Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Duratec Performance Just say No to Chips

Hello everyone,
I took a little trip yesterday to highlandville, mo, me and my friend were intrested in what we would get from a superchip, or anyother chip out there, because at that shop there is one friggen kool dyno, Heres what he said to us, he said if you buy a chip for your car dont come back to my shop, because I dont like to see my customers waste their money, HE showed us all the print outs, on almost every car/truck(he even had a svt and a zetec contour) that put a chip on it lost 1-3 horse on the bottom end and gained 4-5 horse on top end, he said the only reason to buy one is if you want to lose your revlimter or govner of speed. He said if you want to spend that much money he told us to buy UDPulleys, or a new cam and cam gears.

I just thought I would pass this on to you CEG's, b/c I was really close to buying one, and a guy with a dyno that has done a lot of cars tells me not to Then I am not.


One more thing, I thought this was pretty cool, on average the cars/trucks with superchargers they only gained 40-50 horse, he said its not any where near what they clamied to be.

Thanks for you time, Nick

You can take this however you want, but I did belive him.

Nick

Hey Nick, any idea on if you or your group is coming to Iowa on the 14th? I'd like to try to plan on how many will be coming. Let me know. Either reply here, the post in the general forum or drop me an email.

Thanks,
Rick

Nick,

If you ever get to St. Louis give me a shout.

The chip is nailed pretty close by your friend. You may give up a little at the bottom end for some top end performance.

The only exception I would take with that is with an automatic transaxle. Since shifting is also computer controlled, the chip can give firmer shifts. So while that may not make any more power on the dyno, it will show up on the clock.

As far as the supercharger goes.

I saw with my own eyes what Sam's SVT did in KC, before it was tuned properly. He did 250HP at the wheels, which means about 290 at the crank. I think he's pulled even more now that some of the bugs were worked out.

For comparison. My 98 SVT E0 (Sam's was also a 98 E0), put down 159.x at the wheels so right on par for the 195 at the crank SVT advertises for the first SVT Contours.

But that is peak power.

The nice thing about the supercharger is the really flat torque curve. The power isn't brute force down low, but it builds up much faster, but manageable.

HTH

TB

Rick,
Has of right now I talked to the other SVT contour here, me and him are going, one or two mustangs and my car club is about 8 cars/one truck.

Nick

Back on topic of chips. THere might be some cars that the chip doesn't do anything for, and some they work great on. If you have a car with an electronically controlled transmission (Contour ATX) then I would highly recommend a chip. It should also do something for the spark management, etc.

What's to say this guys dyno was off? Any decent performance shops would acknowledge that a chip on a stock engine management computer is beneficial. At least in theory

No need to put a blanket statement that all chips are bad. 40-50 HP is nothing to scoff at on supercharged vehicles. That means something works.

hmm, funny...
I need the chip to properly run my car, without it my fuel system & timing won't work properly.

The thing with a chip is that it is a mod that should be used to enhance the performance w/ your existing modifications.
putting a chip on a stock car won't do a whole lot, but putting one on a modified car and having it calibrated for those mods then you will get your money's worth.

Also on your 40-50hp comment, I have a supercharger and I am dynoing approx 130HP more then stock...

my .02
-Mark

Bzzzzt, sounds like your dyno guy is off base here.

While it's true some have had problems with chips, the one in mine gives a wonderful boost down low. Dyno checked it too. Nice solid gains on hp and tq below 3500, with the two converging until peak, where I picked up 5hp from the chip and lost 1lb/ft of torque. I even hooked up the obd2 monitoring package and verified that it was indeed altering the timing over the stock values.

But....since you have a Zetec, I'd tell you to get one of those cheap headers instead. You'll prolly get comparable gains and be able to stick with cheap gas.

Dan Beggs
99 Cougar V6, loud

Sorry to dissapoint your "expert" but chips can make a huge difference.

Here is the before and after curves of my little Mondeo 2.0l zetec after a Unichip was added and dialled in



Nuff said I think.

Guys we have been over this too many times! Some cars benefit more. Period.

Actually, I could care less if I get a power increase when I get one, like tboner said, I think it is worth it just for the better shifts w/ the automatic.