Questions regarding ECUs and "speed chips"

[nist7]

Do ECUs need to be replaced after a certain amount of time?

What are "speed chips" ? How do they work? Can they cause harm to the ECU and/or the engine?

[GlassWolf]

an ECU doesn't generally go bad.
they will need to be reprogrammed for changes to the cam, fuel/air flow, etc.
the reprogramming essentially changes fuel air mix, shift points, and so forth to shift the engine from economy to performance timings.
they generally add horsepower and torque and sometimes even improve gas mileage at the same time.

[ridr4lif]

The "speed chips" you are talking about leave a "footprint" on some (maybe all ecu's). So if you dont want the dealer to know you had a chip on your car and u take it out, they can still see that you had one and void your warranty (if the car is in for work).

But yes, kiki is right. ECU's dont go bad (usually) and performance chips do add performance and can give u better milage.

[nist7]

sweetness :thumbsup

Warranty don't matter since I got a 10 year old car.

[ridr4lif]

Oh your in the clear then. Chip it up!!!

TEDD

[Darthness]

the problem with ECU chips is that some times kids with hondas think they're going to see a 300hp increase.

[GlassWolf]

yeah. you'd be lucky if ya get 250HP gain from just the chip
you need a CAI and a fart can, too if ya wanna get 300HP over stock in a Honda, man.

[Jonathan]

Don't forget a rear spoiler and underbody aerodynamics kit. If you get a custom billet underbody kit with a Type R logo engraved you could crack a 400hp gain at the wheels.

[William from NOLA]

lol

Actually, one of the largest gains I've seen is the chip for the VW/Audi 1.8T motor. 180HP stock, ~215HP chipped with no mods.

http://www.goapr.com/Audi/products/ecu_upgrade_8ea418t.html

[GlassWolf]

35HP. That's a gain of ~16%

probably do a lot more too by adding a CAI, exhaust, and new intercooler. Then drop in a larger turbo and program the ECU accordingly. new big brakes and suspension work, larger rims with lower profile tires and wider rubber for more contact area and to clear the brakes. The car would perform pretty well on a track, but you'd be spending a lot of money to pull that off.

[Dragon_fire]

99-02 accord v6 gains about 10 hps w/ a chip , exhaust and intake. not very impressive for 1k down the drain. Of course it sounds like its sucking air through a coffee stirrer and farting it out a megaphone. You would probably see a little more throttle response as well, but for that money the gains are indeed pathetic.

[GlassWolf]

blow another $500 and add "NOSS" man! a fifty-shot would blow away that Hemi dragster!!!

[Dragon_fire]

God bless the fast and the furious.

[Jonathan]

American cars typically get more out of ECUS because of the regulations put on them by the government, you can typically get a 8-10% power increase with many American cars because they're so choked down to begin with, plus the chips are cheaper. Then of course you can get more if you improve the exhaust (ESPECIALLY getting rid of cats) and intake. Basically it boils down to how tightly regulated the cars were, an aftermarket ECU upgrade optimizes fuel and timing tables, and with that comes better fuel mileage in the process assuming you can hold back the temptation to try out the power increase it gives. With cars like Hondas, they've pushed their small motors to near the maximum capabilities to begin with, you aren't going to see huge gains out of those cars without boost. They also aren't under tight regulation because their line of vehicles doesn't include large trucks and large SUVS, the EPA sets goals for a manufacturer based on the average fuel mileage across the entire line of vehicles instead of just a specific car.

[Darthness]

Don't forget a rear spoiler and underbody aerodynamics kit. If you get a custom billet underbody kit with a Type R logo engraved you could crack a 400hp gain at the wheels.
You know i saw a honda with a Type-R badge instead of honda on the back.. it was a late 80s-mid 90s accord i think.

it had a fart can and everything. i about spat my drink all over my windshield :))