APR ECU 1 and fuel pump upgrade?

[Dazedconfused]

Hi again all,

I just had a chat to the boys over at German Auto here in Adelaide about getting a stage 1 APR ECU tune on my 2008 1.4 Twin charge, and I was wondering if anyone can advise me about the fuel pump requirements should I decide to go ahead with the tune?

I do remember reading some time ago about some models needing to upgrade their fuel pump for everything to work sweetly, but honestly I have no idea if mine will need that upgrade.

I'd greatly appreciate any advice.

Further, the boys at German Auto mentioned a heat soak issue, which could be possible with either the tune or due to my model getting the tune. Has anyone else suffered through this? Is it onerous, or mildly painful at times in hot weather upon start up?

Cheers,
Dave

[Guy_H]

No fuel pump required to tune your car.

If you purchase the revised "high pressure fuel pump" that is a supersession direct from Volkswagen, you will get more power & torque.

If you pull your engine cover off your car and look carefully you can get the VW part number off it & we can let you know if it's early or late.

Heat Soak?

Summers here. Anything you can do to reduce intake temps (like an intercooler) will help maintain your power.

[Ryan_R]

I have the 2009 Mk6 (MY10) 1.4 twin and the stage 1 APR is great even without the upgraded fuel pump

[Dazedconfused]

Hey all,

Thanks very much for the input.

As for the heat soak. It was described as the resulting performance lag/pinging (possibly) after initial engine start when the car has been sitting in the sun in summer. Higher engine temps degrading performance until the cool(er) air starts flowing through. I imagine a cold air intake would assist to a degree?

I'm just the messenger. My tech knowledge is pretty low. Note: He wasn't trying to deter me from the sale; I got the impression it was more of a full disclosure kind of thing.

[Ryan_R]

On hot days (over 27 degrees) it's not as quick as when it's colder, but then that's no different to running stock (you'll have even less power during Summer). Wouldn't see it as a reason not to upgrade (also worth noting that I purchased the upgrade during Summer when they had their December sale on).

I've ordered an Audi S3 intercooler from ECS Tuning to help deal with it. Not fitted it yet. While I can only talk from experience, Guy is the expert on the subject.

[AdamD]

Heat soak is an issue you may experience when the ambient air temperature is high, or the air temps within the engine bay (by the air intake) are high, and your intake cooling isn't compensating sufficiently. Metal components within the engine bay become soaked with heat, and radiate it. Turbocharged cars are very susceptible to higher temperatures, and so you will certainly notice a drop-off in performance when the air's hot. If your car is super-hot and standing idling for some time without fresh air feeding the intercooler, then your engine might suffer from pinging (detonation)... so don't do this.

A CAI isn't likely to help much (if at all), depending on how it's piped and where it draws its air from.

If you're planning on doing summer track days or running the car hard for extended periods in warmer temperatures, then consider an intercooler upgrade. But I wouldn't be too concerned about it if I were you; wait until you consider it to be a problem, and then address it.

[passat08]

"[/QUOTE]If you purchase the revised "high pressure fuel pump" that is a supersession direct from Volkswagen, you will get more power & torque.

If you pull your engine cover off your car and look carefully you can get the VW part number off it & we can let you know if it's early or late.Could this be the case with my 2.0 APR stage 1 passat wagon TSI? So all need to do is speak to VW and get a new one for more power and torque?

[Guy_H]

Could this be the case with my 2.0 APR stage 1 passat wagon TSI? So all need to do is speak to VW and get a new one for more power and torque?

Doesn't apply to the 2.0T engines, only the 1.4 Twinchargers received a larger pump somewhere in the production sequence. You next upgrade on the 2.0T is an APR HPFP & the software to match!

[passat08]

what price would i be looking at for that? and the power gains?

[Guy_H]

what price would i be looking at for that? and the power gains?

APR - High Performance Development for Audi, VW and Porsche Vehicles.

[Dazedconfused]

Thanks Ryan_R and AdamD, that's good info. FYI I still intend to get the tune once I work out which one I want, I was simply trying to gauge what the impacts might be, and you've explained it very simply.