View Full Version : Electronic Based Chips Rather Than Potato Based
Black20VT
26-09-2001, 11:38
While we're talking about Chips (the electronic based rather than potato based), has anyone had a 'Superchip' fitted to their Ibiza Cupra? I notice with the 'discount' through SeatCupra.net, it's about £300 notes, which seems a bargain.
I'd just like to hear comments or recommendations regarding chips. Is the 'Superchip' a good one etc as it seems a lot cheaper than various other chips I've seen.
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i know of nobody who has risked/tried this.
i wonder why.......
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Wannabe:
While we're talking about Chips (the electronic based rather than potato based), has anyone had a 'Superchip' fitted to their Ibiza Cupra? I notice with the 'discount' through SeatCupra.net, it's about £300 notes, which seems a bargain.
I'd just like to hear comments or recommendations regarding chips. Is the 'Superchip' a good one etc as it seems a lot cheaper than various other chips I've seen.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
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Mark P
www.SEAT-Sport.co.uk
I fitted a Superchip chip in my cupra about a year ago.
The car is running smoothly even in high temperatures (I live in Athens, about 35 - 40 Celsium at summer) and is very fast.
superchips + air filter --> 182 BHP and 25,9 torque.
superchips + air filter + forge d.v. + cat back exhaust + modified air box --> 196 BHP and 28,3 torque.
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Elias
Ibiza 20VT
Athens
AmD or RSD.........enough said.
Superchips has never been a favourite of mine.
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Petrolhead Paul
26-09-2001, 17:03
Superchips - jack of all trades and master of none. It is they who are the wannabes.
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Black20VT
27-09-2001, 11:26
Do you mind if I ask why people find the 'Superchip' so bad? What are the major differences between a 'Superchip' and the likes of AmD etc? Surely they do similar things and as with the other chips, they're individually tuned to the cars requirements to get optimal performace. Also, would SeatCupra.net have a link to such a site if they weren't recommended? Sorry to go on, but I'm just trying to see how I could justify spending twice as much on a chip if they do the same thing.
Please guide me during this moment of need! http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/frown.gif
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Thats precisely the point though, especially with the turbo engine, it doesnt do exactly the same.
AmD Chip involves Rolling Road Tuning, these guys are VAG-Porsche Specialists (they tune 911 turbos so they know their stuff)
RSD chip is an Oettinger Conversion which is TUV approved, Oettinger have been tuning VAG cars longer than most of us have been alive.
They are to VW what Alpina are to BMW (well almost http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/smile.gif
Both conversions offer (within 1-2BHP) 195BHP for chip alone.
Add exhaust and Dump Valve and run S/UL and your looking over 200BHP.
Superchips can only get the engine to 180 odd BHP, they are modem dealers, so they download a program onto a blank chip on your car like you would download a media file.
Believe me, if/when i get my turbo chipped, it would be AmD or RSD that gets my vote.
(I had an AmD on my last 8V)
There are other reasons for choosing, but check out
www.sjbsport.co.uk (http://www.sjbsport.co.uk) www.roadandsport.com (http://www.roadandsport.com) www.auto-amd.com (http://www.auto-amd.com)
Saul
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Petrolhead Paul
27-09-2001, 12:42
Why save 2 hundred quid to risk ****ing up a 13k car?
Not that it would of course, but ask Superchips if they are willing to pay for your engine, cat or anything else that fails?
Its a false economy.
If you are happy with 'just' 180bhp ask Flapper if he can get hold of the Ibiza Cupra R chip - that will be a much better bet.
Otherwise Sauls comments above say it all.
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Wannabe:
Also, would SeatCupra.net have a link to such a site if they weren't recommended? Sorry to go on, but I'm just trying to see how I could justify spending twice as much on a chip if they do the same thing.
Please guide me during this moment of need! http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/frown.gif
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
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[Message edited by Petrolhead Paul on 27 September 2001.]
Black20VT
27-09-2001, 14:09
It's obvious from most responses that 'Superchips' don't offer the same quality as other suppliers when it comes to chips. It's sounds as though AmD or RSD are the best ones to go for and just checking the prices again, they're only a couple of hundred notes more and as PetrolHead said, it's false economy in the long run and don't offer such an individual service with attention to detail. More of a mass production approach.
PetrolHead also mentioned about the Chip from the Cupra R, is this a possibility? Maybe Daz you can offer guidance on this? I'm actually coming across to Cheltenham on Saturday morning to test drive Neil's Ibiza Cupra http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/wink.gif
Thanks everyone for your input, anymore is always welcome!
What prices have people paid for a fully fitted RSD or AmD chip?
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[Message edited by Wannabe on 28 September 2001.]
Hello again,
I don't disagree with all the people that propose AMD or other developers. In Greece we have Superchips, MTM and some other local tuners (not bad).
I am interesting in your opinion to the following question. I got 182 BHP with superchips program working at 12 to 13 psi. The AMD or Oetinger chips what psi do they work to give 195 BHP?
For example MTM works at 16 - 18 psi to give about 195 BHP comparing to superchips 12 - 13 psi and 182 BHP.
So, I wonder, if AMD and other tuners gives you 195 to 200 BHP working at 16 and more psi, then isn't there more risk to use AMD chip? Because the motor of our car has 9,5 compression ratio and it is not such a good idea to work with so much turbo pressure.
Another thing is, what torque do AMD and other tuners offer in 195 BHP?
I choose superchips rather than MTM because I need to improve my cars performance and at the same time not risk to damage my engine. But with your articles you seem to know that a superchips program can make the motor break. So I am worried about this a little.
I am looking for your answer.
Thanks
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Elias
Ibiza 20VT
Athens
Petrolhead Paul
29-09-2001, 00:45
Elias, sorry if we've given the impression that Superchips will blow your engine up, this hasn't happened as far as I know.
But chips like the Oettinger offer guarantees to cover any parts that could be deemed to have failed due to increased power levels. Superchips do not offer the same assurances.
Furthermore AmD and Oettinger specialise in tuning VAG group cars, they spend longer developing each chip than Superchips whose research and development can't be as thorough given the number of cars they cater for. I think there is more to it than just psi.
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Elias:
Hello again,
I don't disagree with all the people that propose AMD or other developers. In Greece we have Superchips, MTM and some other local tuners (not bad).
I am interesting in your opinion to the following question. I got 182 BHP with superchips program working at 12 to 13 psi. The AMD or Oetinger chips what psi do they work to give 195 BHP?
For example MTM works at 16 - 18 psi to give about 195 BHP comparing to superchips 12 - 13 psi and 182 BHP.
So, I wonder, if AMD and other tuners gives you 195 to 200 BHP working at 16 and more psi, then isn't there more risk to use AMD chip? Because the motor of our car has 9,5 compression ratio and it is not such a good idea to work with so much turbo pressure.
Another thing is, what torque do AMD and other tuners offer in 195 BHP?
I choose superchips rather than MTM because I need to improve my cars performance and at the same time not risk to damage my engine. But with your articles you seem to know that a superchips program can make the motor break. So I am worried about this a little.
I am looking for your answer.
Thanks
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
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I'm discovering lots of greeks in this forum! When I first registered I thought I'd be the only one....!
Elias I agree with the rest of the guys about the quality of Superchips. Its not that it will ruin your car, after all you're running on lower pressure so it can't blow it up.
But I agree that when it comes to tuning your engine (and not just putting a cool bumper or whatever) its better to be safe than sorry.
I have a friend who has an S3, and he tuned it at MTM, he paid around 2500GBP (elia 1,2 muria akrivos,1,1 epeidi ta edose metrita) but the computer was sent to Germany to MTM's headquarters for remapping. So they MUST know what they are doing.
After all, the "big head" in MTM is the head of researchers on the 1.8T engine VAG uses. So he knows his stuff.
What I'm trying to say is that its better to get the "expensive" stuff when it comes to messing with the engine rather than the cheap which might look like a bargain but might not be.
MTM offered 3 years (3 years!!!) warranty with just 160DM extra.... THATS a bargain....
One more thing irrelevant from chips and stuff. Elias I;ve read Drive magazine say that the cupra has crap suspension (at least for greek roads). How does your ibiza handle?
[Message edited by nikos on 29 September 2001.]
Thanks for your answers,
before deciding to choose a chip I called MTM in GREECE and AMD and Oettinger through Internet (e-mails). None of those offered me any kind of warranty for my motor, just for the electronik parts (chip).
AMD also suggested me (I agree with them) that is better to shop from a local shop because if something went wrong with the fitting of AMD chip I would have to re-sent them the ECU etc.
MTM in Greece does not give any warranty for the car (give them a call)!!!
Even Superchips that gives you the money back during the first week if you are not pleased with the program, here in Greece they say that they do not support this kind of warranty!!!
I am curious for oettinger chips because in these forums in some article people say that the 195 BHP they claim to produce, are possible only with high octane petrol boosters etc.
In Greece, when I went to a new and expensive dynometer, the owner told me that the only chip that gives the horses that they claim to give is Superchips (except AMD because no car with AMD chip has been tested here yet).
Superchips offered another chip with more power but I didn't want to buy it. In Seat Greece, they say that we must not use more than 0,9 bar turbo pressure in the 9,5 compression ratio motors. Of course the compression of TT 225 and S3 is 8,8 to 9,0 depending on the model and it is safer (not safe) to use 1,1 bars.
I believe that the important thing is how the motor will behave after 3 or four years, not only if it will break or not!!!
I run with an MTM's yellow cupra some days ago, and I was faster (three cars at front). Of course I have a cat back exhaust.
If someone has a print of his car power at a dynometer I would like very much to take a look at it.
Anyway, I know the value of the MTM and AMD (from this forum) and of course Oettinger. But I wonder, they give 195 - 182 = 13BHP (7%) more power using 16 - 12 = 4 (25%) more turbo pressure!!1 I think that it is better to improve to a bigger turbo, like KO4, using low pressure. What do you think?
Cars with MTM's chip melted many times their turbos (no problem with the motor)!!!
About the suspension, it finished working after about 6 months. I'm loking for a bilstein now (when I have the money).
Thanks again http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/smile.gif
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Elias
Ibiza 20VT
Athens
I am the new one so I would be grateful if somebody could give me the cost for either of the chips mentioned in the above thread in the Uk please?
Si http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/confused.gif
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Black20VT
09-10-2001, 14:36
It appears that there are lots of pro's and con's about the various chips, but once again I've been loose on the internet doing more research.
Has anyone any experience on the Dastek Unichip?
I see they're slightly different in that they 'piggy-back' the original rather than replace, but they also get really good reviews!
Any comments on this particular chip would be greatly received.
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[Message edited by Wannabe on 10 October 2001.]
Black20VT
11-10-2001, 12:21
Do I assume from the lack of comments that no-one has experience with Unichip?
http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/confused.gif
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Black20VT
16-10-2001, 12:47
Question for Swinny really.
I know you're happy to service cars and do warranty repairs on car's with RSD mods and possibly AmD mods, but if I were to have a Unichip fitted, would you still be happy to service the car and carry out any warranty work? As essentially, I know it's up to dealer discretion and you guy's at Amethyst are the bee's knees!
Also, still not a single squeek from anyone regarding the Unichip? Anyone?
What sort of performance increase does the Unichip give?
A friend of mine has a standard 306GTi-6 and wants a little more power so he went to a Superchip garage.... they said the Superchip give 7bhp increase at best for the GTI6, but they recommended the Unichip and said that he should be able to get about 20bhp increase from it! Thats not bad for a nonturbo car, but I think drinks fuel.
No idea if they are reliable or any good though.
Ben
ibizacupra
16-10-2001, 13:17
Originally posted by Wannabe
While we're talking about Chips (the electronic based rather than potato based), has anyone had a 'Superchip' fitted to their Ibiza Cupra? I notice with the 'discount' through SeatCupra.net, it's about £300 notes, which seems a bargain.
I'd just like to hear comments or recommendations regarding chips. Is the 'Superchip' a good one etc as it seems a lot cheaper than various other chips I've seen.
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+20bhp from a chip on a normally aspirated motor?
(does it come with a free nitrous bottle?)
I would be amazed if s chip could release this alone on a n/a motor.
Bill
BBSparky
16-10-2001, 13:29
in theory my chip gained me nearly 80bhp! think that might have something to do with the timing being WAY out and only giving about 50 ponies when it got to AMD though. Either way it was a nice improvement for about £400!!! :p
Bill, yes I thought the claim of +20bhp was a little unrealistic too.
Ben