Update on the APR program for my B7

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Jan 8, 2007 | 08:37 AM

vplaza

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Update on the APR program for my B7

After getting the APR 91 Octane program done last Thursday, I wanted to give the car some testing this weekend to see if it really did anything. While I didn't get to do as much testing with this as I had planned, I can definitely say that there are real improvements in performance and overall driveability in the car. This is purely unscientific, but....

First off, prior to the program, I could always beat our A4 off the line with our A3. Every time. Even if the A4 got a jump at the light, the A3 could always reel it in and pass it easily. Not any more. If the A4 and A3 start closely off the line, the A3 doesn't walk away from the A4 as it used to. And, if the A4 gets any type of jump, the A3 has a hard time gaining on the A4.

The A3 is still a tad quicker, but the gap has definitely closed quite a bit. I don't have a G-Tech Pro or anything, nor did we take it to a drag strip, but these test runs were enough to let me know that the APR program did its job.

And the car just seems more responsive and easier to drive with the extra power and torque on tap. We really like it.

Jan 8, 2007 | 08:46 AM

Gorobei

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Not trying to be an A$$, but is your butt dyno really so off that you doubted gains were made?

Like I said, I'm not trying to be a jerk, but I've never read of anyone needing to do tests to determine whether or not there was a difference. Yes, people to try *quantify* the difference, but it's just crazy to me that the testing went beyond flexing your right foot and saying "yup, that's faster!".

Jan 8, 2007 | 08:50 AM

vplaza

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Some butt dynos are more sensitive than others, I suppose.

I've had chips/programs before with other cars, where the difference was not readily noticeable. And yes, on the way home on Thursday it "felt" somewhat faster than before, but was it really faster or was it wishful thinking on my part. What I was trying to do was quantify how much this had improved it.

Glad to know that your SOTP dynamometer is that accurate.

Jan 8, 2007 | 08:53 AM

maaliish

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I'm surprised A3 is still quicker or even the same. Your A4 should be much faster off the line

due to quattro and with chip it should keep pulling away at speed. I think you may need to improve your launch and shifting skills :-)

Those DSG A3s are pretty quick though.

Jan 8, 2007 | 08:59 AM

vplaza

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Nope. A3 is still quicker, albeit not by much now.

The A4 gained quite a bit in hp and torque, but it's still a heavier car, has Quattro, and Tip. Considering that the advertised 0-60 times for the A3 2.0T DSG is 6.7 seconds and the A4 2.0T QT is 7.5 seconds, it should take more than an ECU upgrade to get the A4 over the A3.

I figure adding the Testpipe would clearly put it over the A3.

Jan 8, 2007 | 09:34 AM

gk1

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From: NJ->CO

Yeah the added 300lbs or so does make a bit of a difference.

Did you brake torque the A4? I've noticed that makes quite a bit of difference when launching the tip.

I estimate the GIAC chip would drop about 1 sec off the 0-60 times which make sense with what you said.

A3 6.7s
A4 7.5S
A4+chip about 6.5s extra weight must still be an issue as well as differences in chip brand.