Actually, based on what we actually change in the software and what we don't change, and the fact that it's a load-based system, this is doesn't work out as you have explained. I am not going to argue against what you think you felt with the APR chip in first and second gear because this is very subjective and not an argument that can have any correct answer or resolution. It's like arguing with someone about which icecream flavor THEY like better. "I'm telling you, you like strawberry dude!"
However, based on what is actually changed in the software and how the car is tuned for Stage 1 and Stage 2, what you are saying doesn't exactly work. Low-load part throttle driving will be stock like because it is essentially stock. Only when you request more load by pushing the throttle pedal do you actually move into an area that is more APR than Audi. So, if you are light footing it in first and second gear like pulling away from stop light normally, it's mostly Audi. There is no reason for it to be much else because the load level at this point is low enough where Audi did a fairly good job mapping timing, throttle plate, etc.
This is not to say that we do not tune for part throttle drivability. We do. However, this is done at higher load levels where the customer is requesting more load than Audi tuned for by pushing the gas pedal harder and using more of the head room in the turbo. This may sound confusing so let me see if I can clarify...
Timing, boost, AFR, etc, etc is all based on requested load. Think of load like this:
- Example 1: imagine a situation where the car is coasting on a steep DOWN hill road and then you push the gas pedal 50% down. Based on your request for 50% pedal, the engine will respond by trying to hit a target load value and will set the boost, timing, AFR, etc as a result.
- Example 2: imagine a situation where the car is coasting at a constant speed on a steep UP hill road and then you push the gas pedal 50% down. Based on your request for 50% pedal, the engine will respond by trying to hit a target load vaue and will set boost, timing, AFR, etc as a result.
However, an acceleration request of 50% throttle going UP hill requires a very different response from the engine than an request for 50% going down hill. See the difference in "load" on the engine in these two situations? That explains what I mean by load.
So with all that said, during light load driving, Audi has done a pretty good job mapping the drivability of the car. We do alter the ignition timing in these regions to take advantage of the 93 and 91 octane fuel (coupled with our program switching) and provide you with better fuel efficiency and a more efficient and cooler-running engine. However, Audi clipped the car short of it's full potential by limiting the amount of requested load that is possible. We remap the car beyond the load levels Audi has already mapped. This has to be done for ignition timing, boost, air-fuel ratio, altitude, temperature, fault conditions, etc, etc. Since the system is load based, we have the freedom to leave in the best of Audi and add the best of APR. When we are trying to increase the performance of your engine, the bulk of this is done in a load region beyond the peak Audi load values. These regions were never mapped by Audi because they clipped the system to cap it way below the capability of the engine, turbo, and fueling systems.
The boost in our chip only kicks in when you ask for it by the pedal. If you ask for normal driving, you are essentially running off of Audi's tuning. This load based tuning give you immense flexibility as a tuner. The only way to stop you from asking for more load it is to clip the max value the way Audi did. However, if you clip the max value, you can't have the power and torque of the chip. If you clip the max value at the earlier RPM's (but RPM's that are high enough to get boost out of the turbo), then you will have a sluggish car that tapers in later and I don't think you would not like it. So, once again I say, the load comes from your foot and we just allow it to happen where Audi did not. This paragraph is essentially my debate against what was stated about boost kicking in too early.
So, when you are pulling away from a stoplight at light loads, you are essentially in the Audi region of the load-based maps. The only difference is that we don't clip the load if you decide to flat foot it. We allow you to use the full capabilities of the turbo and we tune accordingly for those conditions and within safe limits for the health of the vehicle and longevity.
Some of what I have said here is a bit of a simplification of the whole process but I think it does the job of explaining the concepts. Also, I hope that everyone here sees my explanation as a technical insight into chip tuning. I don't mean it as an attack toward anyone or any company. I just read a lot of stuff on the outside that doesn't match up with what we do on the inside so I like to correct it where I can.
If anyone has any questions about what I have said here, please ask.
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Originally Posted by Stone825
As someone else said the cars gotta warm up and if ya row the gears sitting still b4 u drive it helps a bit 2.
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