To chip or not to chip

[Seether]

OK, so how do I delete this thread.
I simply was looking at some opinions and not after any definitive answers. If I have offended some members because of some generalized comments, that was unintentional.
As for Seether's response I think your attitude is uncalled for. In my opinion, trying to get any powerplant to operate optimally is a good thing to aim for. If an engine is not, or is perceived to not be running properly, then to ask for any opinion is surely acceptable. How does one sift BS from the forum? I presume anyone responding is giving an opinion and surely they are all valid. After all, everyone is entitled to their opinion. And I, certainly, will make up my own mind at the end of the day as to which advice I will follow.
Those that think I'm asking for an opinion on a stupid topic are entitled to not respond at all if that's how they feel. And I can assure everyone here that my comments are not intended in any way to offend anyone. If the majority of members feel that I am an unworthy entrant here then the moderators can contact me and I will happily withdraw permanently.

You are being a bit dramatic. My post wasn't meant to upset you. Was just stating the facts. From my side, I also apologise if I offended you :rollsmile:

 

[moranor@axis]

guys its early... i think we all need some coffee :rollsmile:

 

[Twinz]

@Bemused:

Your explanation helps alot. All my NA cars are chipped only (Chiplogic). And my primary reason was to improve fuel efficiency. I succeeded with my initial objective. The cars also feel marginally stronger; but what I love most is the free revving nature of the motors. They now need little encourgament to rev to red line.

1. The power gains on NA cars which are (chipped only) are not huge but the gains are (useful) in that the car feels more alive; with better overtaking and topend breath.

2. More power gains can be had with a freeflowing exhaust. But simply decatting does not neccessarily yield more power. It is the tune (chip) that extracts the power on a decat or a freeflowing exhaust and bringing the package together. Simply slapping a freeflow exhaust on a car does not produce more power; it does give the illusion of more power; with some deep sound/gurgle benefits.

3. But it is the tune (chip/remap) that rounds off the modifications.

4. Turbo charged cars are a whole lot easier to modify for big gains. I have 3 chipped turbo cars and one that is completely stock. And only one of them has extensive exhaust modifications. :rollsmile:

So, in the light of your last reply. A chip will be more than adequate for your objective; but it will not satisfy you.

5. Big V8s like yours want to be heard!!! they want to run free and it is the free-flowing noise of that V8 that will give you pleasure not the fact that it is chipped.

6. My suggestion is, if you want real value for money and satisfaction, without having to go back and do things over & over again: Consider a full freeflow exhaust system and the chip/tune.

7. But a decat & the chip will also be a good start and the freeflow rear muffers you can add at a later stage with a slight tweak to the tune at that stage again.

8. Who to approach: We have quite a few sponsors on this forum that can provide you with tuning options. Promotec seemed to already have offered you an option and since they are the closest to you why dont you request a consultation and take it from there. Powerflow are not tuners. You need some good advice & support from a local tuner so you can have long term satisfaction. :thumbs:

My bronze cents worth...

 

[Bemused]

@Bemused:

Your explanation helps alot. All my NA cars are chipped only (Chiplogic). And my primary reason was to improve fuel efficiency. I succeeded with my initial objective. The cars also feel marginally stronger; but what I love most is the free revving nature of the motors. They now need little encourgament to rev to red line.

1. The power gains on NA cars which are (chipped only) are not huge but the gains are (useful) in that the car feels more alive; with better overtaking and topend breath.

2. More power gains can be had with a freeflowing exhaust. But simply decatting does not neccessarily yield more power. It is the tune (chip) that extracts the power on a decat or a freeflowing exhaust and bringing the package together. Simply slapping a freeflow exhaust on a car does not produce more power; it does give the illusion of more power; with some deep sound/gurgle benefits.

3. But it is the tune (chip/remap) that rounds off the modifications.

4. Turbo charged cars are a whole lot easier to modify for big gains. I have 3 chipped turbo cars and one that is completely stock. And only one of them has extensive exhaust modifications. :rollsmile:

So, in the light of your last reply. A chip will be more than adequate for your objective; but it will not satisfy you.

5. Big V8s like yours want to be heard!!! they want to run free and it is the free-flowing noise of that V8 that will give you pleasure not the fact that it is chipped.

6. My suggestion is, if you want real value for money and satisfaction, without having to go back and do things over & over again: Consider a full freeflow exhaust system and the chip/tune.

7. But a decat & the chip will also be a good start and the freeflow rear muffers you can add at a later stage with a slight tweak to the tune at that stage again.

8. Who to approach: We have quite a few sponsors on this forum that can provide you with tuning options. Promotec seemed to already have offered you an option and since they are the closest to you why dont you request a consultation and take it from there. Powerflow are not tuners. You need some good advice & support from a local tuner so you can have long term satisfaction. :thumbs:

My bronze cents worth...

Twinz, you're a star. Thanks for that informative response. I think you're right and I think I'll get hold of Promotec again and see what we can come up with.

 

[Twinz]

Cool :joy:

 

[hanopp]

i learned allot. I am going to remove cats from my 325iM and maybe do dastec unichip. On the website it says 10-15% increase in power, thats about at least 14kw, lets see

 

[ChrisBrand]

If you want figures, i gained 10kw and 20NM torque in my N/A car. Thats adding to the power i already gained from the decat where powerflow added i could gain almost 10kw. My cats were only removed at 180 000km.

 

[Quick///M]

Removing the cat on my car made a huge difference together with software

 

[Bemused]

OK, so I now I have to add that I'm an A£$%*hole. I double checked my spreadsheet figures and discovered that I made a ballsup. My X5 consumption figures are as follows over the last six fill-ups:12.63 Ltrs/100Kms, 15.45, 14,7, 15,67 and 14,64. So the car is doing exactly what it's supposed to and I got all flustered because of my own stupidity. However, I still had the cats removed this morning and the sound is sooooo coool. Not much louder but a bit more crackly. if that's the best way to describe it. I think it revs more freely though. But that just might be me acting like a poephol again.
So now I'm wondering whether I should look at remapping the ECU anyway. Just to make it run a bit nicer. Hau, decisions, decisions.

 

[Mike1]

Do it! Well worth from a fuel savings point of view but also in terms of that little bit of extra oomph and torque.

Have you had the DPF removed yet?

 

[Rolf]

Mike...

DPF = Diesel Particular Filter hence not found in a 4.4 Petrol X5 :idea:

 

[Mike1]

Hold up, why did think this was a diesel?

My apologies, its been a long day.

 

[Rolf]

You're driving too many Diesel lately :biglol:

 

[Twinz]

....think it revs more freely though. But that just might be me acting like a poephol again.
So now I'm wondering whether I should look at remapping the ECU anyway. Just to make it run a bit nicer. Hau, decisions, decisions.

Yes, consider the remap/chip. Because the decat is only giving you "freeflow & sound". And your air/fuel ratios mabye all over the place. You now want the remap to extract all that freeflow power and bring the package together.

 

[ChrisBrand]

Decat = power.
Decat + chip = effective power.

 

[vnitos]

@Bemused have you had the chip/remap done - I drive a car with the same engine as in your X5 - already had cats removed - but still undecided whether i should go with chip/remap and who i should take the car to

thanks in advance

 

[Rolf]

As far as I remember there was no chip done!
We did read the software at some stage but the car is up for sale now and the software was never loaded.

However, you should contact abmi0000 as he drives a V8 as well; performance software by Promotec :idea: