APS Remap Review

[JWB7V8]

For those of you interested in an alternative remap to the usual suspects: DMS, MRC and JD Engineering, I had my B7 RS4 remapped by APS at the weekend.

Please remember I am not claiming to be an expert on this matter. I can see from a few other threads that people have thrown the toys on this subject, I’m just giving my thoughts to those who might be interested.

First things first, the guys at APS were very friendly and were more than happy to answer any basic questions I had. This is key for me, simply because I like to know what I’m getting myself into, but more than that I am just interested in what they are doing to the car and why. My basic understanding is that Audi have to set the car up so that it can tolerate a range of grades in fuel and Joe Blogs not warming up the car before taking it to the red line!! Unfortunately not everybody looks after their beloved RS4’s like most of the enthusiasts on the forum. As a result, there is reasonable scope to alter the fuelling, timing and throttle settings to squeeze a few more BHP out of the motor…APS claim approximately 20 BHP and 15 ft lb torque. Also the guys remove the top speed limiter…very useful for trips to the Nurburgring!

APS don’t have a dyno to show actual gains. That said I have had the car on the dyno before and like many other owners, wasn’t that impressed with the results. Then again, I had the throttle body replaced soon after as it was throwing up a silent error which might have found a few of those lost horses. None the less, the RS4 doesn’t dyno well and it seems that the best way to see how the car is running is by feel!

The remap itself doesn’t take that long…probably half an hour to an hour all in. That includes running a number of checks (with VAG.com I think) to make sure the car is ok / running within the correct tolerances. After that the original settings are saved and the remap is loaded onto the ECU via the diagnostics port. I should add that it is a standard map for all B7 RS4’s. Ed and the guys then take the car out for a quick spin to make sure that everything is working as it should. Finally, I was given the keys and told to give the car a run before signing any paperwork. At this point, I think it’s important to mention that Ed and the guys are happy to remove the map if after say a week you aren’t happy with it. Also, they offer a lifetime guarantee on the work! They also tweaked my Milltek cat back for free as it wasn’t quite straight!

As for the changes to the car...my B7 has circa 9k on the clock so from what I have read, there is definitely more to come i.e. the car will loosen even more by 20k. That aside, the car definitely feels different. One of the main differences for me was the change to the throttle. More than anything the throttle feels much more sorted, yes more sensitive but also more useable. It’s difficult to explain but it just feels more intuitive (for example when blipping for a down change), perhaps how you would expect it to come out of the factory. That was noticeable within the first mile.

In terms of the overall power/torque gains, there is a definite improvement over the whole rev range. For example, I would have said that stock RS4’s start pulling at circa 4,500 rpm whereas with the remap the pull definitely arrives about 500-1000 rpm earlier and with more urgency. Also, the needle definitely pulls harder into the redline. On that note, the guys haven’t moved the rev limiter up as they believe that it’s an area that Audi might start asking questions should anything go wrong.

In summary, the car is definitely improved…a bit like it’s had a shot of adrenaline! Don’t get me wrong, no one is going to get the RS4 to snap your head back like a forced induction car and you shouldn’t consider any of the tuners if that’s what you’re trying to achieve. None the less, if you’re looking to improve on what is already a great car then I would undoubtedly recommend APS…especially as their remap only costs £500 all in, which is quite reasonable compared to some of the other tuners.

[lee,m]

Hi john Interesting read that , where abouts are APS ?

Ta lee

[pippyrips]

How is the fuel consumption now?

[P_G]

APS are in Brackley near Silverstone (on the A43).

[JWB7V8]

Difficult to say whats happened to the fuel consumption as i've had my foot to the floor when possible testing the remap. Although, there seems to be no major change so far. In fact, aren't most remaps supposed to improve mpg?? I've got some motorway bashing to do this weekend so will be able to get a better idea then.

All that aside...I'd rather pay a few quid more at the pumps each time and have the improved perfomance!!

[hbk]

http://www.autops.co.uk/

[alex_123_fra]

Interesting read John. Very pleasing to hear about your good results.

APS are a great bunch of guys in my experience.

Any idea whether they can take any after market mods (e.g miltek exhaust +/- sportscats) into their mapping consideration to extract even more performance from the car. I think MRC do this, but it would be nice to have another option.

[JWB7V8]

The standard map was applied to mine as there is limited change to the cars behaviour with just the cat back i.e. the Milltek cat back is mostly for the noise.

They do have a separated map for car with sports cats. However, altering the cats seems to be slightly delecate territory. Not only because the sports cats can trigger the emissions light but also I'm told the engine needs some back pressure and changing the cats can result in a slight loss in back pressure thus a loss in performance!? Don't shoot the messanger...just what I've been told.

[dubbers]

Nice review - thanks for taking the time to write it up. I've been happy using APS since they opened - Most recently a mid-term oil change on the RS4. On the strength of your write up I'll get in touch with Ed soon to discuss booking my car in for a remap.

Tell us your thoughts after a 1000 miles or so.

[dom888]

I don't write as eloquently as John, but I had mine remapped at APS at the same time. Everything he has written concurs exactly with my findings. I have noticed a slight worsening of fuel ecomony in town driving, but that's a small price to pay.

[b7sedan]

Is it detectable by dealers as it seems a mild remap?

[VARSITY]

Any remap is a good thing.

Just make sure its a good one.

[P_G]

The standard map was applied to mine as there is limited change to the cars behaviour with just the cat back i.e. the Milltek cat back is mostly for the noise.

They do have a separated map for car with sports cats. However, altering the cats seems to be slightly delecate territory. Not only because the sports cats can trigger the emissions light but also I'm told the engine needs some back pressure and changing the cats can result in a slight loss in back pressure thus a loss in performance!? Don't shoot the messanger...just what I've been told.

If you are running 100 CPSI cats then you may affect the lambda sensors, howevere 200 CPSI cats would suffice. If you were worried about reducing backflow, you could just use a CAI to increase air flow to the engine in the first place; however all said I had 200 CPSI cats and a 3" stainless steel exhaust system on my B6 S4 (Milltek is only 2 1/4" pipes IIRC) and the performance, note and economy all increased with no issues.

[audijohn]

Is it detectable by dealers as it seems a mild remap?

If it was "Flashed in" then more likely to be seen.

[Adam]

Is it detectable by dealers as it seems a mild remap?

If it was "Flashed in" then more likely to be seen.

How so? APS told me they reset the flash counter after the remap is loaded.

I am also very pleased with APS and concur with John's write up. The way the car accelerates from 90kph to 130kph on the M40 (or mph if on an autobahn) is incredible now.