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Just a thought on the value of stock...

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BostonFamilyGuy

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I'll admit, I've never really considered chipping a car.. until now.
Maybe it's a sign of early-onset mid-life crisis?
Image

Anyway, with a 6-speed manual and the technology built into the 2.0T, I'm wondering if I should just leave it the way it is?
More likely than not, I'm going to get the Euro cup-holder. Wife is already on-board with that.
I'll probably tint the windows as well.
But, in chipping the engine, I'll likely lose some city fuel economy, and frankly, with an engine that some have reported that puts 195hp on the ground, maybe that's good enough.
And, if the 2.0T is, in fact, 215hp at the crank, is it worth $500 to get up to 245??
 
#2 ·
Re: Just a thought on the value of stock... (BostonFamilyGuy)

Quote, originally posted by BostonFamilyGuy »
I'll admit, I've never really considered chipping a car.. until now.
Maybe it's a sign of early-onset mid-life crisis?
Image

Anyway, with a 6-speed manual and the technology built into the 2.0T, I'm wondering if I should just leave it the way it is?
More likely than not, I'm going to get the Euro cup-holder. Wife is already on-board with that.
I'll probably tint the windows as well.
But, in chipping the engine, I'll likely lose some city fuel economy, and frankly, with an engine that some have reported that puts 195hp on the ground, maybe that's good enough.
And, if the 2.0T is, in fact, 215hp at the crank, is it worth $500 to get up to 245??

It is good enough true but there is always room for more. I have friends with GTIs with much bigger than stock turbos, VR6 GTIs etc. and they can't believe how strong my car pulls all the way to redline.
Even considering that, if you want more get more! These days with the switching technology if you play your cards right, you will never ever get found out by a tech/dealer. In terms of reliability, there are people in the 2.0T FSI forum that have reported 5k plus, 10k plus etc. miles with 0 problems with the big 3 chip tuners (APR, Revo, GIAC). In terms of MPG, it actually increases maybe 2-3 mpg believe it or not. The tune changes the fuel maps to be perfect for the fuel octane rating you run while still leaving in the factory safe-guards to protect your engine. The MPG will only decrease if you are romping it too much.
Go for it! http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif
Image
 
#3 ·
Re: Just a thought on the value of stock... (Rhein)

Is the mpg improvement real? And is it in city or hwy driving or both? (Obviously I know more power means less fuel economy and more speeding tickets, used to have a chipped S4).
Which tuner is regarded as the most fuel friendly and what are the prices for each tuner?
 
Discussion starter · #4 ·
Re: Just a thought on the value of stock... (S4inSoFla)

From what I've read here at the Vortex, fuel economy is improved on the highway, but that city economy is reduced a bit.
This *could* be due to the temptation to drive a little harder in the city, but I'm not sure.
As for price, the three biggies: APR, Revo and Giac are all about the same ($500) for a boost up to 245-250hp, which is about a 30-40hp boost from stock (based on actual dyno runs)
Again, from what I've read, Giac seems to be the most reliable while Revo seems to be more accessible. APR seems to be more of a nitch product.
I'm still considering my options.
 
#5 ·
Re: Just a thought on the value of stock... (S4inSoFla)

Quote, originally posted by S4inSoFla »
Is the mpg improvement real? And is it in city or hwy driving or both? (Obviously I know more power means less fuel economy and more speeding tickets, used to have a chipped S4).
Which tuner is regarded as the most fuel friendly and what are the prices for each tuner?

I am reading up a lot in the MKV forum and the 2.0T forum and honestly that is what I read. More than a handful of people reported that they saw an actual improvment when the chipped their cars. This is of course if they didn't drive it too hard.
I know the more power equals less economy, that usually is true but it depends on what kind of engine too. Most of the power a chipped turbo engine makes is through bumping up the boost so if you are keeping out of higher boost you should not reduce fuel economy. The tuners also load fuel maps for specific the octane of fuel you use vs. what anyone in the world who might by the car could use.
I know there are sensors and etc. that adjust timing for less grade fuel like 87 and cut your power to stay safe but the new maps know the exact fuel you will use and they are purely optimized for it. Hence the tiny maybe 2-3mpg better if you are driving out of hard boost. You still have the safe-guards in place just incase you use crap fuel though too.

From what I read it is the big 3 that are mentioned the most. I will try to dig up one of the threads about it.
 
#7 ·
Re: (f_399)

Quote, originally posted by f_399 »
i am saving up, giac quoted me almost 800 with the ability to go back to stock so the dealer wont find out

Too bad your in Texas, a so cal revo dealer quoted me 588 total for the programming and SPS. They said they are having a special. Revo is making the same power as GIAC minus I think like 3-5ft.lbs. I will be in so cal early Aug.
 
#8 ·
the HP jump might not seem like alot but the torque is pushed to 300ft of torque!.. thats about 260 ft.lb of torque to the wheels!.
YOu will love the extra torque. Completly changed my 1.8T, should do the same for the 2.0T.
Go for it!!! it takes like 15 mins to get chipped.. come on now.
JT
 
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#9 ·
Re: (x9t)

Quote, originally posted by x9t »
the HP jump might not seem like alot but the torque is pushed to 300ft of torque!.. thats about 260 ft.lb of torque to the wheels!.
YOu will love the extra torque. Completly changed my 1.8T, should do the same for the 2.0T.
Go for it!!! it takes like 15 mins to get chipped.. come on now.
JT

In practical terms its the torque improvement that brings the mpg improvement because you can achieve like for like performance on the road in a higher gear, at least that's the pitch for TDIs and it seems to be commonly achieved. Its like the extra bhp is there when you need it but the extra torque is there all the time.
Image
 
Discussion starter · #10 ·
Re: (gamichea)

So, once it's been done, my understanding is that I can also purchase a flash module where I can swap the software back and forth (i.e. factory to chipped and back again).
While I'm a bit of a techie, I've never worked on automotive computers. I also don't have a garage (live in the city)
Does this process require a clean environment, or could I do it on the sidewalk?


Modified by BostonFamilyGuy at 5:47 AM 7-25-2006
 
#11 ·
Its easy, with APR, you just hold the cruise control button for like 10 sec, turn the key off and then back on. Done takes about 25 sec to set it to stock from chipped or chipped to stock. Im not sure how to do it with GIAC, but im sure its easy, just plug it in and wait for like15 sec and then it should be done.. some one else will let you know. Easiest mod ever... its easier than installing clear side markers lol
JT
 
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