Powerchip
 

I have looked through the archives and not found where anyone has installed a Powerchip. If anyone has information on this product, I would really appreciate hearing their opinion.

A local performance shop represents Powerchip, and says it really will increase HP and torque by about 10%. They have offered to dyno the car before and after for $150 in order to prove it to me. (At a nearby shop, not their own) If it does not perform as advertised, they will replace the original program and refund the $900 programming and installation fee. (I would still be out the $150 for the dyno)

Any thoughts?
Recommendations?

This is for a 2003 Boxster S

Will they also guarantee it will pass emissions?

As far out as it sounds it must work. Otherwise they would loose a huge deal of money for the lost labor charges. 10% is what? About 25HP!!!

What brand is this? I've been looking for an ECU upgrade that will be effective but noone seems to guarantee their claims.

"Powerchip" is the brand name.

They claim it to emissions compliant everywhere except California.

Massachusetts and CA have the same emissions standards. I think that is an issue if you live in either state then?

:cheers:

+25 hp with just the chip seems to good to be true. Make sure you get the gurantee in writing.

Don't know squat about these chips, but:
"About 10%" could mean practically anything. Do they pay off if it is 4.9%, but not if it is 5.1%?
If you gain 6% at 6500, but lose 8% at 3500 is that OK with you?
From what I have seen reading about chip replacements on this forum, that seems to be what you are frequently faced with.
Also, my suggestion would be that you pick the dyno shop, not them.
You might want to specificy that after the installation of the chip that the onboard diagnostic must not set any error codes.
Ditto on the emission testing and all of it in writing, as suggested.

HP race
 

What I have read all over plus asking garages the maping with chip mod is not that great. You have to add cat modifications besides so for 2500 to 3500 you will realize gains of maybe 20 hp at best. There is a penalty in the lower rpm's. After all is said and done the only way to go is to supercharge the engine which will run over $ 5,000 US. The increase will be of 30% which is about 60 hp in a 2003 S which is what I have. I believe you also have to change the cats to accomodate the modifications. That is the only way I see doing anything. The engine swap is more expensive. In short I think we should be happy with the engine and the dynamics of the car we own. The hp race is extremely expensive for this car. :cool:

I bumped into a fellow at our local dealer who has a Supercharged 97 Box. I asked him to join us and post about his car.

I hope that he does!

:)

I don't know if this is true or not Pilot, but on another board someone said they talked to TPC and they have discontinued the supercharger for the 3.2L engine because owners were only seeing gains of around 20hp. The logic behind this is the blower(with an output of 4.5 PSI) isn't moving enough air to substantially increase the output compared to natural aspiration. Since the smaller 2.7's and 2.5's gulp in less air through the intake, they gain more from the upgrade. Since you can increase boost to 7 PSI by changing pulleys, I'm not sure if I'm buying what this guy was saying. Can anyone confirm or disprove this?

A shop near me does the GIAC upgrade for around $1000. They say it is around a 12WHP and 10 ft/lb torque increase on a 2.7 Box. If it is throughout the powerband, this seems like a decent upgrade for a little more power.

You also have to keep in mind even if the power is alittle worse than stock down low that is not the worst thing in the world. When you want maximum accleration you should keep the revs above 5k rpm anyway.

My DME is on the way back from Evolution Motorsports with a new GIAC stage 3 program (headers, muffler, intake). They took bloody 1 week to get my DME turned around as they claimed my DME is different from those in the US. I do not doubt them but the person liaising with me provided very poor service.

Anyway, the GIAC upgrade is $795 because they only need to flash the DME without any need for a chip replacement.

As usual, I'll be posting a dyno report once I get the DME installed. I'm keeing my fingers crossed on this one. Hope my engine doesn't blow up or anything like that when I first drive my car. I'm kinda worried that my DME is different from those in the US and Evo gotta do 'something' to get the program into it...

^ Sounds good man, I've been waiting for your results. I'll keep an eye out for a post from you once you're finished.

I am the Superchips agent for Ireland and have just installed their new release for the Boxsters(both 2.7 and 3.2L) on my own 3.2 2002. I dynoed the car before and after and got increases of 13 Bhp and about 10% more torque. It seems to have also improved throttle response in the low range(1500 to 3500rpm). The upgrade is carried out through the OBD port using a new interface they are about to release to the rest of their dealer network. the cost should be about €450.

Did you have any mods on your car? You must have read about my disappointing results with the GIAC program. Do you offer a money back if I don't get the power increase? I will be doing a dyno after the program to verify the claims.

Alternatively, do you do custom program on a dyno?

In reply to your question the only other mods i have are the porsche sports exhaust system and K&N panel filter. Superchips do offer a 7 day money back guarantee.

Don't Add That Modual!
 

It's not worth the money you have to spend. $1000 plus. You are lucky to get what is advertised unless you have a pro install the chip. Is $1000 plus, worth it to you to gain 2 to 15 HP?

Is it even worth the time to ask if anyone has tried this?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7969887095&catego ry=33597

I'm sure it is crap :barf:

It's a little resistor that tricks the sensors into thinking it is getting more air. Makes it dump fuel and run rich... It's garbage.

German Engineered :p

I say go for it! what have you got to loose? Plus its only $600 call 18004950777

www.powerchipgroup.com :cheers:

PS. ask for me my name is Travis and we can chat :dance:

Silvered,


That has to be the most credible and thorough site I have seen for a chip. The ONLY one that gives guarantees and the only one at a reasonable price.


I am buying that on February 15th. I am SOLD!!

payday
 

Feb 15th is payday bav??? :cheers:

We have been around since 1991 and do everything we can to be at the forefront of technology when it comes to Porsche particularly.

Also... when you order, ask your consultant about free shipping because your on 986forum.com and you will save some $$$ :)

You will love it. We did a Caymen and Caymen S today :)

Trav (Powerchip) 1800 495 0777

Yeah I had enough money at the beginning of the week, but an outstanding speeding ticket, betting 250 on the super bowl and lending 300 to my sister set me back a little :D


Is there any way I can use you as a referral so you make some commission or something?


I know this is a noob question, but how do I remove my ecu? Is it the same place as the OBD port, under the steering wheel on the driver's side?

It should be underneath the carpet in the rear trunk.

wait a minute? you dont know how to remove the engine management computer and you call yourself a porsche lover??? HAHAHAH just kidding...

It is really easy to take out (takes about 5 minutes). Pull the carpet back against the firewall in the rear trunk (be carefull to pop the plastic pins out without breaking them).

Once the carpet is clear, you will see the silver unit bolted to the chassis with 4 10mm bolts. Remove these bolts, unplug the unit, and you are good to go.

Call us and we will send you all the shipping documentation so that you just pop it in a fedex box and drop it in a box.

It reaches us the next day, we modify, and send it back to you overnight. You plug it in, bolt it up, put the carpet and clips back on - and drive off with a HUGE :D :D :D

NB. PC is NOT responsible for your future tickets - we may be accountable, but not responsible OK :cheers:

Also, when you call they will send you instructions with photos to help you through the above process.

happy motoring!

Trav (Powerchip) 1800 495 0777 www.powerchipgroup.com

blinkwatt I love your car!

zenith blue is stunning in the metal! I am surprised there arent more running about town... :cheers:

This method applies to the 987 I'm assuming :)


I can't wait. I hope it's as good as they say it is (probably won't be) but if it's any good at all I'll be keeping it.



Very pleased.

cayenne, cayman, 964, 968, 924, 944, 928, 959, 993, 996, 997, 986, 987 etc etc we do them all!

;)

Oh I meant in terms of removing the ECU lol

I too, am looking for some form of ECU "enhancement" as well. The superchips site looks great, and they seem like a reputable and honest company, however I am bothred by the fact that ist is a "one size fits all" approach, with respect to intake or exhaust modifications.

It seems GIAC is the gold standard, but I'm not sold on any of it at the end of the day.

Patrick

14 day guarantee
 

This is the exact reason why we offer an unconditional 14-day satisfaction guarantee. In other words, if you are not 100% happy with the performance gain (and really notice the difference), then we will happily return you to stock and refund your money.

I should now say that in the 9 years I have worked for Powerchip we would have refunded now more than 2 people - and those guys just wanted to try it for free in the first place.

Honestly, untill you try it in your own vehicle, on your own streets, it is difficult to understand the difference that tuning can make on your vehicle.

One thing is for sure: it is certainly NOT a one size fits all approach with us at Powerchip. We will ask what octane rating you use, any modifications done to the vehicle and even where you do the majority of driving in your vehicle to make sure we have the best upgrade for you.

www.powerchipgroup.com has a wealth of knowledge about tuning, our development process and other things as well.

If anyone has anything specific to ask, just pm me or email me t@powerchipgroup.com.

Happy motoring!

Trav 8004950777

Hey Trav,


Won 300 off the super bowl. :D Looks like this will speed up the process.




I still don't know how to remove the ECU on a 987!

instructions for download
 

Well half your luck because I thought Chi-town would win for sure!!!

:ah:

click here to download some instructions on the Boxster 987 ECU removal. It is the same as with the 986. Once the ECU is removed, it needs to be sent overnight to us for modification:
www.357host.com/T/987boxster.doc


2209 Federal Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90064

Let me know if you need anything else.
----------------------------------------------
Trav (800)495 0777
Powerchip Inc. - Digital Adrenalin for your Engine!
www.powerchipgroup.com

You guys are local, can I just bring my car down and get it done same day?

free installation
 

yes for sure!

We offer free local installation here in Los Angeles, CA.

Just let us know when you are free to stop in. Entire process takes only an hour and you drive out with a SMILE :cheers:

It is more than 'JUST' the hp and tq gains on the Boxster...

Lets face it, there isn't much (if anything) in the way of parts to improve the performance of our cars (other than spending big bucks on aftermarket blowers etc)

The changes we make to the Boxster program includes the ignition timing changes to suit the octane rating of gas you run, fuel mixtures to improve economy and performance, rev limits (optional) and the e-Gas (drive-by-wire) settings.

We spent time to reduce flat spots and improve the launch and low-end performance as well as improve fuel economy slightly. I can assure you that there is no better value upgrade available.

Compare this gain with any exhaust or intake modification, and you will see that it is effective. We are so confident you will like it: you can try it for 14 days to make sure your satisfied.

I hope this helps!

Trav

Is the powerchip legal in California now?