Interested in chip tuning

[passattdiwagon05]

Im interested in increasing the performance of my 2005 Passat Wagon TDI with the Rocketchip Stage II. What is my best option for obtaining it when currently located in Virginia?

 

[dzlvdub]

Contact Jeff at Rocketchip.com, IIRC, and he'll fill you in on how to obtain one. You have to remove the ECU, overnight it to him, he does the mod and returns the ECU to you. Cheers!

 

[bluesmoker]

another option

http://www.diesel-power.com/Artikel_Configurator_2227.html

 

[passattdiwagon05]

Thanks for the useful information guys!!!

 

[maktas]

I did mine at speed tuning USA. What was appealing was the fact that he sends you a "byte shooter" device to reprogram the ECU via your OBDII port. You don't need to pull your ECU or bring your car somewhere. I am pretty happy with the performance.

 

[passattdiwagon05]

maktas, do you have an estimation on as to the power you've gained via Speedtuning USA's method?

 

[maktas]

maktas, do you have an estimation on as to the power you've gained via Speedtuning USA's method?

I have no idea... I am assuming it is close to what Speedtuning USA advertised, but without going to a dynamometer, I can't tell you. I do know that it made a noticeable difference, especially from 0-40 MPH (1st-3rd gear), after that, you don't notice the acceleration improvement as much, however, I have no problems passing ppl at hwy speeds while before the tuning it wasn't as easy. Fuel economy is about the same.

I do know that there was quite an a lot of discussion and controversy about this issue.... ST vs Rocket Chip.... some ppl swear that Rocket Chip is better programming.... but I have neither the time or will to look into that further, all I know is that I got pretty much what I wanted.

 

[sleze]

The other thing you might want to think about is that Jeff from Rocketchip is INCREDIBLY thorough when he tweaks your settings. If you were to make an appointment to drive to his location (middle of southern PA...maybe 4 to 5 hours unless you are in far western VA), not only will he tweak your car, he'll take you on a test drive to make sure you are getting the power you should be getting. Also, he will help you apply patches for free (like the great hesitation flash that came out after he chipped my car).

I don't think there are too many people that have anything bad to say about Rocketchips.

 

[passattdiwagon05]

Thanks again. I was already leaning toward Rocketchip, but after this posting I think I will be going with it sometime in the near future.

 

[Basenji]

I have a 2004 wagon with the 1+ rocket chip. I'm very pleased. I went to a GTG in Baltimore to have it done. Jeff meets with you and you dicuss your needs and how best to accomplish them. Mine works great! Doesn't take too long to do (about 45 minutes). PA is beautiful this time of year.

 

[tomo366]

Thanks again. I was already leaning toward Rocketchip, but after this posting I think I will be going with it sometime in the near future.

I had Stage2 rocketchip in my ex-2004 Passat......It was great
Jeff Lives in Red Lion PA you could drive up to his place

 

[passattdiwagon05]

Are you buying the drinks?

 

[tomo366]

LOL I don't drink

 

[TDI_Jeffster]

Another happy RC customer here. I actually met Jeff in a Mall parking lot off I-95 on his way back from a show. He pulls his mobile workshop behind him & is a very nice and knowledgeable person.

 

[TheGrove]

I had Stage2 rocketchip in my ex-2004 Passat......It was great

And still is! I'm not sure I would want it without.

 

[bigEZ]

rc2 is the diggity bomb! you'll love it, if you go that route.

 

[Aron]

Speed Tuning

I did mine at speed tuning USA. What was appealing was the fact that he sends you a "byte shooter" device to reprogram the ECU via your OBDII port. You don't need to pull your ECU or bring your car somewhere. I am pretty happy with the performance.

Can you describe more what the byte shooter is and how it is working? Checking out their website they have what appears to be more of a tuning box; they call it a "Power Box" for the pump duse (unit injectors).

 

[abctdi]

They have both box and chip, but no mention of a byte shooter. Usually you need a vagcom as part of the tuning process, a deal killer for me.

 

[maktas]

The "chip" option involves reprogramming your ECU. The byte shooter is a USB to OBDII device that reprograms your ECU. This is NOT VAG COM, its totally different. You obviously need a laptop, like VAG COM. He sends you the device, driver and programming software (he will walk you thru the process). The software downloads and writes a data file with your current ECU program. This file is e-mailed to Oliver (ST guy), he checks it, reprograms it and e-mails you back an updated ECU data file. You then use the software upload the new ECU data file back into your TDI. This byte shooter is very expensive and he asks for $1000 security hold (you get it refunded once you send it back). The nice thing is that you have a copy of the original ECU program file just in case you need it.

 

[abctdi]

What does the laptop do anymore than a desktop? Does it need to be in the car also?
So you don't need vagcom specifically, correct?
How much does the tune cost?

 

[maktas]

What does the laptop do anymore than a desktop? Does it need to be in the car also?
So you don't need vagcom specifically, correct?
How much does the tune cost?

The problem is you need to be inside the car to do the programming because he will step you thru the process while it is hooked up. You will need VAGCOM because after the programming, it leaves a bunch of fault codes that need to be cleared out(he does not know why this happens). I believe I paid $250 for this tuning.