What should I kinow about adding a power chip?

[CMeSpeed]

Greetings, I asked this question before but didn’t get any replies so I’m trying again. I'm considering adding a power chip from http://www.911chips.com/ for my 1997 993 as a recommendation from another forum.

They claim installation is as simple as removing the stock chip and swapping it out with the new one. They claim passing Cali. Smog would not be a problem.

IS IT REALLY THAT SIMPLE? Is anything on a Porsche really Plug & Play?

Should I be concerned about anything, performance, fuel economy, stress on the stock motor etc.

This is my daily driver and just I'm looking to get a little more punch. $350 seems a good mod for a 15hp increase. Would you agree?

I couldn't find chips from our host.

Thanks in advance.
James

[Don Plumley]

Steve Wong is a straight-up guy - would recommend him without reservations.

The main steps are a) removing your seat (soak the bolts in pb blaster if they don't budge); b) getting the seat out of the car (it's heavy, don't scratch the car with the frame on the way out); c) drilling out the security screws holding down the DME cover; d) pulling apart the DME without killing it. So it is moderately simple - but not reach down and simply plug a new chip in.

I don't have any concerns about smog, wear on the engine, etc. If you push the engine to find the extra 15 ponies, you will not have better fuel economy.

I'm not sure that in daily driving you'll notice the extra 15 HP, but as you said, for $350 its a pretty fun experiment.

[Tom W]

I don't think you'll get 15 hp. I believe that I got about 8 hp with the chip change in my '95. It has always been my understanding that a '97 gets re-flashed, and not a chip change (a chip change is how it's done for a '95 which is very different than a '97 - OBD1 vs OBD2).

Having done it to mine, I don't really think it's worth the money and you are not going to see a significant difference in a daily driver.

[klr10]

If you're poking about inside the DME (or any other semiconductor circuitry), make sure you use static precautions. A ground strap on your wrist connected to the car's earth. The risks involved with not doing this may take several months to manifest themselves...

[CMeSpeed]

Thanks Don,
You can always be counted on for sound advice. I along with all the other talent challenged car guys owe you our gratitude. You never make me feel stupid for what I think may seem to be stupid questions to a guy with your vast experience.

Thanks to KLR & Tom, your input is appreciated and I don't want to forget to thank you as well.
Best regards,
James

[CMeSpeed]

I received the message below from Steve Wong at 911 chips and thought I would share it with the other 1997, 993 owners.

Thanks for your inquiry. I don't have any 'chips' for the OBD2 993s
currently, such as your U.S. 97, but would recommend contacting Steve Weiner
at Porsche@rennsportsystems.com as he does program a lot of these cars and
would be very qualified to discuss options and details with regards to your
car. These DMEs do not actually have removable chips, but are actually
flash programmed and need to be sent in for this. Steve will make sure to
program your car so it does not have any issues with regards to stressing
your motor, affecting your smog, and create any loss of fuel economy.

This will be the best and only mod I can really recommend for the 993 that
will provide any significant power gain. Most other hardware changes don't
do a significant enough of a gain, unless you go into the motor, or are
willing to build out a race motor. Sorry I wasn't able to chip you, however
let me know if I can be of any other assistance.

Regards,
Steve Wong