Having your engine chiped

Mar 14, 2005
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Hi all. Im realy exicted we pick up our new caravan on monday its not brand new but its as good as to us. Its an abbey aventura 325 03 model. Now ive seen it mentioned hear before about having your engine chiped. I have a seat alhambra 1.9 tdi 90 bhp im sure it will tow it ok according to towcar we are at 75 % but would like it to have a little bit more umph just in case. My brother has the vw version its a 115 bhp, our vans have allways weighed similar but his car has allways towed better on hills got better mpg and seems to generally pull better. Im know its down to the better bhp. Has anybody had it done is it expensive was it any good. Has anybody had it done in the yorkshire area. I would appreciate any advise. Cheers Richard W
 
Dec 16, 2003
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You may like to check out "DIMSPORT" module called "RAPID".

Italian company that sells these modules for diesel cars and trucks, they just plug in and you can switch between original normal mode or boosted mode. And just unplug if you sell the car.

They have modules for SEAT Alhambra and most others cars. Friends in France use these on Freelander and VW 2.5 vans for extra towing power. Started on one van and then found them so good transfered to replacement van and bought fo other two.

www.dimsport.it , they sell at Autosport show every year but

I don't know who the agents are in the UK. Should be able to find out via web contact though. Price quite good as well!
 
Dec 16, 2003
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You may like to check out "DIMSPORT" module called "RAPID".

Italian company that sells these modules for diesel cars and trucks, they just plug in and you can switch between original normal mode or boosted mode. And just unplug if you sell the car.

They have modules for SEAT Alhambra and most others cars. Friends in France use these on Freelander and VW 2.5 vans for extra towing power. Started on one van and then found them so good transfered to replacement van and bought fo other two.

www.dimsport.it , they sell at Autosport show every year but

I don't know who the agents are in the UK. Should be able to find out via web contact though. Price quite good as well!
Uk Agent is www.powerchips.com and they do supply SEAT modules.

www.gtidirect.ie in irish agent has good explanation of torque benefits of these units!
 
Mar 14, 2005
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Hi Richard,

I've got a Citroen C5 that has benefitted from fitting an external chip. Got mine from mrhoot.com and the name of the item is a Dragon. Like others it can be plugged in and out in no time at all and is 'dialable' so that I can turn it up for 'vanning and down when solo. They do a model for the VW variants like SEAT
 
Aug 28, 2005
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Richard,

Just to put you right here on a couple of points re your car if you have a Seat Alhambra 1.9 tdi 90 bhp then you car is first generation 1995-2000 these models all came with originally a 90 bhp and later a 110 bhp option known as a red i ( there are also some 1999-2000 VW Sharan's which where grey imports with a 130 bhp output but these are rare and came I think from Ireland) .

Your brother's car if it has an out put of 115 bhp is a MK II which also has had outputs of 130 and 140 bhp achieved through re mapping not chipping . This engine looks and performs differently from the Mk I as you have a non PD (Pumpe Duse) engine. I too have a variant of you engine fitted to my wife 2000 VW Sharan and it has towed a lot better when it was chipped.

Like Del I brought mine from Ade at Mr Hoot .com - a simple chip device that plugs in to fuel electrics connection and sends a message to the injectors to open up earlier and remain open longer (it is not resistor based like some cheaper models) it touch wood (on the car for over a year) and hasn't had any effect on fuel consumption in a negative why. I also replaced the air filter with a K & N model and that has also helped and was a 15 min job. If I can be any more help just shout

Monkeys husband
 
Mar 14, 2005
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Hi monkey. Your right about my car its a 97. Is it easy to fit the chip & whats the differance with a K N air filter and any another. I`m now going to look at mr Hoot .com. Cheers Richard
 
Aug 28, 2005
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Hi Richard,

As for fitting the chip - five minute job , Mr hoots site give precise, easy to follow instructions you just need to check whether your 8 or 10 pin. The K and N filter was also relatively easy to fit ; I'm a big fan of this style of filter;- in a previous life when I've fleet managed a lot of trucks and heavy plant it was quite a benefit - the only thing is don't coat it with the oil solution or your kill your MAF.

On that point how is your MAF?? It and the EGR valve are the achilles heel of the VAG TDI engine our red i was down to 75 bhp because both were at fault but an easy and cheep fix at a Bosch specialist.

Other than that run it on at least (diesel spec 10-40w oil) and use decent fuel

Kindest regards Monkeys husband
 
Jul 15, 2005
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Hi Richard,

When people talk about chipping an engine,they mean one of three things:

1. Replacing the chip in the ECU (engine computer that controls fuelling, timing, etc.) with a chip programmed with more optimal parameters.

Installing the chip means unscrewing the ECU case, unplugging the original chip, fitting the new chip, and closing up - not for the novice

2. Reprogramming the chip in the ECU - saves opening the ECU box - but needs to be performed by the tuning garage

3. Fitting an extra "plug-in" box between the ECU and the fuel injectors - this is dead easy - just unplug a connector and insert the box.

Pros and Cons

The plug-in box (number 3) does a good job - but it can't adjust all the parameters or react to all the sensor settings - so it's not as optimum as:

Numbers 1 and 2 are basically identical - just different ways to achieve the same effect - and should give you the best power improvement and best fuel savings.

However, the plug-in systems are perfectly adequate for what you want to achieve.

You do need to have a look at the quality of the plug-in hardware:

The better quality plug-in boxes have dedicated plugs for your car hardwired into the box, and you order a dedicated system for your car - no loose cables - no unnecessary connectors.

The lower quality units use a plug / socket on the box with a loose cable that you attach - this lets them make one box and supply a different cable for different cars - and the concern is with the long term reliability of the plug / socket on the box - often just a 15 pin computer plug - and these are not meant for under-bonnet operation.

Robert
 
Nov 6, 2005
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Richard, be a little wary about fitting a K&N filter to improve performance. Most modern engines need a cold air inlet, they lose power if they take in warm air. I'm not familiar with your vehicle but most have the engine intake trunked from the front of the car, in front of the radiators, intercoolers etc.

The K&N panel filters which replace the standard filter but retain the existing ducting work well but those that mount directly on the engine or just on the airflow meter will suffer from power loss, not gain!
 
Mar 14, 2005
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Thanks all for the advise. Rob_jax the third opion sounds easy enuogh i think ill go down that road if i can find one. Monkey i`m no machanic I dont now what MAFF or EGR mean. I can do things like change filters, brakes pads ext ext. Cheers Richard
 
Aug 28, 2005
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Hi Richard,

MAF - is the Mass Air Meter - located halfway between the air filter box and the inlet to the engine - it sticks up about an inch or so an has a plastic clip (sorry about the poor description; the OEM unit is made by Bosch but a cheaper and more resilient alternative are the Pierberg units sold by Euro Car Parts. The fail because a diesel film builds up on the reader wire.

The EGR valve (Exhaust gas Release) are known to stick open on the VW TDI units again it's a cheap fix done by a good diesel fitter who will probably tell you that your pipes are kinked as well (another fault that leads to loss of power) the main reason is that the installation on the VAG/Ford cars is transverse and the engine is mounted as far back as possible, the various hoses overtime move and can come lose from the holders.

Not to sure about Roger L point (he may be right about some petrol cars) but I seen "Green Cotton filters" and K&N filters fitted to everything from 600cc Lombardini diesel engines to 19 ltr Cummins engines used in Aircraft tractors and most things in between and everyone of them had more BHp some times admittedly not a lot but moreover the reason that these are fitted is that they are far more efficient at don't deteriorate at anything like the rate of a paper filter- so the air rate is more constant.

Kindest regards Monkeys husband
 

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