Steve W probably saved my life!!

Hugh R · 07:15 PM

Well at least the life of my Porsche. I went to Steve's last Friday to get one of his chips and while he was poking around under the engine deck lid he said "Dude!!!, (actually, he may have said something else like WTF, or some other technical term) and pointed out a burned wire up against my fuel filter). It turns out the wire was an air conditioning wire that I may have shorted while doing my valve adjust last month. As I remember, while I was removing the left intake valve cover I touched the rear fuse block and got lots of sparks, but didn't see any damage, turns out there was. BTW, I have an aftermarket A/C which connects to the top of the three fuses in the block. Anyway, the wire was COMPLETELY fried and touching the fuel filter. Fortunately, I hadn't turned on the A/C in a while, (yeah, I just remembered your supposed to run the A/C in the winter to keep everything lubricated, even if its ONLY 70 degrees in LA (brrrrhh...) The wire could have seriously started a fire.

Anyway, about the chip. Steve was amazing, I won't tell you how much time he spent with me (a lot) trying out 3 different chips in my ROW 84. It was federalized in the U.S. with a U.S. DME which reduced it to about 200 hp. Our goal was to see if we could recover some of the 30 or so lost hp from the U. S. emissions changes that were lost from my 930/20 motor which has the 10.5:1 (I think) compression ratio. Steve took the time before I met him to "Interview" me about how I drove the car (mostly around LA which means lots of bumper-to-bumper traffic, that I wanted more power mostly for pulling on freeways, that I may, or may not, do a DE, and that for sure I'll run 91 octane fuel or better.

The new chip gives NOTICEABLY better low-mid level performance. Because I went camping for the weekend, I still haven't had a chance to totally try out the new chip, but after driving the car, I think I wrenched my shoulder reaching so quickly for my wallet. Steve was adament when we drove around LA that I make sure that I'm sure the chip made a difference, and that he didn't want me buying it for a placebo effect, or because I felt that I had to buy it since he spent some (alot of) time with me.

Steve was very helpful in figuring out what DME I had and the best profile chips to try out as we blasted around LA trying the various chips out. Being a relatively new pcar owner, he also pointed out several items on my car like my windshield wiper arms were reversed left and right, how to better adjust my Targa top clips, and that my throttle was only opening about 80%.

If you didn't know it, burning chips is a side business for Steve W. He got involved as an enthusiast, and I hope he remains so, I think it requires a lot of his time, relative to the $ he makes off of designing and burning chips.

THANKS STEVE!!!!

JeremyD · JeremyD's Garage

Did you feel the spark? Can we have an independent tester confirm that there was voltage and that it was a live wire? Did you confirm that it was actually Steve W? Did you see a copy of his ID? I never saw once on his website where he trouble shoots AC problems, is this a line of work he is getting into? What about the AC shops now, shouldn't they have a say in what happens to the wire? Is this your first experience with the wire?

Anyway - glad to hear everything went well - and I am pulling your leg.

RoninLB · 01-11-2004, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Hugh R
I may have shorted while doing my valve adjust last month.

I bet nothing like that will ever happen again.

BTW..
I use 3M Super 33+ Pro Grade Vinyl Elec Tape.. it's much better than auto store black tape. I get it at marine stores. costs about an extra $1.. I've also seen it at Home Depooo

mwbaum · mwbaum's Garage

Yes and do you have printed proof from a dyno that it really saved your life?????????

RoninLB · 01-11-2004, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jeremy964
Anyway - glad to hear everything went well - and I am pulling your leg.

you didn't mention the newly created inductance situation that that affects the DME..

kepperly · kepperly's Garage

was there a chance to perhaps have that fault improved by
confireing with Loren.

Keith Epperly
proud processor of my third generation Steve Wong chip

Por_sha911 · Por_sha911's Garage

I can't resist:
I would like everyone to donate $20 to have someone do an identity and background check to be sure that was really Steve Wong. Can you prove the wire was really burned. Maybe you just "felt" that it was. Do you have proof? LOL

RoninLB · 01-11-2004, 07:24 PM

as soon as the tempo slows Wayne is going to move this... LOL

Hugh R · 09:28 AM

From now on, I'll have printed proof that I disconnected the battery before I do a valve adjust!!! Honestly, he gave me $280 of input/help and the chip was free (as far as I'm concerned).

RoninLB: I'm replacing the entire wire since it goes to an A/C condensor in my left rear quarter panel (after market, no condensor up front).

RoninLB · 01-11-2004, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Hugh R
RoninLB: I'm replacing the entire wire since it goes to an A/C condensor in my left rear quarter panel (after market, no condensor up front).

I always use marine AWG wire and radio Shack 4% silver solder.
I like elec work

MOMO3.2 · 01-11-2004, 08:46 PM

Hugh:

I picked up my Steve W chip in person too a while back. Steve is a very kind, helpful, and intelligent person. He made time for me to come by on a busy weekend for him (I know because his company arrived before we left). He went out of his way to explain the installation process and was happy to chat about my 87 Carrera.

No doubt this Forum is visited (and hosted) by some pretty exceptional individuals--Steve Wong is one of them.

Sincerely,

Mike

speeder · speeder's Garage

I don't have a Carrera, so no chip for me, but Steve is my neighbor and a cool guy. Nice car, too.

BGCarrera32 · 01-12-2004, 05:10 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by RoninLB
I always use marine AWG wire and radio Shack 4% silver solder.
I like elec work

ah...Radio Shack...the world's longest running garage sale...LOL...

targa911man · targa911man's Garage

I never thought I would go over to Loren's side, but this latest claim by Steve Wong that his chip will save your life is simply outrageous! Obviously, the praise of so many people has gone to Steve's head and he has completely lost touch with reality. This latest advertising ploy of his is extremely cynical, trying to sell more chips claiming "life saving" qualities when really Steve's chips actually endanger our lives by making our cars go faster.

MXMARK · 09:38 AM

Does the chip endanger our lives because the power is more predictable? Does the chip endanger our lives because the power is more user friendly? Does the chip endanger our lives because maybe I was in the wrong gear and I needed some extra power down low to avoid an accident? Does the chip endanger our lives because it gets rid of the off idle hesitation? I have won a lot of Pro level motocross races and the bikes that were easiest to ride on were the ones that were the smoothest and with the widest power band. These bikes win races. Can you think about comming up to a Tripple jump and your bike hesitates.
Can you think about someone comming up to fast at a stoplight and you need to get out of the way and your car hesitates.

When I bought my Carrera I thought the this thing could use some more bottom end power. Steve Wong sold me a chip that gives me smooth broad power from down low all the way to the top. That is all I wanted. Happy-Sold.

I get a little bummed out that if a person (P-owner) goes out of his way to help others with their cars that they are put down.
Wait is that not what this board is all about P-owners helping other P-owners.

I am not a pro Porsche racer or pro Porsche mechanic. Just a Porsche owner.