To chip or not to chip......
 

I've been doing some research on a getting a Steve Wong chip for my '87.

Anyone on the board try one out?

Was it difficult to install?

Any negative aspects about it?

Also do I have to remove the seat to install?

Vu,
If it's the same (physically) as the Autothority chip it is very easy to install. I didn't have to remove my seat to get the box out. The most difficult part is not breaking the tabs off the DME box when opening it up. Do a search on Pelican on his chips, there's a ton of feed back on them.

Ted

SteveW chip...
 

Hey Vu,

How'd that wheel paint work out? Get thes BBS's on your wife's bimmer all fixed up?

Back to the topic...

I put a SteveW chip in my '86 about 3 months ago. And MarcA just put one in his 3.2-engined '77.

We're both very happy, but I must say Marc's light car + SSI exhaust really flies. Marc's has a pronounce bump in zing as you cross 4500 rpm. Mine does something similar, but with my heavy car and stock heat exchangers, it isn't quite as impressive. It does run much smoother throughout the rev range and has a rock-solid idle.

One thing to consider is that the SteveW chip seems to be less tolerant of a marginal O2 sensor (than my old Autothority chip). I'm running in open-loop mode (O2 sensor disconnected), for now.

One more thing... SteveW is happy to tailor the chip to your mods and the quality of gas you use.

Hi John,

I decided to wait on repairing the rims until I take the wheels off. The winter rims will be going on in a month or so and then I can work carefully on the rims in the basement.

Back on topic:
Since the only mod I have is a Bursch muffler, I expect my gains will be similar to yours. My idle is rock steady now. Do you think it's worth me investing the $$ on the chip?

Vu--

Here's my Pelican thread on the subject:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showt...hreadid=122063

And here's another recent one by somebody else:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showt...hreadid=135981

Do a search on Pelican and you'll find several more very satisified customers.

Go for it!

Vu,

I have a Steve Wong chip in my '84 Carrera. It replaced an Autothority chip about 6 months ago. The engine pulls stronger in the low and mid-ranges; marginally stronger above 6000. Just as a point of reference, I also have a cone air intake, a Dansk Euro Pre-Muffler and a Dansk Sport Muffler. Steve feels that with my set-up, my engine has about the same HP as the Euro-spec 3.2 Carreras.

Easy to install...Steve provides excellent instructions. Make sure you remove the negative battery cable before removing the DME box.

You do not need to remove the non-power seat...just slide it fully aft. I do not know about clearance issues with a power seat.

Overall, I am very satisfied with Steve's custom chips. For the price, you can't beat it!

Bruce

I have a power seat and it posed no problem, just a little awkward.

One more bit of advice - its now the winter months. This means low humidity, and your body builds up static electricity pretty easily. Discharge that static on your new chip, and you have a $230 peice of ceramic and silicon. Hit the DME, and you have bigger problems :shock:. Go to Radio Shack and buy the $2 grounding strap.

That's excellent advice, Chris. Most people don't think about just how sensitive these electronic components are.

Sensitive electronics
 

Chris:

Good advice.

Some vehicles (Land Rover Discovery II) apparently have ultrasensitive electronics. LR even suggests removing the battery completely for charging to then jump start the truck!. Years ago I jumped the battery in my bmw and a few hundred miles later I was buying a remanufactured ECU (BMW speak for DME). On BMWs you have to use the hot " +" post on the firewall and ground to the engine (hook near manifold used to hoist engine) as the battery is in trunk. Obviously, I did not do this. :(

However, when I alter replaced the chip in the ECU with a performance one (requires removal of unit) I had a static free matt and workstation at work and everything went smoothly. :)

Live and learn.

Jase