The APR Stage 3 DTR8868 Turbocharger System is Here

[Akis]

Hey, guys! Could you please confirm if APR stage 3 ECU software will work fine with 034 stage 3 TCU software?

I cannot say for certain, but it's probably not a good idea to mix ECU and TCU tunes from different vendors.

[AmateurSQ5]

Thanks! That update fix is being pushed with the next platform we're releasing.

May be Arin could answer on my question related to combining 034 TCU tune and APR ECU tune...
Also, is there option to install ECU tune remotely\somehow else?

[Arin@APR]

I've never tried the 034 TCU. You can always use ours which is matched to our ECU.

We have dealers in Cyprus. Our at home flashing solution is not yet ready for the ROW market.

[AldermanToffee]

I cannot say for certain, but it's probably not a good idea to mix ECU and TCU tunes from different vendors.

Very common on most platforms, this one included.

Gets messy when fake "torque limiter patching" gets hacked into tunes but that is very much a thing of the past and nothing to be concerned about with any of the major OTS offerings for this platform.

[AmateurSQ5]

I've never tried the 034 TCU. You can always use ours which is matched to our ECU.

We have dealers in Cyprus. Our at home flashing solution is not yet ready for the ROW market.

My current config is SQ5 2018, 034 Carbon intake + 034 superduper inlet + Wagner IC + st1 034 ECU tune +st2 TCU tune. Only ron93 is available here.

@Arin, could you please approve my next steps and desired config:

1. Buy APR turbo kit with APR ECU stage 3 tune
2. Buy 63mm ring for inlet
3. Install turbo
4. Go to APR dealer in Nicosia and update ECU tune
5. I would like to try to stay on 034 TCU tune, so I will upgrade to stage 3 034 TCU tune
6. Optional - upgrade HPFP for bigger headroom ( doesn't need further ECU upgrade)
7. Optional - In the case of any issues switch to APR TCU stage 3 tune

- - - Updated - - -

Very common on most platforms, this one included.

Gets messy when fake "torque limiter patching" gets hacked into tunes but that is very much a thing of the past and nothing to be concerned about with any of the major OTS offerings for this platform.

Thanks for your opinion, dude.

[Arin@APR]

Sounds pretty good, except the HPFP. If you add it, flash the HPFP file.

[AmateurSQ5]

Sounds pretty good, except the HPFP. If you add it, flash the HPFP file.

Just to clarify:
Is it mandatory condition for proper work of ECU? Or I will not have additional safety headroom related to hpfp performance and this is it.

[Arin@APR]

2 Things.

1. The ECU needs to know how big the HPFP. It will assume it's smaller but with every stroke it will displace more fuel. This will result in a correction / trim, but it may be enough to cause a fault (I don't know, because I haven't specifically tried it, or at least don't recall if engineering did).

2. The non HPFP ECU tune doesn't know the extra fueling headroom is there, so it won't take it into account.

[GoCougs1234]

About 10 days ago my APR stage 3 turbo started making a spin down noise after the ignition was turned off. It's gotten more prominent since then.

Just after the noise started, I had a cooling system DTC and fans blowing super hard all the time. I reset the DTCs 5 days ago and that problem has not returned. The turbo spin down noise remains however.

I have ~15,000 miles on the install and change my oil religiously every 5,000 miles. All drives fine and there are no CELs or DTCs. My tuner took off the turbo inlet to check for problems and all looked perfect - bearings tight, no impeller damage, no signs of contact between the impeller and housing.

Anyone else with the APR stage 3 install had this noise? And yes, I've had lots of contact with APR - interested if others have had this happen: https://youtube.com/shorts/L54H7PIck6o

My tuner and I think it's obviously the turbo. Nothing I can think of takes 20+ seconds to spin down from idle (I've even blocked the radiator fans (after the ignition is switched off of course!)).

[Branman1]

About 10 days ago my APR stage 3 turbo started making a spin down noise after the ignition was turned. It's gotten more prominent since then.

Just after the noise started, I had a cooling system DTC and fans blowing super hard all the time. I reset the DTCs 5 days ago and that problem has not returned. The turbo spin down noise remains however.

I have ~15,000 miles on the install and change my oil religiously every 5,000 miles. All drives fine and there are no CELs or DTCs. My tuner took off the turbo inlet to check for problems and all looked perfect - bearings tight, no impeller damage, no signs of contact between the impeller and housing.

Anyone else with the APR stage 3 install had this noise? And yes, I've had lots of contact with APR - interested if others have had this happen: https://youtube.com/shorts/L54H7PIck6o

My tuner and I think it's obviously the turbo. Nothing I can think of takes 20+ seconds to spin down from idle (I've even blocked the radiator fans (after the ignition is switched off of course!)).

Ive heard my electric fans sometimes spin down and sounds a little noisy but nothing with the turbo.

[Arin@APR]

I don't specifically have an answer myself, but make sure you put in a ticket with our support team so we can log the event in our system and help if anything is off!

[GoCougs1234]

I don't specifically have an answer myself, but make sure you put in a ticket with our support team so we can log the event in our system and help if anything is off!

Thanks., I mos def have engaged APR (and cc'ing my tuner). Just taking a poll of users to see f they've experienced something similar as APR's prelim assessment is NPF based on the tuner's inspection (i.e., maybe the noise is normal, esp. after some miles).

[Akis]

About 10 days ago my APR stage 3 turbo started making a spin down noise after the ignition was turned off. It's gotten more prominent since then.

Just after the noise started, I had a cooling system DTC and fans blowing super hard all the time. I reset the DTCs 5 days ago and that problem has not returned. The turbo spin down noise remains however.

I have ~15,000 miles on the install and change my oil religiously every 5,000 miles. All drives fine and there are no CELs or DTCs. My tuner took off the turbo inlet to check for problems and all looked perfect - bearings tight, no impeller damage, no signs of contact between the impeller and housing.

Anyone else with the APR stage 3 install had this noise? And yes, I've had lots of contact with APR - interested if others have had this happen: https://youtube.com/shorts/L54H7PIck6o

My tuner and I think it's obviously the turbo. Nothing I can think of takes 20+ seconds to spin down from idle (I've even blocked the radiator fans (after the ignition is switched off of course!)).

Still not got round to fitting my DTR8868 yet but oh man that is some sound...

Wasn't there an issue recently where the tune was not calibrated for aftermarket intakes or similar? I wonder if this could have had an impact. Watching closely, hoping it all turns out fine though!

[HurrayFive]

I've never ever heard a noise like that that's normal coming from a turbo directly unless the turbo is in a very bad news bears situation. You'd easily be able to see teeth etch marks on either the turbine or exhaust housings from a failing bearing sheering the wheel(s) against those housing walls, and you'd absolutely have even the tiniest of wiggles in the shaft itself. Turbos also don't spin down for this long, they get positive pressure from simply existing in the exhaust gas path at idle and would not continue for this long. Without being there to put my hands on your shaft (-_-) tho, I can't say for sure.

This sounds more like you've slowly lost (or have been losing) a thermostat and one of your radiator fans has been going more nuts than the other to account for the thermostat and it finally gave up the grub and has now lost its bearing to the noise you're hearing now.

[GoCougs1234]

After a bit more discussion the verdict for now is APR will do a warranty replacement. I've got probably 2,000 miles on the turbo since the noise started and all still works fine, AFAIK. IME, when a bearing starts to go (esp. a roller element bearing), it fails quickly. Perhaps during the replacement the cause will be determined to be something else. We'll see! Good on APR for relatively quickly deciding to do a warranty replacement.

[Branman1]

After a bit more discussion the verdict for now is APR will do a warranty replacement. I've got probably 2,000 miles on the turbo since the noise started and all still works fine, AFAIK. IME, when a bearing starts to go (esp. a roller element bearing), it fails quickly. Perhaps during the replacement the cause will be determined to be something else. We'll see! Good on APR for relatively quickly deciding to do a warranty replacement.

Awesome to hear! No doubt they were going to make it right.

[GoCougs1234]

Awesome to hear! No doubt they were going to make it right.

Swap scheduled for next Tuesday.

This is why I went APR. Stage 1 was a treat and service and tech support has always been a treat plus AFAIK APR is the only one-stop-shop for a smog legal, stage 3 install for this platform - ECU and TCU software, turbo, all the fiddly bits.

Sure, it'd be better if there wasn't a (suspected) turbo problem but stuff happens when hot rodding (which I've done a lot of in the distant past). I'll be quite interested to know the exact problem and it is hoped the cause can also be determined.

[GoCougs1234]

My local tuner replaced the turbo under warranty - back to whisper quiet turbo operation. Nothing obviously wrong with it so it's internal - my bet is indeed the bearing(s).

[Akis]

My local tuner replaced the turbo under warranty - back to whisper quiet turbo operation. Nothing obviously wrong with it so it's internal - my bet is indeed the bearing(s).

Glad you got it sorted, hoping the bearing failure was an isolated incident rather than the result of a design flaw.

[Branman1]

My local tuner replaced the turbo under warranty - back to whisper quiet turbo operation. Nothing obviously wrong with it so it's internal - my bet is indeed the bearing(s).

I believe I may be plagued with the same thing. I did a cold start this morning and shut it off after about 5 seconds (had to run back in the house) and noticed a noise exactly like yours. The fans were not spinning. I removed my turbo inlet just a few minutes ago and spun it by hand. It seems to move freely but there is a good amount of noise. I’m going to upload to YouTube real quick.

[Branman1]

https://youtu.be/UaQUU2Kruis?si=hb_ykoWCscq2-Cc1

You can certainly hear something. I’m going to try to record the spool down after shutting it off tomorrow sometime. Maybe the start bearings going out.

[GoCougs1234]

https://youtu.be/UaQUU2Kruis?si=hb_ykoWCscq2-Cc1

You can certainly hear something. I’m going to try to record the spool down after shutting it off tomorrow sometime. Maybe the start bearings going out.

Hmmm. FWIW, my tuner inspected and didn't get a noise when spinning by hand. But yeah, if you have a ~20 second spin down noise like mine, you probably have a turbo replacement in your near future (FWIW, I drove like 2,000 miles with that noise (started happening when I was (way) out of town on a road trip).)

[Akis]

Hmmm. FWIW, my tuner inspected and didn't get a noise when spinning by hand. But yeah, if you have a ~20 second spin down noise like mine, you probably have a turbo replacement in your near future (FWIW, I drove like 2,000 miles with that noise (started happening when I was (way) out of town on a road trip).)

Did you send the turbo back to APR or did you hang on to it? Could be worth tearing it down and taking a closer look at the internals.

[GoCougs1234]

Did you send the turbo back to APR or did you hang on to it? Could be worth tearing it down and taking a closer look at the internals.

My tuner sent the turbo back - the manufacturer will know WAY more about troubleshooting it than I ever will. Thing is I don't know if APR makes it in-house (it's a def maybe - "APR" is cast into the housing) or was a private label job. Either way, I asked APR to give feedback if/when it's available.

[S4James]

My tuner sent the turbo back - the manufacturer will know WAY more about troubleshooting it than I ever will. Thing is I don't know if APR makes it in-house (it's a def maybe - "APR" is cast into the housing) or was a private label job. Either way, I asked APR to give feedback if/when it's available.

An APR tech let it slip they are made by Garrett for them. Probably asian foundry. But a good company none the less.

[Akis]

My tuner sent the turbo back - the manufacturer will know WAY more about troubleshooting it than I ever will. Thing is I don't know if APR makes it in-house (it's a def maybe - "APR" is cast into the housing) or was a private label job. Either way, I asked APR to give feedback if/when it's available.

Cool, would be great to know more after they tear it down. One thing that did cross my mind though is apparently there have been some reports of the cam chain sprockets on the B9 3.0T grinding down over time and depositing metallic flakes into the oil. This is mainly explored and highlighted by the guys that run VAG Technic over here in the UK. I believe ball bearing CHRA's are a little more sensitive to contamination and I do wonder if there are such particles in the oil, is the factory oil filter effective enough at removing them...

I asked APR about installing their turbo with an in-line oil filter and their response was that it isn't anything they have run or tested so cannot really recommend it. They imagine it would be fine, but can't rule out it creating a restriction point that could potentially lead to the turbo not getting enough oil.

[Arin@APR]

Interesting theory on the debris. It's definitely worth investigating. I'll bring that up with the team.

[GoCougs1234]

Cool, would be great to know more after they tear it down. One thing that did cross my mind though is apparently there have been some reports of the cam chain sprockets on the B9 3.0T grinding down over time and depositing metallic flakes into the oil. This is mainly explored and highlighted by the guys that run VAG Technic over here in the UK. I believe ball bearing CHRA's are a little more sensitive to contamination and I do wonder if there are such particles in the oil, is the factory oil filter effective enough at removing them...

I asked APR about installing their turbo with an in-line oil filter and their response was that it isn't anything they have run or tested so cannot really recommend it. They imagine it would be fine, but can't rule out it creating a restriction point that could potentially lead to the turbo not getting enough oil.

But that is what an oil filter is for (and I am religious about oil/filter change at 5,000 mile intervals per APR's direction). Even if were due to contaminated oil to that level, the engine would have been destroyed too, or had obvious problems such as excess oil consumption (and I'm currently burning only ~1/3 quart of oil between oil changes).

[A4 Centaur]

Arin, with the Tax Day sale here I am really wanting to do this! What a great price. Can't beat it.

[Arin@APR]

For sure! Thank you!

[Bguenther22]

For sure! Thank you!

Hey I have an 18' S4 that is IE stage 1 w/FMIC, intake, and turbo inlet. I don't plan on ever running Ethanol and enjoy 93 and have been looking at going big turbo this year. My question is it possible to achieve a sub 11 on 93 with the APR stage 3 turbo?

-B

[TunedB9S4]

Hey I have an 18' S4 that is IE stage 1 w/FMIC, intake, and turbo inlet. I don't plan on ever running Ethanol and enjoy 93 and have been looking at going big turbo this year. My question is it possible to achieve a sub 11 on 93 with the APR stage 3 turbo?

-B

with a custom tune, you can possibly get closer to a 10.6x to 10.7x on 93 with that turbo depending on your build.

APR's tune should also get you in there around 10.9x

[Helladrew]

Hey Arin, been eyeing this turbo. I’m currently tuned (ECU/TCU) on 034. Wondering if there’s a discount on tuning for customers switching to yours when I purchase this turbo and tunes. Thanks in advance.


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[Arin@APR]

Give our team a call and we'll see what we can do. 334 502 5181

[Branman1]

Hey Arin, been eyeing this turbo. I’m currently tuned (ECU/TCU) on 034. Wondering if there’s a discount on tuning for customers switching to yours when I purchase this turbo and tunes. Thanks in advance.


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Do it!!!