APR is pleased to present the ultimate engine control unit (ECU) upgrade for the 991.2 Porsche 3.0T Carrera engine!
APR’s ECU Upgrades are the best dollar-per-horsepower modification one can make to the 3.0T 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.
Please note that your vehicle must be present at one of our shops to install this software. Please contact us for more information or to set up an appointment.
APR ECU Upgrade Stages
APR’s ECU Upgrades support various octanes both with or without any hardware modifications. Each stage is fully compatible with an upgraded intake, intercooler, exhaust, or other minor bolt on modifications.
Porsche Mode Switching
Each upgrade offers a host of improvements beyond power alone. Using Porsche’s Normal, Sport, and Sport Plus modes offers varying levels of output while retaining all of the unique characteristics present in each mode. Sport and Sport plus modes give you full power and torque. Normal mode give you modest increase over stock, but focuses on economy and comfort. We’ve optimized boost, fueling, ignition, cams, and more to achieve greater power and torque in all scenarios.
Features
In Sport Plus mode APR has reduced turbo lag during reapplication of the throttle by building boost while off the throttle. They have linearized the pedal maps for a more predictable throttle response curve, which works exceptionally well on the track. We’ve enabled left foot braking, and brake boosting. The speed limiter has been removed. We’ve optimized the software to better handle larger wheels without excessive torque interventions. And finally we’ve inverted the start stop functionality so the vehicle starts with this feature disabled.
Safety
With many customers tracking their Porsche, safety is paramount in APR's calibration strategy. Through the use of extreme datalogging equipment and additional sensors, thermocouples, and transducers, APR's engineers were able to fully optimize the ECU for advanced safety routines. This includes implementing several routines not enabled from the factory. The entire thermal management system is optimized to reduce engine bay temperature, and reduce intake air temperature, while also implementing advanced protection routines to prevent oil temperature from achieving unsafe levels. The exhaust crackles disable when temperature thresholds are crossed, and are only enabled in sport mode. Next, we help protect the engine from LSPI by preventing the engine from being lugged out in tall gears. We also protect the turbo from damaging compressor surge, and add in turboshaft overspeed protection. APR enabled new temperature protection routines to prevent the engine, exhaust, and other components from overheating, and have implemented temperature management strategies that are fully mindful of the platform’s limited fueling capabilities. APR has optimized the injection strategy to not only deliver a fatter torque curve and better spool, but to reduce the chances of knock, and torque dips. This is also achieved alongside per cylinder ignition advance and fuel trimming.
APR Stage 1 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 454-501 HP with 439-523 FT-LBS of torque, depending on octane. Gains as high as 102-155 HP and 111-195 FT-LBS of torque are available throughout the power band. To get more power, the vehicle can be outfitted with an upgraded intake, cooling, or exhasut system.
APR Stage 1 is available for 91 AKI, 93 AKI, 100 AKI, 104 AKI, and E60-E85 fuel grades in North America, and 95 RON, 98 RON, 104 RON, 108 RON, and E60-E85 in the Rest of the World.
Please note, APR's E85 software is not a full flex fuel program. In this mode the engine is only designed to work on E85, as found directly at the pump, including both summer and winter blends from E60-E85. Using traditional pump fuels in this mode may result in engine damage. Do not manually blend with traditional pump fuel or race fuels or use race specific barrels of E85. To ensure proper E85 content levels, APR recommends using an E85 content sensor. Before using Ethanol, educate yourself and follow their switching guide.
Porsche Rear Engine Dyno Testing Notes:
This engine is extremely sensitive to intake air temperature (IAT) due to the rear engine and rear cooling design. Power figures on a stationary dyno will vary wildly with limited airflow compared to real world conditions. As IAT increases the calibration will intentionally reduce power to protect the engine.
- APR recommends and tuned with Sunoco GT 260 for 100 AKI mode and Sunoco GT 260 Plus for 104 AKI mode. Never use lower octane than specified by the mode.
- E85 software is not a full flex fuel program. In this mode the engine is only designed to work on E85, as found directly at the pump, including both summer and winter blends from E60-E85. Using traditional pump fuels in this mode may result in engine damage. Do not manually blend with traditional pump fuel or race fuels. To ensure proper E85 content levels, APR recommends using an E85 content sensor.
- Max increases are based on APR's actual measured stock values and not those reported by VAG. | RON = ROW Fuel Grades | AKI = North American (RON+MON)/2 Fuel Grades.
- Reported wheel figures measured on APR's in house Dynamometer using SAEJ1349 correction and an average of multiple runs. Crank figures are estimated based on the measured wheel figures. Results may vary depending upon environmental conditions, vehicle, transmission, vehicle health, operating conditions, temperatures, fuel grade, dyno type, dyno setup, other variables and other modifications. On the dyno, this platform will see large swings in power based on intake air temperature, and the gear in which it's dynoed.
APR World Class Calibration Expertise
Tuning 101:
The 3.0T engine uses a Continental SDI 21 ECU for engine management. Basically, it’s a computer that tells the engine how to operate. Tuning software, like the APR ECU Upgrade, tells the engine how to make more power. It does this by running more boost pressure, optimizing the cam shaft positions, adjusting the air/fuel ratio, advancing ignition timing, and more.
A Better Engine Management System:
The 3.0T’s ECU is incredible. Without the driver knowing otherwise, the ECU makes intelligent adjustments to the engine’s operations to keep it running smoothly. Unlike ECUs found in many other makes and models, when properly tuned, the ECU eliminates the need for custom tuning to maximize output, even when weather conditions change dramatically.
How APR Differs from the Competition:
The ECU is powerful, but extremely difficult to master. Without mastery, the ECU must be simplified, removing what makes it so desirable. The result is an incomplete product that often requires end user adjustment to maximize output in limited scenarios. On the contrary, APR’s Engineers spent the better part of a decade mastering the ECU to unlock its full potential. With complete access to the thousands of maps, tables and variables within, as well as a high-level understanding of how it works, APR’s Engineers were able to take advantage of everything the ECU has to offer. Power is maximized in nearly all scenarios, eliminating the need for end user adjustments. High performance operational modes are enabled and calibrated to deliver smooth daily driving, with a snappy and responsive throttle during moments of spirited driving. Mastery of the boost control system makes for an impressively predictable driving experience as the turbo spools quickly, delivering instant power, while torque-by-gear helps with traction control and protects the engine from being lugged out in tall gears. Lastly advanced high-output protection routines are enabled, allowing the ECU to make constant adjustments to airflow and fuel to cool and protect the engine, all without the driver knowing otherwise.