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Conference terri::cars_uk

Title:Cars in the UK
Notice:Please read new conference charter 1.70
Moderator:COMICS::SHELLEYELD
Created:Sun Mar 06 1994
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:2584
Total number of notes:63384

301.0. "Chip programming" by WELSWS::DODD (Danger - Working in Progress) Fri Sep 02 1988 12:22

    Somewhere in this conference there was a discussion of the problems
    of keeping todays "hi-tech" cars going in the way of the happy amateur.
    Specifically maintaining the chips. I reproduce below from Computing
    1/9/88.
    
    Go-Faster tweaks
    
    Go-getting computer whizzkids are learning how to get there faster.
    High tech car owners can hack into theiron-board computers and boost
    the performance of their Porsches and Mercedes by over 25%. Specialised
    car computer companies are offering the reprogramming service for
    as little as 400 pounds.
    Smarter drivers, however, are doing it for about 390 pounds less.
    A new chip available at most high street stores will improve revs,
    total speed and brake pressure.
    For some reason, car manufacturers are not keen on the idea. An
    Audi spokesman said "Our motors are designed to give generous
    performance within wider safety margins. What customers do with
    them is their business, but it is contrary to specifications".
    In the interests of public safety, the names of the specialist car
    companies will remain secret...
    
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    The idea of Sainsburys' selling 10 pound chips to make a Porsche
    25% faster is intriguing.
    
    Andrew Dodd UK SWAS Welwyn
T.RTitleUserPersonal
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301.16Chips on non-turbos.CHEST::SAXBYTime to say something contentious!Wed Sep 26 1990 10:3011
    
    Does anyone know how these chip swaps boost power on non-turbo engines?
    
    There's an adverts in MN this week for 170 bhp from the 16 valve
    Vauxhall engine with an explicit statement that this won't affect your
    Vauxhall warranty.
    
    For �125 it sounds a good way to pep up a Calibra (especially when
    combined with the �200 Irmscher spring kit).
    
    Mark
301.17Non-turbo power chipsCRATE::RUTTERFull turbo boost...Mon Oct 01 1990 14:0415
    I expect that they just change the mapping for ignition timing and
    fuel injection, in the same way that turbo-chips up the power (without
    being able to increase boost pressure via wastegate mods).
    
    I remember seeing an advert which repeatedly claimed a 0% increase on
    the GM 16v engine, for ZERO pounds - it said that they (Superchips?)
    couldn't get any more out of it...
    
    Surprised to see that this change wouldn't affect your warranty though.
    
    Which company placed the advert (I only trust BBR) ?
    
    
    John
    
301.18VOGON::BALLHave you got a licence for that pun?Mon Oct 01 1990 14:386
> I remember seeing an advert which repeatedly claimed a 0% increase on
> the GM 16v engine, for ZERO pounds 

Well I can get a 0% increase on anything for �0...

Jon :-)
301.19SUBURB::SCREENERRobert Screene, UK Finance EUCMon Oct 01 1990 14:5124
    I know someone who has put two of those Superchips on his Astra GTE
    16v.
    
    Rob.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    8-)
301.20SUBURB::PARKERGISSAJOBMon Oct 01 1990 18:185
    What Car? stuck a new chip in a Cavalier 2.0i GL they ran as a long
    term test, and were told unequivocally by Vauxhall that the warranty
    was invalidated.
    
    Steve
301.21Astra APT chipsAYOV16::GHUTCHEONThu Nov 01 1990 12:575
    Has anyone had one of these fitted. I have enquired about it for my
    astra SRi, but before I splash the cash would like to hear from someone 
    who has one fitted.
    
    Graeme
301.22PMC do atmo chips for GM carsCHEST::RUTTERJohn Rutter @SBPThu Nov 01 1990 16:5312
    Re .21
    
    No, I do not know of anyone having fitted these chips, but there
    is an article in CCC (last month I think) which describes the chips
    fitted by PMC (Pete Maiden Components).  In this case, they preferred
    to sell you a new head/cam whatever, but appear to have spotted some
    deficiencies in the standard programming.
    
    The main feature in this article was a 16v Astra upped to 190 bhp,
    although that was not a cheap conversion.
    
    J.R.
301.23My 50bhp's worth of upgradeCRATE::RUTTERRut the NutWed Feb 06 1991 09:1839
Note 1134.79                     Fiesta RS Turbo                        79 of 83
KERNEL::SHELLEYR "Help ! I've got Iraqnophobia"      15 lines   5-FEB-1991 14:23
                               -< Pocket Rocket >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
�    The current issue of "Fast Ford" gives an interesting review
�    of an RS Fiesta fitted with a conversion by Detection Techniques.
�    This increases the bhp from 133 to 165, and ups the 0-60 time from 7.7
�    to 6.6 secs. It didn't give any idea of the cost, it appears you have
�    to send for a brochure.

    I remember reading articles on this engine, which claimed that Ford
    had designed it such that it would not respond (readily) to 'chip
    changes'.  Looks like D.T. have found a solution of some sort.
    
    Regards that company, I sent off for literature on upgrading my
    Lancia - which they happily sent back.  Proudly shown on the front
    of their 'glossy' was this odd looking mechanical device (although they
    do change the 'chip' as well).
    
    When I subsequently chose BBR for my upgrade, they had a cabinet full
    of devices they had removed from 'unhappy customers', prior to fitting
    their own upgrade.  There were a large number of the D.T.-style devices
    in the cabinet, which turn out to be an extremely simple 'bodge'.
    
    What they do is fit this 'adjustable bleed valve' into the pressure
    line to the wastegate (somehow).  It then has the effect of 'fooling'
    the wastegate into thinking that less boost pressure is being generated,
    so delaying the time at which the wastegate opens.  This leads to
    increased turbo boost, but does not 'tell' the controlling ecu of the
    higher boost pressure.  This would explain why there was also a large
    folder at BBR, containing letters of complaint about 'other companies',
    particularly complaining of pinking/knocking from engines that had
    been modded in this way.
    
    I think I have 'said' all this before, but it seems suitable to mention
    it in reply to the Fiesta RS Turdo question...
    
    J.R.
    
301.24What's the damage, John?OVAL::SAXBYMLet&#039;s get personalWed Feb 06 1991 09:2310
    
    John,
    
    What impact does the chip upgrade have on your insurance premium?
    
    I just contacted DT about chips for Vauxhall cars. They claim that their
    chip-only mod for these cars does not affect the Vauxhall warranty. 
    I wonder what Vauxhall say about the matter?
    
    Mark
301.25Sign of madness - trusting an insurance broker !!?CRATE::RUTTERThe Snowman ComethWed Feb 06 1991 13:3923
�    What impact does the chip upgrade have on your insurance premium?
    
    To be honest, I don't know the actual cost.
    
    When I first got the car, I 'upped' my insurance from the Manta.
    
    Subsequently, I had the car 'chipped' and this was included in the cost
    when insurance renewal cropped up.  I was told it would involve some
    loading, but I cannot recall the amount.
    
    The brokers informed me that my existing insurance company was still
    the cheapest at renewal time, so I took their word for it...
    
    Re 'warranty unaffected' - I cannot believe it.
    
    I think this was mentioned in earlier replies in this topic, but
    I bet (expect) you would get a different answer from GM.
    
    Perhaps DT claim that their mod is 'undetectable' (that make them UT?),
    so put their faith in that.  If GM didn't notice the change, then your
    warranty would not be affected !
    
    J.R.
301.27DT I had that !!COMICS::MILLARNo Porn please I&#039;m GraphicWed Feb 06 1991 16:3320
    Hi
    
    I had the D.T (SuperChips) system in my RS Turbo  It came in three
    flavours,  
    
    132 mod to 162 BHP Chip only
    
    132 mod to 192 BHP (what I had) Chips wastegate mods adjustable boost
    valve, and boost guage.  As you could get 15.5 PSI, which on a 1600
    engine might not be to funny, so you limit it to 13.5 PSI.
    
    132 mod to 220 BHP Chips Wastegate and suspension upgrade, reccomended
    for race/sprint use only.
    
    I had no problems at all and was most impressed with the set up, after
    I got used to the huge amounts of torque steer and neck ache.  The
    engine never pinked, but certainly whined on boost (a truly lovely
    sound).
    
    Bruce
301.28Amazing how much space old mags take upCRATE::RUTTERThe Snowman ComethWed Feb 06 1991 17:1113
�Has anyone got the Weber Alpha system?
    
    Not me - or anyone I know.
    
    Is this the system which uses manifolds compatible with DCOE-type carbs ?
    
    If so, I think that it was 'tried' by one of the monthly car mags.
    If that is the case, and you haven't read the report, I could try
    searching through back issues for it.
    
    J.R.
    
    PS - are you allowed to use that in your race class ?
301.29CRATE::RUTTERThe Snowman ComethWed Feb 06 1991 17:1412
�    valve, and boost guage.  As you could get 15.5 PSI, which on a 1600
�    engine might not be to funny, so you limit it to 13.5 PSI.
    
    Anyone out there care to tell me what the conversion should be from
    'PSI' to 'BAR' ?
    
    As an aside, comments in CCC this month rave about the Fiat twin-cam
    engine.  They state that if you have the 2-litre lump with a single
    carb on it, you can replace that with a pair of Webers and get 145BHP !
    Makes you think, when GM 16V engine puts out 150, with EFi
    
    J.R.
301.30Bending the rules?OVAL::SAXBYMLet&#039;s get personalWed Feb 06 1991 17:1610
    
    I wouldn't have thought that tacking on FI was in the spirit of 
    the Eigentek trophy, or would the company review the situation if you
    asked nicely? :^)
    
    Mark
    
    BTW Welcomequote have initiated a trophy for Marcos cars. Only catch is
    that eligible cars must be 1969 steel chassised V6s with a registration
    number starting CLE and ending 100H! :^)
301.31CHEFS::CLEMENTSDPublic Sector and TelecommsWed Feb 06 1991 17:254
    1 bar is normal atmospheric pressure 14.4lbsf/in2 (I think). Somebody
    care to correct the units, I may have that wrong too. It may also be
    960mm of mercury if I remember my physical chhemistry days (or even
    32ft of water......)
301.32If I drive underwater, my boost pressure should increase !CRATE::RUTTERRut-the-NutWed Feb 06 1991 17:327
�    32ft of water......)
    
    From scuba training,
    
    	1 Atmosphere (BAR) increase per 10 Metres depth (in water)
    
    J.R.
301.331 atmosphereHUGS::AND_KISSESFriendly FelicitationsWed Feb 06 1991 18:028
is 760 mm Hg
or 33.91 feet of water
or 101400(-ish) Nm��
or 14.6(-ish) lb/in�

Not a lot of people know that!

Scott
301.34:-) :-) :-)OASS::BURDEN_DHe&#039;s no fun, he fell right overWed Feb 06 1991 18:503
    and probably fewer care.....
    
    Dave