Hi folks. I keep getting ads for performance enhancing chips that are plugged in. They supposedly offer increased power and fuel efficiency. Does anyone have experience with these devices? Do they deliver what they offer? Do they cause damage? Thanks...........Steve Snider

 

there is no "chip" to replace in the c5. you'd have to replace the entire PCM.... which isn't necessary, since it includes an EPROM, which is programable.
you can tune the eprom, and there are many tuners out there that will do it -- or for about $500 you can buy the equipment yourself.

But if someone is selling you a "chip" for a c5, they're selling you snake oil.

 

Total snake oil Steve. Before cars could be tuned with software you had to change 'the chip' to have a different tune but anyone selling a chip for a modern vehicle is full of sh** and not to be trusted.
Even changing the tune is not universally better. Everything is a compromise.

 

Is this 'chip' something that plugs into the OBD2 port?

 

As mentioned, a chip for the C5 is a waste of money. Just tune the car and add appropriate mods and it will really wake up the car.

 

Hi folks. Yes, this is a chip that plugs in to the OBD2 port. An example is the chip offered by Thorton Chip Tuning. It claims that you plug the chip in, drive for about 150 miles, and the chip optimizes your tune to give better gas mileage and improved performance. All BS? Snake oil? .........Steve

 

a mail order tune from East Coast Supercharging I believe is the best bang for a buck ?? (150.00)

 

There are programmers and piggy back units that plug in like that changes the computer signals. In some cars they can make major changes but in a Corvette things are already maxed out in the tuning are since it is a performance car.

In cars that are not performance cars they can advance timing more and do some other tricks that put you on premium only fuel. These can pick up a bit more but this is all very limited seat of the pants feel so less than 30 HP and in most cases less than 10 HP if that.

The C5 has a computer with flash memory and you can get with tuners or several companies and give the the spec of your engine and they can tune for it as you will either give them your computer they will send you a unit to down load a program. But to make gains you will need to change Cams, heads and other major parts to get more air into the engine and the tuner will give it more gas and timing.

The only cars that really respond to a tuner program is a Turbo and Supercharger. These will increase boost levels. I had a Turbo HHR SS that was 235 HP stock and with just a computer flash and too Map changes I went to 300 HP, This was done by getting the stock 16 PSI boost to 23 PSI of boost. This makes it easy on the turbo cars.

If you really want more power I would consider a cam and possible heads. You can also do a supercharger but if you have higher miles I would refresh the motor.

I sell these chips and programmers via work. They really do work but the honest answer is the gains are very very small. Many anymore adjust speedometers for tires and gear changes and they can move shift points in the transmission. They really don't do much to the engines anymore due to the fear of the wrath of the EPA that could cost them millions in fines.

Same for the most part on Cold air intakes. They are limited in gains. Now if you use a bigger cam and heads with intake then it may help add.

Just avoid mistakes like too much cam too big throttle body and too much gear. I see many people not plan this out and more can hurt if not planned out.

 

Popular misconception is the ECU can’t be adjusted.
It Absolutely can.
Owners: You can personally change timing, fuel, gear mph upshift, shifts stiffness, final drive differential ratio - computer acceptance etc, etc. yourself with a handheld tuner that you can tailor to your specific choice
Diablosport; who is owned by Holley

 

How does one find a local shop that does a tune? Any specific key words I should use? "Tune" isn't working for my area.

 

‘Look for a performance shop with a Dyno. These are the shops that can tune and adjust the car ane even measure the performance.

Yes the Corvette computers can and are tuned. But it takes software that is not cheap.

Companies like HP tuners can program a down load based on credits and you just plug it in. It is cheaper but you need to know what you want or give them the info on what you have.

The C5 computers are like most other GM. They are flash memory and can be used in a number of different vehicles in some cases.

If you have the software you can plug in a lap top and do a lot of things. Guys with mega power cars live with a lap top to adjust the car from street to track tune.

 

"dyno testing" would probably find some.

 

Look in both Market Place and on your local Craigslist.

 

The OP is in New Mexico. I suggest he contacts Eric at SQC Tuning (575) 621-8205

https://sqctuning.com/

 

I'm glad you said "you have to know what you want". That's probably why I've never purchased any of those tuning/programing devices. I'm not sure how to translate what I want into technical jargon if they even come wirh a user manual. Most things dont these days.
On the other hand, I'm sure it's easy to reset to factory.
Thank you

 

The real power gains are in the part throttle area, between 3000 and 5500 rpm It is best obtained using scan/tune by a competent tuner or using a mustang (load bearing) dyno. HP gains by tuning are minimal usually 7-15hp or about 0.10seconds in a quarter mile. For more HP then cam/heads/exhaust changes need to be made. In the early 2000's a number of wild claims were made on HP gains but most were smoke screen, but added loudness to the engine and people felt great seat of the pants performance as a result.

 

.1 and 7-15 hp is worthless, to me.
Do you know much about shift points? I am not a fan of 6 speeds, this c7 has 8 speed, it seems to be smoother less noticeable except in downshifts. The worst is the last shift from 3 to 1 bump. Wth is up with that. My c7 never hits 2nd on downshift, it's akways bypassed. It seems that would add to the bump. Is this normal? I'd really like to smooth stop (not feel downshifts at all) especially the very end of the stop. Thoughts?

 

I looked into this a while back and most of those chips are just sending a fake signal to trick the ECU. Real gains come from proper tuning. I ended up focusing more on long-term improvements and found some tech inspiration from how places like https://www.modutek.com/wafer-processing/ handle precision electronics—made me rethink what real performance upgrades should look like.

 

You aren't going to see any significant difference in mileage nor any gains in the "butt dyno". Increased performance and better fuel economy are typically polar opposites. It's all snake oil.
Remember the "skip shift" that the MN6 cars shipped with (most have defeated this) was designed to improve fuel economy. If that's you goal, consider using that method.

 

They don’t do it anymore unfortunately, was planning to use them for mail order tune after putting on headers and LS6 intake, may just buy HP Tuners and try myself.