ECU Chip

[Chris_ck]

Anyone tried installing those aftermarket ECU Chips? Claims to increase response time and power to the car? True?

[Guyver]

Think basically power will increase.... but fuel consumption as well.... so u must know what u want...

[Colinq]

I've used the Buddy Club Racing Spec A Computer.

 

This comes with tuning on a dyno at Autowerke.

 

I saw 6 hp increase and 15 Nm increase in torque with peak torque arriving 400 RPM earlier. The air fuel mixture was also thinned out. So despite the better performance, I still saw a fuel consumption improvement. This was on a 3 litre Harrier.

 

I've also seen a 10 hp increase and 10 Nm increase in torque on a 2.4 litre Estima. After adjusting the standard rich air fuel ratio, I've again seen better consumption despite the performance bump up.

 

My experience is that this is the only real way to see true performance improvements. The improvement is real - you see it on the dyno chart and you also feel it in the drive. Will set you back about $1K or so.

 

I should mention that the Estima is on iridium plugs, been grounded and also has 4 Super Fuelmax installed. The Super Fuelmax was a surprise - I originally thought it was snake oil but have to admit it makes a real difference especially in low end torque and throttle response.