mark adams chip

[ssc1]

so what is this mark adams rechip for the chimaera , having heard alot about it . i have a standard 4.0 pre serp engine in my 94 chim and was wondering exactly what having it rechipped would do , does it increase the bhp or does it just move the power band and does it involve remapping the ecu control.....

[shpub]

Yes all of that. See the bible for details. www.t-v-r-services.co.uk have some before and after stuff in the engine upgrades and search the archives and you will see plenty of info.

[GreenV8S]

You would need to talk to Mark to get the full story about the difference between these chips and the original ones. My experience has been that they improve peak torque and power slightly, but improve throttle response and driveability enormously. I think Mark has already got maps for most standard engine specs, but for non-standard ones like mine it involves a session on the rollers to optimise it.

[CraigAlsop]

Just do it. I think you'll like it

[dannyboyo]

HERE is what it did to my car when the previous owner fitted a MA chip. A 31bhp increase and alot smoother to.

Get one, even if it's just for the sake of making your chimaera easier to drive in slow traffic!!

Edited to say, it's the article on the right side of the page i've linked to

>> Edited by dannyboyo on Wednesday 9th July 22:36

[tvrred]

I have recently had my 4.0L chipped by Mark Adams and tuned on the rolling road. It was a great day, interesting to watch and Mark talks you through every stage. I ended up with similar Power/torque increases and power figures to the previous post. Mark said the Standard Landrover chip was strangling the engine above 5,000 rpm and that it was real screamer and wanted to go. So unusually he moved the rev limit up to 6,700, remapped it and it absolutely flies. Peak power come in at 5,655 and power and torque hang on well past 6,000 (although I'm kind enough to the engine not to use it!)

One thing not often mentioned is that Mark gives the car a 2 hour diagnostic and gets the car running as good as possible before doing a pre chip power run (this found a few current and potential future problems which were corrected). Only then does he recommend if he could do better by a rechip.

Do it, its a great experience (especially if you sit in boot the hold the back wheels down at an indicated 135mph in 4th on the dyno!!!)

[Bassfiend]

Sounds good ... any rough idea of cost?

Phil

[tvrred]

I havn't got the invoice to hand. Cost would be around £600-800 including rolling road costs (which I think were £200 plus of this total. Cost depends on how long it takes, especially if things need correcting.

[N17 TVR]

tvrred said:

I have recently had my 4.0L chipped by Mark Adams and tuned on the rolling road. It was a great day, interesting to watch and Mark talks you through every stage. I ended up with similar Power/torque increases and power figures to the previous post. Mark said the Standard Landrover chip was strangling the engine above 5,000 rpm and that it was real screamer and wanted to go. So unusually he moved the rev limit up to 6,700, remapped it and it absolutely flies. Peak power come in at 5,655 and power and torque hang on well past 6,000 (although I'm kind enough to the engine not to use it!) One thing not often mentioned is that Mark gives the car a 2 hour diagnostic and gets the car running as good as possible before doing a pre chip power run (this found a few current and potential future problems which were corrected). Only then does he recommend if he could do better by a rechip. Do it, its a great experience (especially if you sit in boot the hold the back wheels down at an indicated 135mph in 4th on the dyno!!!)

In the words of the song "I second that emotion"

Total cost (rolling road time, new chip, Marks time + the odd small part) was £780

It felt like a drove away a new car.

Mark is a really nice, customer focused bloke, give him a call !!!

[bouffy]

once re-chipped, presumbaly one ought to inform one's insurance company (seeing as it may increase bhp and performance)?

Assuming that previous re-chippers have done this how much does it affect your premium, if at all?

Bouffy

>> Edited by bouffy on Thursday 10th July 17:20

[2 sheds]

When approaching the insurance company its worth pointing out the these chips are not engine upgrades, they are designed to offer the correct amount of fuel and there fore get the best from the engine and generally smooth out the torque curve, its true that some cars will see a large increase in power but thats because the fuelling needed attention .
Basically All Rover engine'd TVRs would benefit from the Tornado, and the insurance shouldn't go up , but always tell them.
Tim

[Bassfiend]

Be interesting to see what would happen if you unknowingly bought a car - say from a dealer - which had been chipped but you weren't informed about it.

I'm sure the dealers don't dismantle the ECU's to see if they've been modified.

Could be a nightmare!!!

:-(

Phil

[2 sheds]

Bassfiend said:

Be interesting to see what would happen if you unknowingly bought a car - say from a dealer - which had been chipped but you weren't informed about it. I'm sure the dealers don't dismantle the ECU's to see if they've been modified. Could be a nightmare!!! :-( Phil

Except that there should be paperwork in the cars history , people tend to cherish the rolling road graph and file it.
But if you did unknowingly buy a car with a chip and there was an insurance investigation, it would be easy to establish when the chip was fitted.
Tim

[Neil Hyde]

Tim ,
As you know the Wedge will be on the rolling road with Mark next week , have informed Direct Line , and no increase in premium

ONE WEEK TO GO

[tvrforever]

Guys,

Well an update on my Chimaera 4.0 - I spent yesterday with Mark Adams & Iain Coin @ Power Engineering in Uxbridge. The plan being to test the car before, then fit ACT's carbon trumpets and have Mark re map the ECU and do a post run.

The first step was a 'before' power run which showed a nice 213bhp but Mark's diags showed some pinking and running lean.

So open car up and remove Plenum and fuel rails along with ingectors to check all ok. Off upstairs to the diag area and we find 4 suspect injectors (2 wibblers & 2 squirters to use the guys fav phrases). After various cleaning sessions the other 4 had all improved but it required 4 new injectors. It should be said the both Mark & Iain's attention to detail here was amazing.

Then back downstairs re-fit injectors, fit Tim's lovely carbon trumpets (nothing like the look of carbo is there - pitty there isn't a transparent plenum available). Screw it all back down and another quick test.

Next Mark attached all his gizmos to the ECU and the mapping started with various power runs & tests. The timing was checked and adjusted, the throttle pots adjusted and the car re-mapped.

We started at 11:15 and finished at 19:15 (not all on me as lunch hours etc) so yes it was a long & noisey day and I feel sorry for Pete who was then next car on to raod after me...

The end story shows a final BHP of 217 (we'd moved to their other rollers which show 4 bhp less - so as a comparison to the start 213 this would actually read 221) - an 8bhp gain. However this is really only 30% of the story - the car revs so freely now it's beautiful - the needle spins around the dial so fast its great to watch and listen.

I can't say more than it was a pleasure to spend time with two individuals who are so knowledgeable, passionate and detailed about their work. Yes it wasn't cheap, but the experience, improved grace and driveability of the car is well worth it.

Many thanks to Tim @ ACT, Iain @ Power Engineering and Mark Adams - without doubt all 'top blokes'.

Ian

[Trefor]

Great news. How was the torque? That's what wins races after all ;-)

T/.

[2 sheds]

Cheers Ian,
Glad you had a good result, the increase is about average, assuming the car is healthy to start with which yours obviously was.
Tim

[tvrforever]

Trefor said:

Great news. How was the torque? That's what wins races after all ;-) T/.

I got 228lbps torque in a lovely flat line

[tvrforever]

2 sheds said:

Cheers Ian, Glad you had a good result, the increase is about average, assuming the car is healthy to start with which yours obviously was. Tim

Tim,

Thanks - I got some before & after pics of the trumpets if you'd like? They look lovely it's just a pity you can't see them when driving! Oh and I left the previous trumpets with Mark / Power Eng to pass on to you (sorry I forgot them as I was leaving) - hope that was ok?

Mark thinks they really made a difference re the torque & power curves keeping them 'hanging on' much further.

The car sounds 'angry' now - it's got a lovely bark & rasp to the note, even Nickie has commented

Off to enjoy it in the sunshine now...

>> Edited by tvrforever on Sunday 3rd August 11:41