Which Chip is the Least Damaging to the Car?

[EvanF]

I have an option to go with an APR, GIAC, or REVO (all 91 octane) chip for my 2005.5 A4 2.0T.

I was told that the REVO uses the least fuel and most boost, while the APR uses the most fuel and the least boost, while the GIAC is in the middle.

I would like to keep my 62k mile car for a long long time, so I want to pick the chip that is the least damaging. REVO would take its toll the most it seems, while the APR could cause fuel cutoff issues if there's not enough fuel available (i.e., fuel pump could go bad).

What's the best option if reliability and longevity are my biggest concerns. Likewise, performance is the least of my concerns.

[cyanidecologne]

I have revo on my 06 and im having serious issues. I dont want to knock the product because it may be the fact that my old tuner was an idiot so im taking it to mike at canyon racer this weekend to see whats going on with my car. Ill let you know what the deal is as soon as i find out.

[cyanidecologne]

Also on my revo im averaging 18 mpg with exhaust revo stg2 and a test pipe..... again will be determined if this is an issue with my car and not the program on sat

[Quattro]

great to hear you taking it to mike at canyonracer, tell him randy says hi =)

all chips will do essentially the same thing, will all cause the same amount of damage if you beat the shit out of it. if you have spirited driving and abuse on occasion it shouldnt be too bad

[EvanF]

Also on my revo im averaging 18 mpg with exhaust revo stg2 and a test pipe..... again will be determined if this is an issue with my car and not the program on sat

18mpg?? I am getting 30 mpg now...I don't want to be at 18

[EvanF]

18mpg?? I am getting 30 mpg now...I don't want to be at 18

Depending on the drive that is

[Erocko]

I am getting 18 with mostly city on Revo stg 1. I do miss the extra 10 mpg, but the increase in performance is worth it

[viperdsa]

What's the best option if reliability and longevity are my biggest concerns. Likewise, performance is the least of my concerns.

Then why not keep it stock and just do stuff like a CAI, exhaust and a FMIC?
I think unitronic is a pretty mild tune.

[scottykenneth]

i just got Revo Stg 2-- luv it!

[Zebman]

APR 93 and still averaging 23 or so mpg, all city, short trips. I personally wouldn't put a REVO flash on my car after browsing these forums for a while. They seem to have a much more consistant stream of disappointed customers compared to APRs small burst-outs of people every once in a while.

[10MPG]

Fits in the drink tray perfectly

[Austin@GIAC]

I have an option to go with an APR, GIAC, or REVO (all 91 octane) chip for my 2005.5 A4 2.0T.

I was told that the REVO uses the least fuel and most boost, while the APR uses the most fuel and the least boost, while the GIAC is in the middle.

I would like to keep my 62k mile car for a long long time, so I want to pick the chip that is the least damaging. REVO would take its toll the most it seems, while the APR could cause fuel cutoff issues if there's not enough fuel available (i.e., fuel pump could go bad).

What's the best option if reliability and longevity are my biggest concerns. Likewise, performance is the least of my concerns.

We have tons of 2.0Ts with a great deal of mileage running around. There are a ton of 2.0Ts down in San Diego running our software, you might see if you can meet up with one that has a car like yours. Not to mention, you have the great support of Group5 in your backyard.

[QTC]

Dahlback or MTM, which are both TUV approved, which is irrevalent in the US but is important in Europe. Without going into great detail, if the chips (or other stuff) have a lot of problems, then they can't be sold, so the tuners strive for the most power with the most reliability. More expensive? Yeah. But worth it in the long run imo. I have Dahlback FWIW. Lots of power and 0 issues, not so much as a misfire code.

[bblume]

i just got Revo Stg 2-- luv it!

did you notice any loss in mpg?
and also can you go stage 2 w/out the upgraded fuel pump?
or is the fuel pump the big STEP up part?

[MTMAudi]

Dahlback or MTM, which are both TUV approved, which is irrevalent in the US but is important in Europe. Without going into great detail, if the chips (or other stuff) have a lot of problems, then they can't be sold, so the tuners strive for the most power with the most reliability. More expensive? Yeah. But worth it in the long run imo. I have Dahlback FWIW. Lots of power and 0 issues, not so much as a misfire code.

Thats why i went with MTM. It's reliable, gets great gas mileage, and is plenty fast. Plus, you dont read about anyone on the forums having problems with them.

[viperdsa]

did you notice any loss in mpg?
and also can you go stage 2 w/out the upgraded fuel pump?
or is the fuel pump the big STEP up part?

Yes you can go stage 2 without upgrading the fuel pump, all you need is a test pipe or high flow cat.

[Erocko]

LOL, I just scrolled past this when I first looked at this thread.

Fits in the drink tray perfectly

[RedS-line]

If youre scared about getting a chip, then dont get one. there are more than enough posts on here about them to decide. If youre ready to feel what your engine is capable of but are apprehensive about going overboard, then try something like stasis (giac). the gains arent as big but the driveability is supposed to be great. you gotta pay to play

[vtracer20]

GIAC X+ ran that chip for 30k on my 1.8t jetta and now for 5k on my 2.0t...great product no issues...if anything, was fixed under warranty.

[EvanF]

I have heard that GIAC and APR are the way to go, REVO is too aggressive. Between GIAC and APR, what are the pros/cons?

[Minglor]

Running giac for the last 30,xxx
Only issue was the stock dv failing

[windextor]

had APR on 3 audis now with no performance related problems and all getting at least factory spec fuel mileage...26ish on my 1.8 and 33 on both 2.0s and I love love love it!!!!

[autoverruckt]

With a stage 1 tune for any company, your right foot will be the main determinant of fuel economy. Stop and go traffic will lower your mpg even in stock mode. My experience is my highway mpg improved. But the catch is it is hard to drive it 'normally' when chipped - if you are gonna drive like a grandma chipped then why get chipped in the first place.

I chose APR because I can switch from chipped to stock mode with a few clicks on my cruise control stalk, and because there was a sale.

[tonison]

Running giac for the last 30,xxx
Only issue was the stock dv failing

how can you know your DV's failing? what's the feeling?

[ed@mtl]

Thats why i went with MTM. It's reliable, gets great gas mileage, and is plenty fast. Plus, you dont read about anyone on the forums having problems with them.

That's because not many has this software and there's isn't much dealers out there that does carry MTM products.

[EvanF]

Any reason to be on stock and pump? Seems like you always will be on pump, right?

[QTC]

It's more because most people don't want to pay the premium for MTM or Dahlback software. APR/GIAC/REVO are less expensive, so more people go with that. There are MTM dealers around the country, and hell, worst comes to worst you can always send the ECU off to be chipped.

[QTC]

Any reason to be on stock and pump? Seems like you always will be on pump, right?

Yes, 99% of the time your car will be running on the 93 pump file (or 91 if in California). The stock mode is if you have your car serviced at the dealer; you can set it to stock, and there is a chance they may not see it. But if you drive your car on a stock setting all the time, then your car will drive as stock. So think of it as the 93 file is the chip, and the stock file is unchipped.

[Nico]

Thats why i went with MTM. It's reliable, gets great gas mileage, and is plenty fast. Plus, you dont read about anyone on the forums having problems with them.

Thats most likely because you are the only one who has the software on this forum.

[EvanF]

Yes, 99% of the time your car will be running on the 93 pump file (or 91 if in California). The stock mode is if you have your car serviced at the dealer; you can set it to stock, and there is a chance they may not see it. But if you drive your car on a stock setting all the time, then your car will drive as stock. So think of it as the 93 file is the chip, and the stock file is unchipped.

My car isn't under warranty, and I would never take a car to the dealership

[Dangler]

Doritos JDM-spec

easy on the motor, bad for your balls

[QTC]

My car isn't under warranty, and I would never take a car to the dealership

Oh, in that case, you'd probably never use the stock file. So get a 93 file, 100 file (if you're ever going to use 100 octane fuel), and valet (if you ever valet your car). But 93 is all you'd need.

[A4addict]

[biased] APR is the only TRUE ECU upgrade for our Audis [/biased]

[quattro.it]

I love my APR 91.

[Sharkfin]

I have read through multiple threads as well and I plan on getting APR with their 4 files along with an exhaust and testpipe come spring, hehe

[EvanF]

I have read through multiple threads as well and I plan on getting APR with their 4 files along with an exhaust and testpipe come spring, hehe

Why APR over GIAC?

[Sharkfin]

1. Closer dealer to me
2. Testpipe file
3. I like the shop that has it, good service, very reputable
4. I'm not running crazy boost, only testpipe/exhaust and I don't think fuelcut will be an issue
5. They have the security lockout feature, 93/100 octane, and a back to stock function that is super easy to revert to

[Geoffafa]

if you want stage one i wont knock apr, they didnt give me problems stage one, now as far as stage 2, they are total garbage. also revo has high egt's which shouldnt matter unless u run hard all the time. dunno too much about giac or unitronic so thats my insight