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Performance Chips???

72K views 73 replies 23 participants last post by  Crazycatman 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Hello all...

I was just wondering if anyone has tried or considered using a performance enhancing chip or module...

I have done an internet search and have actually found a few.

Please share any experiences or thoughts :)

Here are a few that I have found:
 
#3 ·
If i ever bought a tuner chip, My main objective would be more positive gear shivfts. Right now theres a small flare between shifts. I like a faster shift with just a small bump into the next gear. But has to be done properly by a knowledgable tuner. Like Gryphon. Otherwise it can be hard on the tranny. Done prop,erly like on my F150 made it a joy to drive. No more slushbox shifts, but instead awesome crisp shifts. And yes it saves a bit of fuel also. I will take a nicely dialed tranny in place of an extra 20 hp.
 
#4 ·
I installed a ChipExpress tuning box on my wife's 2011 Australian diesel Sportage.
Kia Sportage 2.0 CRDI 184 PS 392 Nm | Diesel Tuning with CHIP Express
Fuel economy has improved by about 10% and dyno results are shown on two graphs. Not as much as claimed but pretty reasonable overall - noticeable when you drive it. The first graph is with the box on it's 'default' setting and the second is with it on the highest 'power' setting. Blue is stock on both graphs. Notice the higher peak power on the highest power setting but at the expense of lower down power/torque. Default is definitely the best with a fatter, smoother power/torque curve and noticeably improved daily driving behaviour. I've been pretty pleased overall.
 

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#13 ·
I have purchased one of these chips. Took some time to get to Australia over the christmas break. Installed in minutes with no issues. As per above, very similar results. However on the first fill since installation, amazing economy so far (still more than half a tank of fuel to go).

Let me digress, in another thread, I have found that I can get between 60 to 65 litres of diesel into the tank with patient and carefull filling. On the first trip with the extra fuel loaded, when the needle reached the 3/4 full line, I had travelled about 350 kilometers. Since installing the chip express chip, following the exact journey, when the needle reached the 3/4 line I had travelled 440 kilometers!! Still have more than half a tank of fuel before final figures but it would seem the installation of the chip has made some amazing changes with ecconomy. Watch this space and I will advise.

Jeff
 
#5 ·
Interesting post YouSnooze. It's nice to see dyno results. I've driven a 1.7 diesel with a similar tuning box fitted and, to be honest, didn't notice much difference at all with the box switched on or off. I would have liked to have seen some dyno results to see if there was any real improvement in output.
 
#7 ·
They only work on diesels. They work by overfueling the engine. The box tricks the engine management system into thinking the fuel rail pressure is lower then it actually is.

The started of as rather crude resistors in a box but have evolved into quite sophisticated devices.
 
#9 ·
The manufacturers claim it it is. If you use the higher settings, you may find that the DPF regenerates more often if you do a lot of low speed city driving.

I ran a tuning box turned up to 'max' on my car with no apparent problems. I eventually removed it and had the engine ecu remapped.
 
#17 · (Edited)
There shouldn't any problems. They just modify the the signal from the fuel rail pressure sensor. They can be unplugged and the car returned to stock in less than two minutes. Three if you include opening and shutting the bonnet.

Edit: There is a possibility that the DPF will get clogged more quickly if the chip is turned up to max and the car predominately used in slow, heavy traffic. Some manufacturers provide a remote switch so the tune can be reset to stock in such conditions.
 
#15 · (Edited)
Very early days for me, but no safety mode yet. According to manufacturer, totally untrackable, if removed for service. And exactly 2 minutes to fit, take off the connecter to the Common Rail, plug in line the chip box, reconnect kia CRD plug to the other chip box lead. The box comes pre programmed for the Kia (mine the Australian version, you get the option of which one to order). Notes from country driving, pre chip on the road showing about 7.5 l per 100 k whilst travelling on generally flat ground, post chip on the same road showing whilst travelling, 6.1 l per 100 k's, early days though.

Jeff
 
#18 ·
I note that pre chip, I was running around town in 4th gear (predominately 50kph area, some 60 and a 80 kph stretch), now in the 50kph areas, cruising, that are flat, the car is in 5th gear. As per the dyno check earlier in this thread with the same engine, more torque down load, on the "standard" setting. :D

Jeff
 
#20 ·
I just wanned to ask what is, if any, the difference of engine saftey, fuel economy and performance between Snooze's Power Box AND remapping the ECU?

Here in Romania, chip tuning is mostly about ECU remapping on just about all cars, mostly Audi, Bmw, VW, etc.

I was able to fiind only ONE more ,,seriously" firm that does chip tuning and the price is about the same as Power Box but a little cheaper if i take in mind the Shipping costs of Power Box.

U can see the specs here: Chiptuning Kia Sportage 2.0 CRDi DPF 136CP Stage 2

I wish to get some kind of Chip Tuning but don't know which is Safer and better regarding Fuel Economy and Performance.

Thank you
 
#21 ·
Well I have done enough trips now with the chip, my best figure was 5.4 l per 100 on a trip of abouit 480 kilometers including some 110kph freeway travelling (for those in Australia, from the NW slopes to Sydney via the F3). iIt seems to be averaging about 6.1 l per 100k for a mix of city and country driving. Impressed!!!

Jeff
 
#22 ·
So...

With all the posts on this thread, I'll take it that no one makes a performance chip or programmer for the SX 2.0L Gas Turbo?

However I must say that it has been interesting reading about all the diesel stuff... I just wish that they were available here in the U.S.
 
#26 ·
Ok.But is this Chip SAFE? I mean...i am really interested in this product but i drive mstly in town and dont want to damage my DPF filter or my engine.Can it be turned OFF whan i don't need it running? Does it have a remote controll?

Also...where do you install it? Beside the engine? or where?

Thank you
 
#27 · (Edited by Moderator)
Chipexpress have TUV, CE and ISO9001 approval. I'd guess as far as certifications go, those should put your mind at ease that it's not some cowboy outfit selling something that'll make your engine go bang.

As for basic town driving, it is recommended that you go for a drive at above 50km/h for 15-20 mins occasionally to help DPF regeneration....even in non-modified cars.
 
#28 ·
I have had mine installed now for 4 months. No dramas whatsover in that time.

It can't be turned off (without upplugging it from the common rail. There is no remote control. I have had mine left on the default settings and very impresseed with it so far. You can change the settings for different engine performance but I am extremely happy with it. In the sportage, there is a nice little space behind the light for the unit to sit in its little protective case. Definite improvement in the "off the mark" starts. Best highway figure running for about 490k's country running with about 100ks of 110kph freeway, 5.4l per 100 k's!!!! (according to the kia meter) Average country driving between 6 and 7l per 100ks.. City running about 7.5 to 8.0's. I have had the car in for a service, removed the unit beforehand. No questions from the techs, so its use had not been detected by their machines. Got home, waited for the common rail to turn off and then some 5 mins, important to wait for your common rail to turn off otherwise it may cause a problem. Plugged the unit back in (takes about 30 secs), and away we go again. Very worthwile investment!!!!!!!!!:D
 
#30 ·
Possibly, however you cant fool the actual amount of fuel used over distance travelled. On that trip, filled to the same point, that is 2nd click of the automatic pump (not the same pump but I wouldnt think there would be a big difference, most pumps in out State are serviced by the same company), 508 kilometers travelled. 27.47 litres consumed, 5.4 litres per 100k's. I have found the Kia economy read out not too good, even before the chip installed. Never matched the actual readings for fuel used. Close enough though. :D
 
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