Hot chips - please explain? - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

Falchoon · 06-02-2002, 16:29

I know the subject of aftermarket perfomance chips has been discused at length previously but I am still in the dark as to what they allegedly do. Can someone please explain (in laymens terms)?

russellw · 06-02-2002, 16:44

Without going into the merits of whether they actually work or don't - as I know there are conflicting views on the subject I will attempt a simple explanation of their purpose.

The standard ignition/air/fuel mapping on most factory vehicles is going to be a compromise between performance, economy and variable fuel quality. The modified chips will generally be slanted more towards performance than economy with agressive air/fuel/spark maps that also assume relatively good quality fuels.

In short, therefore, they aim to produce closer to optimum air/fuel ratios across the rev range in conjunction with more advanced timing settings.
As a general comment this is not harmful (whether it works or not) on vehicles with knock sensors but can potentially lead to detonation on those vehicles which don't - especially if fuel is not up to its stated octane rating.

Hope this isn't overly simple.

Falchoon · 06-02-2002, 16:52

So your saying they don't necessaraily work? A bit like Brock's infamous Polariser?

svo347 · 06-02-2002, 18:17

Quiet simply Errrr Yes & No
If you buy a "Chip" straight off the shelf & slap it into a Stock 6 or 8 ... chances are you wont get squat out of it, maybe just abit more Fuel consumption.
But
I have seen dyno charts where the engine in question has been modified ie exhaust intake etc.... And it has picked up afair few more kw from a "Chip".
Personally I run a Chiptorque Module. this is the 3rd chip I have installed & It took just over 6mths before a "Technician" from chiptorque came over to WA & programmed mine & afew others in REALTIME ie on a dyno & the street. Yes Im pretty happy with the end result considering the first chip set me back $590 whilst the second & third were on exchange @ $230 & the cost of the tuning $300... If they cant guarantee to do it on a dyno dont waste your $$$ get a Unichip or better still see XR9 Ute for one of his little toys....

blue_xr · 06-02-2002, 20:40

I agree with SVO302. Unless it is real time programmed on a Dyno, dont waste your money.

Everycar is different, so the non programmable chips are not suited to your car.

Falchoon · 06-02-2002, 20:46

OK, so if you in theory you had a car, say a *5.0 VN Commodore* that already had a chip (brand unknown) and had unknown engine mods and then you stroked the motor to around 327/331 this would make the chip useless, unless you can get it real time programmed on a Dyno?

blue_xr · 06-02-2002, 20:49

Falchoon.

1st step would be to find out what type of chip it is. There is a chance that it might be a reprogrammable one.

If it is a chiptorque (very popular with Holdens) you can actually send it away to lachlan in QLD and get it programmed to suit the new mods.

If its a powerchip, you can use it as a doorstop.

madEAs · 06-02-2002, 20:50

Hey u guys have heard of power chip, now from what i have read their chips are non programable, and can not be modified on a dyno like a unichip. But can they reprogram it to ur car, i got my hands on a power chip gold and was wondering if they can at least change it to be model specific. if that makes any sense.

svo347 · 06-02-2002, 21:10

I think you'll find if its already bought & fitted is already "Model Specific".
Ie you wouldnt be able to fit one from an ELXR8 EEC5 to an EBXR8 EEC4.
I do know however that if the trans were the same & the eec the same ie eec4 to eec4 they do fit as a friend of mine tried it out on his modified Ford.
Once the chip Module itself is "Burnt" it can no longer be changed by re-programming, a new module is needed. This applies to powerchip chiptorque etc. the modules are called "Eprom's"
Holden to name 1 is able to prog & reprogram "Eproms"

AS with Falchoon's "Q" a new program would be needed to suit the new engine's capacity/perameters or with the way Kalmakers software works if it is a "Holden" Eprom its simply a case of re-programming which can be done in realtime
IE thats why they used holden gear etc on that Sony Scorcher they did sometime ago.

madEAs · 06-02-2002, 21:18

mmm ok, well hows this, i took a chip off a cfi manual, and was curious to see if it worked in my car.. auto mpfi, went in but no idea if made any difference. in my mind i assumed the car should not run or start but it did. That why i was asking, and eproms can be reburnt cant they? Is there any way to find out if the EECIV has taken the chip or not?

Thanx guys