Superchip or Jet chip?
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,259
Likes: 0
From: bakersfield cali
I agree with azzkikr, with the mods you have don't waste your money on a chip just yet. but if you do decide on a chip go with pcm for less, I have read nothing but good things from them. I personally have a fast chip from ed wright and I wish I would have gotten my chip from alvin. I may just say screw it and forget about my 380 dollar investment with fast chip and just start over with a new chip from alvin.
good luck
good luck
Last edited by 86VX1; Nov 18, 2005 at 06:50 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 109
Likes: 3
From: Just North of Boston Mass
Sorry Alvin. I was going nuts trying to find a chip for my 85.I don't know why I was not able to find the listing for 85's on your website. My bad. I would like to learn more about the piggyback thing though.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,107
Likes: 171
From: Dublin CA
When I bought my 85 (long before finding the Forum) I installed a Hypertec thermomaster chip to get that extra HP. SAVE YOUR MONEY. For the next 3-4 years I fought engine ping at WOT. I finally had TJ WONG make a custom chip and test it on this dyno. Spend your money on that combination. It is well worth the dollars spent. When Tom checked as a base line the Hypertec chip, he found that it was advancing the timing too much (43) and pulling away fuel (PING!!!) at WOT. I now have a car that runs much better. I drove 9 hours from the SF Bay area to Washington State (I was going that direction anyway) to have him work on it. Knowing what I do now, I would drive that far to do it again and again and again. Can't say too much about him, his quality of work and knowledge. On the drive up to Washingon I got 26.4 mpg (automatic), going back it was 27.2 mpg. NOTHING was done except the chip. Still making modifications....enjoy your 85 
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 11,992
Likes: 1,331
From: Middletown, DE
Lotta comments that the chips are a waste of money on stock or minor mod cars.
I'm just one data point but I strongly disagree.
I have a box stock '93 M6 (except for K&N & cut lid, which of course could not be felt SOTP). I installed a PCMforless mailorder chip. No custom tune. Immediately the car ran obviously better - more punch from a rolling 5mph start, definitely more power from 3.5K to redline, and smoother throughout the rev range.
I have no proof, but -- if I could feel it it has to be at least 10HP, right? So that's at most $17.50/1HP.
Seems like a real good deal to me. Just don't expect miracles. Stock 1985 Vette has 230 HP and weighs 3300 lbs. The stock S2000 has 240 HP, weighs only 2800 lbs, and is geared to minimize the huge torque disadvantage. Tough to beat that with a chip!
I'm just one data point but I strongly disagree.
I have a box stock '93 M6 (except for K&N & cut lid, which of course could not be felt SOTP). I installed a PCMforless mailorder chip. No custom tune. Immediately the car ran obviously better - more punch from a rolling 5mph start, definitely more power from 3.5K to redline, and smoother throughout the rev range.
I have no proof, but -- if I could feel it it has to be at least 10HP, right? So that's at most $17.50/1HP.
Seems like a real good deal to me. Just don't expect miracles. Stock 1985 Vette has 230 HP and weighs 3300 lbs. The stock S2000 has 240 HP, weighs only 2800 lbs, and is geared to minimize the huge torque disadvantage. Tough to beat that with a chip!
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
I've been reading all of the responses to this thread and I am still unsure when it is a good idea to install an aftermarket chip. I have an 85 that has only minor modifications. Borla exhaust, 24lb injectors, adjustable fuel pressure regulator. I am only looking for the best performance I can get but still maintain the basic stock configuration. Would one of Alvin's chips be right for me?
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 11,992
Likes: 1,331
From: Middletown, DE
Originally Posted by djf85vette
I've been reading all of the responses to this thread and I am still unsure when it is a good idea to install an aftermarket chip. I have an 85 that has only minor modifications. Borla exhaust, 24lb injectors, adjustable fuel pressure regulator. I am only looking for the best performance I can get but still maintain the basic stock configuration. Would one of Alvin's chips be right for me?
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
From: VA
Buying a after market chip is like buring your money. Eirther find a good tuner that can dyno or data log it then tune it, or learn how to do it your self.
Another thing if you're running a 85 vette and you just can't get over not buying a chip. buy a stock 6E (89vette) bin disable your ninth injector. Its a much better version then what your currently using you'll be happy with it and as will your car.
Another thing if you're running a 85 vette and you just can't get over not buying a chip. buy a stock 6E (89vette) bin disable your ninth injector. Its a much better version then what your currently using you'll be happy with it and as will your car.
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Drifting
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,923
Likes: 0
From: GA
This will not work. The 85's 870 ECM uses a bare PROM chip, while the 86-89 165 ECM uses a Calpack, one will not fit the other.
Also, the 85 .bin file is 8k and the 165's .bins are 16k in size. Do do this you'd have to switch to the 165 ECM.
Also, the 85 .bin file is 8k and the 165's .bins are 16k in size. Do do this you'd have to switch to the 165 ECM.
Originally Posted by YoMilkMan
Another thing if you're running a 85 vette and you just can't get over not buying a chip. buy a stock 6E (89vette) bin disable your ninth injector. Its a much better version then what your currently using you'll be happy with it and as will your car.
Last edited by Morley; Nov 28, 2005 at 12:03 PM.
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Chatsworth Ga
Originally Posted by Morley
This will not work. The 85's 870 ECM uses a bare PROM chip, while the 86-89 165 ECM uses a Calpack, one will not fit the other.
Also, the 85 .bin file is 8k and the 165's .bins are 16k in size. Do do this you'd have to switch to the 165 ECM.
Also, the 85 .bin file is 8k and the 165's .bins are 16k in size. Do do this you'd have to switch to the 165 ECM.
Tuner CAT R/T... I bought that stuff and its great on my '85. I have extra chips and a place to buy them from cheap if anyone needs one for an '85tpi car. My tuner was able to phase out the cold start inj with it. car picked up 15hp thru the WHOLE rpm range above a superchip.
http://www.tunercat.com/tnr_desc/do_tc.html
also contact "macsperformance" on here about the details of what all Tuner CAT does and doesnt do. car ran a 7.87 in the 1/8 with a 1.70's 60' @ 87+mp
