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Ebay mod-chip truth?

Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2005 11:48 am
by steve-o
Just wondered how much truth is behind the gains advertised by many ebay items on mod-chips?

I'm referring to the ones that are basically a resistor put in line with the air temperature sensor to fool the ECU and advance ignition and fueling to compensate.

How real are the gains by doing a mod like this with an induction kit?

I realise this isnt the same as chipping and understand advancing fuel and ignition slightly will not make my pants set alight, but has anyone tried it and does it work? More to the point, is there any risk of engine damage with pro longed use?

If it works, would anyone mind letting me know what value resistor to use and where to put it, so I can save myself a fiver or whatever they go for on ebay!

Cheers.
Steve

Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2005 11:57 am
by fluke
Do you know what bore wash is ??????

Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2005 12:06 pm
by dreaddan
Being alittle more diplomatic (even if I cant spell it) than fluke.

I'm not 100% if any one has tryed it but it's pritty obious what the effects will be.
This topic seams to rear it's ugly head every month or so with the same question being asked.

But the answer is basicly, yes you will get a small peformance boost, and yes you will damage your engine.

Dan

Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2005 1:46 pm
by SubCat001
Being less diplomatic than Dreadan :P

They are a complete waste of money. Throwing a load of extra fuel in wont make for any increase in performance, ultimately it will wash the bores of lubricant and they will wear.

Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2005 4:50 pm
by mach1rob
Being the least diplomatic than everyone

They're CRAP! Anyone who buys one needs their heads looking at. Just do it the free way, next time you top oil up, just put some sand in with it, it'll knacker your engine same as the 'chip' but it'll save you the £5 sorted :wink:

Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2005 5:21 pm
by Fordimus Prime
Dont mean to sound patronising, but im always surprised that a lot of people think you can get performance gains for not much money- if you can easily get more power from a resistor, then surely the manufactorer, who has spend billions developing the car, would have thought of it?

Most cheap mods dont 'add' power, then just remove compromises than were put in place for emmisions and other reasons. A funky exhuast, decat pipe and decent filter dont 'add' power per se, they just let engine work as it should. Catalytic converter, standard air box that car is made with are compromises- sacraficing a little power for emmisions and noise regulations.

Hope that didnt sound like a dig, im just grumpy cos ive been re-lapping valves all day.

But like the guys said- dont do it! will destroy engine!

On a technical note, more fuel wont really equal more power- theres a balance of air and fuel. adding more air i believe actually makes the 'bang' hotter, too much fuel and it wont fire at all. It all about air to fuel ratio, not just as simple as pumping in more fuel. Turbo cars produce more power because they pump not just more fuel in, but lots more air too.

Addig a resistor that pumps more fuel in will mean lots of unburnt fuel washing the bores of their oil, which means they will wear and destroy your engine. And with the price of petrol as it is, will also cost your wallet more in fuel consumption!

Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2005 10:56 pm
by gta
I spotted one of these on ebay,
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... otohosting

but it doesnt mention the mk2 200 specifically, is this also capable of automatic ignition advance?

I accept that it would cause bore wash and other problems but Iam interested for other reasons

Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2005 10:58 pm
by fluke
Right to clarify.
It is a 6 pence resistor in a 50 pence box.
It gives the same affect as having the choke on.
It fools the ECU into thinking A, Its getting cold air, or B, The engine is still cold.

Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2005 5:26 pm
by weirdjam
^^^^^^^^^
what they said. :P