Which chip to choose-and noisy cold engine

[NZ16v]

Hey guys, i am interested in a chip for my 16v,and really only have two options over here-a chiptuning one,or a powerchip.now a powerchip is only $600(200squid) but the chiptuning one looks to be 400 euro-ouch!Does anyone have a preference?i really would like to go with the powerchip,unless someone knows of a better choice,or has a good one lying about i can buy! Additionally,my old girl is a bit rattly at start up,but comes right after a couple of minutes-she doesnt blow smoke a bit, and only noisy first thing-diagnosis?
Any help is great-me and my father fiddle on our valvers every time i am home, and love them to bits.
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[Simran]

Sounds like sticky hydraulic tappets. Depending on who you talk to both thicker and thinner oil is recommended, the theory being thinner oil helps pump them up quicker, thicker oil helps seal them better once they have pumped up fully but because the oil lubes everything else in the engine you have to consider the effect this will have on other parts, a fairly worn bottom end wont like thinner oil. Im still quite confused by oil rating, as ive been told by an oil specialist on another forum that all oils tested to the same standard (SAE) are the same thickness at the temperature they were tested at (80 degrees for example) and so the only differences in thickness you see is at cold and extreme hot temps but normal running temps all oils with same SAE no. should be the same? I may be wrong of course and hopefully someone will correct me if i am as i dont fully understand it all. If it goes away after a few minutes its not normally a problem. A flush with some clean oil and regular use is all i can recommend, stops any further build up of gunk in them. Not sure on chips but just to let you know you can get a full megasquirt ECU for £350? this will give you full adjustability on all engine running parameters if it takes your fancy and lower spec version with less features, maybe most of which you wont need or want for about £200 with loom. Its worth a look if you are looking for more performance and dont mind a bit of diy.

[NZ16v]

Thats great,just what my old man thought-we may crack her open and have a good poke around-the lifters may need a good clean out as well.As far as chips go, the fact a Powerchip is plug n play i might go with that,wait n see.Does it need a tune after chipping via someone with a CO2 meter and the proper AFM and sensor knowledge?Thanks for the post cobber.

[ollie]

oil wise I use a fairly basic quality 10 w 40, if you want to clean the injectors you can buy a specialist chemical cleaner, Wynns sell one called valve lifter concentrate which works well on K series which have similar setup - i'd use plenty of that with some nice thin 5 w 30 oil and take it for a spin then add some flushing additive and drain the lot for an oil and filter change, then add you fave 10 w 40 again, mobil did a good basic one allthough i've not seen it for a while. IF YOU KNOW YOUR CARS HISTORY and previous servicing routines then you can try thinner rating oils or full synthetics, but this would be at your own risk on a recent purchase. and don;'t be tempted by using 15 w 50 racing oils if your going shopping in it, even if you "RACE" to the shops.
These are meant for cars which get a serious beating over hours not seconds and only get started once a week for a race

Ollie

[thanuttiscotsman]

hi there,
if you want a chip for cheap then e-mail this guy george@gkoutsis.com he does chips for £25+ postage. as far as iam aware they are clone chips. i have one in my car running for 1 year without any hassles, just more power!

cheers rossco

[Vanny]

The super ships are VERY easy to duplicate should anyone want one doubling up, i have the machine for doing it!

[Mike E (uk)]

I did a back to back power test on a rolling road a couple of years ago,
comparing the standard chip with a BBR Starchip and a Superchip.

The BBR chip gave the best power + torque, the superchip only gave a little more power by extending the rev limiter upwards. Fine on the drag strip, but not really worthwhile on the road.

The standard chip was good, and only slightly worse than the BBR device.
The Starchip was worse than the standard part for most engine speeds.

The BBR device was a plain IC, unlike the Superchip which has a bunch of other parts on a pcb, presumably to stop counterfeiting.
So the BBR chip can easily be copied.

All three ICs plug into the ECU socket.

I would not spend much money on these, as the benefits are at best a few horse power. Chip tuning is best for supercharged engines.

the 16V engine with the full set of horsepower is plenty powerful enough for the chassis- if you feel you need more, perhaps a few horses have escaped? May be a session on a dyno would help find them.

Mike

[NZ16v]

Thanks for all the response-i will email this chap for the cheapy and see what happens-i also have a spare factory ecu,so if anything goes pear shaped i have a back up!I havent had a chance to do much on the old girl the past couple weeks,been getting distracted on house building. Engine flush,new oil and additive,and new chip will be next on agenda.thanks again chaps,will post more pics of mine soon-boot install is nice and tidy,no flashy stuff,just practical.