Allroad chips -- what are the differences between them?
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Allroad chips -- what are the differences between them?
AMS, APR, GIAC, MTM. Can anyone tell me what the differences are between the chips, technically? How far do they raise boost (seems like to 14.5 psi) do they do it at all revs? What do they do to the timing advance curve? I assume premium fuel is required -- 91 or 93 octane? Do they enrich the air/fuel mix? How do they treat the engine under load, under overrun conditions? Do they all do the same thing or do they all take different approaches? Is it possible to find out how each one works to try to make an intelligent decision about what chip might be best for the way one expects to use their car? It seems to me that boosting HP by 60 is only one of many things I would like to know about a chip. Any information anyone has would be appreciated. Thanks.
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Some brief answers.
There are many opinions about all this. You'll need to form your own, since there's no one right answer. Reading and searching the archives of the S4(B5 platform) forum will help you a lot. People can get smart-assed in their answers, since this gets asked and discussed constantly. Educate yourself, we're not here to spoon-feed you. See, there's a smart-*** response. ;^)
In general, all the chips run the same recipe: more boost - roughly to the level you mention - , advance the timing a bit, and add more fuel to match the additional air. Hopefully, they don't make it too rich, though a bit too rich is better than too lean. Each tuner keeps the specifics of their secret sauce ... secret. If you read carefully, you'll figure out the subtle ways chips differ. Some chips don't like 91 craptane gas so well, but you need at least that with any 2.7T motor, even stock. You won't go wrong with any of the chips you mention.
-df
In general, all the chips run the same recipe: more boost - roughly to the level you mention - , advance the timing a bit, and add more fuel to match the additional air. Hopefully, they don't make it too rich, though a bit too rich is better than too lean. Each tuner keeps the specifics of their secret sauce ... secret. If you read carefully, you'll figure out the subtle ways chips differ. Some chips don't like 91 craptane gas so well, but you need at least that with any 2.7T motor, even stock. You won't go wrong with any of the chips you mention.
-df
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Re: Some brief answers.
Thanks. I knew pretty much what you said. The archives are full of people saying they like one chip over another without much substance in the post. It's also unlikely that most of the posters have tried more than one chip (although I'm sure there are some hard-core fanatics that have). There seems to be no way to make a truly informed decision on what you are buying -- all you have to go on is manufacturers claims (and they all claim about the same) and the testimonials of owners (here and elswhere) that have little comparative experience with the range of chips available and don't really have an in-depth technical understanding of them.
You're probably right that I won't go "wrong" with any of the chips I listed. I'm hopefully trying to collect enough information so I can go "right". I'd like to look at the trade-offs they made (and they all made trade-offs) and pick the one that made the trade-offs that I would have made (that better suit my driving and use of the car).
Thanks.
You're probably right that I won't go "wrong" with any of the chips I listed. I'm hopefully trying to collect enough information so I can go "right". I'd like to look at the trade-offs they made (and they all made trade-offs) and pick the one that made the trade-offs that I would have made (that better suit my driving and use of the car).
Thanks.
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I am going for a GIAC tip chip next week since they are the only makers of such a chip.
Then later a APR either DPI or regular chip.
I am going APR because I like the on/off feature which would be good for wife and in snow!
I am going APR because I like the on/off feature which would be good for wife and in snow!
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I am not super familiar with the allroad chips but...
I can enlighten you as to the characteristics of chips for the 1.8t (my last Audi). APR tends to develop programs that peak the boost early, and sustain the boost through mid RPM. The boost with APR tends to gradually decrease as you go higher in the RPM range. The APR spiked early, at like 3400 RPM with a max boost of about 17 PSI. Pinging did occur on 91 octane, only under load, and typically lower RPM.
GIAC tends to be more aggressive, and boost stays higher later in the RPM range. Boost peaked at 20 PSI at about 4000RPM, tailing off to 19PSI around 4500, and 17 PSI at 5000, and tailed off to 12 at 5200. It was boost that seemed to build, rather than hit and sustain like the APR. GIAC did ping a lot if I used 91 octane that was cheaper.
Surging did occur with the GIAC due to increased boost levels and signals to the N75. If you want high boost, think about different waste gates or upgrading the N75. Many espouse that a different Mass Airflow Sensor be used, like from the RS4.
Overall, the driveability rocked with the GIAC. It was dependable, never gave me any codes, or CEL's. I woul dgo GIAC on the 2.7T, except for the fact that they do not have the multiple program feature and on/off feature of the APR.
Hope that helped a little!
GIAC tends to be more aggressive, and boost stays higher later in the RPM range. Boost peaked at 20 PSI at about 4000RPM, tailing off to 19PSI around 4500, and 17 PSI at 5000, and tailed off to 12 at 5200. It was boost that seemed to build, rather than hit and sustain like the APR. GIAC did ping a lot if I used 91 octane that was cheaper.
Surging did occur with the GIAC due to increased boost levels and signals to the N75. If you want high boost, think about different waste gates or upgrading the N75. Many espouse that a different Mass Airflow Sensor be used, like from the RS4.
Overall, the driveability rocked with the GIAC. It was dependable, never gave me any codes, or CEL's. I woul dgo GIAC on the 2.7T, except for the fact that they do not have the multiple program feature and on/off feature of the APR.
Hope that helped a little!
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My opinion is that the best chip is the one your local, trusted tuner sells.
We hear stories about people that bought a mail order chip and something starts acting funny. Sure, the guys 1,000 miles away are willing to stand behind their product, but they are not going to fly over to investigate.
I have GIAC as my local tuner Induktion Motorsports is a GIAC dealer. If they had been an APR dealer I would have gotten an APR chip.
I have GIAC as my local tuner Induktion Motorsports is a GIAC dealer. If they had been an APR dealer I would have gotten an APR chip.
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Okay.
Milpitas 2.7T has tested many chips in his S4 and is a level-headed guy. Look for his posts. He also has an allroad. QCRAZY has posted some boost maps in the S4 forum that approximate how hard different chips push the turbos. I can't find a link right now.
GIAC's program for the 2001 allroad is their older Sport or S file. That delivers less boost than the newer X-chip and is very smooth on 91 octane. Some have complained about half-throttle surging at 3-4K rpm when running X on 91. GIAC's IBE switch is available now for the allroad. It uses the original chip for its stock program.
-df
GIAC's program for the 2001 allroad is their older Sport or S file. That delivers less boost than the newer X-chip and is very smooth on 91 octane. Some have complained about half-throttle surging at 3-4K rpm when running X on 91. GIAC's IBE switch is available now for the allroad. It uses the original chip for its stock program.
-df
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