APR ECU Upgrade - VW Mk7, Mk7.5 GTI, GLI, Audi 8V A3, 8S TT, F3 Q3 2.0T

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!

APR ECU Upgrade Stages

APR’s ECU Upgrades are available in multiple stages and torque levels, supporting various octanes both with and without any hardware modifications. Specific software is available for use with a high flow Race DP exhaust system, as well as a drop-in factory IS38 turbocharger upgrade. Each stage is fully compatible with an upgraded intake, intercooler, catback exhaust, or other minor bolt on modifications.

Each stage was created using in-cylinder pressure transducers, and various intake and exhaust pressure and temperature transducers, all with direct ECU ram access high speed data logging to ensure each calibration operates within the limits of the factory or modified hardware. We’ve paid particular attention to delivering phenomenal power gains, while keeping in-cylinder combustion pressure relatively low. This creates a calibration that’s not only powerful, but vastly safer than calibrations created without such tools. Furthermore, turbocharger shaft speed and compressor surge protection routines are enabled within all ECUs to help protect the turbocharger from issues, and low-RPM torque is limited in taller gears for greater LSPI protection.

All upgrades include optimizations to the factory boost gauge, where applicable, making it react more quickly and accurately to match the increased output. Furthermore, we’ve added left foot braking, removed the speed limiter, raised the rev-limiter and added a motorsport limiter, adjusted the factory exhaust crackle, where applicable, to protect the catalyst on Stage 1 and enabled it in more scenarios on Stage 2 and stage 3, again where applicable. Throttle response is better with a more linear pedal feel and lastly, specific tunes are available for FWD and AWD vehicles to help provide advanced grip and limited wheel spin.

APR Plus ECU Upgrade with a Limited Powertrain Warranty

The APR Plus ECU Upgrade is the first step towards making more power, and it includes our limited powertrain warranty. This simple upgrade requires no engine hardware modifications, and produces 290 HP with 320 FT-LBS of torque. Gains as high as 60 HP and 51 FT-LBS of torque are available throughout the power band (210 PS Model), making the vehicle exceptionally quicker in all scenarios.

The APR Plus ECU Upgrade matches the performance of our Stage 1 ECU Upgrade (87 octane low torque version). To get even more power, you can add any of our other Stage 1 compatible products and still be covered under the APR Plus warranty! This only excludes our Race DP and turbo/fueling upgrades. To learn more about APR Plus, please visit the APR Plus website.

If you're not interested in the APR Plus limited powertrain warranty, and want even more power, check out the other Stages.

APR Stage I ECU Upgrade

The APR Stage 1 ECU Upgrade is the first step towards making more power! This simple upgrade requires no engine hardware modifications and produces 290-337 HP with 320-375 FT-LBS of torque. Gains as high as 60-115 HP and 51-103 FT-LBS of torque are available throughout the power band (210 PS Model), depending on octane and torque level. Optionally a low torque version of this software is available that puts less stress on the factory clutch. To get more power, the vehicle can be outfitted with an upgraded intake, intercooler, catback exhaust, turbocharger inlet, and various other bolt-on modifications all without requiring any new modifications to the ECU.

APR Stage 1 is available for 87 AKI, 91 AKI, 93 AKI and 104 AKI fuel grades in North America.

Please Note: APR recommends properly gapping the factory spark plugs to a tighter gap (Ex: 0.024" ±0.002" or 0.6mm ±0.05mm), properly installed and torqued (Ex: Per the manufacturer's specifications), and maintained with a shorter changer interval (Ex: 10,000-15,000 mi or 16,000-24,000 km). Before using Race Fuel, educate yourself and follow the APR switching guide.

Please Note: APR recommends properly gapping the factory spark plugs to a tighter gap (Ex: 0.024" ±0.002" or 0.6mm ±0.05mm), properly installed and torqued (Ex: Per the manufacturer's specifications), and maintained with a shorter changer interval (Ex: 10,000-15,000 mi or 16,000-24,000 km). Before using Race Fuel, educate yourself and follow the APR switching guide.

APR Stage 3 IS38 Turbo Upgrade

The APR Stage 3 IS38 ECU Upgrade is the next step towards making more power! This upgrade requires a factory Golf R/S3 IS38 Turbocharger, an APR Race DP, APR Intake System, and APR Intercooler System and produces 395-397 HP with 334-403 FT-LBS of torque. Gains as high as 170-172 HP and 138-149 FT-LBS of torque are available throughout the power band (210 PS Model), depending on octane and torque level. Optionally a low torque version of this software is available that puts less stress on the factory clutch. To run the high torque version of this software, and APR TCU Upgrade may be required on 6 Speed DQ250 DSG/S Tronic Models. To get more power, the vehicle can be outfitted with a catback exhaust, turbocharger inlet, and various other bolt-on modifications all without requiring any new modifications to the ECU.

APR Stage 3 IS38 is available with either the factory exhaust crackle, where available, or a more aggressive “Pops and Bangs” exhaust crackle on most ECUs. This more aggressive option lengthens the duration of the exhaust crackle, increases the volume slightly, and operates in more modes, such as lifting off the throttle and changing gears. This is only enabled in sport/race modes and will automatically disable should exhaust and component temperature become too high.

APR Stage 3 IS38 is available for 91 AKI, 93 AKI and 104 AKI fuel grades in North American, and 95 RON, 98 RON and 108 RON in the Rest of the World.

Please Note: 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 manufacturer's specifications), and maintained with a shorter changer interval (Ex: 10,000-15,000 mi or 16,000-24,000 km). Before using Race Fuel, educate yourself and follow their switching guide. Lastly, vehicles with engine code DBL require an upgraded APR HPFP.

Acceleration Enhancements

Beyond power 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, drivability was greatly improved by reducing the throttle lag commonly noticed at slow speeds and while reapplying throttle after decelerating.

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!

Clutch Protection

APR’s standard Stage I ECU Upgrade offers a large increase in low-end torque, which may overpower the factory clutch. While APR did not experience clutch slip at the advertised torque levels and even higher, others may due to clutch health and driving style. APR recommends upgrading slipping clutches, but has also created special software designed to deliver the same peak horsepower with a cap on low end torque to reduce or eliminate slipping. These specific files are available with various torque caps set lower than the standard Stage I ECU Upgrade.  

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 / Brake Boosting

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. As is with all features APR adds to the ECU, this feature may be removed upon request.

Torque Management

Torque management plays a big role in how the vehicle feels and preforms, especially during moments of low gear, rapid acceleration. Typically front wheel drive vehicles 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 minimize wheel spin and maximize forward acceleration so the driver can focus on enjoying the additional torque and power on tap. We call it Performance Without Compromise!

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/race mode. Lastly, for safety, this feature has built in hardware protection limits, and will only function when it’s considered safe to do so.