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APR

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

Unlock hidden horsepower and torque with our performance tuning software for your vehicle's Engine Control Unit (ECU).

Part # ECU-18T-EA888-3-T-MGT
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Suggested Retail
$499.95
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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.

See Emissions Details
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 MGT
Engine OrientationTransverse
Fuel TypeGasoline
MarketNAR
ROW
Product TypeECU Upgrade
Part NumberECU-18T-EA888-3-T-MGT
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
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.

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 223 HP with 267 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 223-242 HP with 267-293 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 Stage 1 is available for 87 AKI, 91 AKI, and 93 AKI in North America, and 91 RON, 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 only an exhaust system and other engine hardware modifications and produces 244-250 HP with 303-315 FT-LBS of torque. To get more power, the vehicle can be outfitted with an upgraded intake, and various other bolt-on modifications all without requiring any new modifications to the ECU.


APR Stage 2 is available for 91 AKI, and 93 AKI in North America, and 95 RON, and 98 RON in the Rest of the World.

Horsepower and Torque Dyno Charts

Select a DynoSelect a Dyno Type
18_tsi_gen3_trans_tip_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 191 HP 203 FT-LBS
APR Plus
87 AKI223 HP 267 FT-LBS +47 HP +73 FT-LBS
Stage 1
87 AKI223 HP 267 FT-LBS +47 HP +73 FT-LBS
91 AKI / 95 RON238 HP 283 FT-LBS +60 HP +89 FT-LBS
93 AKI / 98 RON242 HP293 FT-LBS +68 HP +99 FT-LBS
Stage 2
91 AKI / 95 RON244 HP 303 FT-LBS +70 HP +109 FT-LBS
93 AKI / 98 RON250 HP315 FT-LBS +78 HP +121 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.
2014 Jetta 5MT0-60
MPH		0-62
MPH
0-100
KPH
0-100
MPH
60-120
MPH
62-124
MPH
100-200
KPH
60-130
MPH
30-130
MPH
Stock7.445 7.983 8.011 18.575 24.001 27.314 28.130
APR Stage 1 (93 AKI)6.789 7.280 7.311 14.942 16.507 18.180 18.294 22.158 25.554
Seconds Faster0.657 0.702 0.700 3.633 7.494 9.134 9.845
Percent Faster8.82% 8.80% 8.74% 19.56% 31.22% 33.44% 34.99%

Acceleration Testing

Drag Strip

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

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.

*Free Shipping & Handling only offered to the contiguous US on orders over $100, excludes clearance parts and oversized packages.

Some parts are not legal for use in California or other states with similar regulations.