Is APR the only company that sells upgraded chips with ecu's? I have a 99.5 1.8T FWD, and 2 anti-chip dealers in Columbus, Ohio. They WILL void the warranty. I like the fact of getting another ecu, and swapping back to stock during servicing.

Also, should I get the .8 for reliability reasons? I don't know if I want such high boost in my car all the time. I want to put 100,000 miles on my car, if not more.

APR quoted me at $599. Is anyone interested in starting a group buy on this?

-Dan

you mentioned "Also, should I get the .8 for reliability reasons? I don't know if I want such high boost in my car all the time."

I may be wrong, but if you talk to those A4 owners who have chipped their cars and have boost gauges you'll hear that during normal driving (highway driving, going to the store, whatever, but not auto-x) most of the time the turbo is in a vacuum, meaning there is no boost going on. Only when you apply WOT does the boost go up to the max 10psi, 12psi or however hard you push it to. So when you say you don't want "such high boost in your car all the time", doesn't really happen unless your flooring your car everytime you apply the throttle.

Some may still argue that getting a .8 vs 1.0 bar is better because XYZ reason. You'll have to decide for yourself...your ultimately the one who has to feel comfortable with it. Many folks on this board have 1.0 bars with no problems or worries, while others have 0.8's with equal satisfaction. I'm going out on a limb and saying, from what I've read here (and talked to owners), that 1.0 bars do not effect the reliability of your car anymore than a 0.8 bar chip would. Again, whatever makes you feel better.

If you check the archives you'll find TONS of information. Chip manufacturers answer questions too and typically can be specific on what you're looking for.

HTH

Ed
99.5 1.8TQMS

I believe the $599 price from APR was for a group purchase that was put together. As far as the high boost issue, from what I have read on this board from the people with boost gauges, max boost is a rare occurence and usually only seen at WOT.

RickD
99.5 1.8tqms Garrett

J/k. It's Wide Open Throttle.

though it is a bit torquer down low. My theory is that the KO3 cannot support 1.0 bar above about 4000 rpm, so no difference between 0.8 and 1.0 bar at high speed.

Well, I called both APR and Autothority. I've decided to go with the Autothority Chip+ECU. This way I'll be able to swap my stock ecu back in when taking it in for service.

Autothority said their chip was close to a .8bar, which should max out at about 11psi or so. They claim 193 HP with a torque gain of 50 with their K&N filter. That's fine for me. I am concerned about pinging, etc., so I opted for something similar to the TT engine specs/A4 1.8 180hp European edition. So I hope I'll be happy with the .8bar.

Cost was $650 including delivery, ecu, filter, and overnight delivery.

There also is a 30 day guarantee, plus I can always change to 1 bar if I'm unhappy.

They are overnighting the chip+ecu to me tomorrow morning. The countdown begins!!!

-Dan
99.5 A4 1.8T Soon to be chipped!

nt