ECU Shootout
Audi A4 / S4 / RS4
Photo: Mr.choppers · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons ↗

Audi A4 / S4 / RS4 standalone ECUs

Audi's mid-size range in the data, from 1.8T four-cylinder models to the 2.7-litre twin-turbo V6 in the B5 S4 and RS4.

Chassis
C4 · B5 · B6
Years
1991–2006
Engines
1.8T · 1.8T AWP · AEB/AJL 1.8T · APU 1.8T · BEX 1.8T · AAN 2.2 20V turbo
Layout
4 or 5 or 6-cylinder, AWD

You have 21 plug-in ECU options for the Audi A4 / S4 / RS4 from Link, Haltech, MaxxECU and ECUMaster, 1 of them direct plug-in. The cheapest complete setup is ECUMaster at US$1,238 including the ECU. 55 wire-in ECUs can also run its 4 or 5 or 6-cylinder engine with a custom loom, from US$275.

Prices checked and include the ECU.

Your options for this car

New to this? Three ways to fit an aftermarket ECU explains each one in five minutes.

Plug-in ECUs for the Audi A4 / S4 / RS4

21 options, cheapest first. Each one links to its full specs and sellers.

21 options
ECUMaster

Audi 2.2 AAN / 3B / ABY PNP for EMU Classic

C41991–19972.2 20V turbo AAN
CheapestAdapter harness
US$1,238EMU Classic US$999 + harness US$239ECUMaster EMU CLASSIC specs & sellers →Maker's page ↗
ECUMaster

Audi B5 S4 / RS4 PNP for EMU Classic

B51999–20012.7T AGB · 2.7T ASJ

Developed on AGB/ASJ; verify pinout for other codes

Adapter harness
US$1,398EMU Classic US$999 + harness US$399ECUMaster EMU CLASSIC specs & sellers →Maker's page ↗
MaxxECU

Audi A4 (AEB, AJL) MaxxECU STREET Plugin EXTRA

B51996–1998AEB/AJL 1.8T

Complete kit: MaxxECU unit + plug-in adapter + LSU 4.2 wideband + accessories (EXTRA)

Adapter harness
US$1,428maxxecu.com store price in USD, excl. VATMaxxECU STREET specs & sellers →Maker's page ↗
MaxxECU

Audi S2 / S4 / S6 (AAN, ADU, ABY) MaxxECU STREET Plugin EXTRA

C41991–1994AAN 2.2 20V turbo

Complete kit: MaxxECU unit + plug-in adapter + LSU 4.2 wideband + accessories (EXTRA)

Adapter harness
US$1,428maxxecu.com store price in USD, excl. VATMaxxECU STREET specs & sellers →Maker's page ↗
ECUMaster

Audi 2.2 AAN / 3B / ABY PNP for EMU Black

C41991–19972.2 20V turbo AAN
Adapter harness
US$1,568EMU Black US$1,299 + harness US$269ECUMaster EMU BLACK specs & sellers →Maker's page ↗
ECUMaster

Audi B5 S4 / RS4 PNP for EMU Black

B51999–20012.7T AGB · 2.7T ASJ

Developed on AGB/ASJ; verify pinout for other codes

Adapter harness
US$1,698EMU Black US$1,299 + harness US$399ECUMaster EMU BLACK specs & sellers →Maker's page ↗
MaxxECU

Audi S2 / S4 / S6 (AAN, ADU, ABY) MaxxECU RACE Plugin STANDARD

C41991–1994AAN 2.2 20V turbo

Kit: MaxxECU unit + plug-in adapter, no wideband sensor (STANDARD)

Adapter harness
US$1,774maxxecu.com store price in USD, excl. VATMaxxECU RACE specs & sellers →Maker's page ↗
MaxxECU

Audi A4 (AEB, AJL) MaxxECU RACE Plugin EXTRA

B51996–1998AEB/AJL 1.8T

Complete kit: MaxxECU unit + plug-in adapter + LSU 4.2 wideband + accessories (EXTRA)

Adapter harness
US$1,866maxxecu.com store price in USD, excl. VATMaxxECU RACE specs & sellers →Maker's page ↗
MaxxECU

Audi S2 / S4 / S6 (AAN, ADU, ABY) MaxxECU RACE Plugin EXTRA

C41991–1994AAN 2.2 20V turbo

Complete kit: MaxxECU unit + plug-in adapter + LSU 4.2 wideband + accessories (EXTRA)

Adapter harness
US$1,866maxxecu.com store price in USD, excl. VATMaxxECU RACE specs & sellers →Maker's page ↗
MaxxECU

Audi S3/A4 1.8T (ME 7.5) MaxxECU RACE Plugin STANDARD

B5 · B61999–2005APU 1.8T · BEX 1.8T

Kit: MaxxECU unit + plug-in adapter, no wideband sensor (STANDARD)

Adapter harness
US$1,912maxxecu.com store price in USD, excl. VATMaxxECU RACE specs & sellers →Maker's page ↗
MaxxECU

Audi S4/RS4 2.7 biturbo (ME 7.1) MaxxECU RACE Plugin STANDARD

B51998–2002AGB/AZB 2.7 biturbo · AZR 2.7 biturbo

Kit: MaxxECU unit + plug-in adapter, no wideband sensor (STANDARD)

Adapter harness
US$1,912maxxecu.com store price in USD, excl. VATMaxxECU RACE specs & sellers →Maker's page ↗
MaxxECU

Audi S3/A4 1.8T (ME 7.5) MaxxECU RACE Plugin EXTRA

B5 · B61999–2005APU 1.8T · BEX 1.8T

Complete kit: MaxxECU unit + plug-in adapter + LSU 4.2 wideband + accessories (EXTRA)

Adapter harness
US$1,958maxxecu.com store price in USD, excl. VATMaxxECU RACE specs & sellers →Maker's page ↗
MaxxECU

Audi S4/RS4 2.7 biturbo (ME 7.1) MaxxECU RACE Plugin EXTRA

B51998–2002AGB/AZB 2.7 biturbo · AZR 2.7 biturbo

Complete kit: MaxxECU unit + plug-in adapter + LSU 4.2 wideband + accessories (EXTRA)

Adapter harness
US$1,958maxxecu.com store price in USD, excl. VATMaxxECU RACE specs & sellers →Maker's page ↗
Link

TTX Plug-In ECU (Audi TT / VW 1.8L Turbo, PQ34 Platform)

B5 · B61998–20061.8T

Likely compatible, unconfirmed by Link - check with tech support; Manual only; 121-pin two-connector header; 1.8T FWD or Haldex 4WD only; onboard MAP; built-in E-throttle

Direct plug-in
US$1,995Subimods (official NZ price NZD 2984.25)Link TTX (Audi TT / VW 1.8L Turbo, PQ34 Platform) specs & sellers →Maker's page ↗Price source ↗
MaxxECU

Audi S3/A4 1.8T (ME 7.5) MaxxECU RACE H20 Plugin EXTRA

B5 · B61999–2005APU 1.8T · BEX 1.8T

Complete kit: MaxxECU unit + plug-in adapter + LSU 4.2 wideband + accessories (EXTRA)

Adapter harness
US$2,073maxxecu.com store price in USD, excl. VATMaxxECU RACE H2O Plug-in EXTRA (Audi S3/A4 1.8T ME7.5) specs & sellers →Maker's page ↗
MaxxECU

Audi 1.8T (ME 7.5) MaxxECU RACE plugin adapter

B5 · B61999–2005APU 1.8T · BEX 1.8T

Adapter harness only; MaxxECU unit sold separately

Adapter harness
US$2,074MaxxECU RACE US$1,590 + harness US$484MaxxECU RACE specs & sellers →Maker's page ↗
MaxxECU

Audi S4 2.7 turbo (ME 7.1) MaxxECU RACE plugin adapter

B51998–2002AGB/AZB 2.7 biturbo · AZR 2.7 biturbo

Adapter harness only; MaxxECU unit sold separately

Adapter harness
US$2,074MaxxECU RACE US$1,590 + harness US$484MaxxECU RACE specs & sellers →Maker's page ↗
MaxxECU

MaxxECU Plugin adapter - Audi AAN

C41991–1994AAN 2.2 20V turbo

Adapter harness only; MaxxECU unit sold separately

Adapter harness
US$2,074MaxxECU RACE US$1,590 + harness US$484MaxxECU RACE specs & sellers →Maker's page ↗
MaxxECU

MaxxECU STREET/RACE Plugin adapter - Audi A4 1.8T REV2 (AEB, no E-Throttle)

B51996–1998AEB/AJL 1.8T

Adapter harness only; MaxxECU unit sold separately

Adapter harness
US$2,074MaxxECU RACE US$1,590 + harness US$484MaxxECU RACE specs & sellers →Maker's page ↗
Haltech

HT-212325 Nexus S2 Plug 'n' Play Adapter Harness Kit - VW/Audi 1.8T AWP

B62001–20061.8T AWP

AWP engine only; manual; CAN dash developed on 2003 Beetle

Adapter harness
US$2,365USD excl. tax as listed on haltech.comHaltech Nexus S2 specs & sellers →Maker's page ↗
Haltech

HT-213325 Nexus S3 Plug 'n' Play Adapter Harness Kit - VW/Audi 1.8T AWP

B62001–20061.8T AWP

AWP engine only; manual; CAN dash developed on 2003 Beetle

Adapter harness
US$2,800USD excl. tax as listed on haltech.comHaltech Nexus S3 specs & sellers →Maker's page ↗

Wire-in ECUs that can run this engine

Cheapest current unit from each brand with at least 6 injector and ignition outputs, so it runs fully sequential.

Add a loom: built by your tuner or a loom maker. Filter every wire-in ECU by features and price

Find a tuner for these ECUs

Shops with their own dyno that tune the brands above.

About the makers: Link · Haltech · MaxxECU · ECUMaster

Other Audi models