.: Revo Technik Review Revo Technik has brought a new era in chip tuning for VAG vehicles with its diagnostic port ECU remaps. Usually a remap (or rechip) involves gaining access to the cars ECU (Engine Control Unit), then removing the Eprom containing the control maps (eg for igntion, fuel, boost etc) and then reprogramming it with new maps to allow more power to be reproduced. This is soldered back into place and the ECU is re-fitted to the car. Unfortunately any dealer can then tell the car has been modified and Audi has even gone so far as to fit tamper proof housings on new ECUs which only allow dealer access.

The beauty of the Revo software is that the ECU does not need to be touched - and in most cases not even the bonnet is lifted. The reprogramming is done via the cars diagnostic port which allows other interesting features to be added as will be seen later. I'd heard rumours late last year of something special coming out for VAG cars so decided to hold off rechipping mine until the Revo products had been released. Once i'd found out more about the product it was time for a trip to Gloucester to visit Forge Motorsport to have my Anniversary TDi transformed...

Installation
Installation is extremely simple. The ECU is not removed from the car and no soldering is required to change chips. Click here to open a new window showing the installation procedure.

Switching
One of the main benefits of the Revo conversion is in the way it stores the new code in the ECU. It makes use of redudant sections of memory to store its code (the REVO or Resident Encrypted Variable Output) Architecture) so to diagnostic equipment and anyone else looking at the ECU's memory, it appears that the standard code is untouched, the new Revo code appearing as random data in the memory. The clever part of the conversion is the ability to switch between the two sets of code. This allows the driver to select the performance mode for day to day use and then when the car goes in for servicing to select the stock mode. In this way the ECU appears unmodified and warranties remain unaffected. Do not take this as a way to not tell your insurance about any modifications though. This is acheived using the SPS 'dongle'. The switching is shown here.

Performance
This is not an all hell breaks loose at the front wheels conversion which then runs out of steam but a very smooth and noticeable power hike. Initial impressions were of how much smoother the power was delivered and how the engine revved better. On the road 4th gear acceleration is much better and even in 6th a gentle prod of the accelerator at 70mph soon has 3 figure speeds registering on the dial. Boost comes in very smoothly at around 1800 RPM and then pulls very strongly up to 4000 revs and will happily rev to 5000 revs but by then power is dropping off rapidly. The whole engine just feels so much stronger and more 'petrol' like in character. Its also a lot quieter too, most noticeable when crusing along.
Its so easy to forget how good the conversion is until the SPS is put back in and set to standard mode. The engine feels more laggy and sounds more like a diesel, losing the smoothness brought about by the Revo code. I'm still very impressed with how the car feels with a seemless surge of power right up into the rev range. With more torque produced low down, its easy to trickle along in 6th gear at low speed and the car will just pull away with no problems at all unlike the standard car. Very impressive.

Smoke
One problem with diesel tuning is smoke emission and indeed some of the plug and play tuning boxes produce a lot of black smoke on acceleration. The Revo conversion produces only a minimal amount of extra smoke, most noticeable at night in the headlights of a following (and rapidly diminishing ;-) car.

Fuel Economy
This is the amazing thing about the conversion - fuel economy has actually improved. On my normal commute down to the South West with a mix of motorway and fast B roads, economy is between 46-52MPG. A steady cruise at 90 or so will take this down to around 44MPG. My best on a recent trip to Hull over 220 miles was 58MPG which for the performance the car offers is incredibly good.

Insurance
Direct Line, my insurer, only wanted to know the % increase in power that the upgrade provided. In this case it was 20% putting my insurance up by £90.

Power
I am due to get the car on the rolling road in June so will provide figures then. Power should be around 180BHP and 270lbft of torque.

Cost
The Revo upgrade was £499 + VAT. The SPS1 box is an additional £149 + VAT, but this is only required if you want the ability to switch between standard and performance mode. I did, so paid the additional fee. The SPS1 is the only box available for the TDI.

Conclusions
Not the cheapest way of extracting more power from the PD engine, but one of the best. A nicely engineered conversion, it enhances the already fine performance of the VAG PD engine. Factor in the convenience of the Serial port programming meaning the ECU remains untouched and you have a fine conversion. My only gripe is the price of the SPS1 - this is expensive for what it is and looks cheap with it, but it does the job. I would recommend if you are getting this conversion on the 1.8T that you go to a dealer that has a rolling road facility. All in all i am very pleased with this conversion and would have no hessitancy in recommending this to anyone contemplating extracting more power from their vehicle.

Contacts
My thanks goes to Peter and Russell at Forge Motorsport who performed the conversion.