I have chipped a my passat and 03 A4 both 1.8T. Both where GIAC with the Tranny chips as well. My first question is, I just bought a 98 A4 1.8T Tip. from an old lady that never drove it - 80K. When I take off mildly it keeps up shifting and doesn't hold a gear unless I lay into it. Would a Tiptronic chip help me on this? Also at 80k is it about time for the turbo to go out? I am going to chip it I just want to drive it a bit to make sure everything is strong on the car. It really is in perfect shape and is runs extremely strong other the the shifting and the turbo seems a little weeker then what I remember in my new 1.8T's. Thanks for the help.

 

Before you do anything, pull the battery ground cable and let the car sit overnight (make sure you have radio codes and you might need a VAGcom if it's e-gas). In the morning, plug it back in and drive the car as you normally would. What this does is hard-rest the computers, erasing it's memory and any learned shift patterns and maps. It will learn your patterns and feel more responsive to you. If it's been driven like an old lady for the last 80K miles, it will have learned very sluggish, slow shift patterns.

Or just change all the fluids and take it out for a beating. Sometimes a good romp over a few drive cycles will unlearn bad habits quickly. Just don't get a ticket!

 

tip chip makes it shift faster....the transmission has a memory...if you drive it hard it will conform to your driving style and start to shift later...

besides that...a well taken care of turbo will run 150k....you should be fine to chip it...if your turbo sounds like a dentist drill while spooling than it is time to replace it

a boost/vac guage will be very helpful in monitoring the health of your turbo

there is currently a speedtuning group buy going on, you can pick up a chip for 125, i have had it for months and it is worth every penny

besides that the new 1.8T's have a k03s which is a better turbo...the new 1.8Ts are pushing 170 and the old 1.8t like our 1998s are only puching 150....plus you have to take in 22% drivetrain loss because of quattro....

basicall our cars are slow...but are phenomenal bases to build increddible power...

well, hope that helps!...welcome to the family!

gl!

 

tip chip just speeds up the reaction time between pressing the + button and when the tranny shifts. It doesnt change anything mechanical or actually make the tranny shift faster. GIAC has totally misrepresented what the tip chip actually does for years and years. I don't know how they can get away with it. Are you saying it is upshifting automaticaly in tip mode? Or is it just too quick to upshift to the next gear in D? But yeah, I agree with disconnecting the bat over night regardless. It's never too late to chip it!

 

Thanks guys! I was under the impression that the tip chip changed shift points. I can not hear the turbo and the engine is as solid as it could be I am so happy to be part of this group again. I wish I would have read your replies last night to disconnect the battery now I have to wait until tonight.

 

I hope not. I just hit 80K!! Although it's a good excuse to get the elim kit...

No really, change the oil and use a good synth. If it's not noisy or blowing smoke, it's fine.

 

She did use synth. she even did the timing belt service at 60k. My brother has a Grand National and told me the same thing about the smoking turbo. That is reasuring to hear it from more then 1 person. It's time to chip it!!!

 

Oh I forgot to answer one of the Q's. It responds perfect in tip mode, shifts when I tap it and shifts itself near redline and when speed is to slow like it is made to do.

 

not to steal his thunder or anything, but my turbo whines so loudly when it spools up that it hurts my ears when i have the windows down. not to mention in a parking garage.... oooh boy.

but the weird thing is it still spikes to 20-21 and holds 16-17 psi. feels normal, but sounds like it's whistling.