What does it mean to get your car "chipped"?

Question

1. Does it void your warranty
2. Is it worth the money
3. Is it bad for the engine
4. would an mkv gti work well "chipped"

will I have to use a certain octane fuel?

Answer 1

It means to either physically replace the PROM, programmable read only memory, or install an EEPROM, electronically erasable programmable read only memory. These are instructions and refinements to the way the car runs, shifts, and performs. It is a very simple thing to do as either computer removal and replace the chip or hooking a scanner/programmer to the connector under the dash and transferring the info on the data line. To your questions (1), yes it will void your warranty but you can always re-install the factory one before taking it in. (2) I would say it is worth the money if you are interested in more performance, but it is not worth it if you believe it will be better in gas mileage. (3) I have one in my truck and its been working great for about ten years. I have installed these in new trucks and I have never seen anything happen to the motor that could be blamed on the chip doing anything. (4) I have no idea what a mkv gti is??? Good luck.

Answer 2

Getting you car Chipped means replacing or reprograming your computer control module for optimum performance.

1. It may void your warranty but I've gone to a junk yard or salvage place and purchased another module and had it re-flashed with the Hi performance program. That way when you have to go to the dealer or get smogged, you just take off the modified one and put in the original stock one... shhhh

2.It's up to you whether it's worth the $$$. The best place I've found is PCMforless.com Ask for Bryan Herter. They'll reprogram your stock CPM and optimize your fuel curve and spark advance for about $250. (Hypertech has a few different modules from $149-400+) They (PCM) consistently get the most HP and Torque from your engine AND you might even pick up some mileage to boot. Your best best for increasing horsepower and mileage is to install headers. They increase the exhaust flow and improve the cylinder scavenging (Sucking out the exhaust gases so you get a cleaner and cooler intake charge) Plus they sound cool!

3. The ones you see on Ebay are just resistors that fool the computer into thinking your engine is running in cold weather and leans out the fuel mixture. This could burn up your engine. The tuners like PCMforless and Hypertech use proven formulas to get the most performance without risking your engine's life.

4. I don't have any experience with the GTI but I gained 22 Hp and 38 lb/ft torque from a stock Chevy S-10 4.3l v-6. Then I added a cam change and a new program to match it and I gained over 100 hp (rear wheel HP on a dyno) safely!

Good Luck!

Answer 3

It means you replace your ECU (engine computer), reflash your ECU, put an add-on to your ECU or between your ECU and your engine.

1. Maybe. Depends on the manufacturer, the warranty, and what chip/reflash/whatever you're using. It cannot void your entire warranty, just things related to the ECU (so ...basically the engine and anything to do with fuel, air, and maybe exhaust)

2. For some cars, yes, for some cars, no. The MkIV VW is supposed to be one of those cars that can see big gains in performance and economy from it, IIRC. Also the Subaru WRX.

3. Depends on the chip and the car. In some cases yes, in some cases no, in some cases quite the opposite.

4. Probably. I guess VWVortex.com would be the place to ask.

Answer 4

It means replacing the stock fuel air ratio, ignition timing, cam timing, rpms of the original ecu (reflashed)
It will void the warranty if it is not installed by a dealer. Companies like mazda speed, or ford performance (AUS) will reflash the ecu, and because it is a factory modificiation, it will not void the warranty.
however, if you have a mazda, and dont get the ecu reflashed by mazda speed, it will void the warranty
Being bad for the engine is debatable. manufacturers program the ecu so it is the most effecient. of course changing things from the factory will increase wear, this is why most engines are built before the owner re chips the car.
Now heres everything youve ever wanted to know about the mkv gti
http://www.mkv-gti.net/wiki/index.php?title=Engine/Fuel_System

Answer 5

i own a repair shop,and basically what i means is to change the chip in the computer to a performance chip,and yes if its on a newer car it can void the warranty on it,its not bad for the engine but it changes everything on it the way it shifts gears and the way it runs,and also give it more rpm,s also,they make different ones for different modes too,you can get anything from high performance to moderate street version,but it does change the way everything works on it as far as the running goes,i would ask a dealer before i changed it ,because in most cases it completely voids the warranty on a vehicle,good luck,i hope this help,s.

Answer 6

In a nutshell, a "head gasket" is a thin piece of material that goes between the cylinder head and the head covers. It keeps oil and gas from leaking out when the pistons go up and down. If one is "blown," various components will stop working or the car will smoke like a chimney in winter. Price varies, probably around $125 for a set not including labor for installation. Check our your local auto-parts stores for prices.

Answer 7

chipped means they put a chip in ur car and fine tunes it to its best proformance, any car chipped would b good its worth the money if you have it some chips are expensive, and idk if it would void your warenty what they dont know dont hurt