Has anyone used Chip Your Car performance chips?

[David Truax]

Just wondering because I like the fact that it just plugs into the OBD port and doesn't require any additional wiring. So to "detune", you just remove it from the OBD and it ECU goes back to stock.

https://www.chipyourcar.com/product/kia-performance-chip/

 

[Terry@BMS]

 

[David Truax]

Appreciate i think.....

 

[washguy]

So to "detune", you just remove it from the OBD and it ECU goes back to stock

David you got it all bass akwards....you detune your car when you plug it in.... Wash

 

[ecko04]

Just wondering because I like the fact that it just plugs into the OBD port and doesn't require any additional wiring. So to "detune", you just remove it from the OBD and it ECU goes back to stock.

https://www.chipyourcar.com/product/kia-performance-chip/

Here you go, context to the face palm.

TLDR; stay away

Thunderbolt Performance Chips from Chipyourcar.com – Performance Chip Reviews

For the price they’re charging, RaceChip would be a better option, or stretch up to JB4 or Lap3 — the primary difference being that they actually work.

I have no personal experience with Lap3, but RaceChip and JB4 are plug-n-play as well, if that’s what initially drew you to the chip.

There’s a wealth of tuning knowledge on this forum. If the product hasn’t been discussed at some point then it’s probably not worthy of discussion.

But these types of product inquiries deserve to be asked if only so people know what to stay away from. I’m glad you asked before you purchased.

 

[David Truax]

Here you go, context to the face palm.

TLDR; stay away

Thunderbolt Performance Chips from Chipyourcar.com – Performance Chip Reviews

For the price they’re charging, RaceChip would be a better option, or stretch up to JB4 or Lap3 — the primary difference being that they actually work.

I have no personal experience with Lap3, but RaceChip and JB4 are plug-n-play as well, if that’s what initially drew you to the chip.

There’s a wealth of tuning knowledge on this forum. If the product hasn’t been discussed at some point then it’s probably not worthy of discussion.

But these types of product inquiries deserve to be asked if only so people know what to stay away from. I’m glad you asked before you purchased.

Thanks for the info. I was leaning towards using RaceChip anyways.... now I know to stay away from the little boxes you just stick in the OBD port....

 

[ecko04]

Thanks for the info. I was leaning towards using RaceChip anyways.... now I know to stay away from the little boxes you just stick in the OBD port....

Make sure you check the classifieds section of the forums before purchasing. Sometimes you’re able to find a steal on the RaceChip that’ll save you quite a bit.

 

[David Truax]

Make sure you check the classifieds section of the forums before purchasing. Sometimes you’re able to find a steal on the RaceChip that’ll save you quite a bit.

Thanks for the tip. Found one for sale on here for a good price....

 

[oddball]

IIRC, those OBDII plug-in doodads "work" by trying to overwrite the IAT readings, telling the computer that the air is colder than it really is. A blunt force trauma method to tuning. And, as stated, not really successful.

If it sounds too good to be true......

 

[Terry@BMS]

Everyone sells RC to get the JB4 sooner or later. I'd just save the headache and get the JB4... Although I might be a little biased.

 

[cncBilly]

Everyone sells RC to get the JB4 sooner or later. I'd just save the headache and get the JB4... Although I might be a little biased.

Perhaps. But from all I've read....You are correct!!

 

[David Truax]

Everyone sells RC to get the JB4 sooner or later. I'd just save the headache and get the JB4... Although I might be a little biased.

I figure the RC will be all that I need. I don't plan to race or anything like that

 

[Ahawk1968]

I was leaning towards a Racechip also, but I am so glad I went with the JB4 instead. Just consider the (near) the instant feedback from Terry on this forum!

 

[Terry@BMS]

I figure the RC will be all that I need. I don't plan to race or anything like that

It's really not only about racing.. The RC doesn't take in gas pedal, throttle position, engine speed, or any engine data at all to base the tuning off. So you don't get the same refined mapping you do with the JB4. And at the end of the day the JB4 isn't really much more especially if you skip the app/JB4 mobile adapter.

 

[ecko04]

I figure the RC will be all that I need. I don't plan to race or anything like that

The RC would be fine for most people. The JB4 just takes things to the next level in terms of adjustability and fine tuning. JB4 is perfect for people who think they want to see what everything is doing who will then take a log and send to Terry for him to look at for them once they realize they don't know WTF they are looking @? I'm one of those people

And for full transparency, I would be rocking the RC GTS if it had arrived prior to my dyno session. I didn't want to miss out on my scheduled appointment, and my deposit, waiting for a shipment for Germany so I had the JB4 overnighted.

 

[G-286102]

SOO DO YOU THINK EITHER THESE WILL WORK FINE ON A 2018 3.6R OUTBACK THOUGH IT HAS A CVT??????

 

[IronWarjack]

Everyone sells RC to get the JB4 sooner or later. I'd just save the headache and get the JB4... Although I might be a little biased.

Wow, the cost. I wasn't really looking for one, but dang.

Most of these I saw plug into OBD2 ports yes? Isn't that protected on the Chrysler (i.e. no write to memory to such)? I assume then they don't write, they just tell...

Anyway, I was cautioned not to do this to my 2.0L Turbo, but still found it fascinating to read the details.

 

[Thomby]

Most of these I saw plug into OBD2 ports yes?

Yes, and the way they worked 10-20 years ago was to blindly peg air temp at -40 or +160 or whatever, prompting the car to go max rich/lean (but once actual AFR is detected via O2 sensors, the ECU would adjust trims to negate the fake temp).

I don't think modern ones can do anything more sophisticated through just the ODB port (JB4/piggybacks wouldn't intercept physical sensors if they didn't need to), but the fact that this claims to be "universal" (even for turbo vs. NA) means it's either doing something very simple and crude, or nothing at all.

Isn't that protected on the Chrysler (i.e. no write to memory to such)?

Sir this is a Kia Stinger forum. (I'm not sure about Chrysler specifically, but I don't think any modern cars let you manipulate sensor data or AFR etc directly via ODB...you nearly always have to "crack" the ECU and overwrite it).