Thread: V8 Performance Chip

Hi All,

I know there has been some discussion, going back a while, about ECU reflashes/upgrades for the V8 engine. I did a fair amount of research here while I ummed and aahed about doing it.

The 4.2 in my 1988 RRC (manual transmission) was definitely running rich, using vast(er) amounts of fuel, was less smooth than expected and emitting a strong fuel smell so I decided that actually a reflash from DP Landys would probably address these and uprate the performance (both economy and power wise) for not a huge amount more than a full tune. In addition to the reflash, DPL also replaced my vacuum advance as required.

When I first drove it after the work, it felt like a different car, probably because it was running really rather badly. Having now had a coupe of weeks to get used to it, I probably wouldn't go that far but the difference is still significant. Are power and torque noticeably increased? Possibly not but the engine is noticeably smoother, more eager and (this may just be my imagination) sounds pleasingly more rorty. Idle is also lower (and it doesn't stay at higher RPMs for as long when cold) and I think it is running a touch cooler (but I am only judging this from the dash gauge). I don't actually measure my fuel consumption (what you don't know can't hurt you, right?) but I do believe it has noticeably improved.

All in all, I am certain that doing this has improved the day-to-day driveability and liveability of the car considerably and would recommend it to others as worth the money.

Originally Posted by Classic88

Hi All,

I know there has been some discussion, going back a while, about ECU reflashes/upgrades for the V8 engine. I did a fair amount of research here while I ummed and aahed about doing it.

The 4.2 in my 1988 RRC (manual transmission) was definitely running rich, using vast(er) amounts of fuel, was less smooth than expected and emitting a strong fuel smell so I decided that actually a reflash from DP Landys would probably address these and uprate the performance (both economy and power wise) for not a huge amount more than a full tune. In addition to the reflash, DPL also replaced my vacuum advance as required.

When I first drove it after the work, it felt like a different car, probably because it was running really rather badly. Having now had a coupe of weeks to get used to it, I probably wouldn't go that far but the difference is still significant. Are power and torque noticeably increased? Possibly not but the engine is noticeably smoother, more eager and (this may just be my imagination) sounds pleasingly more rorty. Idle is also lower (and it doesn't stay at higher RPMs for as long when cold) and I think it is running a touch cooler (but I am only judging this from the dash gauge). I don't actually measure my fuel consumption (what you don't know can't hurt you, right?) but I do believe it has noticeably improved.

All in all, I am certain that doing this has improved the day-to-day driveability and liveability of the car considerably and would recommend it to others as worth the money.

replacing the vacuum advance and throwing maybe 10degrees advance in there should give you a huge improvement too

Is it the AFM "flapper" style injection ? i imagine they have just bent the AFM wiper so it wipes against on an unworn part of the circuit. it would be interesting to see dyno results of a re-mapped v8.

seeya,
Shane L.