Definitely stay away from cheap chips. They're just hacks, not designed specifically to work with our engines.

 

how about stasis?

do you have a front mount intercooler? or the dual side mounts? a good upgrade for a4's with the stage 2 or 3 is to switch to a front mount intercooler. i heard you get an extra 20 hp.

 

I know nothing about Stasis, only about the top 2 in the industry. APR and REVO. If there is one local to you, go to the nearest one. That's how close in power / reliability they are to each other. I have heard Unitronic followed by GIAC should be next. (GIAC will not get rid of your CEL when you are ready for stage 2 which blows)

A front mount intercooler will not ever add power. A front mount will only reduce heat soak and lower temps on the charge. If you are constantly beating on the car the Front mount will only bring back what you lost by heating the car up. An upgrade would be totally unneeded on a stock turbo setup unless it's a raped track car. Don't waste the money.

 

yeah that sucks about the GIAC chip and how it doesn't get rid of the CEL.

i know the FMIC doesn't add power, it just allows more power in the higher RPMs end when the charge air is cooler. i think it's best for stage 3.

 

does the APR or the REVO chip void a vehicles warranty?

 

Not necessarily, but it could. If something in your engine/drivetrain breaks, and they determine you were chipped, your warranty will most likely be voided. If your door falls off, they won't care whether you're chipped.

 

I'm thinking of getting a REVO program. Is there an upgraded DV from the dealer to handle the extra boost? Is anything else needed other than the stronger DV?

 

Chips can be hidden and locked out by REVO and APR. I can switch from stock to chipped with my cruise control stalk and then lock it with a code. Thats why I chose APR. They will never look unless a major catastrophic failure happens and then if they really try they may be able to find out if they look hard enough.

My personal dealer does not care and flashes REVO on site. They try to sell all cars with software. They train the salesmen to pitch it at the time of sale. Some dealers are mod friendly and most are not.

I would recommend a revision "D" Diverter valve which is a maintenance free OEM piston style valve controlled electronicly. Aftermarket ones have pistons but are pressure operated and require to me taken apart every once and a while to be maintained. OEM versions other than "D" have diaphrams that blow out. I have not heard of 1 "D" valve failure and since there is no maintinance it is the best choice out. ECS has them for $79 shipped, I would get one.

I would also recommend a BSH brand PCV fix. This fix is the best out there and I have never heard of any failures on this part. Both of these parts are issues with increased boost and sometimes with stock boost. I am heavy in the GTI community and since it has the same engine, this is what everyone does. I run both of these parts personally on a stage 2 car around 22psi peak boost. Definately gained a few PSI when changing these parts which lets me know there was a minor leak somewhere.

Just do it!