APR is pleased to present the OEM Golf R/S3 IS38 Turbocharger ECU upgrade for GTI/A3 platform vehicles!
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, or with a factory GPF or Gasoline Particulate Filter, an upgraded APR HPFP is required.
To APR’s Engineers, this is the ultimate pursuit of performance without compromise. To the driver, it just works!
Race Fuel Information: Higher octane fuel typically allows APR’s engineers to create more power and torque by achieving greater ignition advance. However, on this application, APR’s engineers were able to achieve MBT, or minimum spark timing for best torque, on 93 AKI fuel. MBT is essentially the point where greater ignition advance no longer results in more power and torque. By using APR’s upcoming Ethanol Flex Fueling upgrades and Ethanol fuel, greater peak power was achieved due to the fuel’s highly oxygenated nature.
Requirements and Recommendations
APR’s IS38 Turbocharger ECU Upgrade is sold as software only. The factory turbocharger necessary for this upgrade is conveniently available at various APR dealers and VW, Audi and Seat dealerships across the world.
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Turbocharger:
An unmodified, OEM IHI IS38 Turbocharger is required. APR recommends using the latest factory revision 06K145722H as of Oct 20th, 2015, or newer. Replace all factory one time use nuts, bolts, gaskets, and crush washers. The wastegate may need to be adapted after the install. A tutorial can be found here: IS38 Wastegate Adaptation. -
Intake:
The APR Carbon Fiber Intake System is required. -
Exhaust:
The APR Cast Race DP System is required. -
Intercooler:
The APR Intercooler System is required. -
HPFP:
Vehicles with engine code DLB with the GPF or Gasoline Partiulate Filter require a HPFP upgrade. -
Spark Plugs:
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 manufacturers specifications), and maintained with a shorter changer interval (Ex: 10,000-15,000 mi or 16,000-24,000 km). -
Transmission:
The APR IS38 TCU Upgrade may be required to run the high output software.
Fitment/Applications:
- 2015+ Audi A3 - MK3/Typ 8V
- 2015+ Audi TT - MK3/8S
- 2015+ VW Mk7, Mk7.5 GTI
- 2018+ VW Atlas 2.0T
- 2019+ VW Mk7, Mk7.5 GLI
APR IS38 Turbo ECU Upgrade - For existing APR ECU Upgrade Customers
$699.99
APR IS38 Turbo ECU Upgrade - New Customer
$999.99
Availability and ECU Compatibility:
Stages, programs, and features may not be available for all ECUs.
ECU Revision Notice: Multiple ECU revisions exist for each platform. APR software may be temporarily unavailable when factory updates are applied. An APR dealer can check availability in person, or over the phone if the ECU boxcode/revision is known.