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APR
APR ECU Upgrade - 1.8T EA888 Gen 3 IS12 (Transverse)
1.8T Engine Tune for the Audi A3 15-16; Volkswagen Golf 15-18, Golf Alltrack 17-19, Golf SportWagen 15-19
Install Type
Which Method is Right for You? - Learn More Here >Part # ECU-18T-EA888-3-T-IS12
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APR ECU Upgrade - 1.8T EA888 Gen 3 IS12 (Transverse)
1.8T Engine Tune for the Audi A3 15-16; Volkswagen Golf 15-18, Golf Alltrack 17-19, Golf SportWagen 15-19
1
Emissions
This part is legal for sale and use on Emissions Controlled Vehicles, in all 50 states, when used in accordance with the manufacturers application guide because it has a California Air Resources Board (CARB) Executive Order (EO) number.
See Emissions DetailsAPR's ECU Upgrades are the best dollar-per-horsepower modification one can make to improve engine performance. The upgrades dramatically increase horsepower and torque, making for an exceptionally quicker and more exciting vehicle. This is made possible through APR's optimization of the factory engine management system to take full advantage of the engine's capabilities, without needing any end user adjustment. The ECU Upgrades are available with various features and supported octane levels and each stage is compatible with most typical bolt-on modifications. The software is installed to the vehicle's factory ECU through the OBD-II port, resulting in a clean and headache-free install. Furthermore, for those looking for tuning with a limited powertrain warranty, APR Plus has you covered!
Features:
- Horsepower - More horsepower throughout the whole rpm band
- Torque - More torque throughout the whole rpm band
- Warranty - APR Plus is available, providing a factory term limit matching limited powertrain warranty
- Fuel Grades - Multiple octanes from which to choose
- Acceleration - Accelerate faster with more power and reduced throttle lag
- Brake Boosting - Left foot braking or brake boosting added
- Speed Limiter - Go as fast as you want with the speed limiter out of the way
- Economy - While cruising, or driving normally, your fuel economy may benefit from our optimized calibration
- Flash Counter - Flash counter does not increase with each flash
- Direct Port Programming - Clean and easy install through the OBD II port without removing the ECU
- Free Updates - Get free updates for life
- Guarantee - 30 day money back guarantee
| Brand | APR |
|---|---|
| Emission Code | 1 |
| Engine Aspiration | Turbocharged |
| Engine Configuration | I4 |
| Engine Displacement | 1.8L |
| Engine Family | EA888 Gen 3 IHI |
| Engine Orientation | Transverse |
| Fuel Type | Gasoline |
| Install Type | APR Dealer (Software Price Shown) |
| Market | NAR |
| ROW | |
| Product Type | ECU Upgrade |
| Part Number | ECU-18T-EA888-3-T-IS12 |
1
This part is legal for sale and use on Emissions Controlled Vehicles, in all 50 states, when used in accordance with the manufacturers application guide because it has a California Air Resources Board (CARB) Executive Order (EO) number.
The following vehicles are considered Emissions Controlled Vehicles:
- 1966 and newer U.S. manufactured California Certified vehicles
- 1968 and newer U.S. manufactured Federally Certified vehicles
- 1968 and newer Foreign manufactured vehicle
Important fuel quality information
Important fuel quality information
Important fuel quality information
Find your boxcode and revision
Find your boxcode and revision
Find your boxcode and revision
CARB EO Document
Lists applicable vehicles and scenarios. Please verify your configuration is applicable.
Lists applicable vehicles and scenarios. Please verify your configuration is applicable.
APR Plus Warranty Booklet
APR Plus Warranty Booklet
APR Plus Warranty Booklet
Only use fuel equal to or higher than specified. Never use a lower octane fuel. Always follow our fuel guide, especially with race fuel and Ethanol, where available. Dynos are for reference only. Results will vary. Contributing factors include the vehicle condition, vehicle setup, dyno type, dyno setup, environmental factors, fuel quality, and more. When describing fuels, the North American Region (NAR) uses the Anti-Knock Index (AKI), (RON+MON)/2, or (R+M)/2. The Rest of the World (ROW) uses RON. RON is Research Octane Number and MON is Motor Octane Number.
Please Note: Each vehicle's year, make, and model may have multiple factory engine or transmission controller software part numbers, known as box codes, each with unique revisions. Manufacturers periodically release software updates that alter this information, which can only be determined by scanning the controller and is not publicly provided. Due to the variety of codes, some stages, octane levels, features, or options may not be available for specific codes. Therefore, our website provides a general guide based on general info such as Year, Make, and Model. Our system allows you to request unavailable software, and we offer a 30-day money-back guarantee if you're not satisfied.
Have a question about this product?
- Question
I have a 2016 Golf Sportwagen Limited edition with the 09G auto. I’ve heard mixed inputs regarding IS20/IS38s as far as transmission durability and wanted to know two things: 1) will the IS20’s increase in low end torque over the IS38 pose a risk of damaging the transmission faster than the IS38 2) will the 09G be able to handle the torque output of the IS38 without blowing itself to pieces?
By Michael Shelton on May 21, 2023
AnswerWe haven't seen issues, but anything is possible when modding.Helpful?
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APR ECU Upgrade Stages
Our ECU Upgrades are available in multiple configurations. Installation of additional performance hardware, such as an intercooler or intake systems, may provide further performance improvements.
APR Stage 1
The APR Stage 1 ECU Upgrade is the first step towards tuning your engine. It produces up to:
- 234-245 HP and 234-245 FT-LBS of torque (MQB Platform)
- 244-252 HP and 287-288 FT-LBS of torque (PQ35 Platform)
APR Stage 1 is available for 87 AKI, 91 AKI, and 93 AKI in North America, and 95 RON, and 98 RON in the Rest of the World.
APR Plus
APR Plus is our APR Stage 1 ECU Upgrade with our limited powertrain warranty and it’s the first step towards tuning your engine. It produces up to 234 HP and 273 FT-LBS of torque. Please check our warranty manual to understand modifications supported by APR Plus.
APR Stage 2
The APR Stage 2 ECU Upgrade is the next step towards tuning your engine. It produces up to:
- 246-247 HP and 3275-301 FT-LBS of torque (MQB Platform)
- 260-262 HP and 314-316 FT-LBS of torque (PQ35 Platform)
APR Stage 2 is available for 87 AKI, 91 AKI, and 93 AKI in North America, and 95 RON, and 98 RON in the Rest of the World.
APR Stage 3 IS20
The APR Stage 3 ECU Upgrade is the next step towards tuning your engine. It produces up to:
- 274-306 HP and 308-326 FT-LBS of torque (MQB Platform).
- 308-326 HP and 311-330 FT-LBS of torque (PQ35 Platform).
- 302-318 HP and 325-330 FT-LBS of torque (MQB Platform).
Use this tune with the IS20 turbocharger.
The APR Stage 3 FBO ECU Upgrade is the next step towards tuning your engine. It produces up to:
- 302-318 HP and 325-330 FT-LBS of torque (MQB Platform).
Use this tune with the IS20 turbocharger.
APR Stage 3 IS20 is available for 87 AKI, 91 AKI, 93 AKI, and 100 AKI in North America, and 95 RON, 98 RON, and 102 RON in the Rest of the World.
APR Stage 3 IS38
The APR Stage 3 ECU Upgrade is the next step towards tuning your engine. It produces up to 351-357 HP and 335-341 FT-LBS of torque. Use this tune with the IS38 turbocharger.
APR Stage 3 IS38 is available for 91 AKI, 93 AKI, and 100 AKI in North America. This stage is only available on MQB platform vehicles in North America.
Horsepower and Torque Dyno Charts
| Select a Dyno | Select a Dyno Type |
|---|---|
APR Calibration Report
| Stage | HP | TQ | Max Gain | Max Gain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stock As Reported by VAG | 170 HP | 184 FT-LBS | ||
| Stock As Measured by APR | 170 HP | 198 FT-LBS | ||
| APR Plus | ||||
| 87 AKI | 234 HP | 273 FT-LBS | +65 HP | +78 FT-LBS |
| Stage 1 | ||||
| 87 AKI | 234 HP | 273 FT-LBS | +65 HP | +78 FT-LBS |
| 91 AKI / 95 RON | 240 HP | 285 FT-LBS | +72 HP | +90 FT-LBS |
| 93 AKI / 98 RON | 245 HP | 301 FT-LBS | +80 HP | +107 FT-LBS |
| Stage 2 | ||||
| 87 AKI | 246 HP | 275 FT-LBS | +75 HP | +80 FT-LBS |
| 91 AKI / 95 RON | 246 HP | 288 FT-LBS | +75 HP | +93 FT-LBS |
| 93 AKI / 98 RON | 247 HP | 301 FT-LBS | +80 HP | +107 FT-LBS |
| Stage 3 IS20 | ||||
| 87 AKI | 274 HP | 308 FT-LBS | +104 HP | +113 FT-LBS |
| 91 AKI / 95 RON | 292 HP | 315 FT-LBS | +123 HP | +120 FT-LBS |
| 93 AKI / 98 RON | 297 HP | 319 FT-LBS | +127 HP | +129 FT-LBS |
| 100 AKI / 104 RON | 306 HP | 326 FT-LBS | +136 HP | +138 FT-LBS |
| Stage 3 IS20 (FBO) | ||||
| 87 AKI | 284 HP | 311 FT-LBS | +114 HP | +117 FT-LBS |
| 91 AKI / 95 RON | 302 HP | 325 FT-LBS | +133 HP | +131 FT-LBS |
| 93 AKI / 98 RON | 312 HP | 329 FT-LBS | +143 HP | +138 FT-LBS |
| 100 AKI / 104 RON | 319 HP | 330 FT-LBS | +149 HP | +145 FT-LBS |
| Stage 3 IS38 (FBO) | ||||
| 91 AKI / 95 RON | 351 HP | 335 FT-LBS | +182 HP | +160 FT-LBS |
| 93 AKI / 98 RON | 356 HP | 337 FT-LBS | +187 HP | +166 FT-LBS |
| 100 AKI / 104 RON | 357 HP | 341 FT-LBS | +188 HP | +169 FT-LBS |
Only use fuel equal to or higher than specified. Never use a lower octane fuel. Always follow our fuel guide, especially with race fuel and Ethanol, where available. Dynos are for reference only. Results will vary. Contributing factors include the vehicle condition, vehicle setup, dyno type, dyno setup, environmental factors, fuel quality, and more. When describing fuels, the North American Region (NAR) uses the Anti-Knock Index (AKI), (RON+MON)/2, or (R+M)/2. The Rest of the World (ROW) uses RON. RON is Research Octane Number and MON is Motor Octane Number.
Acceleration Testing
The APR Difference
Who we are - We’re a global automotive engineering firm nestled in Opelika, Alabama. Our 80,000ft² state-of-the-art facility is home to some of the best engineers in the industry, who have mastered hundreds of engine management systems. We have multiple engine and chassis dynos, and the resources necessary to create our ECU Upgrades in-house, from the ground up! We're not a new company either. We've been around since the 90's and we have a strong financial backing to ensure we'll be here to support you for decades to come!
What we do - We optimize everything to make your engine more powerful. We adjust air-fuel ratios, advance ignition, increase boost pressure, alter cam positions and lift profiles, and more, all depending on the type of engine and management system, of course! We don’t take shortcuts, and we don’t take risks. We do it the right way.
How we differ - With our proprietary calibration and direct ram access data logging tools and operating system code changes, we’re able to make some of the strongest and fastest ECU upgrades, without needing costly end user adjustments. We work with the ECUs intelligent modeling and closed-loop systems, and beta test in multiple environments to create upgrades that work no matter where you drive!
APR Software Pricing Guide
Our performance software upgrade is available in multiple stages with optional features.
| APR Plus (USA/Canada) | |
|---|---|
| APR Plus ECU Upgrade | $999.95 |
| APR Stage 1 | |
| APR Stage 1 ECU Upgrade | $499.95 |
| APR Stage 1 ECU Upgrade from APR Plus | FREE |
| APR Stage 2 (Excludes USA) | |
| APR Stage 2 ECU Upgrade |