APR Stage 1 ECU Tune
APR is pleased to present the ultimate engine control unit (ECU) upgrade for the 2.0T EA888 Gen 3 engine!
APR’s ECU Upgrades are the best dollar-per-horsepower modification one can make to the 2.0T engine. The upgrades dramatically increase horsepower and torque, making for an exceptionally quicker and more exciting vehicle. This is made possible through APR’s optimization of the factory engine management system to take full advantage of the engine’s capabilities, without needing any end user adjustment. The software loads to the factory ECU through the OBD-II port, resulting in a clean and headache-free install. Furthermore, for those looking for tuning with a limited powertrain warranty, APR Plus has you covered!
The upgrade is offered in both high and low torque versions, and is available for various fuel grades. The high torque upgrade may require an upgraded clutch, or APR's TCU Upgrade to avoid clutch slip, so low torque software is available, offering an impressive 349-366 FT-LBS of torque.
Gains over Stock
High Torque File
Stage 1 – 91 Octane gas – 357 HP / 366 Ft-lbs of Torque = 67 HP Gain over stock / 87 Tq over stock
Stage 1 – 93 Octane gas – 370 HP/ 383 Ft-lbs of Torque = 82 HP Gain over stock / 97 Tq over stock
Stage 1 – 100 Octane gas – 381 HP / 392 Ft-lbs of Torque = 92 HP Gain over stock / 109 Tq over stock
Low Torque File
Stage 1 – 91 Octane gas – 357 HP / 349 Ft-lbs of Torque = 67 HP Gain over stock / 68 Tq over stock
Stage 1 – 93 Octane gas – 360 HP/ 363 Ft-lbs of Torque = 80 HP Gain over stock / 83 Tq over stock
Stage 1 – 100 Octane gas – 381 HP / 366 Ft-lbs of Torque = 90HP Gain over stock / 84 Tq over stock
To get more power, the vehicle can be outfitted with an upgraded intake, intercooler, catback exhaust and other small modifications without requiring any new modification to the ECU. For those looking for even more power, check out our Stage 1 ECU upgrade. APR recommends using colder heat-range spark plugs (Ex: NGK-R7437-9), properly gapped to a tighter gap (Ex: 0.024" ±0.002" or 0.6mm ±0.05mm), properly installed and torqued (Ex: Per the manufacturers specifications), and maintained with a shorter changer interval (Ex: 10,000-15,000 mi or 16,000-24,000 km).
Acceleration Enhancements
Beyond horsepower and torque enhancements, APR’s Calibration Engineers were able to increase the acceleration rate of the vehicle through other calibrations changes. Ignition delay is reduced resulting in a more responsive pedal without altering overall throttle sensitivity. Furthermore, throttle lag commonly noticed at slow speeds and while reapplying throttle has been reduced.
Increased Fuel Economy
APR’s Calibration Engineers paid close attention to several parameters directly related to fuel economy, especially while cruising at highway speeds. Depending on driving style and fuel quality, better miles per gallon may be achieved.
Speed Limiter
APR’s ECU upgrade increases the vehicle's top speed limiter for blistering sprints around the track or across the Autobahn without the speed limiter shutting down the fun.
Left Foot Braking
APR's Left Foot Braking feature allows more control over the vehicle’s throttle. The factory equipped vehicle's throttle input is disabled while pressing the accelerator and brake at the same time. Left Foot Braking, a common motorsport driving technique, allows the driver complete control over the vehicle’s throttle and braking system, which may give the vehicle the edge it needs at the track.
Torque Management
Torque management can play a big role in how the vehicle feels and performs, especially during moments of low gear, rapid acceleration. Typically front wheel drive vehicles can suffer from excessive wheel spin during these moments due to the massive amount of torque on tap from the ECU upgrade. APR’s ECU Upgrade uses advanced torque management routines to help minimize wheel spin and maximize forward acceleration so the driver can focus on enjoying the additional torque and power on tap.
Race Fuel Information: Higher octane fuel typically allows APR’s engineers to create more power and torque by achieving greater ignition advance. However, on this application, APR’s engineers were able to achieve MBT, or minimum spark timing for best torque, on 93 AKI fuel with the IS38 turbocharger and APR downpipe. MBT is essentially the point where greater ignition advance no longer results in more power and torque. By using APR’s upcoming Ethanol Flex Fueling upgrades and Ethanol fuel, greater peak power was achieved due to the fuel’s highly oxygenated nature.
APR Exhaust Crackle
Enhance your exhaust note just like Audi’s latest RS models! The APR Exhaust Crackle, lovingly called “pops and bangs” by many, adds a distinct crackle to the exhaust note upon lifting off the throttle, gear changes on a manual, decelerating, or while free revving at a stand standstill. This optional feature is available at no cost, at the time of flashing, for most compatible ECUs at stage 2 and higher stages. For convenience, the feature is only enabled when the vehicle is placed into sport mode or while free revving the engine. Lastly, for safety, this feature has built in hardware protection limits, and will only function when it’s considered safe to do so. (Please note: MK7 GTI video shown)
Drag Strip Video
At a local NHRA certified drag strip, APR's Golf R was able to achieve a [email protected] MPH 1/4 mile pass using the factory software. Upgrading to APR’s Stage I 93 AKI ECU Upgrade improved the results substantially, coming in at [email protected] MPH. Furthermore with APR’s Stage II 93 AKI ECU Upgrade, APR Intake and APR Cast Dowpipe, the Golf R broke into the 11’s with an [email protected] MPH. At 1 second and nearly 10 MPH faster in the quarter mile, the Golf R is transformed to a true powerhouse with only simple bolt on modifications!
30 Day Money Back Guarantee
All APR ECU Upgrades include a 30-day money back guarantee with no questions asked. If for any reason the owners is dissatisfied with the APR ECU Upgrade, they may return to the place of purchase for a full refund, provided they are within the 30 day period from the time of the initial purchase. **Refund is on ECU Software only, there is a labour fee applied to flash the vehicle back to factory
IMPORTANT PRICING AND AVAILABILITY DETAILS: Availability and ECU Compatibility: Stages, programs, and features may not be available for all ECUs.- ECU Revision Notice: Multiple ECU revisions exist for each platform. APR software may be temporarily unavailable when factory updates are applied. An APR dealer can check availability in person, or over the phone if the ECU boxcode/revision is known.
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