MKVI GTI ECU Upgrade...Which is Best?

[PAPA GTI]

Hi All,

Just bought a new GTI Mk6 DSG and am loving it......However, I am looking to upgrade the ECU to get a little more pace and torque.

Has anyone done an ECU upgrade to the Mk6 (or MK 5) GTi and is it responding well, especially with a DSG gearbox?.

I am considering to flash the ECU with APR's software, however I understand that their is oettinger, GIAC etc.... and all work differently.

Some advice on which is better would be a great help.

I do understand that APR upgrades give almost factory like increase to performance. Though is it value for money and why would I not choose this software over something else?

Cheers
Papa GTI

[elisiX]

All much of a muchness in the end but personally, i've only used APR.

Reason? Guy can be contacted directly and will stand by his product.

Even if it is a little defensive at times. I trust what they're doing.

[fuzion]

GIAC & Unitronic seemed to have the higest output of power at the last K04 Dyno Day and Sydney Dyno Day's amongst other dyno results i have read.

You have UNITRONIC, APR, REVO, Bluefin and GIAC for choices.

Its a matter of preference.

I know what i would be personally choosing however it wouldn't be what you mentioned from experience with them.

And elis, i can show you 3 people who he did 'not' stand with his product where they all went to rival companies mentioned above.

[elisiX]

P I am sure that there are crap loads of examples of things going wrong and people going to other tuners.

It's just that in my experience Guy has always been around, the products well known and it has run flawlessly on my TT.

[Lams]

not this again...

[Corey_R]

Oh jesus - another one of these threads! lol

These go about as well as a thread discussing which religion is the best!

[noone]

procedure for choosing a tune:

1: be aware of warranty issues, if you are overly concerned about your warranty, dont do it.

2 Gather some dyno / power / features / other specs on each of the tunes you have in mind. If you don't plan on making any other engine mods, not much more to think about really.

3: think about what other people say about various brands and brand reps

4: talk to the company you think you want to do your tune. if you feel a connection and there would be support in the event of something going wrong

5: Just do it, it will be better than what you have now and the difference between the 2 'fastest' ones will be much less than the difference between 2 drivers capabilities.

[iBoost]

I'm probably going to go with APR when I get mine as they seem to have the most customers and support on forums like this.

The REVO seems to be cheaper and give more power but I've heard you can't switch programs back to stock without buying the switch to toggle this. Maybe someone here can elaborate...

Also, from reading on US forums I've heard that the Mark VI ECU can't be flashed without being removed first. There's been some talk about it being obvious the ECU has been tampered with unless you replace the screws which were removed with new ones.

[Tim]

Also, from reading on US forums I've heard that the Mark VI ECU can't be flashed without being removed first. There's been some talk about it being obvious the ECU has been tampered with unless you replace the screws which were removed with new ones.

Guy can probably clarify but based on his post in this thread http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newf...ad.php?t=41008
It looks as though they are removing the ECU and bench flashing it on mk6 GTIs as well. Im not aware of a company that can flash the new ECUs direct though the diagnostics port.
I could be wrong though? depends on what sort of plug is on the end of the cable i guess?

[Tim]

looks like this thread here shows the process in action

http://forums.fourtitude.com/zerothread?id=4742085

Again correct me if im wrong. But this is my understanding of the current situation. Just trying to correct the misinformation not create more.

[fuzion]

Guy can probably clarify but based on his post in this thread http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newf...ad.php?t=41008
It looks as though they are removing the ECU and bench flashing it on mk6 GTIs as well. Im not aware of a company that can flash the new ECUs direct though the diagnostics port.
I could be wrong though? depends on what sort of plug is on the end of the cable i guess?

pretty much spot on dude..

either way at the end of the day, its WHO you choose and WHO you want to go with.

opinions are opinions, go with who you think is best for you and who is closest.

[Guy_H]

Depending on build date, the method will vary! VW is retrospectively re-flashing 1024 bit encryption onto earlier build cars. All 15 APR dealers now have the new tools to do all models regardless of build date.

As far as i know there have only been two MKVI's on dyno's around the country, mine & Derek's (from European Autotech www.europeanautotech.com.au).

Since you are in NSW, pop in & see Derek & you can see his own MKVI demo car.

Look for some pictures shortly of our MKVI buildup!

Also when looking at dyno plots, look at the power curves, and more importantly, the torque curves. It's not peak numbers you should concentrate on

[iBoost]

Thanks for the info Guy. I'll definitely drop in and see Derek, unfortunately I won't have the car until June though.

[HereGoes]

Bugger no Blufin any more...

I just wanted a little bit of extra grunt to play with and i could justify $1,000 doing it but now you are talk almost double that for APR plus the risks with new car Warranty. It is fast becoming just not worth it really

[Maverick]

Bugger no Blufin any more...

I just wanted a little bit of extra grunt to play with and i could justify $1,000 doing it but now you are talk almost double that for APR plus the risks with new car Warranty. It is fast becoming just not worth it really

The benefit of the APR system is that you can switch on the fly to stock mode if the car is being serviced. Plus if the power is disconnected say after an accident or an electrical problem the car is back in stock mode with no way to tell that it's been flashed unless you enter the code (optional feature).