1st driving impression on a chipped 225TTQ…
08-21-2000, 10:53 PM
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1st driving impression on a chipped 225TTQ…
Well after about a week and a half wait UPS delivered my GIAC chip today. I purchased the hardware through AWE-Tuning for those of you who are wondering.
The installation was a breeze thanks to Dennis' tip (see http://www.denniswelch.com/TT-ECU-Removal.htm) on how to pull off the plastic drip tray for easier access to the computer. Once the installation was complete, I let the ECU adapt to the throttle position by turning the key to the accessories position for a few minutes. And as per AWE/GIAC instructions I turned on the engine and let it run for a few more minutes without touching the throttle pedal.
Now the exciting part!
Engine response was smooth under a light throttle command. Acceleration was very smooth in 1st, 2nd and 3rd gear. The engine response felt smoother than the stock ECU believe it or not.
1st and 2nd gear acceleration was amazing at full throttle. It pulled hard until red line. Acceleration in 3rd and 4th gear was short lived though. It pulled hard until about 4300rpm but instead of continuing on until red line (similar to the 1st & 2nd gear performance) the acceleration slowed noticeably. I thought this was a bit odd since it didn't behave this way in 1st and 2nd gear (or at least I didn't feel it). Has anybody else noticed this oddity with their chipped car? Hmmm, I have a hunch the firmware needs a little tweaking in order for it to work properly on my engine.
5th and 6th gear performance was excellent under freeway driving conditions. You can definitely put more power to the ground in either one of the gears. This makes passing easier if you're not in the mood to down shift.
Emil
The installation was a breeze thanks to Dennis' tip (see http://www.denniswelch.com/TT-ECU-Removal.htm) on how to pull off the plastic drip tray for easier access to the computer. Once the installation was complete, I let the ECU adapt to the throttle position by turning the key to the accessories position for a few minutes. And as per AWE/GIAC instructions I turned on the engine and let it run for a few more minutes without touching the throttle pedal.
Now the exciting part!
Engine response was smooth under a light throttle command. Acceleration was very smooth in 1st, 2nd and 3rd gear. The engine response felt smoother than the stock ECU believe it or not.
1st and 2nd gear acceleration was amazing at full throttle. It pulled hard until red line. Acceleration in 3rd and 4th gear was short lived though. It pulled hard until about 4300rpm but instead of continuing on until red line (similar to the 1st & 2nd gear performance) the acceleration slowed noticeably. I thought this was a bit odd since it didn't behave this way in 1st and 2nd gear (or at least I didn't feel it). Has anybody else noticed this oddity with their chipped car? Hmmm, I have a hunch the firmware needs a little tweaking in order for it to work properly on my engine.
5th and 6th gear performance was excellent under freeway driving conditions. You can definitely put more power to the ground in either one of the gears. This makes passing easier if you're not in the mood to down shift.
Emil
08-22-2000, 03:20 AM
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Were there any nooticeable improvements in throttle response...
meaning, did it reduce the 2+ seconds of turbo lag that (based on my experience driving a 225TTR) occurs everywhere across the rev range?
08-22-2000, 04:49 AM
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Try this test...
this is the test that I used when I test a car for turbo lag:
Cruising on the highway at 65 mph (you can do this in 6th, 5th, 4th, whatever - so RPM isn't the issue), minimal load on the engine, mash the throttle and count the time it takes for the boost to build. My experience (with the 225TTR) was that the engine would slowly start to pull like a weak, low compression 1.8 liter 4 cylinder until over 2 seconds passed - then it would start to pull - and pull hard. That, to me is the definition of turbo lag! That is the time it take for the turbo to start boosting when called upon.
As an owner of several turbo Audis in the past with experience driving several TTs and other cars with chipped and non-chipped 1.8T motors, I can honestly say I've NEVER experienced that much lag; I was hoping that chip tuning might help to rectify this condition.
Cruising on the highway at 65 mph (you can do this in 6th, 5th, 4th, whatever - so RPM isn't the issue), minimal load on the engine, mash the throttle and count the time it takes for the boost to build. My experience (with the 225TTR) was that the engine would slowly start to pull like a weak, low compression 1.8 liter 4 cylinder until over 2 seconds passed - then it would start to pull - and pull hard. That, to me is the definition of turbo lag! That is the time it take for the turbo to start boosting when called upon.
As an owner of several turbo Audis in the past with experience driving several TTs and other cars with chipped and non-chipped 1.8T motors, I can honestly say I've NEVER experienced that much lag; I was hoping that chip tuning might help to rectify this condition.