Keep in mind, that quoted figure is usually a peak power gain. You may find, as it seems that A4 Effort found, that the "under the curve" gain is significantly higher. I've seen other NA cars (not speaking for Audi here) make peak gains of 5-6hp from headers, which would seem to not be worth the expense and hassle of purchase and install, but then you look at the whole dyno curve and in the midrange they're picking up 15-20hp. It's not all about peak gain - midrange is, to me anyway, much more valuable. My car sees 4500RPM far more than 6000RPM, so if I can find a mod that gives a nice gain in the midrange, I don't really care what it does all the way at the top of the tach, since I don't drive my car like that.

 

A question regarding this group buy (maybe someone knows) - being that it's Sunday and I doubt they're open, so I can't call them, does anyone know if this ECU upgrade can be bought on a core exchange basis? Basically, since I need my car daily, I can't park it for several days to ship out the ECU for a reflash, so I'm wondering whether I could, for a refundable deposit, have a reflashed ECU sent out to me, at which time I would send my ECU in and get my core charge back? That way the car wouldn't have to be parked for the best part of a week - I just can't do that as I sold my old winter beater so I need the A4. Anyone know?

 

well now that something i need to look into, seeig that im more into the RELIABLE 2.8 over the tunable 1.8t, plus since i wanna get an avant kinda like sineo this sounds like a deal, so im guess for 200 for tip chip and 125 for the ecu chip $325 well spent.

 

Try to find a junk yard ecu for around $100, and send that to Oliver. Then you keep your original one to put back in if you have to bring your car into the dealer, or sell it. If you ever sell the car with the stock ecu, then you can always also sell the chippedecu for probably over $250. Or all you 2.8ers can buy one and pass it around while gettingall yourECUs chipped. Like you can do it one week, thenship it toSineo, and she can send hers out, then someelse... You could rent it out...

 

Heheh, yeah - the community ECU isn't a bad idea at all. Problem is, finding an Audi in a junkyard around here is about as common as finding a Ferrari in a yard. I pulled a cam sensor for my car at the local U-Pull-It place, but it was from a 1.8T Passat, and even cars like that are rare around here in the yards. If I can find an ECU, I'll pull it and use it but it's not too likely. I'll have to call them tomorrow and see if they do a core exchange. If so, it'd be perfect.

 

true that, the only place i can think of that would have audis is shokan but they dont count since their audi exclusive. BTW are you talking about the U-pull-it in aurora, ive been there 3/4 of that yard are literally domestic cars, most of the same models lined up, my dad an i were looking for an Mk4 jetta and found one but its was stripped to the shell. only older wrecked german cars there.

 

Nope, I'm in Binghamton and the only U Pull It place here is Gary's U Pull It. There are some others within range of here (Elmira has a couple and there's a big one down in Hazleton PA), but it seems that VW/Audi is very rare in these yards, except for older VR6 and other 8 valve VWs.

 

I never asked, but I am doubting Oliver will do an exchange like that. But hey call tomorrow, it's worth asking...

 

I'm hoping he would. For example, let's say I'd pay, say $350 for the $125 reflash, and he'd send me a flashed ECU. When I sent back my original ECU, he'd refund the extra $225. Hopefully something like that is available. The extra money would be his guarantee that he'd be covered on the cost of the ECU if I was the type of sh*thead that wouldn't send him back another ECU. Almost all the tuners in other car brands that I've owned have done this, so I'm hoping that Audi tuners would also do so.

 

In response to the Junked Audi A4's...check craigslist ny for them. One pops up on there every month or LESS. I've pulled many parts from different crashed cars that I found on that site. Youcan also find a HAPPY-ending massageon that site while you wait for part.I'm sure you could paypal someone for a cheap ECU. Good luck. It's not a bad idea.