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Performance chips to increase HP

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Old Oct 4, 2019 | 04:37 PM
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Default Performance chips to increase HP

Does anyone have recommendations on the best performance chip for my 1988 that will boost my HP? I know it won't be a drastic improvement but I've heard I can receive upwards of 50 HP when it is installed.
just finished installing 1 3/4" Hooker Headers with a brand new straight pipe exhaust (no cats) and I'm trying to put a chip in the motor. motions for all the help
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Old Oct 4, 2019 | 04:47 PM
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IDK about the 50 hp. PCM of NC.formally pcmforless is pretty good. Tuner will have form for information about application. It may take a few trys to get it right.
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Old Oct 4, 2019 | 04:49 PM
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Hi...
Well, first, there is no PROM calibration that will give you 50 hp that Im aware of. The place the HP comes from is things like your LT headers. PROM calibrations do things like change timing and fuel trim within a certain percentage in order to take the best advantage of your modifications ie: headers, cams, heads, larger injectors etc etc...
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Old Oct 4, 2019 | 05:39 PM
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Whoever your source of information is they have no clue. Its not going to make it faster. Not a bad way to have your fans turn on earliyer (hypertech) if you use a cold stat.

Its not a turbo diesel. Tunes esp on stock cars are the last place to look for power lots of blown up dyno days to prove that one. Dig into the engine same old thing. Head cam intake etc.

Last edited by cv67; Oct 6, 2019 at 02:16 PM.
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Old Oct 4, 2019 | 06:24 PM
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Originally Posted by PPicone
Does anyone have recommendations on the best performance chip for my 1988 that will boost my HP? I know it won't be a drastic improvement but I've heard I can receive upwards of 50 HP when it is installed.
just finished installing 1 3/4" Hooker Headers with a brand new straight pipe exhaust (no cats) and I'm trying to put a chip in the motor. motions for all the help
Upward or up to? That is a big difference right there. Upward means they guarantee more that 50. Up to means anything from negative to 50 is possible. More likely, nothing if you are lucky, negative if not.

Usually, the "One size fits all" us the "UP TO" slogan to fool rubes into thinking they have it and for cheap. Gets them every time. As they say, "A fool and his money are soon parted", which is the order of things.

Last edited by aklim; Oct 4, 2019 at 06:29 PM.
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Old Oct 4, 2019 | 08:16 PM
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Even a good generic tune maybe 10hp. With a good dyno tune maybe a few more.
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Old Oct 4, 2019 | 10:43 PM
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Originally Posted by FASTAZU
Even a good generic tune maybe 10hp. With a good dyno tune maybe a few more.
Sure, but even 0 HP or negative 10 is within my "up to" claims.
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Old Oct 6, 2019 | 02:09 PM
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Originally Posted by aklim
upward or up to? That is a big difference right there. Upward means they guarantee more that 50. Up to means anything from negative to 50 is possible. More likely, nothing if you are lucky, negative if not.

Usually, the "one size fits all" us the "up to" slogan to fool rubes into thinking they have it and for cheap. Gets them every time. As they say, "a fool and his money are soon parted", which is the order of things.
so right!
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Old Oct 6, 2019 | 02:24 PM
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there is no such thing as free horse power. it comes from parts that work well together that design from aftermarket speed companies
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Old Oct 6, 2019 | 04:18 PM
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Originally Posted by Nowhere Man
there is no such thing as free horse power. it comes from parts that work well together that design from aftermarket speed companies
NILIF: Nothing In Life Is Free
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Old Oct 7, 2019 | 11:01 AM
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No chip will give you 50hp unless you had serious internal engine mods and were trying to run the factory tune.

At best a custom tune for a set of headers will free up 5-10hp. At this point its not worth the expense ($500ish) for the mods you have done. Change the cam/heads or intake and then tune
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Old Oct 7, 2019 | 11:11 AM
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Originally Posted by vader86
No chip will give you 50hp unless you had serious internal engine mods and were trying to run the factory tune.

At best a custom tune for a set of headers will free up 5-10hp. At this point its not worth the expense ($500ish) for the mods you have done. Change the cam/heads or intake and then tune
My money is on "UP TO 50 HP" so they can avoid lying when it gets nothing.
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Old Oct 7, 2019 | 12:03 PM
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Everything is " up.to " in the sue happy U.S. Big gains in NA are very rare however 20 hp in a 210 hp engine is a bunch. Large gains tuning a turbo, like so many imports, is very possible. Increasing boost increases hp. Generic tunes often want to lower operating temp and a more aggressive ignition curve. They may actually help economy over performance. I got one as part of lot I bought, Hyper Tech, changed thermostat, I haven't noticed much of improvement. I gained 1-2 mpg but the fan is running except on highway. I find that annoying. Not really a great investment if you were to buy it new..

Last edited by Kevova; Oct 7, 2019 at 12:05 PM.
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Old Oct 7, 2019 | 12:24 PM
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Chips will help gain LBS.

One should be careful when consuming!
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Old Oct 9, 2019 | 02:18 PM
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If you are talking strictly computer enhancements, your best bet is a dyno tune from someone who knows what they are doing, and maybe reprogram the cooling fans to come on at lower temps. You don't even need to buy any parts.
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Old Oct 9, 2019 | 04:30 PM
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Originally Posted by DGXR
If you are talking strictly computer enhancements, your best bet is a dyno tune from someone who knows what they are doing, and maybe reprogram the cooling fans to come on at lower temps. You don't even need to buy any parts.
For a stock car, I would think there is not much gain
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Old Oct 9, 2019 | 04:33 PM
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Originally Posted by aklim
For a stock car, I would think there is not much gain
True. But still it's the best option if you're going to change software only (no hard parts).
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