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Performance Chip a good idea?

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Old May 7, 2011 | 03:33 AM
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Default Performance Chip a good idea?

I have a '92 LT1 and am entertaining the thought of putting a performance chip in her to bump the HP up a bit. Just wondering what something like that would cost, would it really be worth it, or would it just cause more problems than it's worth? Anybody got any comments or suggestions? Thanks.
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Old May 7, 2011 | 03:48 AM
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Originally Posted by #1weatherman
putting a performance chip in
Anybody got any comments or suggestions? .
Save your $$$

Get a custom tune done to suit your specific needs ;
the off the shelf chips are too " one size fits all"
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Old May 7, 2011 | 07:11 AM
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Originally Posted by vetteoz
Save your $$$

Get a custom tune done to suit your specific needs ;
the off the shelf chips are too " one size fits all"
Don't waste your time or money even a custom tune is not worth it for a C4, take the $500 and use it for some real HP gain.
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Old May 7, 2011 | 08:05 AM
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Okay, I'll go against the grain here and tell you to go for it. Decent tuners such as PCM for Less http://www.pcmforless.com/index.php?...e&Itemid=199or
Madtuner http://madtuner.com/ and others are so familiar with LT1's that they can commonly send you a mail order tune that will add an additional 10 to 15 HP for around $150.
While that may not be enough for the seat of the pants dyno to register I challenge you to find that much horsepower for the price with any other mod.
Add a low temp thermostat and have the tuner adjust the fan on/off temps at the same time for a cooler running engine and to me the price is a bargain, just my take of course.
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Old May 7, 2011 | 08:15 AM
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tech, I don't think he is talking about that kind of chip. What you describe is a semi custom burn. That kind can be worth the $$$. I think he is asking about the value of a "one size fits all" which, IMHO are not worth the $$$.
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Old May 7, 2011 | 09:16 AM
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Originally Posted by Muffin
tech, I don't think he is talking about that kind of chip. What you describe is a semi custom burn. That kind can be worth the $$$. I think he is asking about the value of a "one size fits all" which, IMHO are not worth the $$$.
You may be right Muffin, if I misunderstood and iin fact the OP was thinking of Hypertech or something similar I would agree with others that he should save his money.
The mail order chip/tunes I mentioned are about the same price and I have seen dyno results that show they deliver.
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Old May 7, 2011 | 09:21 AM
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Originally Posted by toptechx6
You may be right Muffin, if I misunderstood and iin fact the OP was thinking of Hypertech or something similar I would agree with others that he should save his money.
The mail order chip/tunes I mentioned are about the same price and I have seen dyno results that show they deliver.
For the price, the mail-order chips can work wonders...

The generic chips like hypertech are only good for changing fans, mild alterations in the way the motor runs, not necessarily making it better..just different.

The custom chip, made based on a description of your motor, is much more suited to your motor. Exactly like buying a suit off the rack, or having one tailored...
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Old May 7, 2011 | 09:52 AM
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Default Tune

Originally Posted by toptechx6
Okay, I'll go against the grain here and tell you to go for it. Decent tuners such as PCM for Less http://www.pcmforless.com/index.php?...e&Itemid=199or
Madtuner http://madtuner.com/ and others are so familiar with LT1's that they can commonly send you a mail order tune that will add an additional 10 to 15 HP for around $150.
While that may not be enough for the seat of the pants dyno to register I challenge you to find that much horsepower for the price with any other mod.
Add a low temp thermostat and have the tuner adjust the fan on/off temps at the same time for a cooler running engine and to me the price is a bargain, just my take of course.


This is exactly what I did. $150 for the chip,a 160 t-Stat and I burn 91 octane or above. pretty cheap HP. I told him what I wanted to do and he fixed me up.
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Old May 7, 2011 | 10:37 AM
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Shoot, thanks for reminding me. I need to schedule dyno time at PCMFORLESS so they can tweak the mail order tune I got for my 383.

My 92 came with the Hypertech chip, the useless airfoil and it didn't run any better or have any more horsepower than a stcok tune.

A custom tune is best
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Old May 7, 2011 | 10:49 AM
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Originally Posted by vetteoz
Save your $$$

Get a custom tune done to suit your specific needs ;
the off the shelf chips are too " one size fits all"
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Old May 7, 2011 | 11:37 AM
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I've used a couple of different (LT1) mail order tuners before I found Ed Wright....(Phil from AI recommended him when I started my build and I should have listened)

If/when I replace my 355 Ed will be the tuner....


Mike
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Old May 7, 2011 | 11:54 AM
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Some in house tuning can get you more, a mail order will only be so good.
honestly the factory tune is not bad, unless youre going to do other mods why bother really. 10-15hp gain and nothing else is a waste youll never feel it.
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