Stand alone engine management
Thread Starter
New Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Stand alone engine management
My question relates to people running a turbo larger than a K04 (ie GT28RS or similar). I have limited tuning experience so bear with me.
From reading the forums it seems like software is by far the hardest part of the equation to get right. Where I live its not too hard to get a custom exhaust manifold and FMIC made up, and fuel delivery is easily fixed by larger injectors and maybe a fuel pressure regulator.
The biggest problems people seem to have is with the software that comes with the kits. So the why arent more people using a Motec or similar? Admittedly this would require some initial work with your local tuner (Im not sure how much) but wouldnt this be much more reliable in the end?
Your thoughts would be appreciated - cheers
From reading the forums it seems like software is by far the hardest part of the equation to get right. Where I live its not too hard to get a custom exhaust manifold and FMIC made up, and fuel delivery is easily fixed by larger injectors and maybe a fuel pressure regulator.
The biggest problems people seem to have is with the software that comes with the kits. So the why arent more people using a Motec or similar? Admittedly this would require some initial work with your local tuner (Im not sure how much) but wouldnt this be much more reliable in the end?
Your thoughts would be appreciated - cheers
Elder Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 14,366
Likes: 1
Stand alones are not juat a plug and play, there is plenty of work to just get them to run right.
There are kits out there that are larger then a K04, those would be the APR and PES kits. AWE and APR have been working on a 350 hp kit. The main problem with our cars is that if you go stand alone you have to throw the ecu and cluster out.
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 8,510
Likes: 0
So what's the big deal?
Someone who isn't sponsored could easily spend 3k PLUS in getting "custom raped" by Garrett or someone else, considering you have to ship your car to them and if you ever change anything on your car, you will have to retune and dish out more dough.
A standalone makes a lot of sense for you, I don't understand why you didn't do it. Why put yourself at the mercy of a tooner who may or may not have any idea what to do. A good shop can set up a standalone in about a day and a half, fully tuned.
A standalone makes a lot of sense for you, I don't understand why you didn't do it. Why put yourself at the mercy of a tooner who may or may not have any idea what to do. A good shop can set up a standalone in about a day and a half, fully tuned.
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 16,093
Likes: 0
a good shop? well, a good shop can do that, assuming they have setup similiar cars in the past...
it is easy for the cars that have paved the way.... but there aren't that many people that have done standalone on the 1.8T, let alone the A4 version...
if you have a baseline to start from, you aren't tuning so much as tweaking, but with no baseline, you are in for more than a day and a half of work...
No to mention the amount of data that goes through the ECU on our cars that is not necessarily engine related is kinda high, so there are lots of factors.
I agree, standalone is a great tool, but it is a LOT of work... especially for the first few people...
if you have a baseline to start from, you aren't tuning so much as tweaking, but with no baseline, you are in for more than a day and a half of work...
No to mention the amount of data that goes through the ECU on our cars that is not necessarily engine related is kinda high, so there are lots of factors.
I agree, standalone is a great tool, but it is a LOT of work... especially for the first few people...
New Member
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 425
Likes: 0
www.034efi.com/
<center><img src="http://034efi.com/images/FeaturedUsers/RHill/DSCF0125.jpg"></center><p>javad has developed a stand alone system for audi's in particular, but it also works on just about everything else. it's the lowest priced stand alone out there. he has a guy running it on 1.8t race motor and it says that they had a jetta in the 1.8t challenge running it. he is very helpful with any questions you may have too.<ul><li><a href="http://034efi.com/">here</a></li></ul>
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 3,019
Likes: 0
From: Central NJ
OK - I have a question for all of you
Are there any piggy back systems that are worth it?
When I installed my T-28 kit I fabbed all of my own intake/FMIC/exhaust piping and somewhere along the way I thought - why did I buy a kit anyway? I could easily buy a manifold, turbo, injectors, and plumbing and make my own kit. - Oh yeah - tuning. I would need custom tuning.
Well now I want my current chip tweaked and PES will not even return my calls. I am really thinking of selling my kit and buy a GT28RS or GT2871. But then we run right back into the tuning problem. I do not want to lose my cluster, but have a few bucks to play with. What options do I have?
I have a friend that wants me to do a piggy back system that he sells. He swears it runs fine with my ECU and can do it for ~$600 installed.
I am tired of watching Honda guys and other ppl tune their cars with a laptop, while I sit staring at the phone waiting for PES to call me back...
When I installed my T-28 kit I fabbed all of my own intake/FMIC/exhaust piping and somewhere along the way I thought - why did I buy a kit anyway? I could easily buy a manifold, turbo, injectors, and plumbing and make my own kit. - Oh yeah - tuning. I would need custom tuning.
Well now I want my current chip tweaked and PES will not even return my calls. I am really thinking of selling my kit and buy a GT28RS or GT2871. But then we run right back into the tuning problem. I do not want to lose my cluster, but have a few bucks to play with. What options do I have?
I have a friend that wants me to do a piggy back system that he sells. He swears it runs fine with my ECU and can do it for ~$600 installed.
I am tired of watching Honda guys and other ppl tune their cars with a laptop, while I sit staring at the phone waiting for PES to call me back...
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 8,510
Likes: 0
Give me a break.
All you need is a wiring diagram, a throttle body and linkage for the DBW cars and a soldering gun.
THIS IS NOT ROCKET SCIENCE, FOLKS. The tuners just don't want you doing your own thing.
I've set up a standalone on an Evo and it takes a day, even with a crappy base map. If you're worth anything, you can do it.
"But, Joe, it's an AUDI, it's COMPLICATED."
No it's not, get that silly thought out of your thick skull. All it is is fuel, spark, boost and timing. God, this tuner brainwashing is almost Orwellian.
THIS IS NOT ROCKET SCIENCE, FOLKS. The tuners just don't want you doing your own thing.
I've set up a standalone on an Evo and it takes a day, even with a crappy base map. If you're worth anything, you can do it.
"But, Joe, it's an AUDI, it's COMPLICATED."
No it's not, get that silly thought out of your thick skull. All it is is fuel, spark, boost and timing. God, this tuner brainwashing is almost Orwellian.
Trending Topics
Junior Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 538
Likes: 0
hey I agree, i say go for it unless your car is a daily then i would hold off, I would jump at the
opportunity to do that to my car, my car is just for fun though so It doesnt matter if it sits there dead for a couple weeks. I would love to run my t-28 to the full limits
AudiWorld Stories
Bringing Audi to Life for Audi Fans
Top 10 Most Expensive Audis Ever Sold on Bring-A-Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Audi Features & Options We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Audi Recreates Crazy-Looking Speed Record Breaker From 1935
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilder Recreates the 1995 Audi TTS Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Every Audi V10 Car Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
9 Audi Designs That Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
2026 Audi Q5 Buyer's Guide (Every Model Explained)
Brett Foote
Ranking Every Current Audi 'S' Model From Worst to First!
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Audis That are FINALLY LEGAL to Import to the U.S.!
Joe Kucinski
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 16,093
Likes: 0
I am not arguing the actual install of the ecu... my point is without a basemap, you are looking
at more than a day of work....
on an evo, it is easy, on the miata, easy, DSMs, etc...
all I am saying is starting from scratch and getting it perfect takes some work...
on an evo, it is easy, on the miata, easy, DSMs, etc...
all I am saying is starting from scratch and getting it perfect takes some work...