Can anybody explain this chip tuning for me. Previously I had the impression that the chip was individually optimized while sitting in the car or at least in the ECU. Reading the experience on this subject at AudiWorld.com it seems as if you simply can receive the chip by mail order and install it yourself by picking out the original and solder in the modified. Is this the case, and can anybody recommend a tuning shop in USA where i can order a chip for a A3 1.8 T.

The chips are optimized for a certain batch of ECUs, since there are many different versions used even in the same year-model, at least that is the case in the A4. I'm not sure if all A3s use the very same ECU version, but have serious doubts about it. What you need to do is to find out your ECU number (printed on top of the ECU box) and supply it to your tuner so he'll know exactly what chip you need.

As the A3 is not sold in the US, it seems you'll be unable to find a tuner that offers chips for the car. Are you in Europe? Plenty of choices there, MTM, ABT, Oettinger, Wetterauer come to mind. You can install it yourself if you're interested and technically experienced, but I understand this is a no-charge service from the seller so it would be a good choice to get the job done at their shop.

Good luck
Carlos

Talk to neuspeed they are just tooling up to do the A3 chip, also if you where to have a new ECU at your dealer they would just fit it and not do extensive diagnostics like some chip tuning companies might so perhaps are engines are more similar than you think