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APR ECU Upgrade - 1.8T EA888 Gen 3 IS12 (Transverse)

Fits 2015-2019 Audi A3, Volkswagen Golf, Golf Alltrack, Golf SportWagen

Part # ECU-18T-EA888-3-T-IS12 Be the first to write a review
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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.

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APR'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
  • 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 Code1
Engine AspirationTurbocharged
Engine ConfigurationI4
Engine Displacement1.8L
Engine FamilyEA888 Gen 3 IHI
Engine OrientationTransverse
Fuel TypeGasoline
MarketNAR
ROW
Product TypeECU Upgrade
Part NumberECU-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
Find your boxcode and revision
Find your boxcode and revision
APR Plus Warranty Booklet
APR Plus Warranty Booklet
CARB EO Document
Lists applicable vehicles and scenarios. Please verify your configuration is applicable.
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.

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    APR ECU Upgrade Stages

    APR’s ECU Upgrades are available in multiple octanes levels. Each stage is fully compatible with an upgraded intake, catback exhaust, or other minor bolt on modifications.

    APR Plus

    The APR Plus ECU Upgrade includes a factory term limit matching limited powertrain warranty, and is the first step towards making more power! This simple upgrade requires no engine hardware modifications and produces 234 HP with 273 FT-LBS of torque. To get more power, the vehicle can be outfitted with an upgraded intake, catback exhaust, and various other bolt-on modifications all without requiring any new modifications to the ECU.


    APR Plus is available for 87 AKI and is only available in the USA.

    APR Stage 1

    The APR Stage 1 ECU Upgrade is the first step towards making more power! This simple upgrade requires no engine hardware modifications and produces 234-245 HP with 234-245 FT-LBS of torque on MQB platform vehicle and 244-252 HP with 287-288 on ROW PQ25 platform vehicles. To get more power, the vehicle can be outfitted with an upgraded intake, intercooler, catback exhaust, and various other bolt-on modifications all without requiring any new modifications to the ECU.


    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 Stage 2

    The APR Stage 2 ECU Upgrade is the next step towards making more power! This simple upgrade requires an exhaust system and no other engine hardware modifications and produces 246-247 HP with 275-301 FT-LBS of torque on MQB platform vehicle and 260-262 HP with 314-316 on ROW PQ25 platform vehicles. To get more power, the vehicle can be outfitted with an upgraded intake, intercooler, and various other bolt-on modifications all without requiring any new modifications to the ECU.


    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 IS20 ECU Upgrade is the next step towards making more power! This simple upgrade requires a factory IS20 drop-in turbocharger upgrade and has software available for the factory and upgraded exhaust system. It's recommended to run an upgraded intake and intercooler with this stage. On MQB platform vehicles it produces 274-306 HP with 308-326 FT-LBS of torque with the factory exhaust. With the an upgraded exhaust it produces 284-330 HP with 311-330 HP. In the Rest of the World this is only available on PQ25 platform vehicles and requires an exhaust. It produces 302-318 HP with 325-330 FT-LBS. To get more power, the vehicle can be outfitted with an upgraded intake, intercooler, and various other bolt-on modifications all without requiring any new modifications to the ECU.


    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 IS38 ECU Upgrade is the next step towards making more power! This simple upgrade requires a factory IS38 drop-in turbocharger upgrade, exhaust system, upgraded intake, and intercooler. On MQB platform vehicles is produces 351-357 HP with 335-341 FT-LBS of torque. To get more power, the vehicle can be outfitted with various other bolt-on modifications all without requiring any new modifications to the ECU.


    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 DynoSelect a Dyno Type
    18_tsi_ea888_gen3_mqb_awd_s0_vs_s1_87_cc.png

    APR Calibration Report

    StageHPTQMax GainMax Gain
    Stock As Reported by VAG 170 HP 184 FT-LBS
    Stock As Measured by APR 170 HP 198 FT-LBS
    APR Plus
    87 AKI234 HP 273 FT-LBS +65 HP +78 FT-LBS
    Stage 1
    87 AKI234 HP 273 FT-LBS +65 HP +78 FT-LBS
    91 AKI / 95 RON240 HP 285 FT-LBS +72 HP +90 FT-LBS
    93 AKI / 98 RON245 HP 301 FT-LBS +80 HP +107 FT-LBS
    Stage 2
    87 AKI246 HP 275 FT-LBS +75 HP +80 FT-LBS 
    91 AKI / 95 RON246 HP 288 FT-LBS +75 HP +93 FT-LBS
    93 AKI / 98 RON247 HP301 FT-LBS +80 HP +107 FT-LBS
    Stage 3 IS20
    87 AKI274 HP 308 FT-LBS +104 HP +113 FT-LBS 
    91 AKI / 95 RON292 HP 315 FT-LBS +123 HP +120 FT-LBS 
    93 AKI / 98 RON297 HP 319 FT-LBS +127 HP +129 FT-LBS
    100 AKI / 104 RON306 HP 326 FT-LBS +136 HP +138 FT-LBS
    Stage 3 IS20 (w/ DP)
    87 AKI284 HP 311 FT-LBS +114 HP +117 FT-LBS
    91 AKI / 95 RON302 HP 325 FT-LBS +133 HP +131 FT-LBS
    93 AKI / 98 RON312 HP 329 FT-LBS +143 HP +138 FT-LBS
    100 AKI / 104 RON319 HP 330 FT-LBS +149 HP +145 FT-LBS
    Stage 3 IS38 (w/ DP)
    91 AKI / 95 RON351 HP 335 FT-LBS +182 HP +160 FT-LBS
    93 AKI / 98 RON356 HP 337 FT-LBS +187 HP +166 FT-LBS
    100 AKI / 104 RON357 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.

    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
    APR Plus ECU Upgrade$999.95
    APR Stage 1
    APR Stage 1 ECU Upgrade$499.95
    APR Stage 1 ECU Upgrade from APR PlusFREE
    APR Stage 2
    APR Stage 2 ECU UpgradeDISCONTINUED
    APR Stage 1 ECU Upgrade from APR Plus or Stage 1DISCONTINUED
    APR Stage 3
    APR Stage 3 ECU Upgrade$749.99
    APR Stage 3 ECU Upgrade from APR Plus, Stage 1, or Stage 2$249.99

    Purchasing, Guarantee, and Updates

    How to Purchase - APR Software Upgrades are only available through Authorized APR Dealers. The dealer will connect to your vehicle, and install the update.¹


    Money-Back Guarantee - Try our Software Upgrades for up to 30 days, risk free! If you are not satisfied, return to an APR Dealer to have it removed and refunded.²


    Free Updates - If we make an update, add a standard feature, or if the manufacturer issues an update, you are entitled to a free update.³


    1. APR Software may not be available for all vehicles. Stages, programs, and features may not be available for all ECUs.
    2. Excludes some Software Upgrades, such as those included with a hardware purchase. Labor charges are at the discretion of the installer.
    3. Subject to availability. Labor charges are at the discretion of the installer. Applicable to the original purchaser. Second hand owners may inquire with an APR Dealer about a software license transfer fee.
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