Plug in Chip Audi A3 110 sport?

[madog]

It seems there are two camps on the plug in tuner chips available. I'm getting brave and asking if anyone can suggest a good chip for an Audi A3 (98) 110 tdi sport?

Alot of people seem to be very happy with their basic plug in chips and there's also alot who seem to think they will eventually destroy our engines...
I agree with both and seem to be stuck in the middle - can anyone persuade me either way?

Perhaps someone who is currantly using a plug in chip let me know how its going - if they have had any problems.

Some of the German suppliers have alot of happy customers and it seems to contradict alot of the advice given on here but I need my car as a reliable work tool as well so all advice will be well recieved.
Any comments on this one?

http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...e=STRK:MESE:IT

aaahhh thankyaw...

[madog]

Ok, after a bit more reading I get the picture. Sometimes you have to work for your info and newbs like me dont how to get the best out of the forum 'search' straight way - although I get the feeling good advice can sometimes conflict with business interests in here...

[madog]

Well, due to the overwhelming response I've had here, and 'clear as mud' threads I've read, Ive bought an 'Abrieb chiptuner box' straight from Germany for £70.

After alot of research I couldn't find any disapointed customers and I also would like to be able to take it off if I wish.
I shall just post the results as they happen once fitted.

Good or bad and unbiased!!

I have minimal machanical experience and my car is completely standard so this should be just a clean cut test.
Anyone doing research can find this thread without conflicting messages or people advertising their own products. (please)

I'll be in touch.
Even if it is just to myself....

[SEMKY]

Hi mate,

Sorry to see that no-one has been able to offer any advice here...myself no exception.
I did try the REVOTECHNIK re-program on mine and the results were phenomenal....since it was the free 5 hour trial, I couldnt help with its reliability etc, but guarantee the extra power would cause increased wear to clutch/drivetrain etc.

Would be interested to know how you get on!

Cheers and good luck.

[madog]

yeah cheers,

I chatted to the main dealer sevice bloke and he said my engine and componants should be able to deal with extra 30hp seeing as there not much difference in the next model up anyway.

He said it was down to how I drive it.
I'm not really a boy racer (ish) ...I just want the torque and to zap a bit of life into the car I spend most of my day in.

We shall see - It could be false economy.

Nice rims btw

[madog]

It arrived today - 5 days after I ordered it - not bad. I fitted it in about 15 mins after faffing about trying to seprate the ecu from the pump. It slotted in nicely.
This plug in chip is apparently especially for the VP37 non pump engine. After translating the instructions I tuned the adjustable screw on the side for my prefered settings. I tried it on full whack and went for a test drive. A bit brutal for my little car....wow. However, the glow plug light started flashing.

The instruction say this is normal but harmless and alot of people just put up with it (as researched on other forums). I hate any flashing lights on my dash so I tuned it down a little at the expense of some BHP. This took some time and it would of been quicker with two people as the adjustments are minimal. However, light stopped flashing and the drive felt smooth. As smooth as it was before insertion.

It now bombs along at a good rate - maybe 15 - 20 bhp extra.
Smooth delivery and good torque so I am pleased with the purchase so far.
No black smoke when I push it and a noticable gain in power and all seems well......

I asked the vendor if it is a simple resistor and he said yes but specifically for my model car....all plug in chips have resistors, even the ones selling for 350 quid on the flashy websites.
I liked his frankness.

The chicken count has not started yet as the jury is still out.

But so far so good.

[S2AVANT]

I had a tuning box fitted to my A3 110 tdi for about a month, then I took it off.
The car started running on when I switched it off, so the tuning box trickery wasn't doing it any good.
It now has a full 2.5" Miltek system, and is getting a set of .216 nozzles (.205 standard) and VNT17VA turbo (VNT15 standard).
It will then get tuned properly by altering the maps in the ECU and not just tricking the ECU into delivering a bit extra without addressing anything else. I'm looking for 170hp.

[VanWheeler]

Check the link in my signature guys, could be jsut what you're after.

Cheers, Mark

[madog]

And so the adverts start

[ini]

A tuning box is not a bad option for the older 90 & 110 engines.

I used to run an old analog 'Dragon' box on my 110, it was perfectly fine. As you said it did need adjusting downwards from full power until it stopped triggering the glow plug light (engine management fault).

It increased power by around 23bhp at max, and even though i have a heavy right foot, increased mpg a little.

I found that if i adjusted it slightly every few months, it helped keep the power up (adaptation fighting the increased fueling).

I would never spend more than £50 on a tuning box. As you have stated, it is only 5p worth of variable resistor (or similar digital solution), surrounded by 10p worth of resin to hide the component.

It is best to buy a second hand unit from a respected manufacturer. (i have sold many TDI tuning boxes, and some are far better quality, both in performance and build)

Any mod which allows easily tuneable, increased fueling has to be good.

It can not really compete with the gains possible from a remap, even though some remaps will only increase power by a similar amount.
This is generally due to other hardware limitations (clutch etc)

I would not bother with a tuning box for a PD car, when a remap is so effective.