review of FRWilk's PowerProm

[CJFusco]

After laying upside-down underneath my driver's side dashboard for a good ten minutes or so in the dark of night - various parts, screws, and tools falling occasionally onto my forehead - I hesitated for a moment before putting the key into the ignition.

After performing this kind of brain surgery on your beloved car, an operation that tampers with nearly all of the engine's vital functions, it is only natural to have this kind of trepidation. After all, once we got the DME out of the car, we came to find out that even though my car was manufactured in 1983, somewhere along the line it aquired a 1985 DME. Fair enough, the PowerProm still fits.

(FRWilk was very helpful along the way, by the way... he not only sells a good product, but also good customer service. And that is the most important part, isn't it?)

So after the brief hesitation, I turned the key.

The car fired immediately to life. A very audible sigh of relief could be heard.

Even at idle, I could tell something was different. Even though it is pretty cool out tonight (low 50s), there was none of the usual somewhat-rough running for the first few seconds as the car warms up. Smooth as silk. Could it be true? I managed to not screw this up? Is the FRWilk chip actually working?

My answer came when I revved the engine. A simple blip of the throttle up to 2500 rpm, and then let off... and it drops down to 950rpm, and not a single bit lower. No drop, no shudder, all smiles.

All seemed well, so my friend Chris and I decided to take it out for a spin. I decided to drive in my normal driving style; I figured this would be the best way to feel the difference. Coming out of Chris's neighborhood, I took the car up to 5000 in 1st and shifted into 2nd.... and broke the tires loose, completely by accident. I couldn't believe it.

The real test came on the way home, by myself - the conditions under which I am used to driving.

OK, I have something to admit here... I kinda miss the little VTec-like kick that the stock setup gives around 3700rpm. That, in and of itself, is the only thing better about the stock chip vs. the Power Prom. The fact of the matter is that, kick or not, the 944 is much, much faster with FRWilk's Power Prom chip. The reason that the kick is no longer there is because the torque curve is more of a gradual hill that starts at 2000 feet above sea level, as opposed to a valley than a mountain, the valley being sea level and the mountain being the peak of the torque curve. With the Power Prom, the peak is as high if not higher than with the stock chip. The only thing missing is that steep grade.

What does this mean in terms of drivability?

Well, judging by fourth gear; in the stock setup 2000 rpm in 4th is about 37ish MPH, 3000 rpm is about 60, and 4000 is just over 80.

Here are AFJuvat's numbers, using Wilk's chip in a separate test:
Shift from 1st to 2nd: approx 6000 RPM, 37MPH
Shift from 2nd to 3rd: approx 5700 RPM, 62MPH
Shift from 3rd to 4th: Approx 6000 RPM, 82 MPH
Shift from 4th to 5th: Approx 4000 RPM, 95 MPH

So, by my estimation, the jump in speed at 4000RPM in 4th gear is somewhere around 15mph. This is incredible... and you really feel it, too.

For example, 5th used to be just a cruising gear... unless you're doing 100+ in 5th, the accelleration is pretty slow. Not anymore, though. Now it accellerates in 5th the way it used to in 4th.

I've driven the 3-liter cars, the 944S2 and the 968. Okay, granted, the 968 is obviously going to be faster than my chipped 944... but the feeling is similar. The power comes on low and fast, and the revs just keep building with steady torque, presumably all the way up to redline (my new redline is over 7000rpm... so far, I've barely hit 6000). No dead spots - just constant power delivery.

In summation: if you own a 944NA and haven't purchased the Power Prom... what are you waiting for?

-CJF

[ilikemy944]

at 4000 rpm, in 4th gear, you are going the same speed you were before...? or did you change your gearing?

:P

<-- loves the Power Prom 2 btw

[serge944]

Im sure this thread will bring tears to FR's eyes.

Mine too..since we is po, child.

[bigyagi]

congrats CJFusco on your aquisition. its refreshing to read such a concise, and well informed report, such as yours, and latterly, AF JUVAT.
both reports were full of info, and what you experienced, and found. i would rather read an informed impression, be it good or bad toward a product, than some of the nonsense.
you made a very important point though. the after purchase contact is excellent, and thats the difference!
i also agree with your comments about the response in 5th gear. quite a change, n'est-pas?.
welcome to the world of pp.
regards, bob.

[CJFusco]

Mais oui, mon ami

[TCMdocs944]

Please elaborate on any crappy/quirky performance things that are better now....ie...idle, deadspots, sluggishness etc...

[CJFusco]

the idle used to be a little low on startup and then would climb to 950 after a few seconds... probably 15-30 seconds, depending on outside air temperature. The low idle wasn't a big difference, maybe 100 rpm or so. Since installing the chip, the idle started at 950 and stayed there.

I used to have a dead spot at about 5500 rpm, where power seemed to drop off suddenly and then would regain momentum at about 5800. This certainly limited the car's performance. The result of this would be that I would either upshift before I hit this dead spot, or accellerate through it. Now, however, the power band seems perfectly linear, with no steep climb or drop-offs. The result of this is that there is no longer any need to downshift to 3rd when approaching a tight curve; the car pulls strongly enough at low RPMs that the power gained by downshifting into 3rd gear's "sweet spot" is offset by the time it would take to execute the shift. It is now better to just leave it in 4th and power through the curve; if done correctly, the car hits 4th gear's "sweet spot" just as the car exits the curve and hits a straightaway.

Throttle response is also greatly improved. It's not like I thought there was a huge hesitation before, but installing the PowerProm made it clear that the hesitation, however brief, was there before and is now gone.

Another change that I forgot to mention was the difference in engine sound. I thought I was imagining things last night driving home, but the engine just sounds meaner. It sounds clean, smooth, and a bit menacing where - although it sounded great before - it might have sounded a little bit like it was struggling before. My suspicions were confirmed when I pulled into my driveway this morning and my brother said, "did you do something to your exhaust system or something?"

Has anyone else noticed this change in sound after installing the chip?

[fast924S]

I am also running his Power Prom 2 and I love it, best bang for the buck


FR-WILK ROCKS

[jakemu24]

So why should I buy FR Wilk's chip? How much of a power increase do I get and how easy will it be to feel. Does it make enough power to deserve $200? If FR is reading this, try to persuade me to buy your product. I would love to hear a sales pitch.

thanks

[TCMdocs944]

Search the forum...

Hp, not lots for na....

Lots of info...


Don't think FR does infomercials.

[jakemu24]

So would you say there is no better chip than FR's? Will the chip throw me back in my seat at full throttle?

[COLDBASS]

Originally posted by jakemu24
So would you say there is no better chip than FR's? Will the chip throw me back in my seat at full throttle?

The product speaks for itself...do a search.

Keep in mind that the PP2 wont get you dates, cure hair loss, or solve any mental disorders...

I'm happy with mine and he stands behind his product...

[serge944]

Fr wilk's chip is the only chip that WORKS. And doesnt require race fuel...

[fast924S]

I think its the best chip and also the best mod to do, and as you can see I have done alot. His chip is No 150hp nitrous shot, nore was it made to be, It does exactly what he says it does and very well, I did notice better low RPM torque and a much better power band from 2,000rpm all they way to 7,000rpm, It just makes your NA alot more fun to drive, My S idles better, runs smoother, and pulls harder and revs faster. It made me happy and its hard to please me when it comes to my baby.

[CJFusco]

jake, it may not increase peak HP, but I can tell you that HP from 2000-3500 is much higher WITH the chip than WITHOUT

[fast924S]

P.S. You also need to remember that he does all this by just playing with the ignition and fuel Maps, The man knows what he is doing. Also you may notice that others Have Traded there old "performance chips" for FR-wilks chip, Now if that doesnt tell you that his chip is the ACE then I dont know what will.

[Wolf1]

Originally posted by jakemu24
If FR is reading this, try to persuade me to buy your product. I would love to hear a sales pitch.

I can assure you FR has read this. I can also assure you that you will not be getting a sales pitch. FR's products sell themselves, word of mouth and reputation combined with happy customer reviews. Is there a better way to sell a product?

Also notice that FR has the dignity and confidence to avoid "mud slinging" about other peoples products. Ok, maybe an occasional one-liner....but they deserve it!!!!!!

[UconnTim97]

I believe he got a great mention in 9 magazine as well

[sasquatch]

I am totally happy with my FR chip in my 87. He is spot on with customer service, problem diagnosis and even harrassment when the problem is found out to be mine. But all in good fun.

Yes, the chip is worth the money. Will it make your car beat a Corvette in a drag race? No, of course not. Lets be realistic here. But it does smooth out what is already a silky smooth engine, and boost performance enough that the good old SOP dyno can tell a difference.

[bluebullet]

well you sold me..im definetly getting one.....too bad i have bills to pay this week