APR IS38 Turbocharger ECU Upgrade
APR is pleased to present the OEM Golf R/S3 IS38 Turbocharger ECU upgrade for GTI/A3 platform vehicles!
APR’s IS38 Turbocharger ECU Upgrade is designed for use with the factory Golf R / S3 turbo on GTI/A3 platform vehicles and produces an asphalt-shredding 386 HP on 93 octane fuel, and over 400 HP using APR’s upcoming Ethanol Flex Fueling upgrades! It's even compatible with the factory downpipe exhaust system, at lower output levels. Expect lightning fast response coupled with smooth daily driving and a much broader power band that pulls all the way to redline!
Using multiple vehicles across the world and in house, APR’s team of Calibration and Electrical Engineers spent the better part of a year mastering the factory Simos 18 engine management system to work seamlessly with the upgraded IS38 turbocharger unit. All critical aspects of the vehicle’s platform were taken into consideration and monitored through APR’s proprietary engine management logging tools to levels often not seen elsewhere in this industry. Through proper mapping, the ECU fully understands the hardware changes and operates correctly. As such torque delivery is smooth and flat, avoiding compressor surge, limitations in the factory fueling system, and limiting stress on the factory transmission. Cam phasing and valve lift operations are optimized, aiding in turbocharger spool, while allowing the engine to breathe more efficiently at higher engine speeds. Under various operational modes, lambda, ignition advance, requested torque, boost pressure levels and more were painstakingly optimized to produce maximum power without resorting to risky calibration shortcuts.
To APR’s Engineers, this is the ultimate pursuit of performance without compromise. To the driver, it just works!
- OEM DP 95 RON WHP
- OEM DP 98 RON WHP
- OEM DP 104 RON WHP
- APR DP 95 RON WHP
- APR DP 98 RON WHP
- OEM DP 95 RON CHP
- OEM DP 98 RON CHP
- OEM DP 104 RON CHP
- APR DP 95 RON CHP
- APR DP 98 RON CHP
- OEM DP 95 RON Gain
- OEM DP 98 RON Gain
- OEM DP 104 RON
- APR DP 95 RON Gain
- APR DP 98 RON Gain
| Stage | Fuel | Max HP | Max TQ | Max HP Gain Over Stock | Max TQ Gain Over Stock | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - Max increases are based on APR's actual measured stock values and not those reported by VAG. | ||||||
| - Reported wheel figures measured using APR's in-house Dynapack Dynamometer with a US Spec MK7 GTI with factory IS38 turbocharger, APR Cast Downpipe, APR Intake System and APR Intercooler, 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. | ||||||
| Stock As Reported by VAG | 95 RON | 210-230 HP | 258 FT-LBS | |||
| Stock As Measured by APR | 98 RON | 235 HP | 270 FT-LBS | |||
| APR IS38 Turbo - OEM Downpipe | 95 RON | 345 HP | 359 FT-LBS | +114 HP @ 6,200 RPM | +105 FT-LBS @ 4,150 RPM | |
| APR IS38 Turbo - OEM Downpipe | 98 RON | 363 HP | 376 FT-LBS | +131 HP @ 6,000 RPM | +123 FT-LBS @ 4,100 RPM | |
| APR IS38 Turbo - OEM Downpipe | >104 RON | 373 HP | 390 FT-LBS | +140 HP @ 5,800 RPM | +135 FT-LBS @ 4,200 RPM | |
| APR IS38 Turbo - APR Downpipe | 95 RON | 382 HP | 370 FT-LBS | +140 HP @ 6,100 RPM | +129 FT-LBS @ 6,200 RPM | |
| APR IS38 Turbo - APR Downpipe | 98 RON | 386 HP | 403 FT-LBS | +153 HP @ 5,600 RPM | +148 FT-LBS @ 4,100 RPM | |
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 98 RON 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.
The APR Development Difference
APR DirectPort Programming:
APR’s DirectPort Programming is now available! Any APR Dealer in the world, connected to the Internet, has direct access to APR’s latest ECU upgrades for loading directly over the vehicle's OBD-II port. This completely eliminates the need to remove and open the ECU for currently available files and can be uninstalled at any time!
APR ECU Explorer:
APR’s proprietary ECU Explorer gives APR’s Calibration Engineers unparalleled access to the vehicle’s entire engine management system. Typical commercially available data logging tools, used by most tuners, only allow logging up to 12 engine-operating variables at extremely low data rates. These tools are also limited to a small, specific list of variables. APR’s ECU Explorer is capable of logging every variable found within the ECU with far more variables logged at once, at very high data rates.
APR ECU Composer:
APR’s proprietary ECU Composer is used for altering the engine management system. With full access to every table, map and variable within the ECU, APR’s Calibration Engineers are not limited to a handful of maps as is common for most tuning companies.
APR ECU Assembly:
APR’s Electrical Engineers have the ability to alter the code structure of the ECU. Through code levels changes, APR's Engineers are able to add features to the ECU. Other changes allow higher torque limits than those achievable through only modifying calibration data or using piggyback devices as is the case for many tuners. This allows APR's engineers to often not require transmission software to meet or exceed advertised gains. On the highly modified end, this often allows APR to make turbo upgrades operate without the need for external manual controllers.
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.
- Turbocharger:
An unmodified, OEM IHI IS38 Turbocharger is required. APR recommends using the latest factory revision (06K145722H as of Oct 20th, 2015) with APR’s Turbo Muffler Delete and recommends replacing factory one time use nuts, bolts, gaskets, and crush washers. - Intake:
The APR Carbon Fiber Intake System is highly recommended. This setup is necessary to achieve the advertised power figures. - Exhaust:
Upgrading the factory downpipe is required for the higher output downpipe software. APR highly recommends using the APR Cast Downpipe System as this system is necessary to achieve the advertised power figures. The factory catback exhaust does not need to be modified. - Intercooler:
Upgrading the factory intercooler is highly recommended. APR recommends using the upcoming APR Intercooler system. This setup is necessary to achieve the advertised power figures consistently. - Ethanol Support:
APR’s upcoming Ethanol Flex Fueling upgrades are required to run Ethanol calibrations. No fueling upgrades are required for conventional gasoline. - Spark Plugs:
Upgrading the spark plugs with Denso Iridium IKH24, gapped to 0.024" ±0.002" or 0.6mm ±0.05mm with a change interval of 10-15,000 mi or 16-24,000 km is required for engine longevity and safety. - Transmission:
APR recommends the APR IS38 TCU Upgrade for maximum performance on DSG / S Tronic models. A clutch upgrade may be necessary on manual transmission vehicles. - Oil, Coolant and Lubrication:
APR recommends using Motul oils, coolants and lubricants with APR's Oil Catch Can System.
| Vehicle | Market | Engine | Transmission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audi A3 - MK3/Typ 8V | All | 2.0 TFSI EA888 Gen 3 | All |
| Seat Leon – MK3 / Typ 5F | All | 2.0 TSI EA888 Gen 3 | All |
| Skoda Octavia / vRS – MK3 / Typ 5E | All | 2.0 TFI EA888 Gen 3 | All |
| Volkswagen Golf GTI – MK7 / Typ 5G | All | 2.0 TFI EA888 Gen 3 | All |
| Stage | Minimum Requirements | Price Exc. VAT | Price Inc. VAT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IMPORTANT PRICING AND AVAILABILITY DETAILS: | ||||
| - 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. | ||||
| APR IS38 Turbo ECU Upgrade - Existing APR ECU Upgrade Customer | OEM IHI IS38 Turbocharger (See Requirements and Recommendations Above) | £0.00 | Please Call | |
| APR IS38 Turbo ECU Upgrade - New Customer | OEM IHI IS38 Turbocharger (See Requirements and Recommendations Above) | £725.00 | £870.00 | |
How to purchase
Please use the APR Dealer Locater Tool to locate an APR Dealer, confirm availability and schedule an appointment.
Please note vehicle manufacturers issue many ECU part numbers and revisions throughout their vehicle lineup. As such, some ECUs may be temporarily unavailable as new parts and/or revisions are released. If the vehicle’s ECU part number and revision is known, availability can be checked at any APR Dealer.
Security, Warranty and Money Back Guarantee
30 Day Money Back Guarantee:
All APR ECU Upgrades include a 30-day money back guarantee with no questions asked. If for any reason the owners is dissatisfied with the APR ECU Upgrade, they may return to the place of purchase for a full refund, provided they are within the 30 day period from the time of the initial purchase. Labor or shipping charges are not included in the guarantee and are at the discretion of the place of install.
Limited Lifetime Warranty:
All APR ECU Upgrades include a limited lifetime warranty against defects in the software, and to provide free updates and reflashes as they become available. Labor or shipping charges are not included in the warranty and are at the discretion of the place of install.
