Revo v ST3 v Bluefin

[ferris]

What are the differences between these or are they much of a muchness??
I know obviously that you can do the ST3 from home rather than take it somewhere but are the products the same?

 

[mikep]

They all remap the ecu, but the maps are not the same, similar in result possibly, but not the same.

Revo and Superchips develop their own maps in-house, I don't know where the ST3 maps come from.

 

[ferris]

And GIAC are similar are they?
How do you choose which one to go for?

 

[Jamiekip]

I'd chose on:

Q: What you want from your map?
A: Do you want the ability to adjust setting yourself... then go Revo. Do you want a smooth map that will adapt easily to other mods and offer zero count flash back to stock... then go GIAC. I'm not close to Bluefin or ST3 so can't comment.

Q: What does your local VAG specialist supply?
A: I'd choose a product that has the support structure nearby, just in case you do encounter problems.

Q: How much power do you want?
A: The current 'off the shelf maps' from Revo and GIAC deliver good gains on BHP and lb/ft. The superchips seems to be a little conservative, but those who have it enjoy it.

 

[ferris]

I don't need the option to switch, i'd just like more power than the current 265bhp and would like it to be reliable!
What is a 'VAG' specialist
Sounds like GIAC could be the one then although there are a lot of people getting these ST-3 units looking at the forum.

 

[Jamiekip]

VAG is the lable for the full VW group of cars, Audi, Seat, VW, Skoda, Lambo, Bently... and Porsche now as well I guess!

I have the GIAC and can't recommend it enough.... 18k miles with no problems and it has adapted well to a few other choice mod's.
I have 321bhp and 313lb/ft

The switch unit is worth it, if only to put back to stock when it goes to the dealers

 

[Iggu]

Are you sure these ST3 maps are for S3s ??
I've had Bluefin and Revo on my S3. Search my threads for full write ups etc. but to save you some time - Bluefin is Ok with outstanding customer service and support but is weak in terms of performance compared with Revo or GIAC. If you search for my "RS3" thread you will see a power graph which shows my car with Bluefin and my car with Revo - same day, same rollers, same conditions, so a very reliable comparison.

 

[ferris]

Yes the St-3 ones are for the S3 too, according to their website anyway.
Thanks for the advice , think it will have to be Revo or GIAC then.

 

[10blazin]

VAG is the lable for the full VW group of cars, Audi, Seat, VW, Skoda, Lambo, Bently... and Porsche now as well I guess!

I have the GIAC and can't recommend it enough.... 18k miles with no problems and it has adapted well to a few other choice mod's.
I have 321bhp and 313lb/ft

The switch unit is worth it, if only to put back to stock when it goes to the dealers

heh jamie did you buy the swich unit if so how much is it for a GIAC with the switch unit and where in the uk does this map anywhere neer manc you see im thinking of a remap but like you say want to flip it back to standard if i need to................

 

[PaulAr]

If you have a REVO and GIAC agent nearby then toss a coin, heads or tails.

Otherwise go REVO, they have a very comprehensive dealer network and almost certainly have a dealer not too far away. REVOs website lists them.

Either way, its well worth doing though, just the Stage 1 map without bolt-ons transforms the car.

Good luck
Paul

 

[10blazin]

If you have a REVO and GIAC agent nearby then toss a coin, heads or tails.

Otherwise go REVO, they have a very comprehensive dealer network and almost certainly have a dealer not too far away. REVOs website lists them.

Either way, its well worth doing though, just the Stage 1 map without bolt-ons transforms the car.

Good luck
Paul

cheers Paul but do they give you the unit to flip back to normal if you want you see i ain't telling the insurers.... ******** to em they get enuf of are damn money,,, so just need this as an option so when I'm half unconscious i can flip it back lol .....

 

[Jamiekip]

heh jamie did you buy the swich unit if so how much is it for a GIAC with the switch unit and where in the uk does this map anywhere neer manc you see im thinking of a remap but like you say want to flip it back to standard if i need to................

Give Statler in Sheffield a call mate.
I know several people who have gone there and really rate the service.
I know the GIAc pricing for the UK is under review - if not complete... drop them a line. Map prices vary depending on car and I got a pretty good deal on mine from Regal in Southampton at a RR day

EDIT:
Autograph House Parker Lane
Burnley, BB112BY, Lancashire, GB
Telephone: +44 (0) 870 745 9955

Statller ( Autorads )
298 Attercliffe Road
Sheffield S4 7WZ
Telephone: +44 (0) 1142 798 195

 

[10blazin]

cheers J but like i say do you have a unit that you can flip it back to normal or once you have it mapped thats it ?????????

 

[PaulAr]

cheers Paul but do they give you the unit to flip back to normal if you want you see i ain't telling the insurers.... ******** to em they get enuf of are damn money,,, so just need this as an option so when I'm half unconscious i can flip it back lol .....

Yes mate.
The REVO `Select` Switch does this.

I believe these change hands on ebay for around £50.

Plan to get one myself, havent got round to it yet but will need to prior to my next dealer visit.

I had the same 20T FSI as you in my MK5 Gti and had that REVOd too and can confirm it does exectly what it says on the tin, you will be amazed at the difference.

Ever thought about the free 5hr REVO trial?


cheers
Paul

 

[10blazin]

no id like to try it out though

 

[Jamiekip]

Sorry - missed that point.
Yep, I have an OBCD port controller, you can swap between:
Stock
Pump
Race
Valet
Kill

Stock is your standard MAP - GIAC are pretty uique in that they ensure they load up the latest OEM factory map for your car in order to prevent a dealer reflashing over your map when the car is in for service.
Pump = your remap - you can flash between this at any time, though it is recommended you don;t do it while the engine is under load.
Race is 100+ Octane fuel
Kill is an immobiliser
Valuet caps the revs to 2500 I think.

GIAC also keeps the flash count at whatever it was previously (effectively, if you reflash, the system is told to -1 so the count stays the same), meaning you can flash it back to standard as frequently as you want without raising your dealers suspicions

For the record, I only have the Stock and Pump maps

As previously said, it's a good set up and I'm really pleased with mine

 

[ollyhawkeye]

Is there any reason why APR never seem to get a mention here? I have never had a remap but I am seriously considering Awesome, mainly down to friends experiences, I know someone who worked there.

They are based in Manchester, Irlam if I remember rightly and are friendly enough.

Any experiences good or bad with APR guys or are they just an unknown??

Olly

 

[PaulAr]

no id like to try it out though

Its FREE so worth doing, dead easy, drive in, drive out with 250ish bhp for 5hrs driving time and no money changes hands.....however

Word of warning , you WILL be spending £500+ once you have had a taste of what its like, so be prepared to smash the piggy or sell a kidney before you go for that trial....:icon_thumright:


I drove 10mins down the road on the free trial, turned around, gave the REVO guy the money then drove home rather enthusiasticaly.

Sorry if it sounds a but `evangelical` but credit where credit is due.:icon_thumright:

cheers
Paul

 

[PaulAr]

Is there any reason why APR never seem to get a mention here? I have never had a remap but I am seriously considering Awesome, mainly down to friends experiences, I know someone who worked there.

They are based in Manchester, Irlam if I remember rightly and are friendly enough.

Any experiences good or bad with APR guys or are they just an unknown??

Olly

APR seem to get more airtime amongst the VW boys over on UKMIVS.

Cant say Ive heard anything negative myself.


cheers
Paul

 

[10blazin]

Its FREE so worth doing, dead easy, drive in, drive out with 250ish bhp for 5hrs driving time and no money changes hands.....however

Word of warning , you WILL be spending £500+ once you have had a taste of what its like, so be prepared to smash the piggy or sell a kidney before you go for that trial....:icon_thumright:


I drove 10mins down the road on the free trial, turned around, gave the REVO guy the money then drove home rather enthusiasticaly.

Sorry if it sounds a but `evangelical` but credit where credit is due.:icon_thumright:

cheers
Paul

cant at the min because im goin vegas in 5 week so no dosh at the mo but im gona get a trial defo .... neerer the time ive got the money because it will kill me when the trial runs out,, itle be like im in a metro lol ,......

 

[JustCharlie]

I've run APR in my 8L S3, mk5 GTI, ED30 and have been in an APR'd 8P S3, and thay have all been spot-on

 

[hatmeow]

I think GIAC, APR and Revo are all wise choices... Dont like Superchips though as you cannot upgrade (stage II, III etc) and the power gains are conservative.

I am using REVO and love playing around with the Select Plus module which lets you choose your own Boost, Timing and Fuel setting from your PC and save it on 3 memory slots on the module. In about 10-15seconds you can switch between setiings...(you can actually do this at a light!) Love every second of this!! I can set a very aggressive setting when I want to really kick *** but tune it down for every day, smooth fuel saving crusing.... perfect!

 

[PaulMc]

APR and REVO are very similar products based on the same original re-mapping code. They are un-cannily simliar REVO was borne out of ex APR employees.

 

[kaz219]

I've had the REVO Stage 2 on our LCR.
ST3 On my A3.
Bluefin on a mates golf 2.0 tdi.

Out of the 3, I'd think Revo was the best and if i did have have a petrol car (2.0T or S3), it would have to be the Revo, then st3, then bluefin (not too keen on the bluefin tbh).

You have to decide on what kind of map your after - smooth of kick in the teeth aggresive. I have the fast road St3 for smoothness and Race map for the low down tourqe.

The bluefin has been descibed as a bit too aggressive for everyday driving (the tourqe seems to be a bit lower down compared to the st3 fast road map).

St3 is good but revo/giac/apr are better imo.
If i had a S3, 2.0T, it would have to be the revo giac or apr but for my diesel, my at3 is awesome bit of kti at a good price.


What car do you have?

 

[ferris]

I haven't got the car yet, it's coming in 6 weeks, a new S3.

Looks like Revo is the one having researched it to death!

 

[Jamiekip]

I haven't got the car yet, it's coming in 6 weeks, a new S3.

Looks like Revo is the one having researched it to death!

Depends what you want out of it really and what stage you're going to.
persoanlly, after all my research, GIAC got my vote purely down to the smoother deliver it offers and the strong headline figures.
If you're going Satge 2+, the Revo map is actually very smooth (have had a run out in a few Revo stage 2+ cars now), but there stage 1 IMHO is a bit severe in it's delivery.

 

[mnoble]

I am looking at the same upgrade on my S3 when i get it but cannot decided between GIAC or REVO.

Ferris, what made you pick REVO?

 

[ferris]

Erm i think i've changed my mind actually having just looked at some personal recommendations for GIAC! I don't think there is much in it from the looks of it. I like the personal receommendations for Stattlers in Sheffield on a different thread.

 

[mnoble]

lol, I am swaying towards GIAC, as they have DSG/S-tronic software as well.

 

[Quattro_TDI]

Awsome quoted me over £550 for a remap - yes it was full custom on a rolling road and they'd mod the gearbox to suit.
(2005 A4 3.0 TDI Quattro Auto 205)

I just can't justify that sort of cash, and they didn't have a cheaper (of the shelf generic) option. Plus I've been very disapointed with them following a standard service. (didn't do as asked, rougher running after service and made a mess of service book)

So I've just bought an AlienTech from AutoGym in Chester for only £295. It’s the same as the ChippedUk's ST3 but not rebadged, and the guy has been affiliated with ChippedUk in the past.

I paid for the unit at 2pm and it had arrived the next morning by 9am, then he emailed my Road map within 2 hours of me reading my original.

Here's the really impressive bit.
The AlienTech struggled to write to my car. So I just read a log file from the device and emailed it to AutoGym. Within 2 hours 2 guys at AlienTech had been involved and a new firmware file was sent to me. Simple update at it worked a treat.

The maps are custom written to your requirements. With my Road map being setup for economy and to remove the turbo lag. Today’s commute was up from 36 to 42 mpg (according to the DIS) and more fun.
The other map will be full power - but he's given me the opportunity of requesting changes based on a week of using the first.

Highly recommended.

http://www.autogym.co.uk/

 

[6andy69]

On these re-maps do they just change the timing or increase the boost pressure aswell?? and are the standard S3's 1.2bar?

 

[Iggu]

On these re-maps do they just change the timing or increase the boost pressure aswell?? and are the standard S3's 1.2bar?

With Revo YOU change the Boost, Timing and Fuel settings in the map yourself to suit your preferences. The settings range from 1 to 9 for each variable.
Dunno what the others do.

 

[6andy69]

Whats the limit about 1.5 bar??

I was just seeing what the other companies do to achieve the power, because im going to get my local tuner to do me a map, it will be done on a dyno and will take about 3hrs they reckon, this should work better because its a indivual map for that car instead of a standard map from bluefin or revo?

 

[Jamiekip]

Different tuners will do different things to get their figures. There are so many parameters to work with, that 2 people can go in competely different directions and still get similar headline rates.
It all depends what you want out of a map really.
As said many times, both Revo and GIAC have a tried, tested and trusted solution for the S3 - anyone who has it on their car is happy.

I'd therefore base the decision on:
What your local tuner stocks - as if you need any after service, it needs to be someone relatively near to you.

HTH

 

[6andy69]

They normally modify jap cars and have there own drift cars in the uk championships, there only two mintues away so any problems i will be straight back! heres the link

http://www.westernperformance.co.uk/

 

[Iggu]

As said many times, both Revo and GIAC have a tried, tested and trusted solution for the S3 - anyone who has it on their car is happy.

They normally modify jap cars

Only my opinion - but these two quotes give you your answer. As Jamie says, GIAC and Revo are tried, tested and universally praised by the many customers who have had it.
This jap outfit are a total unknown and probably don't know one end of a TFSi from another.
Why risk it just to save a few quid ?