To CHIP or NOT to Chip

Bit harsh mate, i think you should do more research on the available options with tune-able chips.

Items to think about before deciding would be;

Does you reflash come with a EGT monitor to adjust the tune if your EGT's get to high.

What happens if you need a update on your ECU? ... you most likely will lose the tune and if its a upgraded ECU it would not be compatible with the LR's standard ECU update.

What happens if the reflash causes a engine fault?

Would you just pop the ecu out with the original, or reflash it to the original tune?

Could your local dealer or mechanic fix the car to get back on the road? Do they know the tune and how its programmed?

Can you unplug a reflashed ECU and with will return to normal tune?

Do you need a separate module reflashing box to reset the ECU?

Is the greater cost of a reflash and ECU upgrade going to be worth the extra coin?

Can the tune be upgrade by yourself or the web?

Is the product develop in Australia and supported in Australia?

Would you not want the current standard safety measures built from the car/ LR to warning you if there's a problem? Most full reflashes would not include the million safety parameters. This is where chips work well as its generally after the original ECU. Personally I think a company that invests millions is research and programming would be a smarter option.

Does the reflash cover any warranty's on the car? I know ChipIt does if you have the EGT's monitor installed.

Overall we all different hence the different products available on the market. These are questions I asked myself before having my disco tune.

Dorko

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dorko

Bit harsh mate, i think you should do more research on the available options with tune-able chips.

Items to think about before deciding would be;

Does you reflash come with a EGT monitor to adjust the tune if your EGT's get to high.

What happens if you need a update on your ECU? ... you most likely will lose the tune and if its a upgraded ECU it would not be compatible with the LR's standard ECU update.

What happens if the reflash causes a engine fault?

Would you just pop the ecu out with the original, or reflash it to the original tune?

Could your local dealer or mechanic fix the car to get back on the road? Do they know the tune and how its programmed?

Can you unplug a reflashed ECU and with will return to normal tune?

Do you need a separate module reflashing box to reset the ECU?

Is the greater cost of a reflash and ECU upgrade going to be worth the extra coin?

Can the tune be upgrade by yourself or the web?

Is the product develop in Australia and supported in Australia?

Would you not want the current standard safety measures built from the car/ LR to warning you if there's a problem? Most full reflashes would not include the million safety parameters. This is where chips work well as its generally after the original ECU. Personally I think a company that invests millions is research and programming would be a smarter option.

Does the reflash cover any warranty's on the car? I know ChipIt does if you have the EGT's monitor installed.

Overall we all different hence the different products available on the market. These are questions I asked myself before having my disco tune.

Dorko

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every reason you have given is why 99.99% of people do not run plug in box's on td5's. (except for the australian part)

but if you want the box then get it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dorko

Bit harsh mate, i think you should do more research on the available options with tune-able chips.

Items to think about before deciding would be;

Does you reflash come with a EGT monitor to adjust the tune if your EGT's get to high.

What happens if you need a update on your ECU? ... you most likely will lose the tune and if its a upgraded ECU it would not be compatible with the LR's standard ECU update.

What happens if the reflash causes a engine fault?

Would you just pop the ecu out with the original, or reflash it to the original tune?

Could your local dealer or mechanic fix the car to get back on the road? Do they know the tune and how its programmed?

Can you unplug a reflashed ECU and with will return to normal tune?

Do you need a separate module reflashing box to reset the ECU?

Is the greater cost of a reflash and ECU upgrade going to be worth the extra coin?

Can the tune be upgrade by yourself or the web?

Is the product develop in Australia and supported in Australia?

Would you not want the current standard safety measures built from the car/ LR to warning you if there's a problem? Most full reflashes would not include the million safety parameters. This is where chips work well as its generally after the original ECU. Personally I think a company that invests millions is research and programming would be a smarter option.

Does the reflash cover any warranty's on the car? I know ChipIt does if you have the EGT's monitor installed.

Overall we all different hence the different products available on the market. These are questions I asked myself before having my disco tune.

Dorko

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Sounds like you didn't follow your own advice.

"My pockets hurt" (Homer)

Well...

ChipIt allows me to hold two custom tunes, not a generic box tune. Its unlike DPChip or Steinbaurer as its actually tuneable.

ChipIt allows me to flick the different tunes depending on what i need. I have one extreme tune for sand 4WDing and my second tune for everyday use. I also have a warranty/insurance from ChipIt that covers my car if the chip did do damage.

If something was to happen, I can just press one clip to take the chip off and it restores it back to stock or transfer the chip to another car and just get a remap. Can you take a ECU from a D2 and install it in a D4 or a Patrol? Didn't think so...

My ECU can still take upgrades without effecting the tune to my vehicle and the vehicle can still execute any faults to prevent damage to the vehicle.

In regards to the EGT monitor, its standard on the D4, but the ChipIt module also has this as a option for older module cars. Don't believe any other modules on the market have this option.

In addition I have local Australian support and can be tune anywhere as long as i have internet connection. For Example if I want i can plug my laptop to the car, which the software and USB cable are provided. Then launch a 'go to meeting' with ChipIt and they can instantly see everything about my car and how its running and amend the tune via my laptop. Just need to add internet connection!

Hmmm does a reflash have this option?:angel:

On how much does a reflash and ECU upgrade cost? for a D4 its likely near double the cost.

Most important, ChipIt are confident you would be happy with its product vs other products you can get a full refund if your weren't happy.

On the other hand if you were to have this debate over other products likes DP Chip or Steinbaurer then yes without question reflash would be a better option.

Dorko

Nice work Dorko. you said everything I wanted to say but didnt have my thoughts together so well. Good job.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dorko

Well...

ChipIt allows me to hold two custom tunes, not a generic box tune. Its unlike DPChip or Steinbaurer as its actually tuneable.

DP chips have 9 different settings in the chip then the chip it self can be retuned to suit other upgrades. I went to a dyno day this morning with my mates RA rodeo and made an extra 10hp by having the chip retuned.

ChipIt allows me to flick the different tunes depending on what i need. I have one extreme tune for sand 4WDing and my second tune for everyday use. I also have a warranty/insurance from ChipIt that covers my car if the chip did do damage.

I think that warranty would be about as good as one you get on a second hand car.



If something was to happen, I can just press one clip to take the chip off and it restores it back to stock or transfer the chip to another car and just get a remap. Can you take a ECU from a D2 and install it in a D4 or a Patrol? Didn't think so...


For similar Money you can buy a nanocom and a remap. So you do all your own diagnostic work.

My ECU can still take upgrades without effecting the tune to my vehicle and the vehicle can still execute any faults to prevent damage to the vehicle.

? so can a car with a remap
In regards to the EGT monitor, its standard on the D4, but the ChipIt module also has this as a option for older module cars. Don't believe any other modules on the market have this option.

A good Remap with not get excessive egt's, if your worried get a guage and drive accordingly

In addition I have local Australian support and can be tune anywhere as long as i have internet connection. For Example if I want i can plug my laptop to the car, which the software and USB cable are provided. Then launch a 'go to meeting' with ChipIt and they can instantly see everything about my car and how its running and amend the tune via my laptop. Just need to add internet connection!

A nanocom will do a lot more.
Hmmm does a reflash have this option?:angel:

Yes

On how much does a reflash and ECU upgrade cost? for a D4 its likely near double the cost.

My td5 inside remap was 200 euro's, and my Tombie tune was $440 for forum members.

Most important, ChipIt are confident you would be happy with its product vs other products you can get a full refund if your weren't happy.

On the other hand if you were to have this debate over other products likes DP Chip or Steinbaurer then yes without question reflash would be a better option.

Dorko

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.......

DP chips are not tune-able. You turn a dial that just pushes more fuel whilst the injectors are open. That's not a custom tune like controlling boost, AFR etc...

In regards to warranty well if its backed by a insurance company, so I have more chance then no warranty.

Not getting in a debate with you... you clearly don't understand the chips on the market and whats actually tune-able and whats generic 'turn a dial' types.

I thought the Nanocom device is similar to a Capa or X3 Power Flash? I had a Capa for my XR6T and to customise the tune you need to go back to the tuner as its encrypted or unless the tuner has the license software.

Also correct me if I am wrong but can you actually customise your tune yourself?

get a BAS remap. The box holds 2 maps + original, so you can flash back to OEM map for dealer visits.

FYI

MR Automotive at Redcliffe (Brisbane) do an ECU swap with one that has the Bruce Davis chip installed for $700. I'm unsure if that includes GST though. They check turbo boost and air flow values at the time of install.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dorko

DP chips are not tune-able. You turn a dial that just pushes more fuel whilst the injectors are open. That's not a custom tune like controlling boost, AFR etc...

In regards to warranty well if its backed by a insurance company, so I have more chance then no warranty.

Not getting in a debate with you... you clearly don't understand the chips on the market and whats actually tune-able and whats generic 'turn a dial' types.

I thought the Nanocom device is similar to a Capa or X3 Power Flash? I had a Capa for my XR6T and to customise the tune you need to go back to the tuner as its encrypted or unless the tuner has the license software.

Also correct me if I am wrong but can you actually customise your tune yourself?

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I'm not a fan of plug in chips, but they can me remapped to suit the vechile I have seen it first hand and have dyno read out to prove the difference that can be done by retuning dp chip on a lap top.
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._3636919_n.jpg


Adjustable Tuning

Your DPChip will come already pre-adjusted to suit your make and model of engine and no further adjustment is required. If however, you decide to enhance your vehicle further, perhaps by adding larger intercoolers, larger exhausts, larger tyres etc. you can easily adjust the DPChip to match the new modification so the full potential can be reached. With fixed map boxes and chips this is not possible and a new chip or box would be required.
Adjustment is simple and allows you varying degrees of control over just how much power you want. The 2 Series DPChips use a small screw upon the body to optimize a number of parameters while the 3 Series DPChips have 10 pre-programmed power settings which the user can adjust for more power.
10 Position Selector
The different settings are really more of a fine tuning and to account for slight variations between individual vehicles. If the vehicle is a factory standard vehicle then just leave it set on 5. If it is modified or you fit a larger intercooler or exhaust then you can adjust upwards to take advantage of this but there is really no need.
We flash the chip inside the module with the rotary dial set on 5. This is an arbitrary setting but if we flashed it with the dial set on 9 you could only adjust downwards. Each notch up or down from 5 moves the whole programming inside the chip up or down a few percent.
Instructions for adjustment come with the chip. Feel free to 'play' and find what is best for your style of driving and vehicle. We don't recommend going above 7 or 8 on a factory standard vehicle. You can't damage the vehicle at all. Each vehicle will be different, even if produced in the same factory on the same day. We have seen this with two of the same vehicles, one having a 'best' setting of 6 and the other 8. These were same month and year model of the same vehicle type.
The 3 Series DPChips also have adjustable tuning via USB connection. These are able to be 'laptop tuned'.

http://www.dpchip.com/images/grfx/laptoptuningBMW.jpg
Laptop tuning the DPChip

http://www.dpchip.com/images/grfx/DPChip-capture.gif
Screenshot of DPChip program for laptop fine tuning.
This is a form of tune that can do considerably more than the manual adjustment. Once the DPChip is installed you can actually sit in the driver's seat and the DPChip can be re-programmed as you drive along. As well as overall power being able to be increased, the power band can be moved up or down the rev range depending on your requirements and the power delivered can be adjusted from smooth to aggressive. There is really no need for laptop tuning on a factory standard vehicle. This advanced tuning would only be required on a very heavily modified vehicle. The manual user adjustment provides more than enough tuning range