To chip or not to chip...

[danno2908]

teehehee... Dave you should be in advertising!

[mattty]

can someone advise if APR chip reflashes the ECU or an additional electronics connected onto the ECU? cheers.

[MACCAA]

APR ,Oettinger ,Revo=reflash.

[FL00DY]

APR ,Oettinger ,Revo=reflash.

So is GIAC.

[mazgtr]

I'm still trying to make a decision on which chip to use so I had the Revo trial done today at Peak Automotive. One word...UNBELIEVABLE! It's a huge difference. It just pulls in any gear at any speed. And yes rolling starts are even better. So much fun to drive! Can easily get into trouble with the police if I'm not careful. It's definitely quicker than my previous ride which is a 98 S14A 200SX. I'm going to miss it when it returns back to stock. I'll have to hurry and make a decision very soon!

LOL!!! Thats where i got my GTI flashed, as soon as i drove away i was like WTF!!! Your not wrong about trouble with the Police, haveing a little turbo and fat mid-range i find myself over the speed limit in no time.

I couldnt go back to pre-flash now...

[Grant]

say you get a apr reflash and swap the program back to stock before you get it serviced at a dealer... is there ANY way they can detect it?

[VW GTI]

say you get a apr reflash and swap the program back to stock before you get it serviced at a dealer... is there ANY way they can detect it?

What's stopping them from playing the the cruise control stick?

If they take the ECU apart I think they can too. But there should be no reason to do that.

I may be wrong.

[Grant]

so with the cruise control stalk... do you have to enter the correct sequence of buttons for it show any signs of being chipped? or will randomly pressing buttons make it 'beep' to signify a incorrect sequence?

[VW GTI]

If you have the security feature then yeah.

Read this: http://goapr.com.au/support/dpp_emcs_instructions.pdf

[RhysQ]

so with the cruise control stalk... do you have to enter the correct sequence of buttons for it show any signs of being chipped? or will randomly pressing buttons make it 'beep' to signify a incorrect sequence?

its not something a dealer will just stumble across (unless of course, as mentioned, it has the security feature). i had my car for 3 weeks before figuring out it was chipped. and that was only because the previous owner saw it on the web and contacted me to inform me.

with APR, the engine has to be off and only the auxiliaries on before programs can be changed. from then, the minus (-) speed button on the cruise control stalk has to be held in for at least 5 seconds before the engine light starts flashing to indicate the program selected (single flashes for standard, double flashes for race gas).

i dont have the security feature so i have not been worried about the dealer discovering the chip.

[Grant]

If you attempt to switch chip states or use any other EMCS function by depressing the cruise control buttons while in the LOCKED
state, you will receive no visual feedback and the requested function will not run. If your EMCS product is equipped with the security feature, then you MUST enter
your unique access code correctly before you will be able to access EMCS features. The EMCS module will always default to the LOCKED state when ECU power
is interrupted and the ECU will run the first program (usually stock). The EMCS module will not reset when the ignition key is turned OFF and back ON. You will
not lose your current EMCS settings unless the ECU loses power (i.e. the ECU is unplugged or the battery is disconnected).

thats if you have the security lockout feature

also the dash lights only blink once the custom security code is entered correctly... so there is no way for a dealer to play with it... unless they physically take out the ecu and see the soldered on emc?

[VW GTI]

also the dash lights only blink once the custom security code is entered correctly... so there is no way for a dealer to play with it... unless they physically take out the ecu and see the soldered on emc?

That's my understanding.

[Grant]

well i guess i'll be getting mine flashed then

sorry for being so thorough, but i guess the next question is for what reason would the dealer service staff look at the ecu?
fault codes? vag-com?

[DaveMack]

Most of the dealers are very well aware of the reflash being available and how to enable / disable it. There are some who have even said to customers: "If you want more power ... here's the place to go for a reflash."

The warranty issue really only arises if damage is done to the car that is directly attributable to the reflash ... and that is EXTREMELY unlikely (all major chip reflash suppliers are VERY careful to ensure that their product will not damage you car) - they simply cannot afford the bad publicity.

I've had warranty work done on mine and I have the "APR Tuned" badging on the back - still no charge for the work under warranty (aircon). Oh ... and as you can see in my sig ... I've had a few obvious 'mods' done to the car and my warranty has not been challenged yet (maybe it's 'cos I'm an 'Old Fart' ).

Hope this helps.

Dave

[Chuck]

Can you guys please post up the total costs for chipping

Type:
Cost:
Install:
kw/torque gained:

Thanks heaps!!