Performance Chips
 

When I bought my 85 (5.0 32v), it came with a set of performance chips (not installed). I don't remember the brand off-hand.

My question. Should I install? And if so, what changes will I see from a driveability / performance perspective.

Most likely yes. Especially if they are autothority.

Scalded Cat if you ditch the converter and open up the exhaust.

All,

Thanks for the advice. I'll probably install this weekend and see what effect it has. As for ditching the catalytic converter, can't do until emissions requirements are grandfathered, another 3 years.

Do I need to disconnect the battery to replace? It's normally prudent to do so however is there any current there if the key isn't on? And, what's the best way to get the current chips out? Pull gently?

Michael

Always disconnect the battery. You simply pry the chips up with a very small screwdriver, one side at a time until they release. Store them in the anti-static foam for reuse later.

OK. So, I removed the carpet and got to the two computers I need to remove. The first one has a single black wire hooked to it that I can 's seem to remove (I removed the wiring loom that was attached).

My question is, how do I get the plate off to expose the chip. On the back side of the first computer, I can see two flat head screws and one phillips head screws. Can anyone explain to me how to get the cover off to get to the chip. Or, am I going in the wrong direction entirely?

Michael

Thank you sir.

Prying the ends up was my next guess. Just didn't want to rush in to that without asking first. Looking forward to installing. The chips are called RPM and are specifically made for 85 - 86 model year. Don't know anything about them.

Michael

Here's what your LH box looks like when you pull it apart. Remove the box, remove the two screws on the front of the box [by the connector], and the two on the bottom. Then pry up the four tabs on the bottom. Slide the soft aluminum cover away from the connector side and you will find this circuit board inside:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1200361694.jpg

The actual "Chip" is located under the black object that looks like a house. Remove it with a small precision screwdriver [squeeze the top] and the chip is right there. I suggest using a plastic knife or some other soft object to remove it. Installation is reverse of removal.

My box is a US model '85/'86 box. I drive an ROW '85, which is a different engine with a different fuel curve. I changed my box from US to EURO in 2003 via a chip that John Speake burned for me. The difference was obvious- that means that the US '85 chip leaves something to be desired!

Good luck!

N!

PS....
make sure you ground yourself PRIOR to messing with this, last thing you want to do is short it out before you even get to try them

OK. So, I'm not intimidated now. Hopefully it's one of those things that it's not to bad once you get into it.

To everyone. Thank you.

This was not a project I want to repeat. But, it's done. Haven't driven it yet but it started and sounded good. I'm taking a break before I put it all back together.

Thank you for all the advice including the pictures. Nothing helps out more than pictures. It was greatly appreciated.

To all those thinking of doing this yourself, give yourself plenty of time. It's not hard once you have done it once, but, it's definitely nerve racking.

Michael

Changing the chip is easy, whats nerve wracking is thinking you hear detonation with the bumped up timing. ;)

Michael is right-

Aftermarket chips will advance your timing slightly, and will richen your mixture. Your fuel mileage will drop slighthly. That makes sense: If you make more power, then you will burn more fuel.

With a turbocharged engine, the chip will control the boost. Boost is everything- a 150 hp engine can become a 300 hp engine with just a change of boost. What matters with these engines is preparation. If the engine has proper preparation, it can make way more than 300 hp even; some of the fastest street cars in the world are driven by tiny four-cylinder engines that make about four times that much!

Our engines aren't turbocharged, for the most part, so all we can do is optimize Porsche's VERY weak fueling curve. My 928S2 probably puts about 265 horsepower to the rear wheels, meaning 310-330 at the crank. But I can feel a HUGE difference between a 60F/15C day and a 92F/33C day. I burn my tires off quick in the winter months, but they last just fine in the summer, and do a better job of hooking up when it is cold. The car is VERY senitive to temperature! It is a hooligan when it is cold out.

N!

the 85 had pretty tame timing and there is a lot on the table stock. I did the chips and it ran fine on our crapola 91 octane. getting my 11.3:1 6.5L stroker to run on that poison required taking out about 4deg of timing from a GT map in the midrange to WOT from 50% load and up to stop it from scaring the crap out me with all the rattling.. now its fine though. I put a little "magic" switch in to toggle between maps and now it's got the option to use +6deg over stock GTmapping when I put in 101 race fuel :) yeehaa!

the next biggest thing you can do after opening up the exhaust a bit, is to raise the stall on the torque converter if you have an AT. take it up to about 2100 and hang on!! becomes a dragster at light to light stuff :)

cheers!

hey normy!! how's it hangin!! been a while :)

altitude too!!! on the PCH it feels like someone stuck another 30hp under the hood vs at 3400' at my house...

Does anyone know anything about the RPM chip. The previous owner (PO) purchased them but never installed. It definitely gets out of the gate faster, and much better midrange torque.

I would love to learn a little more about who made the chip. It was made in singapore but that's all I know.

Michael

AFAIK the chip is a normal eprom, and everybody copied AA, but at least a few were a total fraud with little if any changes from stock. I don't know if anybody has actually compared any chips in recent years, but early on lots of study was done.

With the SharkTuner working on the 85/86 I suspect better generic chips will start showing up from our own community.