Do performance chips really work?

[MasterC]

Maybe you should ditch the auto and get a manual. Autos+small cars=baaaaad.

I'd do that, but I've never driven a manual. One of my friends has a manual that I tried to drive once and failed miserably. :(

well, if you're willing you can drop a used 1.8 L 113 hp I4 motor in it...I think you can still get those at junk yards...

if its just to get around that should be fine right? :)

Source

Any idea how much that would cost? I know swaps are kind of expensive, but I have no idea how they actually cost.

[Scazza]

Im glad some one asked this (sorry to semi highjack) but I was looking in to "chipping" my 2001 Plate VW Golf GTTDI (110BHP), looking at prices I am looking at ?350 for one but would really like to know what performance changes I would see, as I think it will give me about 30 - 40BHP increase.

[popsmear]

Im glad some one asked this (sorry to semi highjack) but I was looking in to "chipping" my 2001 Plate VW Golf GTTDI (110BHP), looking at prices I am looking at ?350 for one but would really like to know what performance changes I would see, as I think it will give me about 30 - 40BHP increase.

This will give you much better results: http://forums.vwvortex.com/

[popsmear]

I'd do that, but I've never driven a manual. One of my friends has a manual that I tried to drive once and failed miserably. :(

Any idea how much that would cost? I know swaps are kind of expensive, but I have no idea how they actually cost.

If you can't do it all yourself, it would cost more than a better car platform. However. If you are really serious about it do some googling on the 4G63. Here is a small article about "JDM Power" with some swap tips

http://www.turbomagazine.com/tech/0303tur_...icks/index.html

The engine alone will cost $1300++++ depending on age, condition and ect. It is basically a drop in swap but you would want to do reliability mods before hand to ensure the engine does not blow your crap.

That would include:

SS Brake lines

New Rotors and Pads (better ones)

Shocks

Good tires

Turbo Boost Gauge

etc....

you are looking at at least 3-4k to do this properly. If you simply just swap the engine, it is going to give you more trouble than its worth.

Edited October 6, 2007 by popsmear

[Konstanov]

My Big Block 454 is laughing at you right now. You too Dar.

[MiG-]

Some chips can do WONDERS for a car. These cars are Subaru's, certain VW's, Audi's and other high performance cars.

With your car the ONLY thing you can do is get a different car. Be happy with what you have for now and save for something better.

Please do not waste any money on modding your current car. Honestly you will not be pleased with any results and it will only hurt the resale value. 92HP is nothing. You are not going to squeeze anything out of that other than a ton of cash.

Save up for a cheap, manual car. What you could buy depends a lot on your budget.

A Probe GT or old Fox Body would be very cheap and much better for what you are looking for. If imports is your thing go for a 2nd or 3rd Gen eclipse or even a turbo Plymouth laser. A honda, while fun to rice, just makes you look like a douche bag.

Most of which aren't a chip and a Remap in a box that you plug into the car, flash the ECU, and bam. Most of the ?3 Ebay chips are just resistors to affect the a/r ratio, which with most modern ECU's, will be fixed appropriately anyway, meaning it does nothing.

And its not just chipping the car, I hate when most people call it that. Its better known as a stage 1 tune, with stage 2 usually being a stage 1 remap plus hardware such as a air filter and exhaust, with stage3+ being different hadware and then if big numbers are to be achieved, custom hardware and custom stages usually made by Big tuning companies associated with that brand, such as BSR for Saab's.

Most new turbo cars will gain an easy 20bhp from a quick remap. Some cars just love a remap.

Example:

http://sv.bsrab.se/products/t1205/

An extra 40bhp and 56Nm of Torque just on a Stage 1 Tune.

giving a total of 220bhp and 330Nm of Torque from a 2.0l 4cyl with a small turbo.

[goodcase]

Would that work even though my car's an automatic?

You know how it goes

"P N R D 3 2 1" or "2 1" put it in 2 or 3 if you have it. It will stay in 3rd or 2nd gear the entire time going up the hill, just dont rev to high.

[MasterC]

If you can't do it all yourself, it would cost more than a better car platform. However. If you are really serious about it do some googling on the 4G63. Here is a small article about "JDM Power" with some swap tips

http://www.turbomagazine.com/tech/0303tur_...icks/index.html

The engine alone will cost $1300++++ depending on age, condition and ect. It is basically a drop in swap but you would want to do reliability mods before hand to ensure the engine does not blow your crap.

That would include:

SS Brake lines

New Rotors and Pads (better ones)

Shocks

Good tires

Turbo Boost Gauge

etc....

you are looking at at least 3-4k to do this properly. If you simply just swap the engine, it is going to give you more trouble than its worth.

That actually wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, and it's definitely something to think about. Does the engine come turbo charged? I was reading about it and it seems that there's two versions- the 4G63 and the 4G63T, although the turbo version is sometimes called just 4G63.

[Jacob2002]

If you want a cheap car that can preform and look good get a mercury cougar or a Pontiac Grand Prix gt tho honestly my cougar can beat a gtp that makes 240 horsepower mines barely modded just a short ram Intake and rosch injectors and upgraded brake system and suspension and I mean like it’s just up to you but it sounds like you just need a new car honestly civics are good and reliable so that’s a good idea just don’t try and upgrade something without potential 

###### this thread is old af I wasted my time typing 

[Jim K Global Moderator]

Please don't bump old threads...especially 12 year old ones.

 

//locked