How to increase power??

[jonathanhubbard]

Hi Guys,

I'm looking for ways to increase the bhp of my S3, however, there are a few restrictions....

1. Can't invalidate warranty (it's a 52 plate),
2. Can't invalidate insurance,
3. won't cost the earth!

I know that's quite a tough challenge, but can anyone suggest anything? I've heard of getting engines remapped, chips etc, but don't know anything about modifying cars really!

Thanks

Jon

[DuncS3]

Jon,

Based on your criteria there is nothing you can do except buy a faster car. No modification that increases power keeps your warranty intact or doesnt affect your insurance premium.

There are a few chip friendly dealers but playing by the book none of them can keep your official Audi UK warranty, some just may turn a blind eye, but of course that is all hearsay as no one I know off has gone in for a blown turbo, regardless of the tuner, and got it done under warranty with the dealer knowing the car is chipped or whatever.

Dunc [img]images/graemlins/s3addict.gif[/img]

[Riz_RS4]

1. Can't invalidate warranty (it's a 52 plate),
2. Can't invalidate insurance,
3. won't cost the earth!

well there are loads of tuning companies out their after your hard earned cash!

Firstly ABT have now got UK approval and Audi should honour the warranty BUT you`ll still have to tell the insurance company about your mods. also this most will cost loads!

It`s going to be hard to find a chip that wont invalidate your warranty, you usually have to tell the insurance company and they will up your premium to cover the extra performance etc.

SuperChips offer`s a 12 month warranty on anything that goes on your car which is releated to the chip, they pay the difference if Audi dont pay on the warranty. downside is that its only 12 months....... its not a expensive chip though, around £550 fitted!

APR do a switching ECU, which allows the switching between standard and performance programs on the ECU, but this is a physical ECU removal job and still is not 100% invisable to dealers and insurance companies if they know what they are looking for.

I think there is only one tuning company on the market at the moment that offers a programming method that doesnt not physically change the car, no ECU removal etc...... but once again its your risk, Revo!

For example you can get Revo and set it to different performance levels or a security lockout of the car etc........ when you have a warranty call, just set it back to normal and take it in, obviously this is at your own risk and it is misleading the dealer in question....... insurance still needs to know that your car is tuned but yet again your risk if you want to run it now and again......... remember it is completely switchable...... so its highly possible that you can use Revo and get-away with telling the dealers and insurance company! thats my view! [img]images/graemlins/jump.gif[/img]

[jonathanhubbard]

Thanks guys, that was quick!

Riz, this Revo thing, how much does it cost?

Let me get this right then - Revo install something on my car that I can mess around with to increase power, then when it's time for a service (or I bump my car, heaven forbid!) I can take it out and no one will know?

Where do I get one!

Thanks

Jon

[Riz_RS4]

Jon click on the banner at the top.... REVO!
Its all on their site, basically depening on how much you want to spend they have different versions
SPS1 = Stock & Performance Apps
SPS2 = Stock & Octane Performance Apps & Anti-Theft
SPS3 = Stock £ Adjustable boost and timing & Anti-Theft

You will need the basic application first.

Application £499 plus VAT
SPS1 = £149 plus VAT
SPS2 = £199 plus VAT
SPS3 = £249 plus VAT.

Read all about it on the Revo site and let me know if you like the idea of it, they also do a 5hr trial for free, so why not try it out first!

Have fun [img]images/graemlins/clap.gif[/img] and strap up! wooooosh [img]images/graemlins/s3addict.gif[/img]

[jonathanhubbard]

Hi Riz,

Sounds perfect! Sounds exactly like what I need - when I take the car back to Audi, they won't be able to tell it's been worked on, and the insurance company can't tell, either, that sound right to you?

Don't suppose you happen to know the change I'll get from the install do you? The bhp and 0-60 increase? (I don't mind about top speed - I always stick to the speed limit as I've got 6 points already thanks to my S3 [img]images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img] !). I'll ask the dealer (there's one in Bromsgrove, about 5 miles from me!) but I'm sure they'll be 'positive' about the performance increase.

Have many people on this forum had this done?

Might be worth the free trial I guess!!

Thanks

[Riz_RS4]

Jon, there is alot of people out there with Revo, its cutting-edge technology i think [img]images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Theres quite afew RS4 and S3 drivers on here with Revo!

Revo quote 265bhp/287lb ft which is 389nm [img]images/graemlins/jump.gif[/img]

Theres not been much figures out there as many people havent dont rolling roads yet. but if you do a search in the tuning forum of this site you`ll find that a couple of the S3 owners did extensive tests with good results in my opinion [img]images/graemlins/thumbs.gif[/img]

I would persoanlly say thats 0-60 would be around the late 5`s and more bang on 6seconds, not much over the standard but its more torque which makes the difference, try it and find out. [img]images/graemlins/thumbs.gif[/img]

[jonathanhubbard]

Cheers again Riz,

I've heard about fuel additives on this forum, do they make a difference?

I normally fill up with Shell Optimax, or BP super unleaded, never standard fuel. I guess this should help too?

What should I add, and do I just pour it in the fuel tank?

(Once again, sorry for the lack of knowledge!)

[Riz_RS4]

Dont worry Jon, i used to know very little awhile back..... the amount of information that is on forums is massive.

I use shell optimax too which is rated at 98RON, i never settle for less........

The fuel additive is called Millers, ive just started to use it myself, on the second bottle at the moment, should start to notice a difference once the ECU has recognised the extra RON. Millers adds apprix 2-3RON to a tank of 50litres.

So i`d say in total im running 100RON [img]images/graemlins/jump.gif[/img]
Its makes even more difference when a ECU has been remapped as the mapping takes this in to notice and extracts afew more bhp.

Its pretty easy to use...... wait until your fuel tank is empty and pour in one bottle, then fill up and this will cause good mixture..... after 3 tank fulls you should notice smoother conbustion and slightly better mpg and performace..... may people swear by the stuff....... [img]images/graemlins/clap.gif[/img]

There was a groupbuy of millers a shortwhile back....... and im pretty sure there will be more.
Jr arranged the groupbuy and you can see all the info under the Millers post!

[Mo_S3]

Hi Jon, ive got the REVO installed on my car and have also got the SPS3 dongle which allows me to adjust the boost and timing if i feel like having a bit of a play.
The differences between a low boost and a high boost setting are incredible!
If you turn the boost fairly high along with the timing u must have optimax in ur cars stomach along with some millers or similar octane booster.
You cant really hurt ur cars engine running high boost coz all the programs uploaded to ur car operate within the engines tolerences but that is not to say that its never going to happen.
Like Riz said check out the REVO site above and find a local dealer near u and get a 5 hour free trial, im sure u will love it. Then the rest is up to u as to whether u want a SPS1 2 or 3 ??

Oh and with regards to the dealer finding out, that depends on how good ur terms are with them. My dealer knows about my cars modifications and loves the REVO chip and doesnt have a problem carrying out warranty work on it. [img]images/graemlins/bowdown.gif[/img]

[img]images/graemlins/beerchug.gif[/img]

[Riz_RS4]

Here is a picture of the SPS3 dongle.
[img]images/rsul/19207-sps3.jpg[/img]

[AndyS3]

Hi Jon

Have a look at Oettinger as another option, they will give u a warrenty to cover the remander of your manufactors warrenty for anything that goes wrong gue to any probs with the Oettinger chip. Im gettting a MTM chip and didnt really consider Oettinger, but if i was making my decesion again i would seriously consider them.

Unfortunately by fitting a after market chip it will increase your insurance and none of them are cheap.

MTM - £1000
ABT - £1500
Oettinger - not sure but will be around the same as MTM

Oettinger quote 0 - 60 in 5.8 secs

There the only chips i would consider due to there experience with Audis

http://www.oettinger.com/

http://www.roadandsport.co.uk

Good luck