Re: TAP vs IA Chip/Boost mods

["Sherry & Chuck Clark" <clark@rmi.net>]

Hello Q-heads,

 Well I originally told myself that I would stay out of this thread 
as it always ends up without a definite conclusion and usually some 
flames but after running my Q at the Stapleton event in Denver this 
last weekend and swapping both TAP's ECU and IA's ECU around, I think 
that I can be of some help for a few listers wondering the difference 
between the two. So here is my non-biased opinion of what happened 
over the weekend.

 First of all- I trashed my brakes! As Ben Howell 
stated "They're boat anchors" Melted the metalmasters into the new 
rotors even with Stainless lines and Super Blue. Oh well, I always 
did want the cross drilleds.  Car is '87 5k Tq with the usual mods 
including Koni/H&R's, headwork, free flow exhaust, air box mod and 
many, many new parts. I've been using a TAP box in the car for about 
a year in a half now with NO major problems. A friend gave me an IA 
(Neds) box, stage II, to try on the track to see if there was a difference. The 
only problem that I've ever had with TAP box is that the car will 
ping somewhere around 16-17 PSI boost as seen on the VDO guage 
mounted separately in the center console. If you leave your right 
foot planted as this Ping is happening, It will turn to a studder or 
slight cutout.

  Now with a helmet on cruising at 115 mph on the track, this ping is 
tough to hear and i have to constantly lift off the throttle to keep 
it out of the danger area. What this does is drops the boost 
immediately to 10 psi and then it builds back up to 16-17 but only 
 after you've lost some time feathering the throttle to accomplish 
this. You can not simply drop the boost a single pound or two by 
slightly lifting your right foot. It always dropped to around 10-11 
psi first.

 After installing Neds IA Stage II box and running it hard for 5 
laps, I found the following. The boost needle would immediatly jump 
to 15 psi, back off to 14 psi and stick there no matter what rpm or 
gear I was in. So, although I was getting a few pounds less boost 
than the TAP box, it was consistant at 14 psi which let me keep my 
right foot planted at all times. Stock bar guage read 1.7 bar all the 
time. The power difference was barely noticeable between the two so 
which one would I prefer? It depends. If you use your car mostly on 
the street and for short periods of boost, I'd have to say advantage 
is to TAP for the slighlty higher boost level-but just remember to 
back off some if you hear the ping. If you run your car on the track 
all the time and want good consistant lap times, then IA would 
probably be my choice. BTW, 91 octane at all times-track or street!

So hopefully I've left everyone undecided and still confused. This 
was just my experience with the two boxes and I'm sure there are 
plenty of other listers with conflicting or similar stories. 
YMMV!!!!!  Just wanted to share my opinion and waste my usual bit of 
bandwidth. 

P.S. Must say that the ride in Daves '96 993 Biturbo Porsche is one 
sick ride and makes one think of playing the lottery more often. Did 
I mention that this car makes you drool while you clip along at 
150mph?  Thanks Dave!

 Chad Clark '87 5k Tq