$4.00 "chip" on Ebay
Thread Starter
|
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: WA
$4.00 "chip" on Ebay
Many of you may have seen these $4 "chips" on Ebay, for any computer controlled FI vehicle pretty much. After reading the Feedbacks it appears to be a small resistor placed somewhere. It states it mimics the effects of a vehicle under load or something causing more fuel delivery, or some such thing. ANyway, they claim up to 20hp gain. I'm curious to know whose used one and what if any effects have occurred...
Member
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte NC
I haven't seen these Ebay "chips" but on Mustangs (I just sold a 99 Cobra) you could put a 1K resister across the IAT (Intake Air Temperature) sensor leads. It would trick the computer into thinking the ambient air temperature was about 20 degrees or something like that and a a result, the computer would advance the timing. I used it a few times at the track and it did make a consistent difference of about .3 secs in 1/4 mile ET's. As I've only had an F150 for two weeks though, I have no idea if the IAT arrangement would be similar or if that's what these Ebay things are.
Former Sponsor
Joined: Mar 1998
Posts: 13,385
Likes: 4
From: Virginia
Tricking the PCM into thinking it's colder outside is a very old and dumb idea, it's a band-aid and skews the tuning.
Now it *can* get you more power simply because IAT (inlet air temperature) is just one of many things that timing is tied to, so throwing a colder IAT at the PCM will result in more timing and you can get more power than way. Jet used that technique (skewing IAT) to gain power with inconsistent results & many complaints of detonation.
But you also run the risk of detonation should the fuel quality not be able to support it, such as when temperatures drop and the PCM increases timing even more, (see what happens when it's 95 degreees out versus a 39 degree day & you may see the problem rear it's head) and it's just a gimmick, it's not a real power gainer. And you can't depend on the knock sensor to save you, as the total effective compensation range is relatively small.
There's a *reason* that timing is tied to IAT (and ECT, load & other things), and the way to get better performance from the PCM is to retune the engine *properly* for more timing (assuming premium gas is used), not just tricking the PCM by making it think it's colder outside. Never "trick" the PCM, you always want the PCM to see accurate* sensor data.
To each their own, but this is a dumb idea that isn't proper or safe.
Now it *can* get you more power simply because IAT (inlet air temperature) is just one of many things that timing is tied to, so throwing a colder IAT at the PCM will result in more timing and you can get more power than way. Jet used that technique (skewing IAT) to gain power with inconsistent results & many complaints of detonation.
But you also run the risk of detonation should the fuel quality not be able to support it, such as when temperatures drop and the PCM increases timing even more, (see what happens when it's 95 degreees out versus a 39 degree day & you may see the problem rear it's head) and it's just a gimmick, it's not a real power gainer. And you can't depend on the knock sensor to save you, as the total effective compensation range is relatively small.
There's a *reason* that timing is tied to IAT (and ECT, load & other things), and the way to get better performance from the PCM is to retune the engine *properly* for more timing (assuming premium gas is used), not just tricking the PCM by making it think it's colder outside. Never "trick" the PCM, you always want the PCM to see accurate* sensor data.
To each their own, but this is a dumb idea that isn't proper or safe.