Which chip do you recommend???

[GRich]

I'm looking into getting a performance chip for my Stinger GT1. I've already purchased HKS plugs. Which performance chip do you recommend (LAP 3, Racechip, JB4)? Do I also need to install an oil catch can? Recommendations on that?

Thanks!!!

 

[Regs120]

The consensus here is the JB4.

 

[DaBears4Lyfe]

JB4. As you can see from the top 10 track list performance is pretty close across the Tork ECU Tune, Lap 3 Pro tuner and JB4... but cost is no where near the same.

Tork ECU Tune (stage 2 is not for sale) Stage 1 - $900.00 if you need a spare ECU for Warranty concerns add an extra $1000 = $1,900.00
LAP 3 pro tuner - $1,200.00 - Harder install and not easy to remove for warranty issues (extra sensor on the crank)
JB4 - $479 + Bluetooth $140.00 = $620.00 Comes with the support like no other and the owner of the company who is here daily to help out the community. There is also forum dedicated to the jb4.

JB4 owns 6/10 top 10 track times
Tork owns 2/10
Lap3 owns 2/10

Most of these are all within .1 seconds of eachother at max.

 

[Regs120]

Don't forget about the cost of the spark plugs as well for piggybacks. Some shops can charge up to 300-400 dollars to get them replaced depending on your area. Denso's for 45 dollars and have them installed for 150-200 dollars with a gap. So that 600 dollar JP4 quickly turns into a 800 dollar piggy back.

 

[GRich]

Don't forget about the cost of the spark plugs as well for piggybacks. Some shops can charge up to 300-400 dollars to get them replaced depending on your area. Denso's for 45 dollars and have them installed for 150-200 dollars with a gap. So that 600 dollar JP4 quickly turns into a 800 dollar piggy back.

Thank you for the insight! I've already purchased HKS plugs and will have them installed next week. Do I need to install an oil catch?

 

[DaBears4Lyfe]

Don't forget about the cost of the spark plugs as well for piggybacks. Some shops can charge up to 300-400 dollars to get them replaced depending on your area. Denso's for 45 dollars and have them installed for 150-200 dollars with a gap. So that 600 dollar JP4 quickly turns into a 800 dollar piggy back.

if you cant swap your own spark plugs I dont recommend you modify your car.

 

[WildBill]

if you cant swap your own spark plugs I dont recommend you modify your car.

That is pretty harsh. There are people that do their research, know what they want, but are not the least bit mechanically inclined. They would best leave it to someone else. Plus, this isn't like an old RWD V8 where every plug is easily accessible with just a ratchet and 5/8" deep well.

 

[eflyguy]

I agree. You don't need to know how to wrench to "deserve" to drive a modified vehicle.

 

[DaBears4Lyfe]

That is pretty harsh. There are people that do their research, know what they want, but are not the least bit mechanically inclined. They would best leave it to someone else. Plus, this isn't like an old RWD V8 where every plug is easily accessible with just a ratchet and 5/8" deep well.

My concern is if you start to modify you have to imagine things can and will go wrong, do you really want to have to go to someone every time to help you remove something or add something. Just my honest opinion. If you dont know how to change a spark plug with all of the YT videos out there and prior knowledge I dont think it is in your best interest to modify a car.

 

[Terry@BMS]

You're going to be buying plugs no matter how you tune it sooner or later. Stock plugs and their huge gap are ticking timebombs.

 

[DaBears4Lyfe]

Like i said it was my recommendation. I wouldn't do it. If I cant fix what I can potentially break, I wouldn't want to modify my cars.

One crack spark plug and you are talking a down car and hundreds of dollars worth or labor because you cant fix it. Id leave it stock and just warranty it then. Again just my opinion.

 

[Kevin Joseph Walsh]

JB4. As you can see from the top 10 track list performance is pretty close across the Tork ECU Tune, Lap 3 Pro tuner and JB4... but cost is no where near the same.

Tork ECU Tune (stage 2 is not for sale) Stage 1 - $900.00 if you need a spare ECU for Warranty concerns add an extra $1000 = $1,900.00
LAP 3 pro tuner - $1,200.00 - Harder install and not easy to remove for warranty issues (extra sensor on the crank)
JB4 - $479 + Bluetooth $140.00 = $620.00 Comes with the support like no other and the owner of the company who is here daily to help out the community. There is also forum dedicated to the jb4.

JB4 owns 6/10 top 10 track times
Tork owns 2/10
Lap3 owns 2/10

Most of these are all within .1 seconds of eachother at max.

I am new to the group and just wondering why no one included race chip. Is there a reason.

 

[eflyguy]

It is not as popular for a variety of reasons, but we do have at least one member with it. You can use the search function ("Find") if you'd like to read more..

 

[Regs120]

Like i said it was my recommendation. I wouldn't do it. If I cant fix what I can potentially break, I wouldn't want to modify my cars.

One crack spark plug and you are talking a down car and hundreds of dollars worth or labor because you cant fix it. Id leave it stock and just warranty it then. Again just my opinion.

Stock plugs should not be ticking time bombs for mild tunes and honestly a vendor should not have to scare you into buying more merchandise to run their tunes. I ran a Mustang Ecoboost with a can-tune without catch cans or gapped plugs. Obviously, if you want to push the limits of your car, then yes, you need better hardware but unless you are running map 3 or above I can't see why it is justified. Ford Performance gave me 25 more peek HP which is laughable, but the way they changed the power curve in general and throttle response turned it into entirely different car. Sure, Ford Performance couldn't argue not buying tighter gap plugs, but you didn't really need them. I ran the canned tune for over 55k miles without a hitch.

PresserTech laughed at me for even suggesting if I needed to buy better plugs with their tune. Laughed. Every forum I visit seems like there are vendors who keep pressing accessories. I am not a complete cynic, and I am sure you can prove that these items in cases are needed, but for the most part I should not have to remove my manifold or buy 20 extensions and a 19 year old back to remove stock plugs for a simple mild tune.

 

[WildBill]

A few things. Different people have had different results on factory plug gaps, stock or tuned.
Just because 1 platform behaved one way does not mean another will.
The factory gaps have been noted to be all over the place. Up to .036" & .038"
I believe it is the recommendation of all tuners to at least check the factory gaps and re-gap them to between .028 and .022 depending on the tuner and their tuning methods.

 

[xot1]

We recommend the JB4 with water methanol injection kit.

 

[ScottM]

Stock plugs should not be ticking time bombs for mild tunes and honestly a vendor should not have to scare you into buying more merchandise to run their tunes. I ran a Mustang Ecoboost with a can-tune without catch cans or gapped plugs. Obviously, if you want to push the limits of your car, then yes, you need better hardware but unless you are running map 3 or above I can't see why it is justified. Ford Performance gave me 25 more peek HP which is laughable, but the way they changed the power curve in general and throttle response turned it into entirely different car. Sure, Ford Performance couldn't argue not buying tighter gap plugs, but you didn't really need them. I ran the canned tune for over 55k miles without a hitch.

PresserTech laughed at me for even suggesting if I needed to buy better plugs with their tune. Laughed. Every forum I visit seems like there are vendors who keep pressing accessories. I am not a complete cynic, and I am sure you can prove that these items in cases are needed, but for the most part I should not have to remove my manifold or buy 20 extensions and a 19 year old back to remove stock plugs for a simple mild tune.

I'd say do some searching on this forum regarding plugs and you'll see. It's not a sales tactic with the Stinger and on this forum, it's known facts of things going wrong with the stock gaps once tuned. And, as WildBill said... all platforms behave differently. Better safe then sorry, if you're going to tune...however that may be.

 

[Shrikecorp]

JB4. Presumably Lap4 does good things, but the price delta is hard to ignore...and that discounts the Terry factor, which is a Big Deal. He's been great about my stupid questions as well as those of many others.

Do recommend an intake as well - I like my Injens, I'm sure others are just fine too. The noise is hilarious. The combo has transformed my car, no dyno yet but undeniably a huge bump up (running Map 2 daily).

 

[GRich]

Has anyone installed an oil catch for their tuning? Is it recommended for the JB4? I saw on another site that oil catches are highly recommended for the Lap3 tune.

 

[brancky3]

Stock plugs should not be ticking time bombs for mild tunes and honestly a vendor should not have to scare you into buying more merchandise to run their tunes. I ran a Mustang Ecoboost with a can-tune without catch cans or gapped plugs. Obviously, if you want to push the limits of your car, then yes, you need better hardware but unless you are running map 3 or above I can't see why it is justified. Ford Performance gave me 25 more peek HP which is laughable, but the way they changed the power curve in general and throttle response turned it into entirely different car. Sure, Ford Performance couldn't argue not buying tighter gap plugs, but you didn't really need them. I ran the canned tune for over 55k miles without a hitch.

PresserTech laughed at me for even suggesting if I needed to buy better plugs with their tune. Laughed. Every forum I visit seems like there are vendors who keep pressing accessories. I am not a complete cynic, and I am sure you can prove that these items in cases are needed, but for the most part I should not have to remove my manifold or buy 20 extensions and a 19 year old back to remove stock plugs for a simple mild tune.

The definition of a 'mild tune' is subjective. With a JB4 you're looking at ~75-100hp gains easily depending on what fuel you're using. 1 step colder plugs is not unheard of with that large of a power increase.