My car has a 2.0L 8v VW/Audi economy engine with stock ECU set up for regular 87 octane gas. Just by changing out ECU I can get 7 more hp and increase throttle response and add torque across the power band of course by switching to high test gas. I know I have a very unique car and I don't think that anyone else on this site has my engine but does anyone know where my ECU is located? I have to get the number off the stock ECU to order a new one.
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Only Henry will know the location. Stock Audis used the firewall for mounting, but some were inside the engine compartment, some on the passenger side.
And you shouldn't have to swap out the entire ECU.
Just find the cover to the flash chips and replace the chips with new, "performance" models.
Thanks guys. Henry responded. Under the back seat. Yes just the flash chip. Thanks you.
Phil - we have another SOCer who has/had an IM powered by Audi turbo. His name is Tomm Aldridge. I believe he resides in Washington (state). Do a search on 'Members' for Tomm Aldridge and you'll see pics and some tech stuff he did on his IM.
I don't know how to link those SOC threads in this comment. DOH! 
Phil, I think your car is pretty nice, not sure if your looking to change the engine.
I test drove Tomm's car when it was new and it had 180hp, it was very fast, now I think he has 340hp or so, new turbo etc. scary fast I would think. The front of our cars are so light so while it's nice to leave the light or pass quickly, these cars are not really without a few "patina" issues so I prefer normally aspirated engines. Ray
Uro tuning, Hhmmm, sounds like Internal medicine to me... 
I've heard of changing chips for power, Phil. What does it actually do ? Adjust timing, fuel mix etc. ?
This is the description. The chip adds only 7 hp and a bit more torque and throttle response. My engine was detuned for work in a base jetta or golf. I have run 87, 89 and 93 octane fuel. No difference. I'm not going to change cams. Not looking for high rpm hp. Just looking to optimize the current engine and get the most out of premium fuel. Probably take it to 130 hp and 125 ft lbs.
The benefits of the TT Chip for the Mk3 2.0L ABA engines far exceed what can be shown on a dyno graph. Torque is increased at all points from 2000 to 6000 rpm, and peak horsepower is increased by 7-9hp. The engine's willingness to rev is improved dramatically. The rev limit is moved upward to 6900rpm, and the top speed limiter is removed. Try one and you'll know how nice this engine can run when given the chance! Have the VW part number from your car's ECU ready when you order. Our tech department is available to assist you in finding this number.
The Ignition Map
The TT Chip takes advantage of available 91/93 Octane gasoline and incorporates a new, more aggressive, ignition map for your car. This is what produces most of the power gains in the low to middle rpm ranges and the "seat of the pants" improvement. Our ignition map modifications are not merely limited to full throttle conditions. Changes are made in the maps affecting both full and part throttle situations. Part throttle ignition mods are, in fact, the changes most responsible for engine responsiveness during most driving conditions. Why didn't the factory do this to begin with? Mainly because any factory must design their cars to accommodate the full range of available fuels. More recently, as cars become "world spec," using the same cars all over the world means an even greater range of fuel quality. As a performance tuner, we can design our TT Chip with a specific fuel quality in mind. This allows us to run more aggressively towards the performance ideal.
The Fuel Map
Peak horsepower depends greatly on properly administered amounts of fuel. We design each TT Chip to provide enough fuel to produce maximum power, yet it will only provide the extra fuel when conditions find it necessary. Extra fuel at inopportune times not only reduces power, but also reduces mileage and increases emissions.
Performance Camshafts
Got a performance camshaft? Techtonics has a specific CAM Chip available that is programmed for higher duration cams. If you have a cam installed please select the drop down option above.
Setting New Limits
Each TT Chip features a raised rev limit that allows you to take better advantage of other performance modifications, such as camshafts and exhaust systems. We do not totally remove the rev limiter, as some other chip makers have, because we feel it's extremely important to prevent over-revving and possible engine damage.
Where the factory has chosen to limit the top speed of some of its models, the TT Chip removes the top speed limiter and sets your car free.
Phil - we have another SOCer who has/had an IM powered by Audi turbo. His name is Tomm Aldridge. I believe he resides in Washington (state). Do a search on 'Members' for Tomm Aldridge and you'll see pics and some tech stuff he did on his IM.
I don't know how to link those SOC threads in this comment. DOH!
Find the thread you're referencing and go to the address bar, copy it, and paste it in a new comment section like this:
Thanks, Bob! Like I've said many times before, I learn something new every time I visit this site!
OK. Have done some research today. New ECU will get me about 7hp. ECU with mild cam will get me 15hp. That would get me to about 135hp. Probably good for 0-60 in about 6 seconds. I wanted a sub 6 car and this is pretty close. Better yet one of the best places to have the work done is in my back yard. I'll let you know how it works out.
Phil - we have another SOCer who has/had an IM powered by Audi turbo. His name is Tomm Aldridge. I believe he resides in Washington (state). Do a search on 'Members' for Tomm Aldridge and you'll see pics and some tech stuff he did on his IM.
I don't know how to link those SOC threads in this comment. DOH!
Tomm is also on Facebook. Henry just re-did his car completely after a 'slight' mishap.
OK. Have done some research today. New ECU will get me about 7hp. ECU with mild cam will get me 15hp. That would get me to about 135hp. Probably good for 0-60 in about 6 seconds. I wanted a sub 6 car and this is pretty close. Better yet one of the best places to have the work done is in my back yard. I'll let you know how it works out.
Phil, when you say a 'new' ECU do you mean you have to purchase a complete, new unit, or do you send it to that shop and have the ECU upgraded with a new chip and tune?
How easy is it to install a different cam you your engine? Can it be done with the engine in the car?
15 horsepower would be a noticeable increase......for a while. 
Unfortunately a chip is not available for my engine. There are many different kinds of 2.0 8 valve SOHC engines. Mine is an AEG. You can buy pre made chips for many of these 2.0 VW engines but not mine. Talked to Joey at Urotuning in Oregon who told me that NGP racing could re flash my chip and place the cam. The cam is $150. The labor is what I need to investigate. Not much room in my engine compartment. If they have to drop the engine this may be cost prohibitive. Talked to Joey 4:30 his time and 7:30 my time. NGP was closed at the time. Will call them on monday. Yes 15 hp with better throttle response and more torque in a 2200 lb car would be very noticeable.
OK. Dropping car at NGP Racing in Lorton VA next Thurs. Will be placing 260 degree hydro cam and reflashing stock ECU. Mild cam so new springs not required. Already have K&N intake and Magnaflow exhaust. Chris at NGP says it should get me an honest 15-20 hp. So I should be at 135-140 hp. We'll see. Can't pick car up until following weekend. I'll give a full report after I get the car back. More hp is always so exciting.
Sounds like the Northern VA and DC area contingent need a meet in Lorton a week from Saturday.
Sounds good Phil. If that doesn't end up being enough, you CAN turbo it!
That would be cool.
Phil:
I have to say that I am glad you are keeping your car, and having work done on it to increase the power. It really is a beautiful colour combination, and with the hardtop, looks fantastic. It is one of my favourite Intermeccanicas.
Thanks Bob. It is a beauty
. I just need a little more beast
.
140-145 hp will do......for a while.......
I had around 145 hp in my IM and for 90% of my driving it was fine, but for that 10%, when I wanted to go fast, it wasn't enough.
Ron. I know what you are saying. Don't want to offend anyone on site but I really don't feel like the 356 is a real performance car. I guess if you go Bob's route the 356 package can be pushed to its limit. Obviously the GT3 is a great example of the rear engine platform pushed to its limit (while being powered by 2 wheels). And I'm not really talking about straight line performance. Anyone can make a car go fast in a straight line. When I think performance I'm really thinking about how fast a car can go through a road course. And I'm not saying that I won't do a turbo suby or 911 IM one day. I might. But the ultimate to me would be to have 2 cars. Keep my kinda quick very comfortable IM and also get a spyder for when I want to carve up some mountain roads. That would be the ultimate. Yes, when is more hp enough hp? Not sure. But I'm sure that 140 is better than 120.
Time to drag out some of the "old saws"
HP is fine if you want to go fast; torque is what you need to be quick.
Torque is addictive.
HP is kinda like money: you can never have too much, and no matter how much you have, there is someone who has more.
More is better.
HP is how fast you can go to hit a brick wall. Torque is how far you can push the wall when you hit it.
Thought I would give you guys an update. Took the car to NGP Performance 5 weeks ago. Cam was installed within a few days. ECU was sent out to a company called C2 to reflash the ECU. In my car the immobilizer in the ECU has to be deactivated. The immobilizer is activated if the original VW/Audi factory key is not used. Obviously the original VW/Audi key is not used so the immobilizer has to be deactivated. Henry does not actually reprogram the ECU to delete the immobilizer. His fix unfortunately applies a large amount of glue the the outside of the ECU preventing access and computer reprogramming. A used ECU was obtained from ebay but this Mexican built ECU would not accept the reprogramming. So now we are obtaining a German ECU exactly like my original. This should arrive in a week or two. Missing out on a lot of nice driving weather. Hope that 20 more hp is worth it.
HP is how fast you can go to hit a brick wall. Torque is how far you can push the wall when you hit it.
You forgot- understeer is when you hit the wall with the front end; oversteer is if you hit the wall with the tail.
Finally. Getting my car back tomorrow hopefully with 140 hp. Will report back this weekend.
I'm sure that isn't soon enough .... am interested in your feedback
OK. Picked the car up in NOVA and headed straight for my Charlottesville retreat in the mountains. Lots of twisty roads to give it a thrashing. Installed 260 hydro cam and reflash of ECU. More air and gas at all times with no rev limiter. Before throttle response best described as anemic. Now throttle response is NOW with revs building much faster. Only took it up to 6000 rpms but felt like it had more. Even in 4th at 2000 rpms build much faster when I mash the gas. When my car was anemic I wanted a 3.44 so I could cruise at a lower rpm. Now I'm glad I've got the 3.88. Car is quick now. RPMs still too high at highway speeds but WTF everything is a trade off. Could really use a 5th gear. Its still a heavy engine with less displacement than its Subaru brothers but I think its pretty nice. Probably the best I can do without forced induction. Was it worth a 2 month wait and $1000. I think so. Think I could be happy with this car for a long time. And its all mostly German (some Canadian. Oh and the engine was probably built in Mexico. WTF).
$1000!?
I've spent more on a set of carbs that were mismatched side to side.
I'd say that was the best money you could ever have spent. Good for you, Phil- more is always better.
Congrats Phil, you could have bought Marty's 2.2 liter he won't be needing it on the other hand $1K is really not a big expense and I do think that any build out of the door has pros and cons due to the continual evolution of drive train and options coming out. Stan likes change himself, FYI, Subarugears just came out with a 6 speed with a different final drive, and no, I am not upgrading my 5 speed subie tranny. lol I have to confess, the thought did cross my mind. I guess that is why they call it "the madness". Enjoy your new engine, Ray
Phil, if you're happy with your results $1000 is a bargain, considering what some of us on this forum have spent on their speedster rides (not naming names here.....me included).
I'm glad it all worked out well for you and you're happy with the results.
Yes with about 140 hp I'm probably pretty close to Marty's 2.2L naturally aspirated Suby, but not quite. Obviously Marty's car will approach supercar performance with its new metamorphosis.
Put over 300 miles on car this weekend. The difference in how the car feels is really amazing. Its probably only a bit faster but the throttle response and willingness to rev are vastly improved. I know my power set up is unique on this site. But I would recommend the conversion for anyone out there who might have my powertrain. Even if you don't care about going fast the conversion will make that grin just a bit wider.
Phil, at 140ish it should make it a more pleasurable drive, Marty I guess got tired and wanted to lead the pack, and will be catapulted forward with that turbo of his. All of us would like 200hp or more, I thought of putting a 3.0L Subie 6 cylinder in an IM, it only weighs 75lbs more and is about one inch bigger than the 4 cyl. I ended up choosing, the 175hp subie 2.5L which I find a great engine as I prefer N/A engines and stock ECU's. Ray
I should have mentioned that I also was concerned with more pendulum weight in the rear end without compensatory larger tires etc etc.
Yes. If I ever do another car it will be N/A Suby. Tweeked 2.5L Suby with some cam modifications and ECU tuning I'm sure could get close to 200 hp. Pretty happy with current set up right now. Even getting off the gas or down shifting creates noises from the Magnaflow exhaust tip I have never heard. Pretty cool.
Need for speed? Sorry guys but I've got a 175hp 2.5 Subie and four wheel disc brakes, the brakes aren't good enough to panic stop even at 30mph. Better look at modifying your stopping ability when you up your horse power.
Nolan, I mean this sincerely: please get your brakes looked at by a quality local service center. Cruddy VW drum brakes should stop you from 30 MPH in a panic situation. Something is wrong.
X2!
