Hello, is getting a high performance chip the same as geting a tuner? and is a chip worth getting

 

Nope, and replaceable chips have not been available for 12+ years. Depending on what mods you make to your car, a mail order tune can be done by sending in your PCM. Handheld tuners won't accomplish much, but are handy for shift points, fan settings, etc.

 

 

The programming on the PCM of a C5 can be changed or "tuned". This is necessary when the engine is modified (for example, headers or a heads/cam combo or forced induction, etc.) because the PCM controls the fuel/air ratios and the ignition timing, among other things. The programming will need to be changed to match any new modifications to get the full potential hp.

Tuning the PCM with a stock engine can sometimes give a small hp gain but usually is not done without other modifications because the hp gain per dollar spent on professional dyno tuner is usually not worth it.

As far as a "chip" goes, I've never heard of anyone putting a chip in a C5.

 

so the $80.00 performance chip i see for sale on corvette website, are a negative correct.. They advertise performance up to 50 HP and 3-4 gallons improvement on you vehicle

 

sounds bogus to me

 

You can't replace a chip in a C5. You can download a new program (tune) but the only way to replace a chip is to replace the complete PCM. Replacing chips is an 80s thing.

Bill

 

There are people selling chips .....
I just googled C5 performance chips and this is from one of the sites that came up... the name was changed to XXX to keep the thread from getting locked ....

It sounds like they try and adjust what the PCM is doing by overriding it.... I am not a tuning guru so can't comment, but it seems to me that the stock tune and this black box would be working against each other. I wouldn't buy one since my Vette is not 100% stock and this black box has no way to know that.



Welcome to XXXmotorsports.com! We have been the leader in manufacturing performance chips and gas saving chips since 1993. We began creating performance chips to enhance the power in cars, trucks, and SUV’s. The XXX Performance chip works by constantly adjusting your fuel curves based on several variables. Each chip is built exactly for your model of vehicle to enhance performance, smoothness and overall drivability. So how does the XXX chip work?

Each engine runs off of a different ECU or PCM. The ECU or PCM is the computer of the vehicle. Each ECU has different software or information telling the vehicle how to run properly. We have studied each ECU and found the different variables and have applied these variables into files with the differences. These differences are only simple adjustments for each ECU. We then compile each file onto the XXX Performance chip. The XXX Performance chip then contains 1-30 files depending on which type of vehicle you have.

When the XXX chip is connected to your vehicle, the first process that occurs is the chip recognizing the type of ECU. Once the type of ECU has been recognized, the XXX chip will then use the settings for that exact ECU that are stored on the chip. Our settings will then adjust depending on type of fuel used, ambient temperature, engine timing and driving style. The XXX chip will run on a different setting each time a different fuel type is being used. The XXX chip will only work on fuel injected vehicles. Fuel injected vehicles run on sensors that are necessary to make the engine run properly. Every fuel-injected vehicle runs off of an oxygen sensor or a series of oxygen sensors. Oxygen sensors tell the ECU or computer of the vehicle, if the vehicle is running rich, stoich or lean. When a vehicle is running too rich, it is wasting fuel and sacrificing HP and MPG.

When a vehicle is running at stoichometric levels, the engine is running at its most efficient state. It will be creating the maximum amount of HP without sacrificing the amount of fuel being used. When an engine is running lean, the engine could be damaged and is being starved of fuel. As the oxygen sensors send back their reading, they will tell the ECU the condition that the engine is running at. The XXX chip then adjusts depending on the signal received from the oxygen sensors. The XXX chip constantly adjusts to help your vehicle constantly stay tuned at stoichometric levels. So here’s the real question, why would vehicle manufacturers put a bad tune on each ECU that they build? Each manufacturer builds and constructs a vehicle to create the maximum HP and MPG at any given RPM for marketing and sale purposes.

 

cvprepboy

This TUNING Process sounds simple and confusing at the same time. I was confused when i was first introduced to C5.

I will try to help you understand the process. The PCM (Power Train Control Module) Uses a flash memory to maintain its tune. To correctly change the tune parameters, you need to interface the PCM with one of the aftermarket tuning packages. Two of the most common ones are:

EFI Live
HP Tuners

Each of the above tuning packages allows you to data log the engine and see in real time all of the data. It allows you to adjust things like timing, Volume metric Efficiency, Air Fuel ratios in open loop mode and in close loop, trans shift points,,,I could go on for an hour..............

Don't be scammed on inexpensive scams. If they really worked, EVERYONE here would have one. Most of them trick the PCM into thinking its seeing something it really doesn't. There was one person that was selling a Intake Air Temp sensor mod that was suppose to ad 15 HP. It was something like $30. It was nothing more than a wiring harness extension with a 20 cent resistor in it.

If you want to have your car properly tuned, you going to need to send the PCM to one of the reputable tuners, take your car to one or learn to do it your self and purchase a tuning package.

Do all the mods that you can afford at one time and then have it tuned. You will be a lot happier.

Goggle each and you can see what they consist of and how much they are. There expensive BUT, they can change almost everything in the PCM. The drawback of complicated tuning soft ware is that learning what to change is challenging and if not done correctly, you will loose HP and could damage your engine/power train.

I personally have EFI Live V2. I'm not very good at tuning but,,,have friends that are. We trade C5 favors and parts for tuning favors.

The hand held tuners are good for minor changes and do more to a C5 if your car has an automatic. If your car is a manual tranny, it has very limited capabilities.

BC

 

Well said..!!

Imagine that, Bill Curlee knows what he's talking about....

 

Bill Curlee has saved me a lot of money in the past and even more headaches. If I ever make it to Gales Ferry CT his beer tab is on me.

 

I have a 2008 LS3. There is a huge difference with this stage 3 performance chip. The throttle response, the hp, the torque....all are much higher at the lower rpm's. The engine sounds a lot meatier too at the lower rpm's. I also have a CAI and a larger throttle body. The chip tunes your car and makes adjustments to any modification. This chip is worth it's weight in gold. It's like a minnie supercharger. My 0-60 has gone from 4.2 to 3.6. I use the stage 3 from chipyourcar. I highly recommend it....you won't be dissapointed.

 

That's nothing! I Gots teh Stage 9 chips and got ******* blasted to the moon! IT'S REALLY MADE OF CHEESE!!!

 

 

where did you work again?
were you a ship chiller? or a chip shiller?

...being your first post and all...

 

Yaa, another 9 year old post dug up

 

I was skeptical but went ahead and purchased the latest one, no obd port needed you just plug this newest version into your cigarette lighter socket, works with carbureted cars also, only problem was it gave me 30rwhp to the passenger rear wheel and 40 to the drivers wheel and it snapped my diff in half 😂 no more chips for me lol 😂

 

Where are you guys getting all these performance chips? I went to Safeway and the best chips they had there were the Kettle brand. I really like their honey mustard flavor, but the korean barbecue is excellent too. The jalapeno tastes great, but when I put it in my car it complains about overheating. I guess if they built it in Mexico instead of Bowling Green it woulda been okay but I'm still not getting any horsepower gains.

 

That's the one I was looking at. It really made a difference in your car?