I am new to this site but want to hear your experiences about Superchips on the RS.

My RS was Superchipped six months ago and Rolling Roaded before and after. The peak torque went up from 170 to 207 and the power from 180 to 200. However superchips claim 249 lbf.ft torque at about 3500 and I have been trying ever since to find out why the results are so different. They claim its in the rolling road used and I admit that the one I used Power Engineering in Uxbridge is notorious for reading low with TVRs I have seen tested there.

Now the car has done another 7k miles it feels stronger in the lower gears and I am sure it is putting out more than 207lbf.ft. The shape of the torque curve is also completely different than Superchips advertise on their website; mine has two peaks,one at 3600 and the other lower at 5000 rpm. Whereas their's has one huge peak at 3500.

Any feedback would be great to have as all they told me is that the RS doesn't respond as well with superchips for some unknown reason as the Audi TT (180) whereas it has the same engine (ECU, injectors and dump valve).

I do need to check whether mine is the VVT engine as it is an August 01 build - guess it should be?

How does superchips rate verses MTM? They say their's is much better on torque 320 NM and power 220 PS.

Lastly I note that several of you have boost gauges fitted. What should the max boost bars read. Which make do you recommend and can I DIY fir one on the RS without incurring warranty probs.

Chris,

Firstly welcome to Briskoda.

Secondly, for the VVt and Dump value there are a few items in our FAQ that del with these issues. FAQ Here

Can;t help you on the superchips figures, Jon (TaviaRS) might well as if I recall he had a superchip fitted for a while.

Hope that helps.

Yep, I have a Superchip. I also have a full Miltek exhaust, turbo back. Mine was done at PE as well. Prior to the exhaust I had 214bhp and I think it was 210lb/ft. The exhaust added 16bhp and 36 lb/ft. I am really dubious about their website claim of over 240lb/ft, mine was no where near that.

Having said that, I'm happy with how mine goes, its been on for 9 months now and has done 40,000 trouble free miles, yes I know I could have had more power by going elsewhere, but I wanted reliability more than anything else.

Jon

Jon,

Nice to hear from someone who has superchips after a long search.

Can you look up your PE curve for the chip alone so we could compare results?

If you are unhappy about the results v's advertised figures, peak torque 249lbf.ft, why don't we get together any others who feel the same way and lobby them to upgrade it.

Do you have a boost gauge fitted whose and did you DIY?

So whose chip gives best power and torque in your opinion?

Regarding Miltech I have a few questions. First it seems expensive 770 + fitting from AMD. Who supplied yours, PE? Second they claim very much lower benefits,about 10-15 bhp, than you have got. Perhaps you have the VVT engine and it can't breath fully without a more open exhaust? If you have the PE curves that would be great to see how the torque curve changes.

Sorry for lots of ?s but I am wondering what to do next. If you want to email me let me know.

Chris

PS Great site IMO- Roll on WRC bits for us all

Hi Chris,

welcome to the vRS family.

The spikes that you have in your power curve are exactly one of the reasons why I'm didn't want to get a "plug and play" chip. People such as Jabbasport and AmD remap to the characteristic of the individual engine. That said I'll be getting an APR with the Optimax program as soon as funds allow.

I've seen quite a few plots and have heard good things from Huck and Colin.

I must admit to having Superchips lower down on my recommendation list although Jon seems to be pretty pleased.

With regards to the claimed power/torque figures: I personally think max. figures are misleading and not to be trusted. All engines are different and things such a ambient temperature also have an affect. You'll also end up being disappointed (like you are) when the promise isn't met.

Hope you can get something sorted.

Cheers.

Adrian.

Adrian,

My power curve from PE is actually quite flat, nothing at all like superchips website curve It is 10-20 lbf.ft above the standard car all they way across the rev range. It does have two peaks one 207 at 3600 and the other of 192 at 5000 with a slight dip in between. This was done when the engine had done 4000 miles and was still tight. Now its done 11 k it does feel stronger except in 4th/5th.

What impresses me about what Jon said is adding Miltech exhaust on top of the Superchips chip. He says the turbo back Miltech gives 30 lbf.ft increase thats more then my superchips gave, but its

Hi Chris,

from what others say on the Forum the 1.8T gets better with miles. So I assume that since your rechip your performance has got better (?).

I would like to get the full Miltek system but it's harder to justify to Wifey

I'm afraid. :oops: I'm also quite aware of the insurance implications.

Are you considering having another chip fitted or will you stick with the Superchip?

Have you any other mods apart from the chip i.e. DV etc?

Sorry for the questions.

Cheers.

Adrian.

Adrian,

I am pleased with the Superchips overall. It has a lot more torque and in second is too much for the tyres if the surface isn't completley dry and smooth. The part throttle reponse is better too so the ful consumption isn't worse because of the chip. But of course you are inclined to drive harder and then it is worse. In 5th its not so evident though.

I have not considered a new DV as the standard VAG one is good and its a response issue rather then improved performance until it needs replacing at 15-20k miles - I have been told.

I was toying with going to an MTM chip as they claim 310 Nm torque and 220 bhp are local to me but they dont have a r/road and it would mean buying their chip and throwing the Superchips in the bin.

I dont know about Jabbasport - I am trying to contact them. Their website is under construction.

I would like a Miltech exhaust IF it really does add 30 lbf.ft as Jon told me here today but assume the insurers would bump the premium. Any idea how much? I have asked Jon for the before and after R/Road curves

Chris

Hi Chris,

from what others say on the Forum the 1.8T gets better with miles. So I assume that since your rechip your performance has got better (?).

I would like to get the full Miltek system but it's harder to justify to Wifey

I'm afraid. :oops: I'm also quite aware of the insurance implications.

Are you considering having another chip fitted or will you stick with the Superchip?

Have you any other mods apart from the chip i.e. DV etc?

Sorry for the questions.

Cheers.

Adrian.[/quote:40572341d5]

What

Mine is 14.9psi, just under the 15 that is recommended as the max for the K03 turbo, if you want it to last. Someone I know has run his at 22PSI for the last 40,000 miles and it ain't gone bang yet. Having said that I ain't that lucky and he does have a spare IHI one sitting in the garage.

My graph to follow.

[img:a5a73201e0]http://homepage.ntlworld.com/clare.french/peplot4.jpg[/img:a5a73201e0]

Sounds like you guys have a boost gauge fitted. Anyone like to tell me where you got the gauge and pipe work came from and whether its a DIY job to fit onto the DV.

Superchips did check the boost when they R/Roaded it and told me they do not like to exceed much over 1 bar but I have never seen the boost level on my car.

Is the graph you refer to the one I requested of the Mitech exhaust R/R or do you want to email me that?

The graph is shows before and after the Miltek. Superchip fitted on both runs.

Jon,

Thanks for the Miletch curves. From your details you have a VVT engine. This stacks up with mine at PE with superchips as the before curve shows about 207 torque at 3500 and 200 bhp. Notice the max torque 240 is now at lower revs. Do you notice that driving?

As the full Miltech system costs about 750 + fitting (AmDs prices) I will have to go for the Turbo back only for now as it seems this gives most of the benefit.

Who did you buy it from at PE? I have emailed Chris about supply and fit but no answer yet. I could get it from Quattrosport and get my local dealer to fit as I am on a tight budget.

Any warranty issues with Skoda or insurance hike?

Is the interior sound level much higher with Miltech as I heard it was wearing in an S3?

Chris

Jon,

I have asked Chris at PE and he said he remembers doing the exhast test but it was unusual as they dont supply Millteck as a rule.

I have got a quote for AmD who are the distributors of the downpipe with new CAT. But to mate it up with the standard rear system they say it may have to be trimmed.

If so I can't refit the std system when I sell the car.

So I am back to having the whole system or nothing. Can you recall what you paid PE or whoever supplied your Milltek system?

Chris

Chris, mine was "unusual".

You can by the CAT back system, Forge were selling it. As with all aftermarket or even standard exhaust replacements, you have to cut the old one off (when they leave the factory they come as a one piece system form the turbo to the tailpipe). It is not a jointed system. The Milltek cat back will fit it just means that the bit you take off cannot be refitted. I Paid about

That is very interesting. I have been in touch with AmD who supply the new CAT and downpipe and they claim it is retro fittable by unbolting the old system and bolting on the new one. The only thing they said was that the rear std section may have to be trimmed as there is an adaptor to reduce the pipe size down to the std diameter or the new CAT section is slightly too long. However this gives me the problem if I ever want to replace the old system.

If the ols sytem is in one piece I dont se how I can ever replace it. This scuppers my entire plan.

When you say you had Race CATs these are not the one as used in the current Sports CAT. So the results wont be as good as the PE curves show.

I am trying to see whether this mod is good value. From your PE curves I would say yes but not if I cant replace it when I sell the car and the Sports CAT they provide me is not as good as yours.

Chris

Jon,

Sounds you got a good deal.

Interested to hear your's was the second production one. AmD are telling me they did have a 100cpsi version original they changed to the 200 cpsi version. Can you confirm you have the latter type?

I am impresed with your PE results and need to make sure yours is the same spec as the current version i.e. 200 cpsi.

Mine has a flat spot in second at 1400 revs and I would hope the greater torque at low revs shown will help this. Also I can see it would give better accel on a normal every day rev range of tickover to 3000. Not that I only use these revs but I can see benefits in fuel consumption. Did you notice any, if you dont use that huge torque, as you would want to!

BTW they claim you don't have to cut off the old system just unbolt the CAT and downpipe.

Chris

Chris, mine was "unusual".

You can by the CAT back system, Forge were selling it. As with all aftermarket or even standard exhaust replacements, you have to cut the old one off (when they leave the factory they come as a one piece system form the turbo to the tailpipe). It is not a jointed system. The Milltek cat back will fit it just means that the bit you take off cannot be refitted. I Paid about

Jon,

I heard back from AmD that all the production ones fitted are the 200 cpsi version. That one's sorted.

Haven't looked under my car to see how the CAT section comes off. AmD say it's really straight forward as it unbolts. If this is so I'll aim for the CAT section only being changed for economic reasons.

Would appreciate your feedback on how it drives torque wise. Alos is it more noisy inside the car. I relaise you have the back end as well so assume it is quite a bit louder.

I have the Superchip and on the rolling road the power curve was nothing like the peaky one on their website.

The engineer at the garage who was at Janspeed for many years said that to get the torque that they show you would have to run absolutely massive boost. Very dubious.

I had exactly the same experience when mine was done in Feb. and felt duped. Infact the gys who fitted it said they never get anything like the advertised curve but said my reults was qite reasonable. When I queried it with Superchips they won't do anything about it other than offer to check if anything is wrong with the car. What torque and power peaks did you get and whose rolling road?

I have the Superchip and on the rolling road the power curve was nothing like the peaky one on their website.

The engineer at the garage who was at Janspeed for many years said that to get the torque that they show you would have to run absolutely massive boost. Very dubious.[/quote:e15a925ba9]

Didn't even bother keeping the printouts as I was so disgusted with Superchips response when I took it up with them. "Well thats what we got when we tested the car here... individual cars may vary... its quicker than it was before so therefore it works..."

Interestingly their website never used to show the Octavia vRS just the Audi 1.8T, I know the engine is basically the same but it makes you wonder whether they actually used an RS or just the graph! (Get the feeling I'm a little cynical?) :roll:

The results of different runs varied by +/- 15bhp depending on whether we pointed the fan at the radiator, the intercooler or at the air filter. Under bonnet temps went to about 45deg IIRC, it was all a bit of a waste of time. Each degree over ambient temp = .5bhp loss :!:

The RR is in Devon and very reputable, the guy was at Janspeed for many yeas and used to run the BTCC Nissans for the factory. He's done a lot of work on Sierra and Escort Cossies and knows a thing or two about chipping and boost.

Don't get me wrong, the car is very quick and I'm happy with it, my other car is a Lotus Elise with 160bhp = 225bhp/tonne, so I have a good benchmark.

Cheers

:driving:

I agree with your comments about Superchips and had the same thought process about the TT and the Leon, they said the same to me and the boss even offered to check out my car at their HQ but when I asked if there were anything he could do to imporve it (fill in the trough between the two peaks) he said, no way. Why don't we get together and complain to him?

Mine made 200 bhp and that was a good figure PE said as I know their RR is 10% conservative. As this was done at 4k miles I must admit it has loosened up since and feels pretty strong.

What I would like is a race CAT and Jabbapsort are developing one. I find Milltek's too expensive. Any ideas if there any good ones around?

Chris

Didn't even bother keeping the printouts as I was so disgusted with Superchips response when I took it up with them. "Well thats what we got when we tested the car here... individual cars may vary... its quicker than it was before so therefore it works..."

Interestingly their website never used to show the Octavia vRS just the Audi 1.8T, I know the engine is basically the same but it makes you wonder whether they actually used an RS or just the graph! (Get the feeling I'm a little cynical?) :roll:

The results of different runs varied by +/- 15bhp depending on whether we pointed the fan at the radiator, the intercooler or at the air filter. Under bonnet temps went to about 45deg IIRC, it was all a bit of a waste of time. Each degree over ambient temp = .5bhp loss :!:

The RR is in Devon and very reputable, the guy was at Janspeed for many yeas and used to run the BTCC Nissans for the factory. He's done a lot of work on Sierra and Escort Cossies and knows a thing or two about chipping and boost.

Don't get me wrong, the car is very quick and I'm happy with it, my other car is a Lotus Elise with 160bhp = 225bhp/tonne, so I have a good benchmark.

Cheers

:driving:[/quote:379e560fee]

This is Superchips' promise on their website today:

Our promise to you

With our established reputation as world leaders in engine management system tuning we are convinced you will be happy with your Superchip. So much so, that if you are not happy within seven days of modification, the fitting centre will refund the cost of the Superchip less the fitting charge. This is our seven day 'customer-service guarantee'. Your statutory rights are not affected.

And their claim about how your car will improve after fitting a chip:

Turbo cars

There are impressive gains of up to 25% more power and torque. Driving pleasure is increased through less gear changing and you will feel that your car is more lively and responsive. Superchips do this by increasing the manufacturer's boost limit. And with the reprogrammed computer matching the car's ignition timing and fuelling, long term reliability of the engine is retained.

I would offer the following comment:

Reputation is something that is very much in the eyes of the beholder, and once lost or compromised, it is very difficult to regain. I will be having my 4x4 chipped one day, and my shortlist for tuners is shorter than it was.

Any claims which use the words 'up to' should be viewed with considerable caution and a degree of scepticism. Perhaps I am just unlucky, but what I end up with rarely seems to be anywhere near what is being claimed. In Superchips' case, any increase at all in power or torque achieved by chipping is a gain; moreover, they do not guarantee 25% more power or torque, or indeed any other figure.

If anyone is really unhappy with their Superchip, and have had it more than 7 days, they should talk to Trading Standards about their legal rights, and perhaps to the Legal Departments of the RAC or AA if they are a member.

Dennis,

I think most chip suppliers use the same sort of language and achieve broadly similar results. My concern is that after several attempts to get them to explain why is there such a shortfall compared with their advertised peak of 249 lbf.ft, all communications stop. Whereas the technical boss admitts to having found out some new tricks that can improve significantly (as fitted on his own S3). When I suggested applying that new knowledge to my car he said no. All they would do if I took the car there was to check to see if there was any discrepancy in the RR measurements.

One would have thought they would adopt a policy of constant improvement as most software companies do, even if there was a small charge to get the updated version to pay towards their dev. costs.

I do think those of us with Superchips should consider putting to them that they shold stop making exaggerated claims otherwise people will be lured towards their product for the wrong reasons. On the other hand the product does a good job and I am yet to be convinced that it is inferior to any other chip supplier.

This is Superchips' promise on their website today:

Our promise to you

With our established reputation as world leaders in engine management system tuning we are convinced you will be happy with your Superchip. So much so, that if you are not happy within seven days of modification, the fitting centre will refund the cost of the Superchip less the fitting charge. This is our seven day 'customer-service guarantee'. Your statutory rights are not affected.

And their claim about how your car will improve after fitting a chip:

Turbo cars

There are impressive gains of up to 25% more power and torque. Driving pleasure is increased through less gear changing and you will feel that your car is more lively and responsive. Superchips do this by increasing the manufacturer's boost limit. And with the reprogrammed computer matching the car's ignition timing and fuelling, long term reliability of the engine is retained.

I would offer the following comment:

Reputation is something that is very much in the eyes of the beholder, and once lost or compromised, it is very difficult to regain. I will be having my 4x4 chipped one day, and my shortlist for tuners is shorter than it was.

Any claims which use the words 'up to' should be viewed with considerable caution and a degree of scepticism. Perhaps I am just unlucky, but what I end up with rarely seems to be anywhere near what is being claimed. In Superchips' case, any increase at all in power or torque achieved by chipping is a gain; moreover, they do not guarantee 25% more power or torque, or indeed any other figure.

If anyone is really unhappy with their Superchip, and have had it more than 7 days, they should talk to Trading Standards about their legal rights, and perhaps to the Legal Departments of the RAC or AA if they are a member.[/quote:b466514d4a]