Choreo

2001 Coupe - A4 - 45,000 miles

Sent my PCM off to Chuck COW last XMAS for him to work his VooDoo on it. Installed it in January and noticed an immediate improvement in drivability - especially 2nd gear, but not a lot of difference in 1st gear unless I got on it really hard (i.e. not much difference in 1st gear on a normal start).

This past week I had to take my car in under GMPP for some warranty work. One of the things on the list was to repair a minor transmission leak - I was getting one drop of fluid on the floor every night for the past few months and it took 2 months for them to get me in. Just picked the car up this afternoon. I started the car up at the dealership, put it in gear, barely touched the gas and it was like the car was rocket powered! I am guessing that installing the new transmission bushing and seal together with changing the trans filter and fluid, must be what made the difference? This sucker is "screaming" now!

They did some other work, but not sure how any of that would affect shifting performance?

They also...
• Replaced EBCM
• Replaced Fuel Filter
• Replaced Left Tank Fuel Level Sensor
• Replaced Windshield Washer Tank Sensor

I had them replace the trans fluid at 20k miles, but they did not replace the trans filter - so maybe it was the trans filter that was shot?

derty01

That sounds great and seems your enjoying the new power congratz! I really need to get my leaking rear end fix also =\.

Choreo

Been there... done that.

madmatt9471

Yeah! What were you dyno finals?

Thanks,Matt

bullmarket

I had Chuck tune mine at his shop a year ago. I also added GHL Bullets and a Vararam.
Chuck does a great job and the results are impressive.
Our group went to a dyno day Saturday and these are my results:
322.6 rwhp @ 5581 rpm/149.7 mph
322.4 rwtq @ 5137 rpm/137.4 mph
quarter mile: 12.61 @ 109.6 mph
Not bad for an otherwise stock 2002, A4.

Have fun with yours.

Vetteman Jack

Whatever was the problem, sure is good to have it resolved. Enjoy that new found power.

dougbfresh

Wonder if they reflashed the ECM putting in fixes and you have a factory tune now?

Corvette-Chris

I was thinking the same thing because I know most dealerships will do this. However, I have also heard that ChuckCoW locks the PCM after he tunes it, which I think is ridiculous, so I dont know if the dealer would be able to get into it without some sort of passcode?

Turbopower87

I was thinking the same. You should call the dealer and see if it is standard procedure to reflash.

03WhiteConv

If I recall, I asked Chuck directly if the tune was locked and he said no. I'm sure he'll be here soon to clarify. His tune on my stock 03 A4 is great. I'd like to tweak a few minor things but I can wait until he travels closer to have him look at it.

03WhiteConv

I have looked at this 1st gear deal myself and have some ideas about what you were noticing.

When I have the trans in D and slow to a stop, it feels like the tranny is starting in 2nd and not downshifting to 1st. Not sure if this is the factory programming method but the car launches way better if I mannually shift into 1st.

Before anyone jumps in and disagrees, I have counted the shifts and for sure this is what happens. Doesn't bother me but it did make me wonder. It does the same thing if I slow while downshifting from D to 3 to 2 and stop. The tranny will not downshift to 1st on its own.

There is not a problem pulling away in 2nd, car drives normal.

One thing I do like about the reprogram is that at certain RPM if I get off the gas, like slowing to get into a quick turn, and then nail the gas, it seems like the tranny is just waiting for me to nail it and then it downshifts. This is not the normal mash the gas downshift, it's different in a good way. It's like having a manual and doing the slow-down, clutch-in, down-shift, turn, nail-it in the lower gear accelleration fun.

I know that Chuck doesn't probably want to reveal all of the magic but maybe shed a little light on the intended tranny performance of the A4 tune?

Chuck?

Cod

Got a Chuck Cow tune last year at Carlisle, along with headers, but the tune seem to wake this thing up. The shift points in the tranny are ideal for me, and as stated above going into a turn and coming out of a turn is a lot more pleasant, you don't have that sluggish feeling while coming out.

Chuck CoW FTW

flynbyu2

Wow, your day at the shop sound like it must've been about $2000. Close???

Fast Cop

Chuck did his magic on my 00 vert 6 speed for x-mass and it was like having a whole new car.

Chuck COW is the best. MOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Chicago1

I'm pretty sure chuck doesn't lock his tunes. That's what he told me

Blow Torch

I though about that as well when I read it;
Either that or the windshield washer sensor replacement

In all seriousness, one of the coolest things about hptuners is the ability to "tweak" your up shift / downshift points to make the car feel peppier. It's easy to get "lost" and have to start over, but it sure makes your car shift to your liking.
A Tuner can turn off TM and make sure the PE delay is off, and make a car, especially an auto, seem like a different ride

KARLDDS82

chaase

The only thing in that list that could affect the performance would be the fuel filter. If the old filter was causing you have to have reduced fuel pressure, it would affect performance.

If they re-flashed the PCM, then that could alter the performance characteristics.

0Chuck CoW

You are correct.....

Yes I can...And YES I have.....Special CARS & SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCE only.

The regular mail in tune or customer that comes to the shop for a tune, or meets me on one of my tuning trips.... NEVER has to worry.

It's where it's a special build or work in progress for a new product or cam.....But again, regular customers...NEVER.

Chuck CoW

jbondfl

Get more information about how it is performing and talk to Chuck.

I don't think there is any chance that the dealer could improve performance ovr a COW tune, especially on the transmission. If they reflashed the EBCM I don't see anything good happening.


oops, looks like Chuck already checked in.................