[kian]

Hi,

I noticed a couple of threads for performance chips (I think) but as a naive person, I am not sure about all the verbiage and what is best.
The main reason I am looking at a performance chip is to increase the MPG. I see a lot of offers of performance chips on EBay, but I don't know if these actually work, which companies are the best, is it better to have a chip professionally installed, help!
I have the 3.2 V6 Eos and a '95 V6 Passat that I am looking to get this for.

Any info or help I'll take!

Thanks

 

[evolvingpowercat]

First of all if it is on Ebay look out!

All of the under $200 items on ebay are crap. If they worked VW would put them on their cars in the first place, as fleet average MPG is critical in particular in the USA market where there are EPA regulations for fleet MPG average.

I have not seen any tuning chips to optimize MPG for the 2.0T or V6 engines.

The main thing you can do other than driving at 60 MPH or less, having a light foot on the gas pedal, and choosing driving routes that minimize starts and stops to maximize mileage is to avoid gasoline with ethanol. Ethanol has less energy than the same volume of gasoline so running 100% pure gas vs. running 10% ethanol blend will improve gas mileage by a couple of % points.

 

[Deanintemp]

I agree that the chips sold on ebay are, for the most part, questionable. Also, performance chips work best on turbo engines...for the most part the chip re-maps the engine tuning and increases "boost" from the turbo; thus, the engine runs much more efficiently and improvements can be seen in gas mileage. Having said that, most performance chips require higher octane gas; thus the improvement in mileage is negated by the higher cost for fuel. So, you see, there is no such thing as a free lunch.

However, my experience with the APR tuned chip indicates the following:
- Improved horsepower (252 Hp)
- Improved torque (303 ft-lbs)
- Improved acceleration (difficult to judge because wheels spin)
- Drastic improvement in highway passing ability (no wheel spin there)
- Improved fuel economy (4-5mpg)
- Higher fuel cost, needs 93 octane

Net result, don't get it for the improved mileage, additional fuel cost negates this advantage...don't get it for acceleration, wheel spin negates this advantage...get it only for passing acceleration, drastic improvements.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[jjbtexas]

93

the jump to a 93 octane isn't much of a deal here in Texas, my eos requires 91 octane stock and regular here in 89 while premium is 93, so in the end it cost no more

 

[cb391]

In our area if you use premium as recommended , it is 92 or 93 octane depending on brand. So the fuel cost is a non factor. Regular here is 87 and midgrade is 89 or 90.

 

[Bill6090]

APR 91 Octane Chip

Hey guys, just wanted to add my 2 cents. APR also has a 91 Octane chip for the 2.0T FSI engine. It brings the engine up to 242hp/282lb-ft of torque. Thinking about having this done myself.

 

[victorTX]

Deanintemp
just a question, on faster speed (or heavier foot ) I heard that it will drastically lower the MPG factor, Even down to 12 mpg, is it true?
I normally drive about 80-85mph on freeway. how's your driving habit in relationship to your apr, what number (mpg) were you getting before, and what was your driving habits like? I do mostly city driving (home office) but I'd really don't like a 4 banger engine getting 12mpg, sound a bit high in this day and age.

white. cornsilk,2.0t debadged. sports+dynaudio ipod...

 

[Deanintemp]

victorTX:

My highway driving habits usually have me motoring at about 75-80 mph. Prior to the chip tuning, I was getting around 28-30 mpg...post tuning I get 32-34 mpg.

I don't monitor city mileage as much as highway. However, a heavy foot in acceleration will always decrease gas mileage. A heavy foot on the highway at constant speed is mostly affected by wind resistance - the more efficient running "tuned" engine will get better mileage under constant speed every time.

Do not get the cheaper ebay chips! Nor do I recommend getting the tuned chip for gas mileage (cost is $500-$800) and will pay for itself. The only reasonable choice for getting the chip is for passing power and bragging rights.

 

[Darren]

Has anyone done the 91 Octane APR Chip that Bill6090 mentioned????

I have been thinking about this one myself.....91 Octane is easily obtained here...I'm using it anyway. Thinking that the hp/torque might be a welcome addition (though the stock 2.0T is rarely a slouch) as I really like the "seat of the pants" feeling of pure torque; yet the 93 Octane APR chip sounds like a lot of tire spinning problem. Just curious of anyone's opinion if it has been done. Thanks!

 

[Barchetta]

Darren, Hi

Im writing frrom the UK.

I have the APR chip flash and its amazing. I paid a bit extra so I can toggle between standard and chipped using the controls on the cruise control.

They say 242bhp but it all depends on the engine.

My 2.0tfsi has just been rolling roaded again, I had the jets polished, a carbonio inducion kit and forge hoses.

Im now getting 267bhp and its fine, very driveable. It all depends how you drive it.

If you floor it you can light up the tyres from 1st to 2cd, 2cd to 3rd and make it chirp from 3rd to 4th.

I find for a quick getaway, 3000 rpm, get to 35mph ish and then floor it negates the wheelspin.

People have said that its too much for a fwd car, but it is really down to the driver.

If i drive it flat out I average 17.6 mpg. If i cruise on the motorway at a steady 70 with cruise on I regulary get 47.2 which is much more than I got without it.

Without doubt a great mod, if you pm me I will email you my rolling road figures on a powerpoint if you like.

Go on, do it!!!

Rob

 

[Darren]

I think I've finally decided to go for it and get the APR flash. Tentatively scheduled for Nov 12th. Do you have to pick 91 or 93? or do you program something or does it sense the octane and respond appropriately??????

 

[Darren]

Replying to my own post about the APR 91 vs APR 93. I investigated the gas stations around here. I've been filling up at a WaWa where the top choice is 92 octane. I asked a very helpful rep at APR about use of 92 octane fuel and she said to use that I should get the APR-91 tune. A bit more research and most of the other gas stations around have 93 octane fuel for about the same price so the gal said that if it wasn't much burden to get the 93 octane fuel to just go for the APR-93 tune. So far still scheduled for next week unless someone here talks me out of it. Is everyone who has tuned still happy with their product?????

 

[Barchetta]

Very much so Darren, As i said before, i can switch toggle the chip flash on and off with the cruise control, so if you cant get 93, just toggle down, put a splash in a wait to get some 93 and toggle on again.

Where I live in the UK I use Shell V power fuel, its about 5p a litre more than standard but when you equate that to the increase in economy that you get it works out costwise very similar.

Its a great upgrade and very very good.

 

[Darren]

Well, I finally did it! I went ahead with the APR-93 tune and the option to toggle back to stock ECU software if I want. Big difference! I was a bit worried that with the talk about wheelspin, it might be difficult to drive, but a light to moderate right foot on take off is fine and then when you want it the forward pressure on the accellerator is met with a really nice push in the seat from the 303 lb-ft of torque! Very nice mod indeed. I did drive 90 min to get to the authorized APR shop (Dynotuned Performance in Chesapeake) and on the ride out I got 33 mpg. I got the same on the way back and that is even with a heavier foot so I'd expect the average mpg to be pretty good (or better as most say) with the tune. Thanks all for your comments and answering questions along the way.

 

[vbeos]

I've been able to get 35.3 MPG one time on a tank of gas with the eos after the APR upgrade. I live in Chesapeake so didn't have to drive as far as you did to get it. To help alleviate the wheel spin I'd definitely upgrade the springs and that will help as well as some grippier tires. I installed H&R sport springs and it helped with wheel spin and pitch (weight transfer) quite a bit during hard acceleration.

 

[Stoddy1980]

Hi Barchetta, I noticed that you are from the UK too. Where would you recommend I get one of these APR chips? I am in Aylesbury nr MK but work in Reading.

Is the APR the leader in terms of performance vs risk of damage to your engine? I had a look at the bluefin website - what do you think of it? I know its lot of questions, I have been wanting a remap for ages and just got my bonus. lol.

Cheers

 

[neild41]

Why noy try Superchips in Buckingham - down the road for you and me ! not the APR one I know but must be worth checking out ??

 

[Stoddy1980]

Hi Neil, thanks for that. Have you used them for a remap before? I will check them out! I was just thinking about APR in terms of reputation. Do you know much about these bluefins?

 

[neild41]

Never used them although a mate of mine had his RS1600i done there years ago - pretty sure they have been in the business years. Visited their place sometime ago.
I did have a GTI done 10 years ago by a company out Oxford way, sure it was AMD or something ?! but anyway was very impressed with the difference it all made and surely 10 years later I guess it would be even better ??
Nope know nothing about Bluefin but lets be honest a 7 day refund suggests it must be pretty good ?
keep me posted mate

 

[rcboater]

Is an APR chip too good to be true?

I'm a total newbie when it comes to "chipping" a car.

As I understand it, the Eos comes from the factory with certain default settings in the engine control computer.

An APR chip upgrade alters the programming/settings in the computer, to allow the engine to produce more hp and torque. They have one program optimized for 91 octane, and another optimized for 93 octane.

I guess I'm a little puzzled as to why this exists-- at least the 91 octane version. My 09 Eos requires 91 octane, so why wouldn't VW just use those same settings? Why would they essentially "de-tune" the car to have less power, especially if economy isn't really affected?

Around my part of New England, many of the gas stations only have 93 octane as their premium grade. So it would seem that adding an APR mod to my car would have no downside, other than the cost of the unit.

But that almost sounds too good to be true-- like all those snake oil "mileage enhancers" we've heard of. What is VW's take on this? Does using an APR chip affect the warranty?

I also wonder what are the long term effects of using an APR chip? There must be some increased wear and tear on the engine and/or transmission....

I'm just trying to sort this out-- appreciate any feedback/guidance......