Fastchip expectations?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 10,956
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From: Marlboro country MA
Fastchip expectations?
I just ordered a new PROM from Fastchip (Ed Wright & Co.). I'll install it tomorrow and take it to the track. Also, on Saturday, I'm going to the Dyno day in Worcester. I'm curious what to expect on both - the 1/4 mile and the dyno. How much performance increase over stock chips have you guys seen? Engine mods are minor bolt-ons shown below.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 5,713
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From: Manassas VA
Re: Fastchip expectations? (MTVette)
MTVette,
My et improved 2 to 3 tenths. This was based on runs made in the fall on a cool day, and runs made in the spring, again a cool day. Same track. The car really dosnt feel different, but it was runnin a lot cooler, which is probably why it ran a lot better. I do look foward to your results.
My et improved 2 to 3 tenths. This was based on runs made in the fall on a cool day, and runs made in the spring, again a cool day. Same track. The car really dosnt feel different, but it was runnin a lot cooler, which is probably why it ran a lot better. I do look foward to your results.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 10,956
Likes: 680
From: Marlboro country MA
Re: Fastchip expectations? (Red 86 4+3)
Got interesting results at the dyno day. For starters, in comparison to last fall, my horsepower has gone down by 15-20! :( This could be an effect of the differences in temperature and humidity, or it could reflect some real change, such as clogged cats. My fuel-air ratio looks good, and is flat across the board. I did three runs with the Wright Fastchip in, and one run without. I got 1 hp more without, although this difference is not significant, given the overall noise level in that run. The HP/torque curves are smoother with the chip in place, so I assume that the ignition system is performing better. Overall, the shifting is smoother with the chip, and it no longer hits the rev limiter between shifts. Of course, it runs cooler now, too.
What I need to do now is figure out the source of the lost HP, correct for it, and move on. My 1/4 mile times are still dominated by the slippery track. I had only one run under 14 seconds last Friday, and I had lots of tire spin every launch. With my new Kumho tires, I can no longer get any tire spin at all on dry clean pavement, so this tells me that the launch area at the local track is terrible.
What I need to do now is figure out the source of the lost HP, correct for it, and move on. My 1/4 mile times are still dominated by the slippery track. I had only one run under 14 seconds last Friday, and I had lots of tire spin every launch. With my new Kumho tires, I can no longer get any tire spin at all on dry clean pavement, so this tells me that the launch area at the local track is terrible.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 83,383
Likes: 87
From: Boston, MA
Mike the dyno gives us normalized #s. When I ran my car the correction factor for humidity, pressure, and temp was 1.01. The dyno multiplies our #s by 1.01 to give us a standard day.
:yesnod: :yesnod:
NED redid the first 630' this year, so there isn't a lot of rubber down on it yet.
.....so this tells me that the launch area at the local track is terrible.
NED redid the first 630' this year, so there isn't a lot of rubber down on it yet.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 5,713
Likes: 105
From: Manassas VA
Re: (scorp508)
It was my understanding that when you change chips, the vehicle has to be driven for a period of time so the computer can learn the car. By switching the chips at a dyno, I wonder if you get a accurate reading of what the chip is doing?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 10,956
Likes: 680
From: Marlboro country MA
Re: (Red 86 4+3)
It was my understanding that when you change chips, the vehicle has to be driven for a period of time so the computer can learn the car.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 5,713
Likes: 105
From: Manassas VA
Re: (MTVette)
No, I wasnt disagreeing at all, it is just something I have read. Your test do make me wonder even more if a fan switch and the 160 t-stat would not be the best way to go on a stock motor . (performance wise)
Racer
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 359
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From: Russellville TN
St. Jude Donor '06
Re: (Red 86 4+3)
Guys,
The problem is simple. $400 dollars later and a fastchip in hand I soon discovered that the tuning for my L383 vette was not what my car needed. You have the same problem. Find a data log program then go run it and let us know what you get for numbers.
Frank :flag
The problem is simple. $400 dollars later and a fastchip in hand I soon discovered that the tuning for my L383 vette was not what my car needed. You have the same problem. Find a data log program then go run it and let us know what you get for numbers.
Frank :flag
Drifting
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 1,931
Likes: 1
From: Norcross GA
Re: (Corvette86)
The 165 ECM is not capable of saving learned info. i.e. When you disconnect the battery all the learned data is lost.
Yes, a typical dyno run is done at WOT, so the 165 ECM is just using look up (PROM) data.
Yes, a typical dyno run is done at WOT, so the 165 ECM is just using look up (PROM) data.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 10,956
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From: Marlboro country MA
Re: (MTVette)
Since the weather today (Wednesday) is cool and dry, I'm planning on heading up to NE Dragway after work and get in a few runs. Perhaps we'll see an improvement in 1/4 mile times. Perhaps not.
If I can fiind somebody at the track with a data logger who's willing to let me borrow it for a run or three, I'll get some detailed info.
If I can fiind somebody at the track with a data logger who's willing to let me borrow it for a run or three, I'll get some detailed info.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 10,956
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From: Marlboro country MA
Track results and Reply to Scorp
I just got back from the track. I'm a happy camper. :D I just got a new personal best, 13.84. :D Even though I only got in 3 runs, my average time was 13.93, which is about 0.2 sec faster than ever before.
I suspect that several factors were combining to help:
1. My recent mods (160 stat, TB bypass, IAT relocate, Fastchip, Kumho tires)
2. The weather. Track temps tonight were about 20* cooler than when I dyno'd, and my water temp (174 at launch) was 25* cooler than on dyno day.
Scorp, I understand that the dyno machine reports corrected HP/torque. However, the effect of temperature on engine HP will vary with engine type. With the LT1's reverse-flow cooling, colder water temps can lead to increased HP.
Factors relating to increased HP in cooler air include increased air density (for which the dyno machine corrects) and increased spark advance because of reduced knock counts due to cooler head temps secondary to reverse-flow cooling in LT1 with colder water. This latter effect won't be corrected for by the dyno machine.
I suspect the apparent loss of 20 HP I observed at the dyno was simply weather related, since tonight my car is stronger than ever. :cheers:
I suspect that several factors were combining to help:
1. My recent mods (160 stat, TB bypass, IAT relocate, Fastchip, Kumho tires)
2. The weather. Track temps tonight were about 20* cooler than when I dyno'd, and my water temp (174 at launch) was 25* cooler than on dyno day.
Scorp, I understand that the dyno machine reports corrected HP/torque. However, the effect of temperature on engine HP will vary with engine type. With the LT1's reverse-flow cooling, colder water temps can lead to increased HP.
Factors relating to increased HP in cooler air include increased air density (for which the dyno machine corrects) and increased spark advance because of reduced knock counts due to cooler head temps secondary to reverse-flow cooling in LT1 with colder water. This latter effect won't be corrected for by the dyno machine.
I suspect the apparent loss of 20 HP I observed at the dyno was simply weather related, since tonight my car is stronger than ever. :cheers:
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 83,383
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From: Boston, MA
Scorp, I understand that the dyno machine reports corrected HP/torque. However, the effect of temperature on engine HP will vary with engine type. With the LT1's reverse-flow cooling, colder water temps can lead to increased HP.
Le Mans Master
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From: Fort Worth Texas
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Re: Track results and Reply to Scorp (MTVette)
I like to Dyno in January or Febraury! :D
