Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Zetec Performance chip hp and torque gain

First off, a dyno tuned chip should be the LAST step of tuning.
Its about making everything work togther to its max capability.
If your using it as a step in the process, do not dyno tune it, jus tuse an "off the shelf".

Considering the wide range of possible mod combinations, ECU codes, and factory tolerences, it would be very hard to tune for every case.
Its a trade-off, you "generaly" tune to a number of combonations that can be tailored to an ECU code.
Can certain extra features be programmed into gain power that don't need dyno tuning? Of course.
Is SCT a very good option? Yes.

If it was possible to tune a car without a dyno so well, everybody would do it.
Simple fact is two cars, with the same mods, can and will dyno differently.
You can even swap the ECUs and they'll still dyno different.

I agree but dyno tuned and what you call "off the shelf" tuning is usually just a difference of 1-2hp.

Not worth it to me to pay a dyno operator $150 an hr for 1-2 extra ponies.


If you have aggressive mods like a ported head, turbo or SC, then I would defintely recommmend dyno tuning over a mail order chip.

FWIW:
Dyno tuned and "off the shelf" (as you call it) have much more difference, other than the 1-2 hp gain.

it is .. TUNED (get that.. wow!) for safety to run at those power levels EFFECTIVELY, and without being too lean, etc.

Ray

I don't disagree that a dyno tuned chip is the best way to go but I have yet to hear of an engine blowing up because of a main order chip running lean in the power band.

There's been thousands of chips sold and I haven't heard 1 story in 5 years on these car forums of anyone blowing a motor because of a mail order chip.

Technology in tuning has evolved and tuners have learned a lot. Heck, even SCT now makes trips to shops around the country to educate people on the correct methods of tuning.
The SCT engineer is no hack either. He use to work for Ford from what I've read about him.

If you got the money and time to spend for a chip for a car/engine with bolt on's, have at it.

The majority of the people who buy chips just have bolt-ons and never even get to head jobs(no pun intended), all-motor build up or induction.
When you get those kinds of mods, you better be getting the engine tuned or you are asking for trouble.

While I wasn't infering that you didn't know this fact.. I was stating this for the future users who may have read your statement, and took it literally, (even those who had major work done... you can pay to have it done and know nothing about it..)

I was more or less adding it for posterity..


Ray

Well, no harm done.

Just more info for others to review later.

The more info that is out there in threads like this,
the better for everybody.