Some basic Revo Stage 1 Questions

**RichTJ99** · 05-02-2008 08:43 AM

Hi,

I am enjoying my 2008 A4 SE very much & while I have not made it to the 1000 mile full throttle mileage yet, I will be doing that soon. It got me thinking about chipping. I am fortunate to have a Revo dealer 5 miles from my house (Driversport). So I think that is the way I will go.

I am not planning any big mods for my A4 (Tinted windows & the chip sounds like a no brainer).

I was curious about:

1. When you have revo installed, do you drive in Sport mode or Drive mode?

2. When the software is installed, does the installer do anything or is it a "vanilla" flavored installation? Does the installer "tune" the car or is it just out of the box?

3. Are reflashes typically free?

4. How many miles should be on the car before flashing?

5. I have seen mentions of a switch to turn the software off when your servicing the car. How does that typically work? Is there a button or something?

6. Are the long term effects of chipping known? Will this hurt the longevity of the car (I tend to keep cars until 100k-120k miles)?

7. What tends to break when using Revo? I have seen mentions of something called a "DV". Is that expensive to replace?

Thanks,
Rich

What will likely break?

**masteroc** · 05-02-2008 08:52 AM

1. Either, but sport lets the turbo spool more and you can feel more of a difference.

2. Its vanilla, but with revo you can tune the software yourself if you want to.

3. Yes (unless you are charged an hour for labor, depends on where you buy it)

4. I don't think there is a required amount (although it should be broken in before driving it too hard)

5. For revo you must purchase the revo selector (which has a switch), for apr its controlled throught he cruise control

6. Not sure

7. A diverter valve (dv) is the most likely thing to break or tear because of the increased boost that the chip makes it hold. They cost around $250, but once you replace it with a forge Diverter valve it shouldnt break again.

**womensecks** · 05-02-2008 08:59 AM

1. either or, doesnt matter. it will perform like stock drive or sport will, but with the extra chip *umph*

2. vanilla only

3. define reflash, as in the dealer resets your ECU due to recall issue or software update? usually yes, but some shops charge a "reflash fee"

if you update to say .. a testpipe and need a reflash, then no, not free

4. some usually say 1000, but you can chip before and just drive as you would before the 1000 mile mark/service.

5. switch to turn off software costs extra $$ for revo. APR has it as well, but theirs is through the cruise control mech. and not sure if its extra $$

6. longevity, it is known to throw the DV in cases ... however it just depends on how heavy your foot gets when chipped. with higher boost, youre gonna give the internals a more intense workout and this will lead to overall increased wear, not sure how much more, but it will.

7. as mentioned above, the DV is the diverter valve which is typically a bypass valve that helps relieve boost pressure... correct me if im wrong, but you have an 08 SE, which tend to have lesser problems with it, and yeah, its fairly inexpensive to replace.

**RichTJ99** · 05-02-2008 10:43 AM

Originally Posted by masteroc

7. A diverter valve (dv) is the most likely thing to break or tear because of the increased boost that the chip makes it hold. They cost around $250, but once you replace it with a forge Diverter valve it shouldnt break again.

Is a Forge DV hard to replace? Is that a DIY project?

**masteroc** · 05-02-2008 01:54 PM

I have never done it myself, but i hear its not that hard. There are some how-to's about it in the ...guess where.....how-to section!!

**Glassnpowder98** · 05-02-2008 02:10 PM

The diverter valve is a little hard to get to. But it's a german car, everything is hard to get to. There is a DIY out there, but I just had my tuner shop throw it on for me while I was getting some other things done to it. I think they charged me $50 to install it.

**RichTJ99** · 05-02-2008 06:07 PM

So the question is, if I plan to stick with a Stage 1 Revo & not upgrade the exhaust (or the DV) should I opt for the Revo with the:

Select: 199.99
or
Select plus - 349.99

I really think the only thing i will do is swap between stock & performance modes. Stock is only for the dealer. The Revo dealer said they could reflash for free & if i had to goto the dealer they would disable it, then enable it after the work is done at the dealer. I think for $200 bucks I should do that myself (it might be a waste but if I have a problem & then have to go to the revo dealer to turn off the program, that will be a big PIA).

Any ideas on if the Select Plus is worth it for stage 1 only?

Thanks,
Rich

**IceMole** · 05-02-2008 06:36 PM

Is APR anywhere close to you? They have a sale right now for $599 you get 2 programs and it switches by the cruise control.

**muffinman** · 05-02-2008 07:09 PM

Originally Posted by RichTJ99

So the question is, if I plan to stick with a Stage 1 Revo & not upgrade the exhaust (or the DV) should I opt for the Revo with the:

Select: 199.99
or
Select plus - 349.99

I really think the only thing i will do is swap between stock & performance modes. Stock is only for the dealer. The Revo dealer said they could reflash for free & if i had to goto the dealer they would disable it, then enable it after the work is done at the dealer. I think for $200 bucks I should do that myself (it might be a waste but if I have a problem & then have to go to the revo dealer to turn off the program, that will be a big PIA).

Any ideas on if the Select Plus is worth it for stage 1 only?

Thanks,
Rich

not really for stage 1. the vast majority should be fine with the regular select switch

**RichTJ99** · 05-02-2008 07:49 PM

I think I will opt for the regular select switch then. APR is pretty far from me so I think I will opt for Revo. I like the idea of not having to send the ECU out for servicing.

If I go with the Revo 93 software & my wife decides to use my car, cheap out & buy 87, what happens to the car?

**RedS-line** · 05-03-2008 02:03 PM

buy the select plus switch. yes it costs extra money but you can tune it for cheap gas all the way up to race fuel. (cheap means 91 octane, dont mess with 87 ever). you say right now that you wont do too much modding but once you get the flash youll be hooked and end up wishing you bought the better switch. or you could buy no switch and find another member who has one and just use his :) i would take a drive to your revo dealer and ask him all your questions. build a good relationship with the dealer cuz chances are youll be there more than once.