Garrett (GIAC) 1.8t Stage 1.5 chip

Price Paid:  $550.00 from Curry's Auto Service

Year / Model Reviewed:
2005 Audi A4 1.8T Quattro 6M

Summary:
GIAC knows Audi/VWs. Its like driving a different car. The single most performance inhancing mod on the market is a chip/software upgrade on a turbo motor. +40hp/60tq and it is felt. Turbo is much more audible. Power is increased from idle all the way up. Makes stop and go traffic easier as there is more torque from 1-3k rpm. The turbo will spool up from 2-3k rpm, and then 3-5k is pinned-back-in-your-seat joy. Engine is smoother than before. The power is so smooth that you won't notice exactly how fast your going, as the engine never seems stressed, so its easy to just blow by people when passing.

Strengths:
People buy horsepower but drive torque. How often are you zinging around at 6k rpm? The torque makes the car feel so much quicker as you can pass someone in about the time it takes to think about doing it. No waiting for the vtec to kick in (sry honda guys). Your confidence will go up...merging, passing, are all effortless once the car is chipped.

Weaknesses:
torque...if you have front wheel drive...full throttle will spin your tires all the way through 1 gear, chirp them on the 1st to second shift, and then settle down and pull like crazy. solution...all wheel drive, car hooks up instantly and your tires last longer :0)

Similar Products Used:
APR and REVO make comparable chips. Search the net, all get you about the same power. I went with GIAC because it was the closest shop to me, and don't regret it for a second.

Price Paid:  $459.00 from EuroTech Performance

Year / Model Reviewed:
 2002 A4 1.8t FWD

Summary:
I bought the GIAC chip when the software first came out. My A4 was the first 2002 FWD 1.8t to be chipped in Georgia. I am very pleased with the performance. I talked with APR for a while then I decided to go with GIAC. . I have yet to test the car in the 1/4 but it is much faster than stock,

Strengths:
The car is so much fun to drive, all i can say is torque, torque and more torque, it does not stop pulling until redline. =)

Weaknesses:
the only issue is traction problems with 1st and second gear. The CVT tranny puts so much power to the ground and loses so little on the shift my tires are wearing quite fast

Price Paid:  $400.00

Year / Model Reviewed:
 1998.5 1.8T Quattro

Summary:
If you have no problems about voiding your warranty, an aftermarket chip for the 1.8T engine greatly enhances the driving experience. The Garrett chip offers the most torque and has been completely reliable. I experienced no chipping with Canadian 91 octane gasoline.

The chip does not affect high-end performance however acceleration between 2000-5000rpm greatly improves. The engine responds faster and provides a smoother reponse than stock.

Strengths:
The Garrett ECU greatly increases the amount of torque coming out of the engine. The surge in power comes on above 2000rpm and goes to about 5000rpm. I found the GIAC chip to be smoother than the stock chip!

Weaknesses:
Unfortunately, the chip makes the car a hoot to drive, and thus my fuel economy has suffered from my fast driving.
The addition of an aftermarket ECU voids your factory warranty.

Similar Products Used:
From postings at audiworld.com and through my own research, the Garrett chip provides the highest torque ratings. However, this may be at the expense of some horsepower. I think it would compare with the Wettereur chip. The APR chip is supposed to be really good and worth looking at.