i dont know much about "chipping" a car or reflashing the ECU but on other forums i see people chipping their hondas and VWs and increasing their HP 10%-25% (superchips claims). Is there any chip or ecu mod for the Z? Is it worth doing? Are there any websites or companies that do this for the Z?

 

First, I'll suggest you run a search for "ECU Reflash". You'll be reading for days.

There are two companies in the country that can re-flash the ECU, Technosquare and Altered Atmosphere Motorsports. Not sure what the gains are out of this, but I've heard it's a decent mod.

EDIT: I like my ECU reflash the best..It came with a free turbo-kit!

 

http://www.technosquareinc.com

Ask for Brian.

 

Here is the deal, and it's almost a universal rule.

Chipping cars was popular and somewhat useful before OBDII advanced diagnostics became popular.

Now they can do everything on the fly, so there isn't much that can be adjusted. Back when ODBI was around, everything was preprogrammed and had to account for higher tolerances, since it couldn't adjust on the fly.

Still you can remove rev limiters & top speed limiters and accomplish some other things with ODB II chips, if done right.

Also reflashing on ODBII at least on the 350z seems to make the car more adaptable to NA mods.


Enjoy

 

What I'm curious is the gains... I always hear people saying that after they chip their VW, sti, etc. they automatically gain 30HP, etc.

But for the 350Z, I only see people say reflashing the chip helps with mods...

Do you gain any HP when you reflash a stock 350Z? Or is the reflashing only for mods?

 

The vws being chipped are probably 1.8t which yes can get around 30hp through a chip. Reason being is they are turbo. Changing a few things in the computer, (boost, fuel, timing) can easily get a little more HP out of a turbo motor. Same goes for the STI's and EVO8's and other turbo cars out there. Chipping an NA motor will not see such an increase in power.

 

super chips say turbo sees increases to 25% and NA sees increases to 10%

 

i think the key word in their advertising is TO 10 and 25%

 

Let's set aside the word “chip,” and use "program the ECU." There are two types of programming. One is a standardized one-size-fits-all program. You can send off the ECU and have it done, or do it in-shop. I’ve seen after dyno gains of 0-5 hp.

The other is the custom program done in-shop on the dyno. Maybe 5 to 10 runs. Its labor intensive and expensive. For the custom programing, expect 10 hp plus.

Remember that in both instances we're taking about programing after performance bolt-ons, and not the 350Z stock.

 

Just put in a higher ratio rear end!

 

I dont know about you guys, but chipping is pretty popular with Z's . just take a look at your front bumper and hood. I'm sure you'll lose count of all the rock chips you have.