APR Engine ECU upgrade

[Uomo]

Hi Guys,

Went to VOLKSPOWER to get a RWC but came out with a brochure for APR Tunning as well.

I am really keen on getting this 184KW upgrade...but have any of you done this, does is wear out your engine parts quicker??

The manager there said you get more power and 10% saving on fuel too...don't make sense to me. But, i am no engineer....

FOr those that have it, wou;d you recommend it ?

[Lima]

The missus' GTI remains untouched at this stage. But a few more jibes that she'll lose a TLGP to a 380 or Aurion will fix that in good time.

But I did chip my old Mk4 GTI and I have done similar mods to the MINI ... just do it!

My opinion on the longevity question is that, yes, you will reduce the life of the engine to a degree, but with a simple Stage 1 ECU upgrade there are so many people around the world running this mod--either from APR, or GIAC, or Superchips, or whoever--without the sky falling on their heads. With that in mind, I'd have no second thoughts at all about recommending or doing this mod.

[gtimk5]

Definately worth getting the 6 hour free trial to make your mind up!!!
There are a lot of companies doing ECU upgrades these days and the end result with the majority is fantastic.
I have done mine and some other mods and love it. Best to look in the archives to see the results found by other members here to save a "chipwar"!!!!
My consumption is down, power is up. Win win situation!!!
Andrew

[srbsta]

dude i have it done and its awesome....bang for your money

[turboveedubb]

any idea how much stage 1 APR tuning costs?

[neil]

Sorry to hijack the thread but, For us less technical minded can someone please explain how more horsepower = less fuel consumption.

Is this also the case with TDI's.

Neil.

[turboveedubb]

yeah, I'm curious about the power fuel consumption thing as well... I mean... fuel is power right? I can understand how tuning can use fuel more efficiently... but isn't there a limit to how efficient an internal combustion engine is?

[GermanwithaVdub]

well fuel efficiency is achieved by compressing the air fuel mixture (the more it is compressed, the more power you can get out of the fuel) and the amount of power you get out of the compressed mixture is much more than the power you put into compressing it. but the fuel/air cant be infinitely compressed because otherwise it starts spontaneously combusting and you end up with misfiring and all sorts of trouble... so i guess thats the limit of fuel efficiency you're referring to

[Uomo]

Price

Sorry to hijack the thread but, For us less technical minded can someone please explain how more horsepower = less fuel consumption.

Is this also the case with TDI's.

Neil.

Stage one APR ECU upgrade to 185kw is AUD$1,999

[gtimk5]

As far as driving normally around the place, you arent using as much throttle to do the same speeds. Therefore I found that my average consumption dropped to around 7.1/100 on the open roads and in traffic (?) (!) on a 10 km trip from work with a cold motor to start with, I was achieving 8.3/100.
The turbo back exhaust increased this so on longer trips the consumption is around 8/100.
This will be rectified very shortly with reprogamming I think. I will keep you informed.
Mind you, if pushed hard around the track, consumption is bound to go through the roof but this is always to be expected.
Andrew

[Bing56]

Re; Apr

I've been running stage 2 APR for a while now (98 ron petrol). What I like about stage 2 is you can switch to stage 1 (normal unleaded) if you cant get the 98 ron stuff. Its not the ECU upgrade that shortens the life of the motor its the way you drive it, (wooot) Its adictive with all the extra torque. Having said that, once you get over the extra power on tap you can drive the thing around under 3000 rpm in town all day because of the extra torque on tap. I would suggest that you replace the DV with something like the "Forge" item as the original can't hold onto the extra turbo boost and will blow out eventually anyway. Go for the 6 hr demo, that will help you in your decision.

[Uomo]

I would suggest that you replace the DV with something like the "Forge" item as the original can't hold onto the extra turbo boost and will blow out eventually anyway.

Thanks Bing.
I don't know a lot about Car Mechanics. Can you suggest which DV to use and what is the 'forge' item vs stock VW.

Also, how much would it cost toreplace with' Forge DV'?

Thanks,
Larrry

[anarchycamp]

I am really keen on getting this 184KW upgrade...but have any of you done this, does is wear out your engine parts quicker??

Ive done 80,000kms and over 2 years with APR tune.....nothing has exploded yet

The manager there said you get more power and 10% saving on fuel too...don't make sense to me. But, i am no engineer....

Fuel economy is better if you are taking it easy, but I don;t expect you would if you get it

FOr those that have it, wou;d you recommend it ?

Yes

[Bing56]

Thanks Bing.
I don't know a lot about Car Mechanics. Can you suggest which DV to use and what is the 'forge' item vs stock VW.

Also, how much would it cost toreplace with' Forge DV'?

Thanks,
Larrry

The stock Diverter Valve is a plastic type item. The forge product is, as you can see in the pick on the link, CNC'd from billet aluminum (spelling). The original kit can't handle the extra boost as has a tendacy to flutter on full power. You can fit yourself although it is better to use a hoist ( I'm lucky my next door nieghbore has a big shed with hoist). Kit comes with instructions. Ian @ Rennanhaus has the item and is a nice bloke as well.

http://www.rennenhaus.com.au/MK5Engine.html

MK5 Engine

[srbsta]

i will be going to stage 2 TBE in dec cant wait for the extra power even though i make that much power now coz i have the evoms intake.....163kw atw hahahahahha woooooot soo with the APR TBE i should have 170+kw atw yehhhhhhh