Right, I've seen the Superchips website; it seems reasonable, and there are two agents not too far away. Reprogramming the computer seems to me to be quite plausibly a good thing, for a Jap import particularly running under UK conditions, but I do not want to spend good money just to blow up Toad!
Please, can anybody give a report or an informed opinion, good or bad?
(I think I am marginally on topic this time.)
Regards, Tomo
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What effect are you looking for ?
Not a stupid question as there are economy, acceleration, lack of flat spots, "driveability" etc.
I had a BMW chipped once. Can't say it did overmuch for the performance, maybe a little for economy, but the car was much more pleasant to drive with no flat spots or sudden take off points.
Don't think I'd do it for out and out performance.
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I'd be interested to hear from anyone who has 'chipped' a turbodiesel, according to the marketing you get both performance and economy but surely you can't get both at the same time? I was considering chipping our Sharan 110bhp Tdi when the VW warranty expires in June, principally to give it more grunt when loaded. Superchips claim an increase to 140bhp with increased torque and economy, are their longer term implications regarding engine life expectancy?
Rob S
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Tomo
I've read plenty of reports in Diesel Car about chipping modern DI diesels, and all seem to be favourable.
Interestingly, they made a case for not paying the extra £1500 odd for a Cit/Pug 110 bhp model (with intercooler) because chipping a 90bhp engine (without intercooler) produces the same power and torque for about £470. Hm.
Ian
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REMEMBER THAT IF YOU CHIP A CAR AND DON'T TELL YOUR INSURER YOU WILL ONLY BE COVERED FOR THIRD PARTY RISKS, IF THAT (MARK, BRAZIL WILL CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG). IF YOU DO DECLARE THE MOD, YOUR INSURER MAY CURTAIL COVER OR MAY HIT YOU WITH A MASSIVE INCREASE. ONE READER WAS ASKED FOR AN EXTRA £1,000 FOR A 10BHP BOOST.
HJ
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The increase in premium for such a modest boost seems ridiculous, but by chipping you have proved to the insurer that you're the press-on rather than the Pussyfooting type.
[I wish I was a dog so I could eat Ian (Cape Town)'s home made biscuits]
<@O¬
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I think I've changed my mind.....................
Rob S
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So you admit insurance is a racket?
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oh no, you're right...
Tell them and they may refuse cover or increase your premium - could be a lot.
Don't tell them and in the event of an incident the Insurer will cover the legally required minimum, essentially TPO, and recover their losses from you.
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So you want to chip the car to reduce performance?
What kind of car is it? Maybe I can point you in the right direction.
Most folks running early jap imports which want 100 RON (and don't have an adaptive ECU) do ok on super unleaded. Some keep a bottle of octane booster handy incase of a normal unleaded emergency.
Btw all chipping most turbo cars does is increase the boost, or hotwires it so more boost is produced. Bye bye warranty.
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Japanese MKIV Supra, nominally 1995 but with the 17" wheels and 320 mm brakes of the 1996 upgrade.
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I recommend Superchips with fish for supper, excellent after 10 pints of Theakstons Old Peculiar ;-)
Eleanor
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mmm....fish....
best with Cat's Pee Sauvignon.
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Or Mad Fish (Strine) really!
Anyway, thanks for all the comments - even the seemingly slightly hostile one.
I would not do more than bring seemingly slightly anaemic Jap spec nearer UK (yes, I have the big brakes.)
My inquiries will include whether anything different can be seen under the bonnet. I shall pursue on the MKIV site which I have found.
Cheers, Tomo
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Aren't turbo diesels purposfully under-engineered due to the differing qualities of diesel around Europe? Apparently if you keep your car in Western Europe where the diesel is purer (than say the Balcans) you could be able to do a chip safely - whether your gearbox could stand the strain is another question.
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Tomo - the mk 4 supra does adapt to nasty unleaded but it would run smoother on better fuel.
Check out www.supraforums.com/
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I have driven a superchipped Focus tdi, which went superbly, apart from a slight unevenness in one gear, over about 200rpm, and at only one throttle opening (ie it was rarely noticeable, and felt like driving over about 5 rumble strips).
Fuel consumption was about the same as the un-chipped, provided one kept in the 1000-3000rpm range, which was quite practical due to the greatly enhanced low/mid-range torque.
What was MOST impressive was the top gear acceleration from about 50 upwards - whoosh! I was sad to have to give it back!
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