I've read a lot about the Pros of the GIAC tip chip, even posts about how it improves the reliability of the transmission because of the reduced drag in gear changes. There must be something negative to this chip that made the factory not want to program it to the GIAC tip chip specs. Unlike the turbos where I understand increased boost = increased wear, how can a tip chip sound like such a win-win situation but Audi didn't provide it with the stock tip ECU? It almost seems like either 1) the posts are all incredibly biased cuz it was posted by owners of the chip 2) Audi has really lazy researchers/programmers who didn't find out what the proper specs are 3) marketing, Audi wanted to save something for improvements in later generation cars.

Anyone have something negative they'd like to share about the tip chips?

first off, im a new audi owner so bear with me here. WUT IS A GIAC TIP CHIP? and how much hp does it increase the engine. id answer ur question if i knew anything. All i know is im tryin to find a good racing chip for my 2004 S4 4.2L Q. problem is the car is so new im thinkin of just waiting for more aftermarket products are introduced for my model.

I'm not sure if a the tip chip is applicable to your car, I've only read about ones for the B5 platform. It's just a computer program that controls the automatic transmission differently. It reduces the delay between gear shifts amongst other changes to the tiptronic characteristics.

Cirek: Simply put... the tip chip is good up to a point. The added torque on the gearing can put further stress on the system, but it's not beyond the tolerances of the system. Audi prefers (like most manufacturers) to be conservative with the specs. They would rather set the drag specs at a more tolerable level for the sake of longevity

S4sick: GIAC is one of the top two most popular chip makers in the U. S. The tip chip is an additional chip from GIAC that is added to the ecu chip on car's with automatic tranny's. It does not add any hp to the system. It only makes the shifting crisper with less lag.
A chip for the new B6 S4 will not raise the hp significantly because it's not a forced induction system. The best you can hope for is a 10-15% increase. Non-turbo engines benefit greater from superchargers.

Do a search on this subject through the archives and you'll find a lot of info on this subject.

__________________

Either lead, follow, or get out of the way...
Audis don't get out of the way and they never follow.

i searched and found some interesting things about the GIAC tip chip. I was getting incredible feedback from people who have purchased the chip and they all say that the chip is incredible and really boosts the cars auto tranny timing, the only negative is that i searched some more and found that they dont have a chip for a 2004 S4 application. im wondering if the 2002 tip chip can be put in the 2004 model. Im sure they didnt cahnge the ECU. if i am obviously wrong please let me know... and if anyone knows where i can find a chip for a 2004 S4.

P.S. i cant wait to get a chip installed, i was driving today and noticed the time between me tapping the paddle shifters and it actually changing gears was too long. Like i could tap the shifter and the rpms still go up another 2000 sometimes before shifting, is this normal in a tip auto tranny. any answers would be greatly appreciated, im learning a lot from u guys....thanxs

S4sick, I'm guessing you must have a different tranny than me since your car come stock with 340hp. But if we do happen to have the same tranny... oh boy.. I'm getting me some K04's ASAP!

edit -- one big overlook by me, the new S4's come with a 6-sp Tip as where mine is a 5-spd Tip... boo

AFAIK you can use the tip chip between model years, even on stock chipped cars.

__________________

Either lead, follow, or get out of the way...
Audis don't get out of the way and they never follow.

so there is no chip for the 2004 S4 model, since the 2002 is a 5 speed and mine is a 6 speed it wouldnt work. poo...i need a chip for my car asap. im racing my friends hooked up 3000GT in like a month ....not sure if i can beat him off the line with stock parts.

Didn't you mention in another post you picked up your car a few days ago, and you're gonna race it already? I hope it's been properly broken in. As for the Tip Chip, it wouldn't have done anything for your quarter mile time... not much anyway. Is the 3000GT you are racing a VR4? If not, you've got nothing to worry about. If so... your auto vs a stock 320 hp VR4 6-spd.. you might get a chance (depending on the driver) (and if it's fixed up... I don't think your stock car has a chance).

I got the AWE tip chip and it is fantastic for the driving enthusiast and great for heavy acceleration or very conservative driving . However, if you just want medium acceleration, the acceleration is not smooth with a noticeable jolt when you take the foot off the accelerator. I had two friends confirm this about the chip. Basically, the car feels like it wants you to push it hard or leave it alone.

[8D]

__________________
2001 S4
GIAC X Chip
Tiptronic (GIAC chip)