excuse me if this has already been done, but i prefer the apr 93 octane chip to the giac(which only offers 91 octane), but the k04 wouldn't work with my apr chip so i switched. i dont know, what do you guys think?

 

In the same position. I have the APR and I love it, but I wanna do K04 I think and I kinda wished I woulda got GIAC. I wanted to do a chip swap if someone was interested.

 

Giac makes a 93 chip.

 

Well i dont see it on giacusa.com but i know it was available when i got chipped at the shop i got it at. I got 91 cuz i thought there werent many gas stations with 93, but i was wrong... Im 99.999% sure there is a 93 program.
Hmmm.. Maybe not...

 

I got the Giac 91 and love it and its cool becasue if i decide to upgrade to a ko4 or somthing they will upgrade my chip for free at the shop i had do it.

 

What spark plugs do you have?

 

Ok my little chip rant. If u think it might be possible that u may go to a big turbo then dont waist ur money on chips. thats the worst thing that i have done, replacing my chip with apr, revo, and atp. its not worth it, get standalone and never have to worry about it. with all the money i spent on chips and stuff i could have a great suspension and wheels.

 

Thats because you were getting the wrong chip, all 3 times.. Id be bitter about it too... GIAC is supposed to be the shiznit with bigger turbo's isnt it? I think after the 2nd chip id call it quits.. Thats rediculous, and what, like over $1800 down the tube?????

 

It all depends on your power goals. I am going through the same process right now. I bought an APR chip but wanted more. It was a HUGE improvement over stock, but not enough for me. If you think you are going to do a lot of upgrades on your car (clutch, suspension, brakes, intercooler etc....) then don't chip until you figure out your power goals.

There are 3 classes of turbos for our cars (non drive by wire):
1) Stock K03 - Can make 200HP with a chip ($400)
- GIAC or APR are about the same in my experience.
2) K04 Turbo - GIAC has the most popular software for this turbo 235HP ($1700 for Turbo and software)
- There is a $200 trade in discount for GIAC chip owner when buying the K04 Kit.
- This is where you could start to buy supporting mods like an exhaust, High flow Cat/Test Pipe, FMIC, and suspension
- K04 can also run with agressive software called PC-16 but needs a FMIC and new injectors 247HP (K04 kit above + $200 + FMIC + exhaust)
- I personally think it is not worth going PC-16, for the money of the supporting mods you could have gone with a Big Turbo and got real power.
3) Big Turbo - This is anything bigger, like T3/T4, GT28R, GT28RS on up. High flow rates, requires many engine upgrades (clutch, manifold, intake, maf housing, injectors, ecu tuning, oil and water lines, high flow exhaust and cat)
- You will either have to do a pile of research and figure out where you want your turbo to kick in, or find someone that can guide you.
- Big Turbos have the problem of lag and don't spool as quickly as a K03 or K04 but make huge power once they spool
- You really need someone to guide you, or purchase a kit that meets your requirements.
- APR has the Stage 3 and Stage 3+ kits that use big turbos, include software, and are pretty popular, though expensive.
- Stage 3 Kit (280HP) = $4499.00
- Stage 3+ Kit (333HP) = $5299.00

So if you plan on just chipping go APR or GIAC, both are great bang for the buck upgrades. If you think you MIGHT be doing a K04 turbo upgrade, but nothing else get a GIAC Chip so you can trade up. If you know you are going to go bigger soonish start talking to people and put together a kit and plan your supporting mods. You can get a GIAC chip for the mean time as they are easier to sell because people do want to go the K04 path.

Just my 2 cents.
eisman

 

no i just wanted more out of each chip. and each time something new would come out i would change, i actually didnt pay for the revo but i had a test set up for a while. i ran the apr chip for low boost, when i had stock clutch about 7-10psi, once i started turning it up i needed a better and more changeable chip. so we tried revo and it didnt work, then we used what i have now or atp chip with a limiwicks sp? tune. so now i want even more tuneability so i must get full standalone