04a4quattro

How are the ECU's. Is the performance really noticable? Do you lose a lot of gas mileage and is any one company's chip much better than another?? Please help because i dont really know too much about this stuff i just wanna make my car a little faster without dumping wayy too much money into it, as it is a lease.

Thanks
Larry

Pholden

And to answer your question, yes I think that are very good. Companies that make chips may claim that they improve gas mileage. Although that may be true, I found that my went down a little mostly because since I now has more boost, I was winding out the gears a little bit further to feel the added power. Gas mileage though all depends on how you drive. If you drive the EXACT same way after the chip you did before, I think they say you'll do better.

Go for the chip. It makes the car feel a lot better. I think mine was the best $500 i've spent.

04a4quattro

Dumb question...but whats the difference between a chip and an ecu?

EBG 18T [Eric]

the chip is the part of the ecu that holds the programming.

GeneralZod

The tuner will plug their laptop into your car and upload the new program. That is all.

Prior to this method, you'd get "chipped" which the tuner would solder the actual computer chip with their programming into your ECU. Flashing is basically a stealthy and reliable way to modify your ECU since there is no actual physical contact to install the programming.

You can then purchase, along with the flash, a device that can control the program, shut it off back to stock mode, etc...depending on the company you get it from. Revo has done well for me for over 50K miles.