I can't decide what I should do first- exhaust or chip on my car because of my limited budget.

For exhuasts I am looking at Neuspeed, GReddy, or Remus (leaning towards Neuspeed).

For chips - GIAC. However, what is a boost controller? Is this something similar to a chip?

Thanks for all the advice ahead of time.

 

Chipping it will give tou the biggest bang for the buck. Exhaust is good too, but you can do that much cheaper. I did mine for about $200.00. A boost controller is an electronic boost adjuster. I'm running a TAP stage three chip and a K04 turbo and run fine without one. Check out Apexi, they make a good boost controller. Here's the link to their page.


Apexi boost controller


Hope this helps.

 

Chip it! It will give you the most bang for the buck, don't waste the time on a boost controller. A chip does the same thing and alot more. If you chip you should probablly think about a new DV and get a boost gauge to monitor the boost, just in case something may happen, plus they look cool.

 

apexis boost controller does have the most advanced user feastures but Greddys profec B boost controller is by far the mosdt reliable. this is the boosdt controller audi uses in their SPEED GT cars

 

Fieldy,

I am planning on re-installing my chipped ECU tonight, providing it has been delivered when I get home. I will post my thoughts on the difference it makes tomorrow. Maybe that will help your decision, but on bang for the buck, the chip seems to make the most sense as long as it produces the horsepower gains that are claimed.

 

Nemick, that would be great if you could tell me your impressions. The only concern I have for chipping my car is that it has 110K on it, and reliability becomes a factor (almost 99% of that is highway miles).

 

Check timing belt, water pump..etc.. if they are in good shape the only thing I'd worry about is the turbo itself. You say highway miles so most likely the turbo is gonna be in good shape.

If the timing belt and such is good to go, I'd chip and not bother with the turbo. let the turbo fry and replace it with a K04 when it goes. You can install one yourself for less than 1k. plus GIAC will upgrade your software for use with the K04 for free.

If you want your turbo to last longer, make sure to let it cool after a good run..just keep the car running for a min or so..or get a turbo timer and call it a day.

If you chip get a boost gauge and a new DV (the 710N should be fine for most applications).

Have you considered the Borla exhaust? my personal fav!

-T

 

FREE! Nothing is for free. Its like almost $400 to upgrade software that i know of. Normally $600 but, if you already have a chip $400 from AWE.

 

I chipped my sedan when it had 80K on it. The thing ran like a champ.
Don;t bother with aboost controller unless you run an upgraded turbo
with custom software that can take advantage of the extra air (ie. add correct fuel).

 

Hmm, that's not what I've been led to believe..but I don't have a chip so you maybe right. Of the people I've talked to when you buy GIAC they give you free upgrades to your software as long as it's of the same version. like all 1.1bar chips get 1.1bar software upgrades. I've heard that if you switch turbos they will update your software to work with the new turbo..so you'd get 1.1bar software for the K04.

I could be wrong though..I guess the best thing to do would be to contact a representative about it.

-T