001 Allroad w/MTM chip that had the valve adjusted to work with the chip. It was also lowered and had Turbo timer (Which is a great feature) installed as well...however, getting back to my question on Chip! What do you recommend (Nuspeed, MTM...) and what's all I need to know prior to making a decision.

Cheers,

 

got my chip from APR 2 weeks ago, has two programs and so far I love it.

 

I went with APR so I can run a 93 octane program when I'm at home and can get 94 fuel. Run a 91 program when I travel and can only find 91 or 92 fuel. Run the stock program when I take it to the dealer.

 

Wow, you've done quiet a bit to your car. What is the HP now, how bad is the gas mileage? I'm in Cali (SF) who is the main dealer in US, or just about every performance shop carries them?

 

How do you like the performance? Did you have to get another ECU box as well? What was the cost?

 

HP is 318 (claimed) with the 93 program, mpg is the same as stock.

 

AoA has gone to great lengths to prevent us from chipping. For one, there is the chastity belt. You'll have to drill/notch the break off torx bolts to get them off. Extra bolts should be avail from your chip mfgr. Then there is the issue of the Immobilizer codes. If you're not familiar with this, do a search.

The concensus seems to be if you have a tiptronic tranny, the Giac Tip Chip improves shifts. I hope to have this installed shortly. As for ECU chips, the big question I would have is how much effort do you want to go to, to conceal its existence from AoA in case of a warranty issue? Yes you can get a spare ECU (Difficult and expensive) and clone it. But many have elected to just chip and take the consequences. I doubt the APR chip with its cruise control switch, makes it any harder for the dealer to know you've chipped. Any mechanic working for the dealer would know to check your cruise control to see if you're chipped.

What's the turbo timer and what does it do?

 

The APR website and Joe Hoppen's website have information that may answer many questions.

www.goapr.com

www.hoppenmotorsport.com

 

I was told about the codes, but didn't know about...as you put it, the chastity belt!
At this point looking for options...as you know with the 2003 models (Not sure about older models) the car's maintenance is covered by the dealer for up to 4 years. So, was thinking to get the second ECU box (Was told it has to be purchased from the dealer and it goes from $480 and up. Haven't called yet) and exchange when going to dealer for major service and not oil change. At the same time don't want to spend an arm and a leg on this. So, yes cost is an issue and must balance the performance!
I do have the Tiptronic w/sport package (Which I assume its 2003 standard) and was told the valve sequence and tranny must be re-programmed for the proper gearing (Not sure!!)
You're right about the improved shifting; there was a big difference between my stock and the chipped Allorad I drove. The gas pedal was much responsive and had smooth gearing. I believe top end they'll all do the same, what I'm looking for is in low gear to get a better performance instead of flooring the gas pedal for it to move fast!

Next thing is to put a shopping list together and get a price quote. How did you shop for yours?

As for Turbo Timer...its hardware & software package that will keep the car running after you turned of the engine. This will ensures proper Turbo cooling. The cool thing is that while you could lock the car and walk away (with engine running) if you decided to get back in and drive away...no problem, you would just insert the key back in ignition and turn, the care would stay running! If I recall that was about $120-150 option, which I believe its well worth the money.

Did you look at other chip mnfg before going with APR? How much of a damage ($$ wise) did it set you back?

Cheers,
Reza

 

I am not chipped right now. I will likely go for the Tip Chip from Giac. It shouldn't affect the warranty, and is easy to remove should you worry about detection.

I have mixed emotions about the ECU chip. The ar is not really a 0-60 vehicle, though it is plenty quick stock. Where it really flies is once you're going, say on the fwy and you want to pass, this thing will F L Y around other vehicles, even w/o the chip. From what I remember looking at graphs, the ECU chips give the biggest bang in the 3-4k rpm range. Most of the lower the torque/hp curve and increase the power. As the revs max out the gains are less.

One thing to consider is if you have a tiptronic, there are those who have posted that the tip tranny will not take 360 ft/lb of torque. There are those who say it's no problem. I don't think there is a definitive answer on this one. But for those who still want to chip and are worried about exceeding torque limits on the tip, some companies make a chip with torque limited to 300 ft/lbs or so. I have no idea how much LESS performance that kind of chip yields vs. a "normal" ecu chip. If anyone has accel numbers/impressions please post them.

As for the chastity belt, yes it is a pain because you can remove it by notching the broken off torx head, but you need to replace it with new torx screws with breakaway heads. I suppose you could leave the heads on and only snap them off if you're going in for warranty work.

As for the spare ECU, you can not purchase a spare ECU from Audi without revealing to them your VIN number. There are those who say "so what, it proves nothing other than I bought another ECU." Well, IMHO why give them ANY info on what you're doing. If you do buy a spare ECU from the dealer, because of the Immobilizer "feature", you'll have to get a unlock code from AoA to activate the new ecu. And when you replace the original ecu back in the car, once again the car will recognize that "original" ecu as a "new" ecu and you'll have to contact Audi again for a new code.

The way around this is to buy an untracable spare ecu. They're not cheap. PM me if you want to know how to do this. What you do is clone the spare so that your car recognizes it as the original and you won't need a new Immobilizer code.

So yes, you can be stealthy and chip your ecu. It won't be cheap and it's now a lot of hassle. You need to ask yourself if it's worth all the expense and all the hassle.

Of course there certain members here who enthusiastically blew their stock turbos and upgraded to KO4's! AND they got their extended warranty company to pay for it!!!