Ok, finally, after debating for 7 months, 12K miles and god knows how many lines of posts, articles, web pages and all kinds of info that I could get my hands to, I have decided to chip my car.<p>I narrowed the search based on performance gains, price, after sale support and how widely used were they. So I eneded up considering Wett 1.0, Neuspeed P-Chip and MTM Stage-1 (Hoppen).<p>Please note, that these conclusions were based on my preferences. I wanted a compromise between performance increase and long term reliability. This may be the only upgrade I do to the engine and I didn't want to go over 200hp, also I have a FWD manual.<p>These were the chips I considered and the Pro's & Con's of each one (in my limited knowledge...based on my personal preferences...No flames, please) so it will help anyone else considering chipping their car.<p>1) Wett 1.0 Bar.<br>Pro's:<br>- Most gains in hp and torque of all <br>- Widely used by many on this board<br>- Well documented & helpful technical people at Wett<br>- New price discount for A4.org ($595 vs. $695)<br>- Well known origin of chip research and development, testing, versions, etc.<br>- Chip socket for easy change back to stock if desired.<p>Con's:<br>- Even though on the Dyno, they had the most gains, it doesn't seem to be the fastest on 0-60 & 50-70mph acceleration tests.<br>- It seems that 14.7 psi is pushing it a tad for the small K03 turbo.<br>- Long term reliability was a concern to me. Comparing to all the other chips, if Wett is making that much more torque and hp than the others, they must be getting it from somewhere (extreme timing advances, extreme turbo rpm / boost, etc I don't know) I plan to keep this car for a while.<br>- Some down time was involved while the ECU was shipped, etc.<p><br>2) Neuspeed P-Chip<br>Pro's:<br>- Most Bang for the buck (prices varies from $199 to $169 depends who you talk to)<br>- Good reviews by many on this board<br>- Very conservative approach, 12 PSI Boost, I doubt this chip can cause too much stress to the turbo, hoses, clucth, etc.<br>- Well known company that has been in the business for quite some time on VW, Hondas, etc.<br>- If I didn't like this chip, I could always get another and I will be down only a couple of hundred bucks.<p>Con's:<br>- Not much increase in hp or torque. I have seen three different graphs for this chip, and all of them are different??? I talked to Neuspeed and they say that is rated at 170 - 177 hp and they couldn't tell me the gain in torque or at what RPM's. So it is still unclear to me the true gains of the chip.<br>- I don't really know how much development was put into this chip and that may explain their very conservative approach and mild gains.<br>- No ECU Socket, they re-program your existing AMD chip. They are working one one for $40 but is not ready yet.<br>- Some down time to ship ECU, you pay for next day, otherwise, they ship 2nd day.<p>3) MTM (distributed by Hoppen here in the U.S.)<br>Pro's:<br>- Flatest Torque curve at all RPM's according to graphs I've seen. (202 lbs/ft peak)<br>- Hp curve & Torque curve resembles shape of stock curves, just higher. Fewer peaks <br>- Good compromise on hp ouput & long term reliability (187 hp) <br>- MTM is Audi tuner in Germany, Mayer worked in the development team of the 1.8T engine for Audi.<br>- In Germany, you can order the A4 with this chip directly from Audi.<br>- Local shop in Atlanta can install the chip, no down time.<p>Con's:<br>- Pricey for increase offered, considering Neuspeed is only 10 hp less for $500 less (chip is $695)<br>- No Socket, Wett is the only one offering this.<br>- 14 PSI boost. Is almost as "boosty" as the 14.7 PSI of Wett<br>- Slower than other less expensive chips, maybe a little faster than neuspeed?<p>Based on all that, I chose to go with the MTM. I still think is kind of pricey considering the options out there. But I liked the fact that is a good compromise between performance & reliability without pushing the engine's design envelope. Also, the fact that I can have it installed locally, makes me feel better in case of problems, I'll have somebody that can take a look at it. This chip was developed by a tuner that has very close ties with Audi and helped design the 1.8T, hopefully, that knowledge will be reflected in his software as well. I am sure he could have obtained more gains with the chip but opted not to do so in favor of reliability.<p>The decision was hard, all chips are different and offer different things depending on your preferences and it comes down to a matter of choice. And under different circustances, they may perform better than others. Dyno graphs are there for reference but they don't tell you the whole story. <p>Maybe we can have a switch to change to different programs on the ECU! ;-)<p>I ordered it today and I should get it installed by the end of the week. I'll post my impressions then.<p>Sergio<br>98.5 1.8TMS / Pearl / Stock not for long.

You failed to mention which chip was the fastest?

I think you made a WISE decision. If I lived in your area, I would have gone for the Hoppen chip as well. But as I live near AMS which supplies the ABT chip (also a German Audi Tuner, and was their STW race team), I went with that one. But I got the Stage II, which it a bit more HP than what you got.<p>I originaly had the Neuspeed chip, but for me it really did not give me enough, and I was able to get a deal by trading in that chip for the AMS (ABT) Stage II, so I did, and really noticed even more of a difference in power gains. Sure, it is only around $199 - but just like the price is lower, so is the output.

<br>nt

My 99 is already done taht is how Sergio made up his mind. i took him for a ride.

Like I said, is hard to tell according to the Dyno. On a review of AMS, TAP, Wett and MTM done by EC magazine, even though the AMS showed less improvements on the Dyno, was faster than the Wett Chip on certain tests.<p>All the chips will give you VERY similar results, with differences in times of a fraction of a second. Some chips may be better at the low end, some better at the high end. Do you like to rev high? Get one with high HP output, Do you like low end power? try to maximize torque at the low end.<p>Also, I am sure, that if you know where the power lies on your chip, you can maximize its performance by knowing at what RPM's to shift. So, after you get your chip, get to know where its "sweet spot" is to better your times.<p>Sergio.<br>98.5 1.8TMS / Pearl

nt.

nt.

What about the TAP chip?

Sergio,<br>Great summary - thanks. I'm also curious as to why you did not consider the TAP chip as a "finalist"?<p>I agree that local installation/service is a big advantage. Does anyone know of a place in the NY/CT area that would install/service any one of the aforementioned chips?<p>Chris

Auto Firme installs the TAP chip.<br>Their address is:<br>Route 22<br>Finwood Drive<br>Pawling, NY 12564<br>(914) 855-0170<p>Talk to Greg.

The reason I didn't choose TAP or the AMS chip is because they were not as widely used as the Wett, MTM or Neuspeed, at least, in the places that I've look (this forum, locally in our club, etc). I wanted something that was more "common" so I could share with others if I ran into problems, etc.<p>Also, one member of our club here in Atlanta, is not too happy with his TAP chip and he is switching to MTM. He says that the TAP feels faster than the MTM but that the TAP didn't feel "right" to him??? I didn't ask specifics. Preference?<p>Anyways, I had to narrow some choices or I was going to go crazy ;-) So AMS and TAP were out and left me with: The most powerful (Wett), the cheapest and most conservative (Neuspeed) and in the middle of the two (MTM).<p>Hope this helps.<p>Sergio <br>98.5 1.8TMS / Pearl / MTM soon!<br>

Great post! When I finally get my A4, I will probably go with the MTM too, based on what has been reported in A4.org.<p>However, in the interest of a complete pro/con list, I beleive the Neuspeed is the only chip that eliminates the top speed governor. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, because this is an issue with me and I want my facts to be straight before I make my final decision.<p>Thanks again Sergio; good luck!<p>Jimmy P.<br>'88 Honda Quaalude

nt.

Wetterauer will offer the same discount on the 2.8 30v chip. When you fill out the discount form, make sure to note that you have a 2.8 30v.

Wett still offers the .8 bar chip that gives you 180hp. Hence, it would be a balance of performance and reliability.

S-<p>It's great that you have shared with us your opinions of some of the chip options.<p>However, I get the impression you are under-informed / misinformed to make some of these conclusions.<p>We should all be careful about speculative statements like:<p> - It seems that 14.7 psi is pushing it a tad<br> for the small K03 turbo.<p>please provide evidence for these claims. <p> - Long term reliability [...] they must be<br> getting it from somewhere. <p>the fact is, you don't know where or how. how can you associate reliability with higher performance based on your knowledge or experience?<p> - Some down time was involved while the ECU was <br> shipped, etc.<br> <br>Wett offers a 'loaner' while yours is in transit.<p> - Very conservative approach, 12 PSI Boost...<p>very conservative? compared to wett or stock? it's quite aggressive if you compare it to stock.<p> - No Socket, Wett is the only one offering this.<p>The Garret engine tuning chips are socketed...<p><br>14 psi is OK, but 14.7 psi constitutes a long term reliability problem? at what point to *you* *think* the engine is at risk? What's long term anyway? Let's say you distroy the turbo after 3years, replace it! how much could it cost? ($1000 on my Saab) You're going to replace brakes, tires, fluids, etc.<p>

<br>maybe you're in europe or something... but there's probably no governor in europe.

Jay,<p>As I explained on my original post..."based on my limited knowledge..". I am not claiming to be an expert or trying to promote or demote other chips. I am just trying to share with others the reasons why I chose the chip that I chose. Is up to you, as an informed smart adult individual, to agree or not to agree with my choice.<p>I think that I made the decision that was right for me, with the amount of information that I have and with my limited knowledge. It was not intended to be the LAW of the chip!<p>Since you seem to be very informed, maybe, instead of bashing my post, you should contribute your views with all of us. I have been asking, as many other in this board, for recomendations for chips, you were no where to be found, and your vast knowledge of the subject will be greatly appreciated it.<p>I will not go into answering your questions since I do not have to prove anything to you. The answers to your questions you should be able to find for yourself if you really do your research.<p>Thanks for listening.<p>Sergio.<br>98.5 1.8TMS / Pearl

I chose MTM also (installed 1 week ago) for most of the same reasons. Price seems even more reasonable when you consider that there is no add'l charge to reprogram the ECU for future upgrades. I,m doing remainder of 250 hp kit in early spring.

Sergio,<br>Could you ask this member what the details are? I have a TAP chip and it "feels" fine.<br>Chris<br>

Priority? No. However, 1)I do have a mind to race my car (on the track), 2) it seems silly to spend money on a performance chip that doesn't remove the governor (it's only there because of OEM tire rating and that will change, of course), and 3) the A4 deserves a better answer to that age old question "What'll she do?" (even if you never actually go there yourself).<p>By the way, with a chip upgrade and no governor, what'll she do? Anyone know? 140mph?<p>Jimmy P.

I am looking at the Wett 0.8 bar, 180 HP chip (they still have it, just don't promote it on their Web pages) as a good balance between power increase and reliability with good road-tested drivability from a company with lots of Audi experience.<p>EricB<br>98 1.8TQMS

The point I was trying to make is, there is a lot of misfounded opinion presented on this board.<p>I bashed your post because there were a couple of statements that tend to lead to rumor explosion.<p>I can't have everything my way, I guess.<p>Nevertheless, for the potential chip buyer, this info is better than not having any at all.<br>

Sergio,<p>Can you post the URLs where you collected all this infO?<p>I'd like to know the MTM URL that has the dynographs, etc.<p>Thanks!

For MTM in Germany (is all in german but it's got the graphs)<br>http://www.mtm-online.de/<p>For Hoopen Motorsport (In U.S., distributors of MTM here)<br>http://www.hoppenmotorsport.com/<p>For Wett in U.S.<br>http://www.chip-tuning.com/<p>For TAP in U.S.<br>http://ww.tap1.com/<p>For Neuspeed<br>http://www.neuspeed.com/<br>or<br>http://www.greedspeed.com/<p>This should get you started. Also, there is a good article in the May issue of European Car where they compare the MTM, AMS, TAP & WETT, I think there is a magazine that came out this month with the exact same article. I don't know the name, I saw a post here somewhere, I think is "Turbo something" magazine.<p>Good luck<p>Sergio<br>98.5 1.8TMS / Pearl / MTM Stage 1<br>