Are "power chips" for real?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
From: Cary North Carolina
Are "power chips" for real?
I was looking in a corvette catalog and they were selling hypertech power chips. Are they just hype?
They claim by just changing this chip in your corvette, your hp will increase by 20, increase your 0-60 times, bla bla bla. How true are these claims? They are about $200.
They claim by just changing this chip in your corvette, your hp will increase by 20, increase your 0-60 times, bla bla bla. How true are these claims? They are about $200.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 4
From: Kewaskum Wisconsin
Back when I had my stock 85, I gained .2 in the 1/4 mile with a Hypertech chip
I made some runs with the stock chip, and then changed the chip to a off the shelf Hypertech. My runs were done on the same day. I know a lot of people say that they don't do squat, but for me it gained 2-tenths. I have the old time slips yet too.
I could not notice any seat of the pants improvement, but the clock did. That is my experience with them.
I made some runs with the stock chip, and then changed the chip to a off the shelf Hypertech. My runs were done on the same day. I know a lot of people say that they don't do squat, but for me it gained 2-tenths. I have the old time slips yet too.
I could not notice any seat of the pants improvement, but the clock did. That is my experience with them.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
From: Eagle River Alaska
I'm actually having some troubles with my hypertech chip at the moment. With the hpertech in I notice a slight power increase, but not any to brag about and certainly not enough for 200 bones. (glad the chip came with the car and not outa my wallet). I have had a problem with my fuel pump fuse blowing intermittently mostly on a low tank of fuel and I suspect the chip to be the culprit since this never happens with the stock prom in. Also my idle will become erratic on a low tank with the hypertech but not with the stock. All this may be due to a dirty fuel pump sock and the chips changes in air/fuel ratio asking for more fuel when the sock has an obstruction therefore cause the pump to overework and blow a fuse. (that's my guess) but all I know is theres more problems and hassels with the hypertech than with my stock.
Do yourself a favor and spend the money on a cam
Do yourself a favor and spend the money on a cam
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 6,341
Likes: 1
From: Shelton CT
Over the counter chips don't do much (although I used to have a performance resources chip in my '85 and it did help a few tenths and better response).
Custom tuned chips even on stock cars can add usable power, or driveability.
Custom tuned chips even on stock cars can add usable power, or driveability.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 24,017
Likes: 634
St. Jude Donor '10
Originally Posted by Barbara_S
Autocrossing a C4 can use all the power it can get in the 0 to 30 range.
Barbara...the joke was the word "increase"
Most people want to decrease their 0-60 time. 
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 3,504
Likes: 4
From: Mexico Beach FL
If you are going to invest in a "power chip", at the very least, don't get a Hypertech. It is a shame some don't know this.
Get a chip from Alvin at PCMForLess or MadZ28.
Especially if you have mods, these guys can do miracles for you.
And, you will be able to go out for dinner with the money you save.
Tom Piper
Get a chip from Alvin at PCMForLess or MadZ28.
Especially if you have mods, these guys can do miracles for you.
And, you will be able to go out for dinner with the money you save.
Tom Piper
Last edited by Tom Piper; Aug 11, 2006 at 09:48 AM.
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 11,992
Likes: 1,331
From: Middletown, DE
I know nothing about Hypertech.
But, I installed a PCMforless chip on a box stock LT1 and the difference was noticeable.
If you do a search you will see many folks have had positive experiences with this outfit -- and on otherwise stock cars as well as heavily modded ones.
If you are not a mechanic, and your car has been properly maintained, I know of no other mod less than $200 that can even come close.
Quotes like this: "When you get real mods then get a real tune." are probably valid but every time I see this I wish the poster would also disclose the $/HP ratio they experienced. I suspect more than many of us are willing to pay............
But, I installed a PCMforless chip on a box stock LT1 and the difference was noticeable.
If you do a search you will see many folks have had positive experiences with this outfit -- and on otherwise stock cars as well as heavily modded ones.If you are not a mechanic, and your car has been properly maintained, I know of no other mod less than $200 that can even come close.
Quotes like this: "When you get real mods then get a real tune." are probably valid but every time I see this I wish the poster would also disclose the $/HP ratio they experienced. I suspect more than many of us are willing to pay............
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5,214
Likes: 65
From: Queensland, AUSTRALIA
Originally Posted by Onyx C4
Quotes like this: "When you get real mods then get a real tune." are probably valid but every time I see this I wish the poster would also disclose the $/HP ratio they experienced. I suspect more than many of us are willing to pay............
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 15
From: backwoods upstate ny
the earlier c4's (not sure when the change came) were set up to run on low octane fuel per gm corporate edict...if you are willing to commit to premium fuel, there is some small increase posible by fuel delivery and spark advance changes that take advantage of the slower burn rate of high test...don't expect too much
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,629
Likes: 28
From: FL
Originally Posted by Casethecorvetteman
No worries mate!!! 
Being Australian i have a unique way of pointing out the facts!!!
Being Australian i have a unique way of pointing out the facts!!! 