Performance plug and play chips

troyfletcher · 20-12-2021, 04:08 PM

Hey all,
Have a new 3.2l wildtrak. Thinking about putting a piggyback chip.in for a bit more grunt so I can remove if needed not to.void warranty.
What is everyone's thoughts of these and a good brand?
Tia

**Toiler** · 20-12-2021, 05:08 PM

It will work. Been there and done that.
The downsides?
There are many but the biggy is that you will have no stability control. Do you value your life?

(flame retardant suit put on)

troyfletcher · 20-12-2021, 05:09 PM

It stops.the stability control. They do not obviously advertise this.

**Toiler** · 20-12-2021, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troyfletcher

It stops.the stability control. They do not obviously advertise this.

There are reasons for this. The chip causing the engine to deliver more power than the ECU and stability program thinks is being delivered during an "event".

Simply ask the chip provider to guarantee that the "chip" will not interfere with the vehicle stability program - in writing. The response will be interesting. Please post.

troyfletcher · 20-12-2021, 05:29 PM

Oh I.will do haha

Vesper Martini · 20-12-2021, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toiler

There are reasons for this. The chip causing the engine to deliver more power than the ECU and stability program thinks is being delivered during an "event".

Simply ask the chip provider to guarantee that the "chip" will not interfere with the vehicle stability program - in writing. The response will be interesting. Please post.

So it doesn't actually give the engine more power, it just takes away things that limit the engines power?

**Toiler** · 20-12-2021, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vesper Martini

So it doesn't actually give the engine more power, it just takes away things that limit the engines power?

So a diesel is simple. More fuel = more power until the fuel cannot be burnt.

The cheapest chips are a resistor in a box - for which you pay big dollars. The "box" is inserted into the common rail pressure sensor feedback line to the ECU. So when the ECU commands a certain common rail pressure, the "box" reduces what the ECU sees and thus the ECU commands more pressure. More pressure is more fuel. This works on a diesel as the air fuel ratio will be auto matched. More fuel - more power - until it cannot be burnt and then you get black smoke. Claims will be made about reduced fuel consumption. LOL. Well the common rail is always running at higher pressure that what the ECU thinks. So given the same driving conditions (hack fitted and not) with the hack fitted ECU is running the common rail at a pressure lower than it would normally do so the fuel consumed will be reported to be lower than what is actually being used.

The next step up are the so called learning chips that learn the commanded pressure and then can sense throttle movements and then meter the power increase based on the throttle movements. ie WOT will give more pressure boost than normal driving. But the ESP is still out of sync. I have tested this on a BMW X3 3.0d and removed it after an uncontrolled reaction to an ESP inducing event. (was a spider tuning box btw).

The next step up is the chip that adds other sensors as input - I never investigated what but they better interface to the ECU and provide a better match between what the ECU thinks and what is actual. I am a bit hazy here cos I have never used such. These may retain ESP operation. Others can comment here. Steinbauer might be one such device.

The next step up is a generic ECU remap via the OBDI port. Not possible with Terry and possibly not with the ranger. This is better. The ECU is now in sync with what is actually happening and you have ESP retained. But the down side is the remap is generic and (from experience) will tend to over fuel and you will be blowing black smoke. I have tried this in the past on a BMW X3 3.0d. No DPF and it blew a lot of smoke but it did move along. I did repeat the steps leading up to the uncontrolled esp event I mention above. Perfect control - no issue. The good part of this option - plug in the dongle to the OBDI port and put the tune back to stock for service. I suspect the ECU memory will show strange behaviour though - the factory will be able to tell what you have done. But as stated this is not an option for Ford I believe.

The best option is the chassis dyno custom tune for YOUR vehicle. On the Terry the ECU needs to be removed and some soldering done to attach the programming tools. This I have had done. I posted the dyno results of this on my Terry some time back but the attachment is gone now - not sure what happened. I can provide by PM if interested. BUT the remap is not removable at will.

Franco Cozzo · 20-12-2021, 06:34 PM

These things are bull****, all they try do is increase fuel rail pressure etc.

Better off with a proper tune.

troyfletcher · 20-12-2021, 06:38 PM

Aaaaaand I changed my mind. Don't need to be stuffing around with it just to ruin it or void warranty. Thanks for your reply

ivorya · 20-12-2021, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troyfletcher

Hey all,
Have a new 3.2l wildtrak. Thinking about putting a piggyback chip.in for a bit more grunt so I can remove if needed not to.void warranty.
What is everyone's thoughts of these and a good brand?
Tia

https://www.bptmotorsport.com.au/pro...t-performance/

BPT has a good rep. I have seen some great results.

Not a piggy back but can reflash orig file back in.

**Rallye Sport** · 20-12-2021, 09:24 PM

Avoid BPT like the plague, a quick search of they're customer service reviews will confirm.

Bossxr8 · 21-12-2021, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ivorya

https://www.bptmotorsport.com.au/pro...t-performance/

BPT has a good rep. I have seen some great results.

Not a piggy back but can reflash orig file back in.

Good rep lol.

Mulva · 21-12-2021, 05:32 PM

Get Wayne Besanko to hook you up with a Powerchip

Itsme · 21-12-2021, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

These things are bull****, all they try do is increase fuel rail pressure etc.

Better off with a proper tune.

Some reputable add on chips can be programmed with a tune but I do agree with your comment in regards with generic chips.

jakka351 · 21-12-2021, 09:48 PM

Remove Diesel Engine, install barra. More Power. Should also fit as if it was made for it too.

Vesper Martini · 22-12-2021, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jakka351

Remove Diesel Engine, install barra. More Power. Should also fit as if it was made for it too.

Pretty sure a Barra wont fit in a Ranger engine bay. and that it might bugger the OPs warranty a bit more than a chip would..

ivorya · 23-12-2021, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troyfletcher

Hey all,
Have a new 3.2l wildtrak. Thinking about putting a piggyback chip.in for a bit more grunt so I can remove if needed not to.void warranty.
What is everyone's thoughts of these and a good brand?
Tia

You could get into contact with https://www.berrimadiesel.com/

Have a chat regarding warranty and what to expect.