Which Chip is better? All opinions and Experience appreciated.

[A62TURBO]

After I throw my new wheels on the next step is chip that bitch. I want to get as much feedback as possible in order to make the right decision on which company to go with. Thanx guys.

[A62TURBO]

I personally like the APR because of the fact you can switch programs through the cruise control stalk, but as far as efficiency and power I'm not sure.

[A6.S-line]

There are a ton of threads in the A4 forums comparing APR, GIAC, etc. Especially in the B5 S4 forums (2.7t engine).

[A62TURBO]

There are a ton of threads in the A4 forums comparing APR, GIAC, etc. Especially in the B5 S4 forums (2.7t engine).

I want to hear what the C5 guys have to say.

[TWINTURBOA6]

APR IS amazzzing! no problems and it doesn't peak out your engine...Giac has destroyed the turbo's and engines of 2 of my buddies...on s4 and an a4.....Giac could have the tendency to cause electrical problems...they peak the car a little too hard for a daily driver.... If you want to drive the car daily with no issues go with APR!!!!! very healthy and promising software .............based on personal experiences (giac staff) so no offense!

[A62TURBO]

APR IS amazzzing! no problems and it doesn't peak out your engine...Giac has destroyed the turbo's and engines of 2 of my buddies...on s4 and an a4.....Giac could have the tendency to cause electrical problems...they peak the car a little too hard for a daily driver.... If you want to drive the car daily with no issues go with APR!!!!! very healthy and promising software .............based on personal experiences (giac staff) so no offense!

Exactly the feedback im looking for, thanx.

[chrisbostonusmc]

I am seeing better numbers with lower boost than all the other chips. I have the high mileage tune. Although its not a chip more of a tuning of the ecu

I would go with Absolute Power. Look at the dyno

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=252733

[scot_w]

The best chip is the one you can get from a local (or reasonably close) tuner.

[doobiesdaddy]

Love all my APR products. No problems with the chip at all. I have good local garage that is APR tuner.

[cbock]

I agree with scot_w. Also, from what I remember, if you plan to go Stage 3, you'll just need to buy the program with GIAC. I guess it's different with the others. Mine is programmable thru the flash loader. It was an extra $100something. But, it's nice to have. I've actually only used it twice. Once just to remind myself of how sweet the extra torque is. A second time to show a friend the difference in power.

I've had my GIAC for about 15K now on 91oct. It's been AWESOME. No problem with my K03s. But, frankly, I wish the chip would cause a problem for them. I need an excuse for K04s.

[Chopstixs]

Unitronic!

[Stampy]

Wow, I'm surprised at the APR love. They usually get shit on cause GIAC tends to be more aggressive...at least in my experience.

The 2.7t's that I have driven with a chip the APR feels stock but with a lot more power. Stock in a good way, meaning the delivery of the power.

[Coors]

I never had a problem w/ GIAC, fingers crossed! The resaon why I went with them; They were the closest software distributor closest to me and it was thorugh AWE Tuning. Very Reputable.

The program is aggressive indeed. I have no complaints. I use a flashloader to switch between programs, no worries though. I have never riden in a car w/ APR's software to have form a true non-biased opinion. I say, GIAC!

[golovemd]

Question on the GIAC. How do you go about changing the program? I know with APR you can use the cruise control button or something like that. Do you have to plug in a vagcom or something else in order to change programs?

[b6onboost]

GIAC has a 'flash-loader' which is a handheld device that plugs into your obd-II port. You can select from 3 programs installed on your ecu. (example: stock, valet, 93oct). A flashloader is about $150, so that kinda sucks, since with APR you can change programs from the cruise control stalk for free.

GIAC has a reputation for being more aggressive. As in the boost comes on sooner and harder. APR has a reputation for retaining a smoother power delivery. One could argue GIAC would kill your turbos faster, however it all depends on how the car is driven and maintained.

[04A6SLine]

Question on the GIAC. How do you go about changing the program? I know with APR you can use the cruise control button or something like that. Do you have to plug in a vagcom or something else in order to change programs?

Yeh i call up GIAC at a tuner here in NYC... there are about 5 different programs ranging from 93 octane, Stock, 100 octane, theift , and Valet (no more than 30mph)....

they have a special plug that's just like the Vag-com with a hand set that has buttons where you can switch the programs. and that's about 150 to 170bucks....

and you can also switch the programs with a legit Vag-Com......

i'm planning on GIAC.. and get the 93 octance, Stock and 100 Octance program... then add another 250 or 300bucks for a VAg-com.. by running the stock for daily and 93 when needed, i don't think i'll hurt the car that much... but we'll see..

[cbock]

Yup. I think I paid about $150 for mine. Here's what it looks like and what it can do.

Linky

[a62.7t4ceo]

After having an APR tune for a time, I switched to a GIAC tune in May 2008. Why? Just because and out of curiosity. Anyway, there are noticeable differences between the two programs.

1. Turbo lag? What turbo lag? - Turbo lag is practically gone with the GIAC. I noticed a slight lag with the APR tune.

2. High-end turbo kick comes in sooner at 65mph (2,700 RPM) (GIAC) compared to 75mph (APR). I always thought his was odd. It's hard to explain but it's a mild turbo kick under gradual throttle.

3. Butt dyno thinks APR is a bit "torquier" than the GIAC.

4. GIAC is smoother across the power spectrum as compared to the APR. I was surprised because many have said the opposite. A few have noticed the same with GIAC.

Throttle response is identical. Although I liked APR's "torquier" feel in the low end, I have to give the edge to GIAC because of the better turbo response and smoothness. Both are great programs and this by no means is a bash to APR and the end-users.

Re-programming took about 1.3 hours. The ECU was being finicky and had to be removed to be separated from other systems to be re-flashed with updated 2.7t programming. Once that was done, the stuff left from APR had to be completely removed before the GIAC programming was installed. As a side note, the APR program creates a log of 35 accesses to the ECU. Makes it look like a dirty ECU.

[Kievskiy]

that's what i saw when i was on the market, but i love my APR chip

Wow, I'm surprised at the APR love. They usually get shit on cause GIAC tends to be more aggressive...at least in my experience.

The 2.7t's that I have driven with a chip the APR feels stock but with a lot more power. Stock in a good way, meaning the delivery of the power.

[asm72ecko]

APR....twinturboa6 is exactly right, same experiences

[pit viper]

You can also swap the GIAC with a laptop, even without a vag-com.

[2.slowT]

I voted for APR but have you considered EPL??

[04A6SLine]

You can also swap the GIAC with a laptop, even without a vag-com.

please explain..

i have a Ebay vag wire.... you mean to use that???

[A62TURBO]

^^^EPL???

[Kevin1]

Unitronic!

I agree. Unitronic is great.

[Stampy]

I think the one thing we would all agree on is....which ever is sold by you. Say what you want about this or that brand. If by some chance you run into a problem and need help, you can't put a price on being able to go see someone. That is A LOT easier than having to send it out.

[Stone825]

I think the one thing we would all agree on is....which ever is sold by you. Say what you want about this or that brand. If by some chance you run into a problem and need help, you can't put a price on being able to go see someone. That is A LOT easier than having to send it out.

Very true AWE Tuning is located 20 - 30 minutes away from my house so I just went for the GIAC chip from them.

[HOFFY11]

APR IS amazzzing! no problems and it doesn't peak out your engine...Giac has destroyed the turbo's and engines of 2 of my buddies...on s4 and an a4.....Giac could have the tendency to cause electrical problems...they peak the car a little too hard for a daily driver.... If you want to drive the car daily with no issues go with APR!!!!! very healthy and promising software .............based on personal experiences (giac staff) so no offense!

giac!!! amazing for my ecm and tip chips..my tip one even broke once, all i did was make the phone call and they fixed it free with updated software..A++ to them no doubt awe tuning

[A62TURBO]

So we have Giac and APR at a tie lol I posted the same poll on the b5 s4/rs4 section and there were many votes for custom tuning.

[chrisbostonusmc]

Its because you have to go to the right place for custom tuning. My guy has one of the top ten fastest s4's in the country (with full interior) I wouldnt go to your average performance shop to get this type of stuff done

[Switchblind360]

The best chip is the one you can get from a local (or reasonably close) tuner.

2nd! No waiting with dead car & no waiting with dead car if you end up having problems, which are pretty rare with any manufacturer.

I have REVO on my A6. Its just fine. I had gone through APR, GIAC, ABT, and MTM on my '01 S4 and the differences are pretty subtle. One thing for sure though.

Any chip > stock

[Gigi]

Local representation was a must for me

but Ilike APR b/c even though some say it is stronger, I ahve not seen any hard data and I think they'd probably be close and truly results vary from car to car. Not all A6 2.7 are built equal.... all cars are different and perform differently... some are stronger than others, chip or no chip
Also stronger means more aggressive and harder on turbos IMO.
If you intend on going Stg3 though, I would go GIAC to avoid more costly upgrade unless you got plenty of $$ :)
I have several APR products and love them all. I find them to be efficient, well built for our cars, and reliable thus far...

[wofman]

GIAC (b/c my mechanic prefers it, apparently slight performance edge) -- I used to have both but sold the APR. But I'd bet you a nickel that you (or me) can't tell difference between APR and GIAC in blind test. As all have said, support is the tie-breaker.

[FrankA6]

ok so i don't live close to any shops that do chip tunning, AWE is my best bet, and its about 6 and half hours away, so would you do APR or GIAC?

[RomanA6]

IMHO, go with what you have available locally

nothing worse then sitting and waiting for the mail man

[TWINTURBOA6]

GO WITH APR!! PLEASE!!! haha Giac is scary... APR is verry assuring!!!


APR STANDS FOR AUDI PERFORMANCE RACING

[A62TURBO]

^^^ I think I will go with APR, if I had a six speed it would be a different story.

[TwinTurbo02]

I would go with a unitronic chip. I have had the chip almost a full year and the car runs smooth and great. Now just to let you know i drive the car daily, goin bac and forth to work. I bought the car with 64k on it and now i have 92k . Haven't had one problem. Good daily driven chip.

13.7 At 98.6 mph ----
3967.02 lbs ---------

Track Temp - 98 -

[KTG]

I'm Revo'd...Is it the best, who the frick knows? Does it work good? Yes! I found an ecu on Ebay and got it for $200...So I'd say its better then Apr or Giac! :)

[A62TURBO]

I'm Revo'd...Is it the best, who the frick knows? Does it work good? Yes! I found an ecu on Ebay and got it for $200...So I'd say its better then Apr or Giac! :)

You can't beat that deal.