Powerchip

[kar10w]

hey guys. my 1st post. done some research on the engine management chip produce by Powerchip. Powerchip writes:

"In standard form, the Mazda SP20 2.0 4cyl produces 98 kW, however the addition of a Powerchip Gold 98 will increase the power to 111 kW. In addition to the extra power, the torque is also increased. The SP20 2.0 4cyl produces 174 Nm standard, and this is increased to 194 Nm."

Powership website: http://www.powerchipgroup.com/index.asp"

cost is 990$. bit dear i say, but would you guys suggest extractors and full exhaust over this chip? i am attracted to the chip cos "apparently" it won't be detected my mazda - hence not voiding my warranty.

any thoughts :?:

btw, has anyone carried out a turbo conversion for the sp20 :?:

thanks.

[SehnKhan]

I asked this question a while back and got a good response here. However, it may interest you to know that the Powerchip people don't even own a dyno (apparently).

[Cosmo Dude]

A friend had a GT4 Celica, Powerchip promised a 10% increase for about $1200. Only consideration was they said you needed a ducted K&N induction and a 3 inch exhaust.
He used a boost cut and K&N filter to achieve the same result with way less $$$$$

Some chips are worth the money but to tune my Wolf 3D cost less than half that and is is a one off job to suit my engine. If Powerchip sell fifty of these then the dollars just don't add up (remember the BP and B6 are resident in the Mx-5) :shock: :evil:

Rod

[kar10w]

thanks guys. i've read other members talk of croydon autosports carrying out a turbo conversion for the sp20. hmmm, i'll just do some more ringing round.

tks again :)

[BigMal]

I know its the Laser but there was of course the Hot4's SR2
which was turbo but not really a daily drive car where working
properly actually mattered. I say that as I heard it didn't run
all that good. I wouldn't go Croyden or BD4's as expect to pay
almost double for the job through them. I would sooner
talk to say AVO and modifying one of their kits. Getting the
turbo manifold will be the hardest bit. Are you intending std
pistons and low boost or new pistons and high boost ??

Regards

Mal

[kyra]

yeah, i'd be very suss on the 111kw! i would want a before chip dyno chart, and an after after chip dyno chart... what figures are they using to get 111kw from 98? at least a 13% increase...
i dare say you could get that from a decent exhaust system (with headers) and an air filter.
not sure about not being detected by mazda, maybe more electronically astute people can comment here.


cheers,
Bill

[Aaron]

Powerchip type companies basically 'hack' the existing management code. This can be done well or poorly and that's up to the individual doing the hacking.

They not visually detectable BUT....

In that sense the actual ECU information (version numbers etc) looks the same to diagnostic computers....In theory....

In practice many car companies are getting smart, very smart, Renault as one example has a diagnostics system that checks the integrity of every byte of code in the ECU against what should be there. Even better is that if it's corrupted it'll nicely reflash the 'proper' code back over the dodgy one, after storing a copy of the altered code and sending it back to head office in France (complete with VIN details)

I would imagine Mazda would be coming close to that level of technology at dealership levels....

Personally my thoughts are that you either get a factory developed chip (say from a one make race series version) or go for a quality item like a Unichip that will let you use it and retune it again and again. It'll cost more intially but you'll wear a bigger grin in the long run.

A.

[Tony]

Like you, I thought about installing the chip and was a bit dubious about the figures - I mean, anyone can throw a 13% power increase at you disguised in a glossy brochure but it depends where this 13% (if for real) is delivered - top or bottom end? And would you really get any use out of powere delivered at the top end? Probably not cause you really need it at the bottom end.

The cost is high. Too high by my reckoning for what you get out of it. Just today I dropped a K & N filter in and the power increase is very noticable (amazing really - and at the bottom end where it counts). Cost for a filter - around $100. Next thing would be to uprate your exhaust system (including extractors). The whole setup should cost the same as a chip and you know that your getting an integrated system that's gonna increase performance where it counts. Later throw on a turbo when your not so worried about your warranty.

[dfvadr]

hi guys just reading though this forum thought id throw my 2 bobs worth in fitting off the exhaust will not affect warranty air filter will but lets face if it goes in for warranty put the standard back in if ur thinking turbo dont waste money on headers or extractors because u will have to replace them with a turbo manifold anyway a 2.25 or 2.5 cat back system will cost about $250 with chrome tip an with the sp20 motor u can run 8 pound boost without hurting it all day every day if u wont say 10 pound run a decent intercooler

[jcywong]

maybe it's true but i really doubt that if those chip can push to max power, then it should be 121kw as for the jap model not only 111kw

[Harry]

Apologies if this is a little after the fact. I am just psyched about finding this site.

I ran into a guy who owns a '02 Laser. The guy works for a Ford dealerership. He has worked the exhaust from the extractors down as well as some VERY minor timing adjustments.

With all his effort he managed to squeze out ~120Kw. The one thing he warned me on was that the minute you make changes to the extractors you void warranty.

Well thats my 2 cents worth.

[ezin]

Be Carefull Guy's & Girls! Theres a lot of after market crap out there! The extractors & Exhaust sound all good but do they produce the results across the whole rev-range! All i would do is get your car put on the dyno totally standard! get your printout and start adding bits! If the KW dont go up in the whole rev-range! ask for your money back! Its the only way to go! What the f*#K's the point if U get 5-10kw more up top but lose it at the bottom and in the mid-range! It doesn't make the car Quicker down the Qtr! Anyway as a base, my sp's done 30k not mods at all and produces 88kw at the wheels! Do the math! thats more than the factory stated 98kw at the crank! So be Carefull, Get your cars dyno'd 1st