(Chipping) What you guys do if ...

[joesa]

What would you guys do if you lived in a country were your only local chipping options were Chiplogic or Superchips :

1. Chiplogic chip ( a local company that uses a modified
MTH chip from Germany)
2. Superchips chip (the local agents for Superchips)
3. Remove the ECU and send it to REVO. And hope and pray
that the ECU comes back together with SP3 thingie in
the mail cos if it doesn't then you are well and truly
fecked.

I was also wondering whether it was possible to make a
copy of the standard chip ie. read the data from the
standard chip and copy it to another chip. Then I could
send the original to REVO and use the copy in the
meantime /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Later
Joe

 

[Crafty]

You say that chiplogic use a modified MTM chip ?
How exactly is it different ? do they remap it to suit the (hotter) ambient temperatures in SA ?

Can no-one offer you a custom remap ?

Have you looked into a mappable ECU ? many rally/motorsport companies out there ??

 

[mramage]

Joe, it's worth bearing in mind that there may be different ECU settings for different countries, at least different areas, like Europe/US/Africa etc.

The "Chiplogic" company may be selling a modified version for a good reason.

I sent my A4 ECU to the states to get chipped by a German based firm. Although it was the US distributor, they had to contact head office to use the correct European settings.

Not trying to put you off or anything like that. It's just worth making sure. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beerchug.gif

 

[AL_B]

You could offer to become a REVO South Africa agent.

Plugging in a laptop and loading up some software sounds pretty simple to me. No offence to the REVO guys. Obviously the hard work is in designing/developing the remap (generic?) and the dongle thing. But actually flashing the ECU chip sounds simple.

Pay for a plane ticket for REVO chap to South Africa. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Other alternative, see if you can purchase spare ECU. I know some of the tuning companies in the UK can get hold of them. Get the tuning company to chip it and sent it to you. You then install it at home.

AL

 

[AL_B]

[ QUOTE ]
joesa said:
doesn't the tuning company need
my original chip to get info like immobiliser codes etc.
If not then this seems the best way to go /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

No I don't think they do. All they need, IIRC, is your engine code and ECU code i.e. part number. You'll probably have to take the ECU out to get this. I think the ECU code is the main one they need. That ensures they get you the right "base" ECU. They will "chip" the car. Then when you get the chipped ECU back to SA, you will have to get the ECU, Immobiliser and Key all configured, this can be done at the dealer, or by someone with VAG-COM (I think).

Can someone verify the VAG-COM bit?

AL

 

[Crafty]

Never heard of MTH, have you got a link to them or chiplogic ?

They must be changing the map if they claim to get more power. Ask them if they could remap your car as a one off.

If you are going to go with any generic solution ( Superchips, Revo, APR, etc etc ) that you have alot higher ambient temperatures than we do in the UK and indeed Germany etc. This could cause problems on the fuelling front.. You should have an "after" dyno run done with checks on AF ratio and knock detection. If you have VAG-COM use that to do some data logging.

Can't help thinking you will be better off with an aftermarket mappable ECU..... infinitly adjustable to the conditions you have in SA. Look for some motorsport companies ( preferably rally teams ) who might be able to help out.

There is a guy registered on here who is from SA and has a superchipped S3 which he is now fitting water injection to, presumably to try and combat against detonation. look for a post called "Water injected S3", something like that... he has a website about his car and the mods done.
I'd prefer to see a properly mapped car rather than a generic solution and a seperate water injection system used...

 

[Gambba]

My thoughts as well Crafty, that's why I posted this on TS.net

Joe,
All I've got to say is SUPERCHIPS , a very safe chip from what I know i.e. underpowered when compared to others.

It must be a hard choice to make!

Another option is a standalone version, so maybe you could have a chat with these guys who are in South Africa for some ideas;

Company: Alpine Developments JHB Pty Ltd
Contact Person: Rod Matheson
Email: alpinej@global.co.za
Tel: +27 11 792 5300
Fax: +27 11 7923930
Area: Randburg, Gauteng

And these are the products they sell; http://www.perfectpower.com/Distributors/pp_southafrica.asp

 

[DuncS3]

I would go with a local tuner who could support you - it would be difficult to get support from a UK tuner such as REVO being so far away.

Gammba - I dont think Superchips is underpowered - I have seen dyno plots of Superchips at around 270 bhp

Dunc

 

[joesa]

[ QUOTE ]
No I don't think they do. All they need, IIRC, is your engine code and ECU code i.e. part number. You'll probably have to take the ECU out to get this. I think the ECU code is the main one they need. That ensures they get you the right "base" ECU. They will "chip" the car. Then when you get the chipped ECU back to SA, you will have to get the ECU, Immobiliser and Key all configured, this can be done at the dealer, or by someone with VAG-COM (I think).



[/ QUOTE ]

I will mail REVO about this .


[ QUOTE ]
Never heard of MTH, have you got a link to them or chiplogic ?

[/ QUOTE ]
http://www.chiplogic.co.za

[ QUOTE ]
There is a guy registered on here who is from SA and has a superchipped S3 which he is now fitting water injection to, presumably to try and combat against detonation. look for a post called "Water injected S3", something like that... he has a website about his car and the mods done.
I'd prefer to see a properly mapped car rather than a generic solution and a seperate water injection system used...

[/ QUOTE ]
His name is Stuart and I know him well ,we were two of the first members of the Audi Club of SA.He recommended that I go for Superchips cos he is very happy with it.He is not getting detonation but I think he is using water injection
to keep the temp down to maintain power and for long-term reliability.

Gambba , I have already spoken to Alpine Developments and they can't do anything for the S3.


[ QUOTE ]
I would go with a local tuner who could support you - it would be difficult to get support from a UK tuner such as REVO being so far away.


[/ QUOTE ]
I know but the REVO setup with SP3 is so ****** tempting,
I will get so much control that none of the other options can even come close to.

 

[Gambba]

[ QUOTE ]
DuncS3 said:
Gammba - I dont think Superchips is underpowered - I have seen dyno plots of Superchips at around 270 bhp

Dunc

[/ QUOTE ]

You are probably right, I was basing my opinion on the A3T, but I would never consider them as top of the list, and would prefer to go with somebody that specialises in tuning certain brands, rather than every car on the market....just my opinion of course.

Joe, seems like things are hard in the world of tuning in SA, I suggest you take a holiday to the UK with your ECU underarm and get it done...............

Again another quest for you! Good luck /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beerchug.gif

 

[Crafty]

Joe,

had a look at that chiplogic site..

it says that they provide a dyno-tune for each car when the upgrade is done, now if this means they take the MTH map and tweak it for each car I'd go for that..
If they just bung in the MTH code and run it up on the rollers I'd keep looking.

Give em a call or go up there and see.. be ideal if they had a car there they were upgrading so you could see whats involved.

Send them an email and invite them onto the board, maybe they can tell us more about what they do /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[joesa]

[ QUOTE ]
Joe, seems like things are hard in the world of tuning in SA, I suggest you take a holiday to the UK with your ECU underarm and get it done...............


[/ QUOTE ]
I was thinking about that /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[ QUOTE ]
it says that they provide a dyno-tune for each car when the upgrade is done, now if this means they take the MTH map and tweak it for each car I'd go for that..
If they just bung in the MTH code and run it up on the rollers I'd keep looking.


[/ QUOTE ]
I have already looked , the 3 options I mentioned are really my only options.Chiplogic basically loads the MTH map and tweeks it while the car is being dynoed.

I spoke to the local Superchips agent today and he quoted an extra 22kw(30bhp) and 80nm of torque.Seemed liked a straight up guy and said it would take 4 hours to do
the ecu replacement and I would get my orignal chip back,
the price is also very good at approximately 365 pounds.

I spoke to a guy at Chiplogic Headoffice which is about 10 minutes from my home and he quoted an extra 25kw-30kw (34bhp-40bhp) and 80nm-100nm of torque.
It costs approximately 561 pounds. The thing that concerns me is that the guy I spoke to said they replace the
original chip with their chip but I know it's a remap.
When I told him that I would want my original chip back he said they will not give it back to me /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

So at the moment I am leaning towards Superchips purely
because the guy seemed very honest.I need to make a
decision in the next week cos I am relocating from
Johannesburg to Cape Town.My heart still says REVO but
they take about a week to respond to emails. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Are any of you guys coming down to Cape Town on holiday ,
then you can bring me a REVO chip and dongle. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Crafty]

I'd go chiplogic.

For nothing other than the chip will be specifically for your car and the environment it runs in.
The map in the superchip was probably done over here, and I can promise you that the environment in a damp buckinghamshire are a whole lot different to SA /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Yes its more money but you get what you pay for.

Why do you want the stock chip back ? if I remember correctly its a 44pin chip (can anyone confirm?) which are a right bitch to solder in, knackering the ECU is a definite possibility if you don't know what you are doing..

Alternative track... do some other mods first, exhaust, frount mount intercooler etc and then go to chiplogic as they'll be able to remap the car to exploit the mods, superchip wouldn't be able to fully maximise the mods.

 

[joesa]

[ QUOTE ]
Why do you want the stock chip back ?

[/ QUOTE ]
I want the stock chip back cos if I get bored with the
performance chip then I can send my stock chip to REVO and still drive my car with whatever chip I choose in the meantime.

 

[Crafty]

[ QUOTE ]
joesa said:
I want the stock chip back cos if I get bored with the
performance chip then I can send my stock chip to REVO and still drive my car with whatever chip I choose in the meantime.



[/ QUOTE ]

Revo can't do anything with a stock chip, they need the whole ECU, and probably the whole car.....
In any case Revo is no different to Superchip, the code has been developed in (and for) the UK, not SA.

 

[RichA3Turbo]

I woul go with Crafty on this one and say that its worht the extra money to get it done properly.

Rich

 

[Jukester]

The guy in our local Audi dealership has a chipped TT for sale. Claims it's good for 330Bhp! Also reckons that if Audi chip it for you, it doesn't harm the waranty? I am clueless, is this true?

J.

 

[RichA3Turbo]

Well u cant get 330bhp just from a chip so hes bullsh1tting on that one... but IIRC aston green audi and wayside audi(Milton keynes) use AmD for chipping, but charge about £400 more than AmD but will still honour the warranty.

Rich

 

[DuncS3]

As a side note alledgedly REVO can chip your ECU remotely (according to MoS3 anyhow)

PS - all this talk of FMICs - who does one for the S3?

Dunc

 

[Crafty]

Dunc,

not 100% sure but I think a TT one will fit from forge.. but at nearly a grand they're having a laugh. One of their generic ones could be made to fit I reckon..

Failing that pace make a TT one which is about a 1/3rd cheap than forge, still effing expensive though.

dunno if AmD/Sportec/Jabba make one ?
A Mitsi Evo 6 ones might just fit if it isn't too thick.. certainly the end tanks would be okay as far as entry & exit goes.

 

[RichA3Turbo]

Absolutely nobody.. if u want one, u have to do it yourself!
P1sses me off abuot tuning companies... they do loads of stuff for VW's, but ****** all for Audi's.

Rich