Polo GTI APR ECU Upgrade

[RandomX]

How many horses do you expect/predict?
Will you be doing anything with the DSG software?

worries me that the dsg might not handle the additional torque...

[Ryan_R]

You would've heard a lot of horror stories by now if it was a big problem (with the Golf's), in which case APR would've altered there remap file most likely.

[Guy_H]

As mentioned somewhere on here, the torque is not an issue for the DSG.

1: you break traction if you try to deliver the torque too early (control the right foot better)
2: ultimately the clutch slips before the DSG sees masses of torque.

[vRSy]

How many horses do you expect/predict?
Will you be doing anything with the DSG software?

Not got any current plans for DSG software. It was planned, but i had quite a falling out with my tuner and changed maps. Im not worried about damaging the box. The way guys go on about he DSG boxes being fragile make you think its made out of chocolate, but i n reality on the 6spd DSG they are massively stronger than the manual boxes. I think it will be the same with the 7spd.

My only reservation is DSG torque limitations. These boxes have built in torque limiters which a few guys in UK and europe have started to hit. I believe there are ways of altering this without a DSG map. Guess its one of the many maps that layer the ECU. If APR arent havingissues, i guess they have calibrated that section to solve any issues.

Figures im not to sure.

My last map was making 211Hp(157kW)/267lbft at the crank, but they had it running very very hard. ie requesting over 2Bar of boost, with the turbo running flat out and only managing to reach 1.6Bar. Hence why i changed tuner befoe my turbo exploded. This was intercooler, decat DP and stock intake.

My current map is making 216hp(161kW)/257lbft at the crank but is only running 1.4Bar of boost, so no where near as high. This is intercooler, decat DP and stock intake.

My Car goes in to APR UK tomorrow to have the Loba LO270 hybrid and intake fitted. I think its realistic enough to gain maybe 12hp(9kW) from the intake, and maybe a further 30hp(23kW) from the hybrid and map. Id like to think ill be around 260Hp(193kW) at the flywheel after.

This turbo should be able to take a fair bit more boost, so im pretty excited

[Banana2]

Big long review - Clicks Post - "We're sorry, we logged you out while you were writing" - Review disappeared into thin air.

Sorry, Guy. Can't re-write it now.

For the others: APR Stage I ECU tune, APR Stage II Components (Intercooler and Intake). (Can't compare with Stage I alone - skipped that step)

In short

I love the new sound.

I love the Antitheft and Lock Out features.

Is it more powerful? It feels like it. I chirp the tyres more than before - as Guy suggests above, at least the DSG is protected from excessive torque, thanks to this. There is a definite difference when I return the program to stock.

Better fuel economy? I have only had 2 fills since install - one fill returned average mileage, the other beat my best mileage from before, but only just - 0.02 L/100km better than my best before.

Oil consumption? Interestingly, this appears to have settled... but then again, I was just hitting above 6000km when I had the install. Also, I have only had 2 fills since install. The borderline issue I had before would usually present after the 3rd fill. Will continue to keep a close eye.

Worried about warranty? Meet Guy, and I'm sure you won't worry any more. Professional.

Conclusion: No regrets, and well worth the money.

[Guy_H]

Cheers banana, glad you are enjoying it!

vRSy, hopefully you should get very similar results to what we are seeing from our hybrid now, would love to have your colder temperatures though!

The best measurement of ours is we are making just on 50 % more HP at the wheels than when the car was stock, so its damn impressive!

[weedub]

All, please see article at Ausmotive.com
AUSmotive.com » Drive Thru: Volkswagen Polo GTI

Response from APR?

[Lima]

A response from me (author of the article) first. Here is the text concerning APR:

...Surprisingly, though, the APR tune, which on paper offers a 17kW/52Nm increase, wasn’t immediately noticeable in our back to back test. However, given the disappointment of the drive in a general sense we wouldn’t read too much into our comments. Generally speaking, APR and their competitors, offer great bang for buck...

The test of the modded Pogo was over around 30km of twisty roads (ie. I spent more time in the standard car). Due to the offset of the wheels and lowered suspension I spent more time trying to work out a way to drive the road in some sort of enthusiastic fashion without killing the tyres; it's a privately owned car and due care on my part had to be taken. My attention certainly wasn't focused on the tune. There was one brief straight line blast from standstill where the performance was certainly very brisk, but I didn't notice a huge night/day difference over the stock car.

With more time in the modded car, and on smoother roads my guess is the difference would be more noticeable over stock.

In short, it wasn't a fair test of the tune but it needed to be addressed in the review and I tried to provide comments to make that clear.

[Guy_H]

All, please see article at Ausmotive.com
AUSmotive.com » Drive Thru: Volkswagen Polo GTI

Response from APR?

No response from us, I wasn't at the test. Anyway some of our customers have already commented, and you can see what Motor Magazine thought of our car (and the performance numbers) here :

http://goapr.com.au/media/mm-june2011.pdf

[vRSy]

A good map IMO feels just like OEM in its power delivery. so in everyday driving it should be very similar.

Nothing worse than a map that gives you everything initially making you feel that its really fast before power dies off at the top end.

[Banana2]

A good map IMO feels just like OEM in its power delivery. so in everyday driving it should be very similar.

This has certainly been my experience with the APR remap. As smooth as stock, all the way through the revs. As easy to drive as stock, so still great for a daily driver.

[weedub]

Just had my APR Cold Air Intake and Stage 1 tune yesterday. The difference is definitely noticeable. I am not having any detectable problems with misfire or surging so far. On Sunda it will get a thrashing on track so we'll see.

Thanks Quattro Motors and APR

[Boeta]

So I was going to put the APR Tune off until 3-5k kms were up on the clock (only 1100kms)... but APR have another easter sale! 15% off the ECU tunes.

I'm afraid I cannot resist!

[Banana2]

So I was going to put the APR Tune off until 3-5k kms were up on the clock (only 1100kms)... but APR have another easter sale! 15% off the ECU tunes.

I'm afraid I cannot resist!

Good call Boeta! You won't regret it!

I was just re-reading my review above, and gee I sound morose! If I do, it's because of the fact that I lost a long, in-depth review, when I hit the post button... not because I was disillusioned by the upgrade. So frustrated having to re-do the whole thing!

Honestly, I am having a blast with the new tune! I've actually switched it off (reverted to Stock - Program 1) to see if my oil consumption would increase again, and man, am I missing Program 3!

But hopefully I'll be able to answer my own question - is it the tune or just a coincidence that my oil consumption dropped off just after getting the tune?

The anti-theft mode is really useful, too.

1110 km may sound a bit early, but remember, you can switch it off until you're ready...

Can't wait to switch mine back on!

[Banana2]

Someone in the Polo section posted a video of their Polo, APR Stage 1 + HP Intake, 0-100.

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/forums/f128/gti-0-100-km-h-70246.html#post797346