rocketchip vs. upsolute

[cnowak88]

Upsolute - www.upsolute.com

Original Chipped
Power(hp) 90 hp 116 hp
Power(kW) 66 kW 85 kW
Torque(ft/lb) 155 ft/lb 195 ft/lb
Torque(NM) 210 NM 265 NM
Max Speed 107 mph 118 mph
Fuel consum.@56mph 56 mpg 57 mpg
Fuel consum.@75mph 41 mpg 42 mpg

RocketChip - www.rocketchip.com

+30PS
+56Nm
(That's all I could find on the rocketchip.)
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With that information, the two chips don't look too different but I was wondering what you guys thought about it. I don't want to get into a heated argument or anything just drop a line; Rocket or Upsolute. Thanks.

[oneighturbo]

also giv a look at
http://www.amimotorsports.com/oldsite/diesel.htm

[hannaco]

Is this intended for your 2000 TDI, or a newer one?
Just from driving around, the Upsolute is a far more brutal chip. The torque rush comes on early, and kicks you in the back side. The Rocket chip is a lot more docile. Both will deliver the advertised power increase. It is just the shape of the torque curve of the Upsolute chip is far steeper.
Just be aware that Rocket chip comes in three flavors, and I think the best one to use with big nozzles.
Under heavy acceleration, the Upsolute seems to make more soot. Just think of it as marking your territory.
Either one would be easy to install. Just send in the ECU, they install the chip, and send it back.
Either one will deliver the needed fun factor.

[cnowak88]

Originally Posted by hannaco

Is this intended for your 2000 TDI, or a newer one?
Just from driving around, the Upsolute is a far more brutal chip.

Yeah, it's for my 2000 TDI and by brutal do you mean on the engine or brutal as in, it's just sick (awesome).

[hannaco]

Brutal as in, it's just sick (awesome). Lots of fun! Sometimes a little hard on the front tires.
Maybe not for everyone, but you sure can fill the gaps in traffic in a big hurry. Well, it's been a while since the bigger injectors were installed. So, I don't remember exactly how it ran with just a chip.
If you do this, keep an eye on the soot loading in the oil. It will get out of hand if not watched.
If it were to be done again, Rocket Chip and the bigger nozzles would be used. Rocket chip seems to have a good fuel map to keep the soot levels down.

[moved2tdi]

Send Jeff at Rocketchip an email and he will tell you what is available for your car.
info@rocketchip.com
I have stage 3 euro and soon to install PP520 that just arrived

[SkunkJunky]

Originally Posted by moved2tdi

I have stage 3 euro and soon to install PP520 that just arrived

Have you done this yet? I have the same setup and its SICK, hehe. Kinda smokey though, even with my IQ set at 6.7.

[timdrivesbeetle]

did you get a new clutch with both the larger injectors and the chip? Is it dangerous?

[DZLBUG]

I would suggest visiting the forums at tdiclub.com there is lot of info there.

Clutch survival is generally dependent on your driving style, but if you want to make use of the power you pay for...you'll have to upgrade the clutch as well. The stock clutch is generally fine for nozzles OR tuning. Nozzles AND tuning will cause it to slip.

My advice, send your nozzles off to this guy, Home
and have him mount, pop test, shim and calibrate some PP520's to your injector bodies. He has a 1 day turnaround so your car is generally only out of commission for 3 days with shipping. You'll have to adjust your IQ via VCDS and/or by doing the hammer mod (don't worry...its not as violent as it sounds) to keep the smoke down and idle smooth.

Then start saving your pennies for tuning and a new clutch. For tuning, Rocketchip RC3 or RC3+ can't be beat with PP520's. Loads of power, smooth, no smoke. Unitronic isn't even in the game anymore.

But before you do ANY modding...I would make sure the rest of your maintenance is up to snuff; timing belt system, intake cleaning, vacuum lines and boost control in good working order....among other things.

Good luck and have fun.

[mrchaotica]

I don't want to start a "my tuner is best" flame war, but... seriously, Upsolute? From what I always heard, Upsolute was one of the first vendors with tunes for the TDIs (which is why you can describe it as "brutal" -- meaning rough and unrefined), and hasn't really paid much attention to the TDIs since. In contrast, Rocketchip specializes in TDIs, and continues to refine its tunes. For TDIs, the choice between the two is no contest: Rocketchip clearly wins. For gassers, on the other hand, Upsolute is much more competitive (I think -- considering that I don't own a gasser and thus don't pay much attention). So I want to make it clear: I don't think Upsolute is bad, I just don't think it's the right choice for a TDI.

Now, the vendor other than Rocketchip I would have expected to see in this poll is Aligator. Unlike Upsolute, they're competitive with Rocketchip for tuning TDIs. Heck, Aligator might (or might not) be better -- people have flame wars on TDI club about that topic all the time. For what it's worth, I picked Rocketchip simply because Jeff (the proprietor -- it's a one-man company) helped me out when my car broke at a GTG once.

[Growler]

there is no choice between rocketchip & upsolute. Rocketchip is current and refined. Upsolute is smoky and hard on components.

Rocketchip is the way to go. AND he will be in Asheville NC on June 5-6

see Meetings section on tdiclub for details

[bigsexyTDI]

Jeez guys the op is 3 YEARS old!

Now you know why it was Ups...

[timdrivesbeetle]

this thread is a little old but o well. Tomorrow my car is getting totally updated: timing belt, vacuum lines, intake manifold check ( cleaning) , MAF sensor check, new fuel filter ; oil change, snow screen cleaning, air filter. So that will be done. Is there a good reason to do the injectors first? I am planning on a rocket chip and then take care of the clutch for as long as it goes. I am seriously lacking power, I hope something shows up in the service tomorrow.
I'm getting 50.5 mpg so far

[mrchaotica]

Originally Posted by timdrivesbeetle

Is there a good reason to do the injectors first? I am planning on a rocket chip and then take care of the clutch for as long as it goes.

Not really, except that once you do get the nozzles you'll want to go back and have the tune optimized for them. No big deal, except that you'll have to ship your ECU/drive to a GTG twice instead of once.

[Growler]

Originally Posted by timdrivesbeetle

this thread is a little old but o well. Tomorrow my car is getting totally updated: timing belt, vacuum lines, intake manifold check ( cleaning) , MAF sensor check, new fuel filter ; oil change, snow screen cleaning, air filter. So that will be done. Is there a good reason to do the injectors first? I am planning on a rocket chip and then take care of the clutch for as long as it goes. I am seriously lacking power, I hope something shows up in the service tomorrow.
I'm getting 50.5 mpg so far

Who is doing all of this work? I hope a recognized guru from the tdiclub...beiung from VA you have a few good options within a tankful.

[timdrivesbeetle]

He isn't a TDI guru but he's pretty good and really slow and particular. He did mess up my MAF when he cleaned it though otherwise he did a real super job. 2 more things I did now was delete the muffler and block off the EGR.

[asnowsquall]

How do they compare in cost?

[DZLBUG]

Originally Posted by timdrivesbeetle

He isn't a TDI guru but he's pretty good and really slow and particular. He did mess up my MAF when he cleaned it though otherwise he did a real super job. 2 more things I did now was delete the muffler and block off the EGR.

"Pretty good," "really slow and particular," aren't necessarily attributes I would be looking for in someone to do my timing belt or other major work to my car. I would be looking for things like; knows TDI's really well, has the correct timing belt tools, knows the correct procedure.

What work was done? What parts were used? Does he have the TB lockdown tools? Does he have VCDS? Did he do a "mark and pray" TB replacement? Did he replace the stretch bolts? Did he replace three rollers, tensioner and water pump? Did he use the 100k belt, tensioner and large roller? Do you have a clue what I am saying here?

This guy is close to you, and he is one of only a select group of guys that I would let under the hood of my car:
TDIClub Forums - View Profile: ninedee_golf_tdi

He is about 90 miles away from you in Stafford. People are known to drive much much further for quality TDI mechanics. Tom is top-notch and cheap.

[DZLBUG]

Originally Posted by asnowsquall

How do they compare in cost?

Upsolute isn't even on the TDI map anymore.

Rocketchip is $300-400 depending on the vehicle and the level of tune. And it is worth every penny.