![]() |
|
Welcome to the Australian Ford Forums forum. You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and inserts advertising. By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members, respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features without post based advertising banners. Registration is simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today! If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us. Please Note: All new registrations go through a manual approval queue to keep spammers out. This is checked twice each day so there will be a delay before your registration is activated. |
|
![]() |
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
![]() |
#1 | ||
Lurker
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 39
|
Hi all,
After deciding that an XR8 buy is just not happening, I want to see if I can get more from my AUII VCT instead. The car already has an exhaust and larger intake, so the next step will be either some form of tuning the ECU (possible?) or inserting a piggy-back chip I guess. Can anyone recommend a good place near Brisbane for ECU mods? I know of Chiptorque in Nerang, and had one of their chips in a different XR6. It was a nice improvement, however I don't know what other options there are for the AU. I'd rather not replace the entire ECU- its not that serious. All opinions will be appreciated. Especially insulting ones. |
||
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() |
#2 | ||
Red is nice Mark.
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Brisvegas
Posts: 1,385
|
You can now have your AU flash tuned by xcal 3 mate. I have had great service from RDP at Kippa Ring.
__________________
Twin T3's TE 50 #72 Blueprint & TS 50 #105 Blueprint ![]() |
||
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() |
#3 | ||
Critical Thinker
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 20,332
|
Even consider a J3 chip from T.I. Performance.
Cheaper than a flash tuner and has very good Australian support. http://www.tiperformance.com.au/dealers.php
__________________
"the greatest trick the devil pulled, is convincing the world he doesn't exist" 2022 Mazda CX5 GTSP Turbo 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Highlander 1967 XR FALCON 500 Cars previously owned: 2021 Subaru Outback Sport 2018 Subaru XV-S 2012 Subaru Forester X 2007 Subaru Liberty GT 2001 AU2 75th Anniversary Futura 2001 Subaru GX wagon 1991 EB XR8 1977 XC Fairmont 1990 EA S Pak 1984 XE S Pak 1982 ZJ Fairlane 1983 XE Fairmont 1989 EA Falcon 1984 Datsun Bluebird Wagon 1975 Honda Civic |
||
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() |
#4 | ||
Stroking it...
Join Date: May 2005
Location: The 'butt
Posts: 2,844
|
I have a (reprogrammable) chiptorque chip in my stroked AU, I have not yet had anyone tell me anything that a XCAL can do that a Chiptorque chip cannot do... Only downside is that you wont have multiple tunes.. Chiptorque will also sell you a SCT XCAL if you so desire.. when you call ask for Matt, say Cam with the Stroked AU sent you ;)
Or look at a TI chip as Shav suggested.. |
||
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() |
#5 | ||
Just slidin'
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Brisvegas
Posts: 7,791
|
Or Josh with the NA6 Blue AU, lol. I ran the Xcal 3 software, expensive, but having user adjustable settings is good as well, and it has a mini datalogger.
RDP also does a really good jo using Xcal 3 ![]()
__________________
MD Mondeo - For the family
NP Pajero - For the adventure |
||
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() |
#6 | |||
Red is nice Mark.
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Brisvegas
Posts: 1,385
|
Quote:
Nothing wong with Chiptorque product though.
__________________
Twin T3's TE 50 #72 Blueprint & TS 50 #105 Blueprint ![]() |
|||
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() |
#7 | |||
Stroking it...
Join Date: May 2005
Location: The 'butt
Posts: 2,844
|
Quote:
Not trying to go off topic, there just seems to be so many misconceptions regarding the chips :-) |
|||
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() |
#8 | ||
Rob
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: VN Capital
Posts: 1,584
|
also with the J3 chip, it is possible to have multiple tunes that you can change on the fly
__________________
99 liquid silver AU Classic -Sold
Supercharged Nissan 350z 280rwkw Blueprint series 3 AU V8 manual |
||
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() |
#9 | ||
Critical Thinker
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 20,332
|
yes thats one advantage the J3 has over the xcal3. Switching tunes without turning the motor off is a massive plus.
__________________
"the greatest trick the devil pulled, is convincing the world he doesn't exist" 2022 Mazda CX5 GTSP Turbo 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Highlander 1967 XR FALCON 500 Cars previously owned: 2021 Subaru Outback Sport 2018 Subaru XV-S 2012 Subaru Forester X 2007 Subaru Liberty GT 2001 AU2 75th Anniversary Futura 2001 Subaru GX wagon 1991 EB XR8 1977 XC Fairmont 1990 EA S Pak 1984 XE S Pak 1982 ZJ Fairlane 1983 XE Fairmont 1989 EA Falcon 1984 Datsun Bluebird Wagon 1975 Honda Civic |
||
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() |
#10 | ||
Red is nice Mark.
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Brisvegas
Posts: 1,385
|
No misconceptions from me. I understand the differences very well.
__________________
Twin T3's TE 50 #72 Blueprint & TS 50 #105 Blueprint ![]() |
||
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() |
#11 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 781
|
mate ,i personaly reckon its more down to the tuner ,as in the actual bloke that dose the tuning . some blokes know there stuff and others don't.when it comes to tuning the motor.
the hardware/chip /flashtuner will help auto's more ...with stally's and shift points. be carefull ,
__________________
au2 s i6 5 spd , au series 1 xr6 hp motor, cam advanced 5*,jmm cai ,topgun leads,pacey 4480's,3 inch cat,lukey 2 1/2 sports zorst and 3.89 lsd,standard ecu. current best,14.939 @ 93.17. |
||
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() |
#12 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 905
|
How much are the chips from TI ?
__________________
1998 AU VCT Ghia - Stock as a rock - Wifes car 1991 Toyota Soarer TT - 11.72 @ 116.7mph 2004 Ford Escape XLT V6 - Family Ride . |
||
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() |
#13 | |||
Critical Thinker
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 20,332
|
Quote:
__________________
"the greatest trick the devil pulled, is convincing the world he doesn't exist" 2022 Mazda CX5 GTSP Turbo 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Highlander 1967 XR FALCON 500 Cars previously owned: 2021 Subaru Outback Sport 2018 Subaru XV-S 2012 Subaru Forester X 2007 Subaru Liberty GT 2001 AU2 75th Anniversary Futura 2001 Subaru GX wagon 1991 EB XR8 1977 XC Fairmont 1990 EA S Pak 1984 XE S Pak 1982 ZJ Fairlane 1983 XE Fairmont 1989 EA Falcon 1984 Datsun Bluebird Wagon 1975 Honda Civic |
|||
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() |
#14 | ||
Rob
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: VN Capital
Posts: 1,584
|
http://www.tiperformance.com.au/buy.html
theres a couple of ways to go custom pre programed ($190) he asks for a dyno print out ($80) which he uses the dyno print out, a list of your mods, to create a tune to suit your need. Obviously this wont be as good as custom dyno tune, but when i was speaking to him he reckons he can add 5% with the custom pre tune. (iv heard extractors add 12%, so its pretty good) or, you can buy the blank chip ($95) and take that to your tuner for a custom dyno tune (cost varies. $500+) just need to make sure your tuner can work with the J3 chip. in that same link below he chips is the "Four Tune Selector Switch" which will be needed if you want to have multiple tunes on the chip. ($50-$70) depending on which option you choose.
__________________
99 liquid silver AU Classic -Sold
Supercharged Nissan 350z 280rwkw Blueprint series 3 AU V8 manual |
||
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() |
#15 | ||
Lurker
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 39
|
Thanks for all the advice guys, much appreciated.
I called RDP at Kippa Ring and they quoted $1500 for a flash tune with three modes (Valet, 95 RON and 98 RON). That looks like the ideal way to go, but also seems expensive for a simple software re-load. I'm trying to avoid piggy-back chips. With the last AU VCT I had I put a chiptorque chip in it, tuned by Lachlan at Nerang. It was great for a week after the tune, but then the factory ECU started learning around it. Apparently that just happens with piggy-back chips, the ECU starts to compensate for the modified tuning and you lose a lot of the benefit. Also, the chiptorque chip was taped in, not soldered. When the chip moved just a bit and broke contact, the ECU shut down completely and had to be rebooted by Ford for about $200. Both of those problems would be avoided with a flash tune, but the J3 chip looks like really good value. RDP reckon a flash tune will provide about a 20hp gain ATW. Would the increase be comparable with a J3 chip? |
||
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() |
#16 | ||
Just slidin'
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Brisvegas
Posts: 7,791
|
There wont be a different in total power outcomes between the chips. Like has been said, it will come down to the tuner over which product you choose.
__________________
MD Mondeo - For the family
NP Pajero - For the adventure |
||
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() |
#17 | ||
Rob
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: VN Capital
Posts: 1,584
|
Like monty and others have said, it comes down to the software rather then the hardware
__________________
99 liquid silver AU Classic -Sold
Supercharged Nissan 350z 280rwkw Blueprint series 3 AU V8 manual |
||
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() |
#18 | ||
T3 TE50 Blueprint
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 934
|
The ECU cannot learn around J3 chips. If you said a UNICHIP piggyback, then I would say yes, because it is basically just giving the ECU false input readings to trick the ECU into giving the right outputs. They work in completely different ways. Many threads on this topic. I have had a custom Chiptorque J3chip, SCT Flash tuner, and now the Moates Quarterhorse J3. All doing the same thing. No problems with any of them.
-Craig |
||
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() |
#19 | ||
Critical Thinker
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 20,332
|
If you can handle reflashing the XCAL3 every few weeks to remove any habits the car is learning then go for it. Otherwise if you cbf reflashing, go the J3. It is cheaper and has some good benefits even with boost. But finding a tuner who is capable of tuning it and tuning it well is the hard part. I would strongly suggest going with one of the dealers listed on the TI Performance website who know the product well to avoid any possible mishaps.
__________________
"the greatest trick the devil pulled, is convincing the world he doesn't exist" 2022 Mazda CX5 GTSP Turbo 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Highlander 1967 XR FALCON 500 Cars previously owned: 2021 Subaru Outback Sport 2018 Subaru XV-S 2012 Subaru Forester X 2007 Subaru Liberty GT 2001 AU2 75th Anniversary Futura 2001 Subaru GX wagon 1991 EB XR8 1977 XC Fairmont 1990 EA S Pak 1984 XE S Pak 1982 ZJ Fairlane 1983 XE Fairmont 1989 EA Falcon 1984 Datsun Bluebird Wagon 1975 Honda Civic |
||
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() |
#20 | ||
Stroking it...
Join Date: May 2005
Location: The 'butt
Posts: 2,844
|
Thanks to crakrz and blueoval for saving me typing pretty well the exact same thing..
|
||
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() |
#21 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 781
|
all this talk about the ecu relearning around chips ,i personaly think is crap.i reckon its just the ecu picking up fault codes from sensors ,particulary the knock sensor.
if your car feels a bit sluggy take it to ford or someone and get them to do check the codes and do that self test thing with the scan tool.the car will crack along again after the codes are cleared . sorry if its a bit off topic. the best tune i ever had was with a unichip tuned at cnj ,but the guy that tuned it left a long time ago,he knew his stuff...
__________________
au2 s i6 5 spd , au series 1 xr6 hp motor, cam advanced 5*,jmm cai ,topgun leads,pacey 4480's,3 inch cat,lukey 2 1/2 sports zorst and 3.89 lsd,standard ecu. current best,14.939 @ 93.17. |
||
![]() |
![]() ![]() |