[pfong]

I did a quick search and I don't think anyone has posted this yet.
In the current issue of Popular Science they have an article on chipping cars and they put an APR chip into a 1999 B5.
Check it out at http://www.popsci.com/popsci/auto/article/0,12543,688972,00.html. Before and after dyno results are included.
The power gains are modest and the boost increase was bigger than I expected (~7 psi to ~18 ).

 

[swcrow17]

I don't even need to read that article. I have an APR in my 02 and I can feel the boost increase. Now, I haven't installed a boost gauge yet, so I can't speak to the amount of increase, but it's enough to spin my tires!

 

[Scuba2001]

I dont need to read it either. I have an APR chip in my 1.8T '98 AEB and I boost about 18-21psi on a cool day.

Steve

 

[pass-variant]

Not worth reading. It's the typical PS article... not nearly enough information to keep you interested, much less edify even the lowest level reader.

In short... APR did what they said they would do, althugh no conclusions are made in the article.

 

[scotty_passat]

odd boost curve....lots of TQ, no hp (8 psi at redline????)

must have been a tip-car..those numbers are way low otherwise.

nice that they did a dyno test and captured boost. :thumbup:

 

[Johnny B5.5]

I love my GIAC chip.

 

[pfong]

For that much boost gain (more than 2x), I would have thought the HP increase would be more than about 18 hp.
That's way off from the claim of about 50 hp boost at the crank (150 to about 200). 18 hp at the wheels would mean the driveline losses are greater than 50%.

 

[maniac_productions]

wonder if they ran premium gas in there or not...i put down 170whp and 215wtq with a chip and k&n...that doesn't look right at all...
definately was a tip or auto with those smooth curves...

 

[scotty_passat]

For that much boost gain (more than 2x), I would have thought the HP increase would be more than about 18 hp.
That's way off from the claim of about 50 hp boost at the crank (150 to about 200). 18 hp at the wheels would mean the driveline losses are greater than 50%.

problem with HP is that at hp peak (~5600 rpm) it should be making several more psi of boost....this tested car has a big boost spike and poor boost taper. 8 psi at redline when you should see ~11. so if they gained 18 hp on 3 psi more boost, figure ~the same gain by adding another 3 psi (to 11 total) = 36 whp gain, pretty good on a TIP car.

maybe it was knocking, maybe it was heatsoaked (probably), or maybe there was a problem with the car. I'd say its not a typical plot but still doesn't look good for them to claim 50+ hp and show 18 oke: :lol:

 

[pfong]

Does any with a Tiptronic car and a chip have evidence to show that the Popular Science test was bad or the car somehow not typical?

More generally, how much independent testing do the chips get? Are the chip makers claims reliable / believable or way off?

 

[TwoLitreVW]

there's someone who just started a new thread about his recent dyno with an AEB head.

he got 166hp and 215ft-lbs to the wheels.

those numbers seem about right with the amount of drivetrain loss we get, and seem to confirm APR's claimed numbers.