TDI tuning boxes

[owibitmytongue]

I just wanted to get some opinions on what the best tuning boxes out there are. I have also searched and can't find much on tuning boxes and warranties, can anybody with experience tell me how it has worked out for you? I am ready to get my TDI some extra power, but I am not ready to void my warranty yet. Thanks.

 

[tadc]

There's not a lot of variation in tuning boxes. If they have the same number of adjustments (1 or 3 pots), they will probably do about the same thing.

If they find out about it, they will try to void your warranty.

 

[owibitmytongue]

How would they find out about it? If you take it out before servicing, etc., will they still be able to find out that you had it?

 

[mackwood]

Get a spare ecu and chip .it is just as easy , maybe easier, to swap an ecu.. a chip is way better than a tuning box. 75% of people who buy tuning boxes are most likely back on the forums asking why their car doesnt run right. get a chip. i might run you a 100$ more but is well worth it..

 

[owibitmytongue]

Is the ECU easy to switch out for servicing? If you know where a write up is for this can you direct me? Thanks for the input, I had heard of voided warranties over chips, so I was kind of avoiding them, but if there is a way that I can have one without voiding my warranty then I am all for it. I have also heard that some dealers are alright with chip tuning...does anyone know of any around San Jose, CA? Thanks

 

[GoFaster]

If you're paranoid about warranty, don't modify the vehicle. Chip ... tuning-box ... injectors ... whatever. In the strictest sense, ALL of these void the warranty. Doesn't matter if whatever it is happens to be in or out of the vehicle at the time you drag the car in behind a tow truck.

The common mods to these vehicles have a very low risk as long as you stay within reason (and the tuning boxes by themselves are in the ballpark). But the risk is not zero. It never is, and it cannot be. If you can't live with that ... don't modify the vehicle.

376,000 total km, 216,000 km of that modded, 0 total engine or drivetrain problems. Clutch slips once in a while, but that comes with the territory.

 

[owibitmytongue]

Thanks for the responses. I know that the only way to be sure that you don't void your warranty is by not modding at all (what fun is that?), but I have heard that people can mod at some dealerships, or do certain mods and still maintain their warranties. I was just looking to see if anyone has had experience with this and if they could offer me any advice. Thanks.

 

[ipassgas]

I was asked by the service manager the last time I was in for a warranty scheduled oil change if I had modified the car. I asked why...and he said because they modify so easily and go like sh$%^&@! I asked if many people modified and he said sure...I then asked if they had a problem with it and he told me the cars are bullet proof to any home brewed or strap on mods that the average consumer can afford.

Makes sense...and yes I run a Van Aaken box...keep on truckin!

 

[Chowder31]

How well do you like your Van Aaken..power/fuel economy/ blah blah??

 

[ipassgas]

The power comes on fairly smoothly and it keeps on pulling all the way to 4000rpm. I don't run it higher than that as there's no point. Pretty hard to tell whether economy is going to change...I've only had the box in the car for two weeks. With the added power though comes some sacrifice I'm sure. Although at this point I can't tell a difference in where the odometer is compared to before the box for the same distance covered, I am will trade off a couple of miles to the gallon for the zip factor. I will have to post again later with my mileage findings. Writing every fill up down is the only true way to gauge mileage and this I do on a religious basis. I am very light footed so maybe I won't notice much change. I have heard of folks claiming better mileage because of the added torque at low rpm. It is very easy to drive shifting at below 2200 rpm and easing into the pedal.

Haven't experienced a CEL or any other problems...true plug and play.

 

[Chowder31]

thanks for your info man, it was helpful as last night I realized I need a wee more zip for interstate driving

 

[FlyTDI Guy]

Been running the VASB for nearly 40,000 miles now. Nothing but good to say about it. No CEL's or problems of any kind. Mileage is the same, 48 MPG. I can get lower by driving it hard but normal day to day stuff yields the same. The VASB is a microprocessor based tuning box and I think it makes a difference. At the low end, you have the simple resistor mod (Evry) and boxes that use tuning pots. Some drivability problems have been reported with those. Some have reported CEL's with the VASB but usually it's related to a stall, leaving the key on for long periods w/o starting the car, etc. I think the majority get trouble free results and, across the board, say the power is smooth and significant.