"Chipping - whats the downside?
Discussion
wong said:
"Chipping" has become a popoular modification to modern cars. A few hundred quid will promise more power and torque with minimal economy penalty. So, why do the manufacturers not do it ?
Engine longevity is the only downside I can think of. Any others?
We need a sticky for this.... Engine longevity is the only downside I can think of. Any others?
It's obvious:
1. Emissions
2. Type Approval
3. Stanadardised tune for mass/world markets and varying fuel qualities and octane levels
4. Comprehensive Warranties over potentially hundreds of thousands of individual cars
5. They do! That is how some models vary in HP levels
6. They also do at dealers as this avoids Type Approval issues
Its probably down to what car you chip
Not sure I would chip a high performance motor but I bought an 80euro box for a Megane 1.5dci years ago and it worked a treat
the missus doesn't see the point of these things but even she commented on the difference when I took it off to sell the car
had the car a couple of years from almost new, I never noticed any problems at all
Not sure I would chip a high performance motor but I bought an 80euro box for a Megane 1.5dci years ago and it worked a treat
the missus doesn't see the point of these things but even she commented on the difference when I took it off to sell the car
had the car a couple of years from almost new, I never noticed any problems at all
300bhp/ton said:
We need a sticky for this....
It's obvious:
1. Emissions
2. Type Approval
3. Stanadardised tune for mass/world markets and varying fuel qualities and octane levels
4. Comprehensive Warranties over potentially hundreds of thousands of individual cars
5. They do! That is how some models vary in HP levels
6. They also do at dealers as this avoids Type Approval issues
This is it, though different markets would ordinarily have their own market-specific tune.It's obvious:
1. Emissions
2. Type Approval
3. Stanadardised tune for mass/world markets and varying fuel qualities and octane levels
4. Comprehensive Warranties over potentially hundreds of thousands of individual cars
5. They do! That is how some models vary in HP levels
6. They also do at dealers as this avoids Type Approval issues
If you're happy to go outside the parameters the manufacturer has determined are acceptable for that model in that market then knock yourself out. It isn't a finger in the air exercise though - there will be reasons why they have arrived at that tune.
randomwalk said:
My bro chipped a 300zx and it blew a piston not long after, quite a big engine rebuild was required.
Ive chipped 2 cars and never had a problem.A 2001 Golf GTI 1.8T and a 2005 Skoda Fabia VRS.
Maybe the fact 300ZX's are about 20 years old, most are thrashed and abused.
It will reduce the engine longtivity, but say an engine may last 200000 miles, you may only get 175000 miles it wont instantly blow it up unless there are underlying problems or its not done properly.
otolith said:
wong said:
So, why do the manufacturers not do it ?
Because they have to get the car through stringent emissions testing, and an aftermarket tuner doesn't.Chipping is very dependent on the vehicle involved; some will really benefit from it but for others it's just a waste of fuel and
is damaging.
And the testers thought about manufacturers trying to get round it by remapping during testing & then providing a simple fix after sale.
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?...
2. The use of defeat devices that reduce the effectiveness of emission control systems shall be prohibited. The prohibition shall not apply where:
(a) the need for the device is justified in terms of protecting the engine against damage or accident and for safe operation of the vehicle;
( b ) the device does not function beyond the requirements of engine starting;
or
( c ) the conditions are substantially included in the test procedures for verifying evaporative emissions and average tailpipe emissions.
10. "defeat device" means any element of design which senses temperature, vehicle speed, engine speed (RPM), transmission gear, manifold vacuum or any other parameter for the purpose of activating, modulating, delaying or deactivating the operation of any part of the emission control system, that reduces the effectiveness of the emission control system under conditions which may reasonably be expected to be encountered in normal vehicle operation and use;
is damaging.
And the testers thought about manufacturers trying to get round it by remapping during testing & then providing a simple fix after sale.
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?...
2. The use of defeat devices that reduce the effectiveness of emission control systems shall be prohibited. The prohibition shall not apply where:
(a) the need for the device is justified in terms of protecting the engine against damage or accident and for safe operation of the vehicle;
( b ) the device does not function beyond the requirements of engine starting;
or
( c ) the conditions are substantially included in the test procedures for verifying evaporative emissions and average tailpipe emissions.
10. "defeat device" means any element of design which senses temperature, vehicle speed, engine speed (RPM), transmission gear, manifold vacuum or any other parameter for the purpose of activating, modulating, delaying or deactivating the operation of any part of the emission control system, that reduces the effectiveness of the emission control system under conditions which may reasonably be expected to be encountered in normal vehicle operation and use;
Edited by tercelgold on Sunday 29th May 21:56
Never mind the engine, gearboxes are very sensitive to the maximum torque put through them - especially auto's.
If you chip a car for more grunt and then don't use it for anything except boasting at the pub (i.e. most common) - no worries. But if you go jumping about on the throttle pedal all the time there's a fair chance of significantly reducing the life of some very expensive bits!
If you chip a car for more grunt and then don't use it for anything except boasting at the pub (i.e. most common) - no worries. But if you go jumping about on the throttle pedal all the time there's a fair chance of significantly reducing the life of some very expensive bits!
Would it hypothetically be possible to fit 2 chips, one for economy and engine longeivity, one for performance? The economy one would normally be used, and when you want to accelerate hard it could switch over automatically to the performance one and back again when you no longer need the power.
purplepolarbear said:
Would it hypothetically be possible to fit 2 chips, one for economy and engine longeivity, one for performance? The economy one would normally be used, and when you want to accelerate hard it could switch over automatically to the performance one and back again when you no longer need the power.
Thats called a throttle and having VVTi. purplepolarbear said:
Would it hypothetically be possible to fit 2 chips, one for economy and engine longeivity, one for performance? The economy one would normally be used, and when you want to accelerate hard it could switch over automatically to the performance one and back again when you no longer need the power.
You mean like an economy setting and sports setting that some BMWs have had since the 80's?Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff