So my K03 went bad, fortunately my friend can have a new K04 in my hands for $600 tomorrow.
I'm running a '98 1.8T automatic with the APR chip because I never expected to get the K04.

How is this gonna perform? I would really hate to pay another $400 to go GIAC.

So then would i really need anything else if I'm satisfied with the new performance?
(it's an automatic so i'm not trying to build a racer)
I did the DV before chipping and am going to get boost and oil pressure gauges soon.
-Andrew

 

Just out of plain ole' curiosity, how many miles have you put on your car with the chip? Just wondering so I can plan my K04 upgrade too .

I can't answer your question, but I remember seeing on AW that someone was running the K04 with the APR chip and it was working fine for them (I think). Might wanna search that one.

 

I have 82,500 miles total probably only 1000 with the chip. I got it in August but haven't driven too much. I don't think that APR killed my K03, but I was kinda thickheaded and didn't pay enough attention to my oil levels. Somehow I burnt up 2 quarts in 2000 miles. I have no idea if this did in the turbo or not.

A long-winded answer,sorry and thanks for the idea about AW i don't read there but i will. Everyone here seems to have planned ahead to get GIAC for their K04.

 

It'll work, but you won't notice any power gains. Try to sell your APR chip to someone.

 

You will have power gains, not sure where you came up with you wont. The gains wont be near as much without the right programing tho.

 

I might buy your APR chip...let me know if you're selling cheap.

 

I just got blasted on the zine for asking this same question. Can I run a K04 with K03 software? I was told to search lol. Anyway, eventually I found out that running a K04 with K03 software can cause your car to run lean (low air/fuel ratio). This can be harmful to your engine. From what I gathered this setup should work fine but who probably shouldn't run it for too long before you get the K04 software. Besides if you go with the normal K04 software and not the PC-16 you're not gonna spend much more. I'd say buy the GIAC K04 chip and sell your APR K03 chip.

Also, you will see power gains. It's a lot easier for the K04 to produce 1bar than it is for the K03. Plus the K03 runs out of breath sooner than the K04.

 

You shouldn't have any troubles selling your APR chip on the forums.

 

OK well I'm going back home to get my car today. Grand total for the K04 and installed w/ some other random fixes was under $1300. Was that a good deal? (I had the dealer do it because I still haven't found a trustworthy mechanic). Last questions (probably repeated so I'm sorry in advance)

Is there a break-in time/procedure for the K04?
Is AWE the only place I can get the K04 software?

 

So i've got the K04 running on the APR chip. (planning on the AWE/GIAC K04 chip if someone wants the APR)

The car sounds awesome!!! Power doesn't feel to have changed too much from the K03/APR. Exhaust has more grunt too it for sure, so atleast I am hearing power.

Last question... should the turbo be really high-pitched now? Overall I hear it more but the pitch has definitely gone up. Thanks