Performance Chips

Boca Porsche · Boca Porsche's Garage

I have been reading about performance chips. However, most people are reporting the effect from them combined with other modafications. Does anyone have any experience with the chip with no other mods? I have an '88 Carerra that is completely stock. I am interested in adding a chip but I am not doing other mods. Do you feel an effect from the chip alone? I also have noticed there are many chips out there. Which one is the best? I drive my car daily. I am mostly interested in response under 4,500 rpm and around town driving.

Tcannon88 · 01-02-2008, 04:43 AM

Well.....not exactly what you are looking for, but I installed a cat-bypass first, then an SW chip. The cat by-pass changed the sound, but not really the performance. But the chip really changed the "drivability". My car used to come on strong at about 4000 rpm, but now it is much more linear, and pulls more strongly from lower in the range.

With regard to chip, Steve Wong at 911Chips has been great. Do a search, I don't think you will find anyone who has actually dealt with him that is unhappy with him. I am very happy with my choice and would recommend him to anyone.

PPilot · 01-02-2008, 04:49 AM

It is easy to give a second recommendation for steve wong chip!!!

tonythetarga · 01-02-2008, 05:01 AM

I agree the SW chip is the way to go, BUT, if you want to be able to quantify what you currently have now (HP and torque), dyno the car for your baseline. After you install the chip, dyno it again and see if there is an actual improvement and where it is. Sometimes even the best chip might need a re-do to get the performance you are expecting. BTW, the chip alone will yield the smallest return without an upgrade to the exhaust system or at the least, a muffler. The chip needs to be designed to the system, so discuss this with Steve and decide which way you want to go. Big HP in the 84-89 Carrera's does not come cheaply or just through a chip installation. Good luck, Steve will be a big help.

Jakester1168 · Jakester1168's Garage

I started off by gutting my cat (no animals were hurt or injured in this process

)....and adding a "race" B&B dual out exhaust....I constantly get positive responses regarding the sound....however, the performance appeared to be the same....I recently added a Steve Wong chip, and as Tcannon88 mentioned above, the overall performance is much improved! My Carerra now pulls better in a more linear fashion...not just from 4000 grand and above....and appears to drive a lot smother through the rpm's (maybe it's just my imagination)....either way, it's a joy to drive more now than before and I never want to get out of the car!

Anywho, that's my 2 cents worth...good luck!

mhoffman · 01-02-2008, 05:32 AM

Not exactly what you wre looking for either, but I put an SW chip and M&K muffler at the same time (just the muffler, no cat-bypass) and noticed an appreciable difference in throttle response thoughout rpm range. I cannot attest to any specific hp change, but it is much smoother. Steve asks specifics about your car, gas, exhaust, etc in order to dial in the chip to your circumstance (you can read more at his website)- seems a better approach to matching your car's fuel/air/ignitiion system to what you have than to what the manufacturer determined 20 odd years ago. The muffler made the car sound like a completely different vehicle. I read where some of the earlier M&K mufflers were loud, but mine is very pleasant and non-offensive.

Both suppliers are great to work with and supply a great product and great service.

My two cents.

Rick Chip · 01-02-2008, 05:50 AM

I have a 1985 Targa and put a Steve Wong chip in it with a stock setup. The improvement in drivability was very noticeable and the throttle response was much improved. After a year of driving it like that I put on a converter bypass pipe and opened of the stock muffler and added a second outlet. Steve reburned the chip to match the changes in exhaust which made it better yet.

rcooled · 01-02-2008, 06:20 AM

I had a SW chip in my otherwise bone stock '89 Carrera and would agree with the assessment by Rick Chip in the above post. A more immediate throttle response was the most noticeable improvement....not a startling difference but definitely better than stock. Having the rev limiter bumped up another 500rpm was nice, too. No downside to report....installation was simple and the car's overall driveability remained excellent.

Iowa911 · 01-02-2008, 06:54 AM

I would agree with all that has been stated so far with one addition. My idle was always a bit low(675-700rpm) Looked for vacuum leaks found none, had o2 checked, it was fine. Never did find the problem, I was wanting to get the idle speed issue resolved before adding the chip. Finally gave up and purchased the chip. Not only did I feel better throttle response and better low end acceleration, but, to my amazement, my idle was right were it should have been all along.
Thanks Steve, my car is an absolute joy to drive now.

KCinBR · KCinBR's Garage

About 2 years ago I did what you are asking about.

I have a 88 Carrera, it was bone stock and I added a SW chip and the difference was amazing. The throttle response was better and the lower rpm range became usable. Overall driveability was much improved.

Since then I have added a Fabspeed pre-muffler and a M&K 1in 1out muffler and had to send the chip back to be reprgrammed.

If you have questions call Steve Wong, I did and he was very helpful.

EMJ · 01-02-2008, 09:41 AM

If you ever want to go with the full package, on my '88 Carerra I have the performance chip (Autothority, though I understand the SW chip is better), the Autothority mass flow sensor, and dual outlet stainless steel B&B exhaust. The car pulls from throttle down all the way to red line - very powerful, very responsive with no lag whatsoever. The car is my daily driver, sounds great, and very tame in day-to-day commuting. No issues with any of the mods (Have had car for 3 years).

livi · 01-02-2008, 12:09 PM

Welcome to the forum!

As you see, the SW chip is the absolute favorite. I have a completely stock 85 Carrera with a custom made SW chip and the difference from stock is quite noticeable. Naturally, I have a ROW car without cat or O2 sensor, not sure if that make a great difference as opposed to your US cars.

ianc · 01-02-2008, 06:18 PM

Hyperbole.

ianc

Wickd89 · 01-02-2008, 06:27 PM

Steve is the MAN!

Joe Bob · Joe Bob's Garage

For the 3.2 the SW chip has gotten rave reviews. For a 3.6 w/o Varioram, consider the No Bad Days chip that Pelican has in stock. Black Beauty, Ingo and I also use it....

CrossT · 01-02-2008, 07:06 PM

I have a recently-purchased stock 89 with Steve's chip [as of just a week ago] and can reiterate the comments WRT mid-low end and daily driveability improvement. I especially like the smoothness up thru the gears and revs.

I did not probe the higher end limits on this car before installing the SW chip though, so I don't have comment in that arena.