Chips! Do they make you phat?

[Hoobs]

I have a nice healthy 2.5 with a free flow exhaust and cone air filter and next on the agenda is an ECU remap.

I have read all sorts of stuff but how much of a power gain can I really achieve from a new chip?

Should I be looking towards a performance camshaft before I start messing with the ECU?

What's the max bhp for a standard 2.5 with a new chip?

Cheers.

[itec]

I would recommend a mild chip you will get 3 to 7 BHP,this may not sound much however you will fell the difference when driving.

It also improves your mpg if you drive sensibly and the plus side its not going to cost a bomb there are coulpe of Zoners who sells them.

[mrLEE30]

the ECU in your car is at least 20 years old, and in those days the technology was primitive by todays standards and the car was programmed to run eceonomically. A modern reprogrammed chip will certainly improve the engine response and will have some gains in HP of 3-5 is realistic although they will claim up to 15 in some cases! however the gain in HP will be small what is more noticable will be how the power is delivered and the response from the engine making if "feel" faster.

cams are different again and really require valve and head work to be really beneficial, plus you can loose torque and gain HP making the car possible feel slower, this really depends on the cam and a really "wild" cam will result in a lumpy idle.

when you say free flow exhaust what do you mean? a full system or just a silencer? if its the latter then i would say get some decent headers - this will improve the engine.

oh and welcome to the zone
mrlee

[Hoobs]

Many thanks for the advice and the welcome. I currently have a full system but standard manifold so a 6 branch will be fitted eventually.
It's really the exaggerated performance gains that have kept me away from a chip - so far. I am more interested in an increase in torque than outright power gains anyway.
Anyway, I shall give it some thought. Are there differences in the chips available or are they all pretty much the same?

[zaust]

Speak to ant at a-tech or speed touch for a chip on here.

A decent 6 branch, big bore throttle body and a panel filter will do wonder's.

[Hoobs]

Thanks.

I have a cone filter fitted with a cold air feed. Are they not as good as a panel filter?

I am on the lookout for a used 6 branch. Better still would be one that requires a repair as I will need to alter it to fit in my engine bay anyway.

Is a big bore throttle body a reworked standard item or one from a different model? e.g. 535.

Thanks again for the help / advice guys. I am on a really tight budget so if I'm spending money I want to be certain that there are real world benefits.

[zaust]

Get rid of the cone. Unless you have full head work and inlet mainfold ported and are getting air starvation, then stick with the o/e, you will find you have more torque down low too.

[Hoobs]

Should I modify the airbox or is there no need?