Opinion requested: Dealer sez chips blow up turbos (and other parts)
01-17-2006, 02:00 PM
#1
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Opinion requested: Dealer sez chips blow up turbos (and other parts)
I was at the dealer this afternoon picking up my 2000 A4 1.8TQTip w/ 77k miles (which is well off warranty) and decided to ask the service manager what he thought about ECU chips. He told me that he's seen a few horror stories where the chip has resulted in fried turbos (resulting in replacement of the stock turbo) and that it places stress on a variety of components such as vacuum hoses, etc. and he feels like it's a real gamble and cautioned against it.
I was considering getting a GIAC ECU chip (and BMC 102/01 drop in air filter & 710N diverter valve) for my car. My understanding of the GIAC chip is that one of the main ways that it boosts torque and horsepower is by engaging the turbo lower in the RPM band so in a sense it does seem somewhat logical (to a noob like me) that this could add stress to the stock K03 turbo possibly resulting in failure.
After recently replacing the engine with a reman unit and seeming to have bad luck with this car everywhere I turn, the last thing I want to do is run the risk of more expensive repairs.
Any conclusive evidence (or non-conclusive, anecdotal evidence
) linking chips to failures would be useful. Opinions will be respected as well.
Should I go for the chip and if I do, what is the chance of it breaking stuff (and what stuff should I be looking out for)?
Thanks!
I was considering getting a GIAC ECU chip (and BMC 102/01 drop in air filter & 710N diverter valve) for my car. My understanding of the GIAC chip is that one of the main ways that it boosts torque and horsepower is by engaging the turbo lower in the RPM band so in a sense it does seem somewhat logical (to a noob like me) that this could add stress to the stock K03 turbo possibly resulting in failure.
After recently replacing the engine with a reman unit and seeming to have bad luck with this car everywhere I turn, the last thing I want to do is run the risk of more expensive repairs.
Any conclusive evidence (or non-conclusive, anecdotal evidence
) linking chips to failures would be useful. Opinions will be respected as well. Should I go for the chip and if I do, what is the chance of it breaking stuff (and what stuff should I be looking out for)?
Thanks!
01-17-2006, 02:13 PM
#3
well if you allready have no luck with the car and now plan on doing a chip which will make EVERY
nut and bolt in the car work harder then you might want to just forget about idea. however after you have gotten a ride in someone elses car that is chipped there is no way back. its a gamble that many of us are willing to take, but most of us also pay close attention to detail and unusual sounds and anything else that might come up.
your car needs to be running perfectly before you are getting chipped. if not it wont be right for a long time!
your car needs to be running perfectly before you are getting chipped. if not it wont be right for a long time!
01-17-2006, 02:14 PM
#4
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Use my car as a better example...
I bought the car new in October of 1996. It is an A4 1.8T. I chipped it soon after purchase with a stage 2 chip. Today, I have the same car, original turbo, and same chip with no negative consequences. True, you should take notice more of some things after you chip in terms of maintenance. That service manager is not completly knowledgable about this it seems. The dealer near me thought it was great that I chipped it early on. Now, the dealers in my area actually suggest certain chip vendors! You should listen to us when it comes to these things, not that service manager.
J
J
