1.4 APR Chip - First Impressions

[GTom]

Today I got the APR Stage 1 chip for the 1.4L GT TSI (I believe it's the same as the 118TSI in the Mk6)...

Currently on the market I believe there are now 3 tunes (Revo, Oettinger, APR)
- Didn't go with Oettinger as the price was too high for me ($2500)
- Revo, didn't really look into this one as I didn't want to reflash the car by myself (~$1500)
- APR well I went with this one ($1620 with the 10% discount in June with 2 programs - I got stock and '98' programs - the savings are now in the "Toms new wheels fund" )

Due to boredness of studying (there's only so much you can take ) took the car out for an hour....

Anywho the APR chip.....
Put simply.... Think the current smoothness in the twincharger, but with amplified power and torque.

- Down low the car is more responsive
- The car seems to benefit from the tune up high as well
- Bit more torquey in the mid range
- No MASSIVE surge of power anywhere in the rev range, so it makes it seem like there is no lag at all...
- You can definitely feel the extra torque when you put your foot down.

Changing between the programs is fairly easy (the clip on the apr site makes it look difficult, i thought that anyway)

I'll try to get a video out comparing the two programs... But don't know when

Any questions more then happy to answer them!

[Creniac]

GTom, I'm also looking at the APR Chip also so it's good to see you have jumped in first.... dude I'm keen to know all your experiences with it in the next few weeks....

[kaoticice]

the gt tsi has 125kw, whilst the 118tsi has 118kw if im not wrong... BUt yeh congratz on the tune ey! expect a huge gain
any dyno graphs of before and after?

[Fanaki]

Thanks for the write up GTom!

I've just had my 15k service and will be visiting the local APR rep as soon as I can get a few days free...

But in the mean time, I am keen to hear how much of a difference the tune makes to fuel economy, driveability at low revs (ie nice and smooth off idle, no stuttering) and how many car lengths you can get on a V8

Look forward to hearing more soon

[Guy_H]

Hey GTom - Thanks for the review.

The big difference when you jump form say a GTI to a twincharger is the seamless onset of power. The GT is almost like a normally aspirated car, where the GTI the power & torque comes in pretty hard at 2500 - 300rpm with a bigger surge.

If only they could apply the twincharger to bigger capacity motors, the technology is awesome.

[Sage]

one question.. was it worth the money?

[PROJET - L]

Very interested in the outcome for this.
I am looking at trading my Passat in on a Jetta TSI or Octavia TSI
and would like weight up the tuning potential of both.

Keep us updated.

[kaoticice]

Hey GTom - Thanks for the review.

The big difference when you jump form say a GTI to a twincharger is the seamless onset of power. The GT is almost like a normally aspirated car, where the GTI the power & torque comes in pretty hard at 2500 - 300rpm with a bigger surge.

If only they could apply the twincharger to bigger capacity motors, the technology is awesome.

I completely agree with the similarity of the twin-charger behavior with an aspirated engine. Another problem turbocharged cars is it lacks the throttle response, making the tsi appear faster.

[Maverick]

I completely agree with the similarity of the twin-charger behavior with an aspirated engine. Another problem turbocharged cars is it lacks the throttle response, making the tsi appear faster.

The TSI can appear faster all it wants doesn't change the fact it's slower!

I can't say I've noticed any lack of throttle response in the GTI, maybe on the cars with the K04 and larger turbos but all you have to do is adjust your driving style to adapt to the slower turbo spin up time.

[BarneyBoy]

I completely agree with the similarity of the twin-charger behavior with an aspirated engine. Another problem turbocharged cars is it lacks the throttle response, making the tsi appear faster.

Completely true observation. That's one reason why the TSI is so nice to drive.
While one of the better turbo engines for spooling up quickly, the GTI can never deliver its ample power as seamlessly as the TSI.

It just depends what you prefer. Personally, most of my driving is done below 3000 rpm - around town. And the little that occurs above 3000 is perfectly enjoyable for me.

It'd be nice to see how this APR chip compares with the Revo and Oettinger.
Anyone have either of these?

[GTom]

Well just got back from work .... The drive back home was great.

Like guy said there is no sudden onset of power. If you didn't know it was a 1.4L with two chargers connected to it you would think it is Naturally Aspirated..

Another thing noticed is the traction control likes to kick in a bit more now .

The extra torque is now noticeable especially in the 2500 rpm range (as guy pointed out)

Was it worth it.... With the 10% off I think so... Putting into perspective the prices of the competitors (I can't comment on the other two as I have never driven any car with the chips)

I have footage of both the stock tune and the APR tune... I will try and edit to put the two side by side...

[kaoticice]

The TSI can appear faster all it wants doesn't change the fact it's slower!

I can't say I've noticed any lack of throttle response in the GTI, maybe on the cars with the K04 and larger turbos but all you have to do is adjust your driving style to adapt to the slower turbo spin up time.

i get a lag in throttle at really low speeds in compared with our outlander. But once the car is running at a speed the throttle lag disappears. At first it was kind of stressing coz due to the throttle lag you'll automatically react by giving more gas, then u get this massive surge of torque and in a blink you're doing 60
Use to it now, though my dad is complaining at the moment haahahaha.

[Paul_OH]

The TSI can appear faster all it wants doesn't change the fact it's slower!

Slower than what Mav, a chipped GTI? I don't doubt it is. But is it slower than a std GTI with equivalent quoted power yet more torque (avail from lower revs) and less weight in the TSI configuration? I imagine that it would be quicker. Until someone comes out with performance figures and confirms your 'fact' I'll be sitting on the fence.

[POLARBEAR666]

TSI is 40kg lighter at the nose according to VW racing UK's press releases.

and if you take another 40kg out hehehe....

[Maverick]

Slower than what Mav, a chipped GTI? I don't doubt it is. But is it slower than a std GTI with equivalent quoted power yet more torque (avail from lower revs) and less weight in the TSI configuration? I imagine that it would be quicker. Until someone comes out with performance figures and confirms your 'fact' I'll be sitting on the fence.

The discussion was about the TSI having no "lag" and that if felt faster. Nothing to do with the chipped TSI.

Having said that I doubt the chipped GT would beat a stock GTI as the power delivery is different (look at the Dyno's and you'll see what I mean)