parks853

Purpose
Conduct data logs and dyno testing of GIAC, REVO, and APR resulting in the most appropriate software for my 2005.5 Audi A4 2.0T Quattro 6 speed manual.

Approach

Conditions
The data logs were conducted using a Ross Tech vag-com HEX+CAN USB interface with the Turbo button enabled. A Mustang all-wheel-dyno, located at Vivid Racing, was used for the horsepower and torque measurements. Chevron 91 Octane was used through out the whole testing process. Each software flash was on the car for two weeks before it went to the dyno. The fuel pump installed on the car is the "B" pump. There are no modifications other than the software. All data logs were measured on the same road going the same direction. The logs were conducted in 3rd gear starting at 2500 RPM's followed by WOT until redline (6800 RPM's).

Software
GIAC was purchased at Evolution Motorsports, REVO at 20 Valve Tuners, and APR at Billy Boat exhaust. The GIAC was purchased and soon followed by a full refund with no hassles. 20 Valve Tuners also, refunded the full purchase price with no hassles. The APR was purchased since the timed trial would have expired before 2 weeks were reached (they will refund money up to 30 days). APR was tested using the 91 octane program. GIAC was loaded preconfigured for 91 octane. The REVO flash was set with timing at 1 and boost at 6 (set by 20 Valve Tuners).

Results

Air:Fuel - block 31 (calculated by Lambda actual * 14.7)
<img src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e329/parks853/software_comparison_1/APR-AFR-1.jpg">
<img src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e329/parks853/software_comparison_1/GIAC-AFR-1.jpg">
<img src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e329/parks853/software_comparison_1/REVO-AFR-1.jpg">

Fuel Rail Pressure - block 106 note check scale it is not 60 - 120
<img src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e329/parks853/software_comparison_1/APR-FRP-1.jpg">
<img src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e329/parks853/software_comparison_1/GIAC-FRP-1.jpg">
<img src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e329/parks853/software_comparison_1/REVO-FRP-1.jpg">

Boost - block 115 (calculated by (boost actual - 920) * .0145) note 920 is the pressure inside the turbo at idle here in Arizona.
<img src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e329/parks853/software_comparison_1/APR-Boost-1.jpg">
<img src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e329/parks853/software_comparison_1/GIAC-Boost-1.jpg">
<img src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e329/parks853/software_comparison_1/REVO-Boost-1.jpg">

Timing correction Factors (all cylinders) - block 20
<img src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e329/parks853/software_comparison_1/APR-CF-1.jpg">
<img src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e329/parks853/software_comparison_1/GIAC-CF-1.jpg">
<img src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e329/parks853/software_comparison_1/REVO-CF-1.jpg">

Timing - block 11
<img src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e329/parks853/software_comparison_1/APR-Timing-1.jpg">
<img src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e329/parks853/software_comparison_1/GIAC-Timing-1.jpg">
<img src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e329/parks853/software_comparison_1/REVO-Timing-1.jpg">

All the exhaust gas temperatures were within normal limits at or below 810 degrees C.

Dyno - note all the dyno numbers are uncorrected. Corrected numbers will be here soon as vivid racing fixes there printer.

APR vs Stock
<img src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e329/parks853/software_comparison_1/Dyno-APR-Stock-1.jpg">

GIAC vs Stock
<img src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e329/parks853/software_comparison_1/Dyno-GIAC-Stock-1.jpg">

REVO vs Stock
<img src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e329/parks853/software_comparison_1/Dyno-REVO-Stock-1.jpg">

order top to bottom = APR - REVO - GIAC
<img src="http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e329/parks853/software_comparison_1/Dyno-APR-GIAC-REVO-1.jpg">

Analysis and Conclusions
The testing went very well. There were many miles driven, a lot of time spent, many risks taken and much money blown, but I enjoyed meeting all the tuners and talking with the software companies. I am in no way affiliated with any software company, and did my best to keep the results fair and even. This report is my personal doing that I am nice enough to share with everyone with hopes of creating some very good technical discussions. I drove way to many miles (at least 110 miles each way 5 times) and spent too much money to have a pissing contest because of personal preferences. Not to mention that I beat the **** out of my baby. I went WOT in the last 6 weeks more than most people will in their A4's life. I am sorry baby... please forgive me!

That being said - I want to thank Mitch at Vivid Racing for doing all my dyno runs, Chris at 20 Valve tuners for loading and adjusting the REVO software, Anders at Evolution Motorsports for loading the GIAC, and Eric and Billy at Billy Boat exhaust for flashing my ECU with APR (and thanks to everyone for flashing me back to stock). If anyone is in the Phoenix area please pay these guys a visit - they were all good to me. Thanks again guys!

In the future I plan on testing new software revisions along with some hardware modifications. GIAC and APR informed me they were testing new software products at the time this article was written.

My personal feelings (yes opinions) not meant to start a pissing contest, just what I felt. APR felt very smooth, so smooth I was surprised at the power it made. APR has the smoothest shifts (don't seem to loose power between shifts). The REVO has a blast of torque that can be felt, but doesn't seem to hold its power as long. The GIAC felt similar to stock, but not as smooth (kind of choppy).

My rating
1. APR
2. REVO
3. GIAC

Dream TT

Thank you!! Very helpful info!! I was leaning toward APR anyway.

Flounderasu

I didn't think APR was in AZ yet....

Also, think the GIAC could've done a little better with some additonal tuning? Seems that their software seems far more adjustable than the others.

crew219

You mentioned that your tuner set the chip up for Timing:1 Boost:6

well for 91 octane REVO says it should be setup @ Timing:3 Boost:5

Other than that, good job. I think GIAC has a lot of explaining to do.

Dave<ul><li><a href="http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=2459337">http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=2459337</a</li></ul>

JohnStr

if you have the "b" fuel pump your chip is lower boost and not as aggressive as the "newer" pump that is in the later model 2006 B7's. I would be interested to find out which GIAC chip was tested here. I heard there is about a 2psi or 20hp difference between the two.

Maybe it explains my discontent with the GIAC chip I have and the findings here.

crew219

From the evidence most other tuners have shared, there is no real difference between B and F pumps. It's merely something that GIAC is propagating.

Dave

bhvrdr

Why increase timing when there is already retard in all 4 cylinders?

R32Mathieu

i really expected much more, but i'm still hoping the upgrades and the 93 version will be better.

crew219

Go figure the installer set it for 6 instead of 5.

Wouldn't timing be able to be increased a bit as boost is lowered? Or are the two mutually exclusive? I guess my point is that the REVO software tested was not what REVO recommends and not how they intended it to run therefore that should be taken into consideration.

Dave

parks853

Yes