I've gotta ask - Performance Chips SW vs. Vertex

[GBG1000]

I've searched the threads and found some very old info on Vertex vs. SW Chips. No opinions newer than 2005.

Hopefully the Vertex chip has evolved since then because I am contemplating a chip and I am cost concious. If price was no issue, there would be no question that I would go SW. But I could sure use the othe $220 in my pocket.

I have a 1984 3.2 (140k miles) with a CAT bypass, but other than that bone stock.

Can I get some objective 1st hand experience from people that have tried the Vertex chip.

Thanks in advance.

[mjshira]

With respect, this shouldn't even be a question, Steve Wong

[MindtrapX]

I am also cost concious, but would go with an SW chip in a second. Every post I have seen on here has been positive in both performance & support. Still need to pull my chip to see if it has been ungraded, but leary to do it with the snow flying like it is today. If it's not an SW, it will be this spring. (Providing I don't have to work on the transmission...)

[bklyn]

Hey GBG, I think buying SW will be a real savings in the long run, from what I have only heard is the Vertex is generic at best and will be set up as a general one for all install. But good luck.

[911st]

SW or 911chips.com has such a good following here that is based on customer service and real results it is hard for most of the faithful to consider anything else.

To raise the bar, I am a big fan of his "custom chip" option that requires you to dyno your car with his chip and then he dials it in to your cars variations.

The cheep chip is a cat bypass, a second tail pipe added to the passenger side of your stock muffler, and unplugging your O2 to disable the Lambda function.

This can be further dialed in on a dyno or with a wide band monitor on the street using the fuel quality switch and adjustments on the AFM.

This dose not give you any ability to play with the ignition side where the power half the power seems to hide on the early 3.2's.

Also, put a Want To Buy in the classified section here and someone might have a used chip that matches your car to sell you.

[GBG1000]

OK- I see where this is going. (Just where I expected it to go.)

Let me rephrase my post. I sense that I will be getting an SW Chip, but I would like to hear about some of the bad experiences people have had or have heard about when using a Vertex chip. It doesn't need to be a Vertex bash.

In other words I know and accept that the SW is great. I just want to know that the cheaper chip is not great. This will make me feel better about the decision to spend an extra $220.

[GBG1000]

Ok now I am getting some good input. I agree with all of the Pro's of the SW proponents. I do not think I would buy used. I want to be sure of what I get, and would like to feel comfortable calling direct for support if needed, as a paying customer. Also the delta in price that I have observed between new and used is not significant.

Just to clarify, I will not be going the custom route. I want to keep the cost for the chip and my exhaust system as low as possible. Also I do not want to find schedule and pay for dyno time.

Thanks- and keep those opiniions rolling.

[DRACO A5OG]

+1 on Dr Wong Chip.

I had a Weltmeister Chip that the PO placed, I believe it is similar to Vertex. Replaced with Dr. Wong's Chip on CBP and OMG what a difference. Top End is Scary.

Support is Priceless.

[surflvr911sc]

IMO, unless you are having somebody who really knows what they are doing make you a custom chip from actual dyno runs, there is no other choice than a Steve Wong chip. He has done the work w/ every possible config that he can get his hands on, and he constantly continues to improve his product.

FWIW, I know that you said that you don't want to buy used, but I do have a SW chip for a stock engine that I will sell for about half price.

[GBG1000]

Ryan - I appreciate your offer. I am interested in your chip. A 50% price delta is significant enough to spark my interest. How old is it and why is it available? If I understand correctly, they vary per model year (I think 84-86 are the same). Is this correct, and if so, is yours for an '84? Also when you indicate stock - is that stock with a bypass or with a cat? I know it's a lot of questions but I am going to go with a SW, and want to be sure I get the full effect. Also- do I need to get into my DME to confirm the number of pins first?

DRACO- I always value your opinions. You approach things in a very practical and pragmatic way. I have learned a lot from your posts.

All others- thanks for your input. It has been very helpful. I will get a SW from Ryan or if his is not compatible, new from our host.

Ryan - please provide details- either here or by PM.

Thanks- Jerry

[glennspiegler]

88 911, stock chip changed to Autothority when B&B was installed in 2004. Installed a SW last month due to all the proponents on this site. Seems to add more torque in the lower rpms, but not earth shattering. Will guarantee either my stock chip or my Autothority (custom for headers) if anyone interested. Full refund, no questions asked if disappointed. Sorry I can't comment on the Vertex. The install takes 30 minutes.

[911st]

Just a heads up. I belive the early 84's had there chip sodered in and required a socket to be added to work with a chip.

[Zef]

There are some differences...Customer support is what you'll get with SW.

[Zef]

Originally Posted by 911st

Just a heads up. I belive the early 84's had there chip sodered in and required a socket to be added to work with a chip.

From 911 chips website....http://www.911chips.com/dmeconvr.htm

[Geronimo '74]

Never had the Vertex chip.

Steve sells a great product. His chip is great.

[gtc]

I had a significant improvement in mileage with my SW chip. I figured at the time (when gas was above $4/gallon) that the chip would pay for itself in less than a year. I do put quite a few miles on my car though.

[DonMo]

My PO had a 28 pin vertex stage 1 chip in the car when I bought it, swapped to a SW chip. I will be happy to sell the Vertex chip cheap. Not a bad chip, just not as good as SW. Only comparison is the but dyno, so can't attest to real benefit, just feels smoother.

[Guy S. Apple]

Steve Wong for me. Fantastic.

[BGCarrera32]

Its worth a lot to be able to talk to the guy actually mapping the chip, so Steve Wong is the way to go. He is has been super in answering my questions.

I have never had a Vertex chip, but have placed a couple orders with Vertex for other parts (and for reference over 60+ orders with Pelican.) My recent Vertex orders had a mystery 3% "handling" fee tacked on and I had received mismatched non-OEM parts in the order. It took over a month to get a credit issued, but they finally did take care of it after a pretty pointed e-mail and copy of the original letter and invoices. I just find them a little ... mmmm... "sleazy" might be the word.

[GBG1000]

You guys were right. The performance change to me is not really tangible, but it just "feels better". Good customer service too. Now I do not need to wonder what I would be missing.

I am a happy SW customer.