Heck, I've even got an extra one on a shelf somewhere. Love it.
Performance chips
Pro
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 739
Likes: 1
From: Brooklyn, NY
Gberg, take everything I say with a grain of salt since I'm only six months and six thousand miles into this:
- the SW chip was simple to install using the provided instructions,
- undeniably crisper response at the lower revs required for city driving,
- car still runs beautifully a couple of thousand miles later
- I got the chip programmed for the Cat bypass and free-er flowing muffler even though I don't have them yet. The SW site recommends this chip if you plan to change the exhaust later. Hoping that Santa Claus is stopping at M&K this year. oh wait, I forgot. I'm Santa Claus.
For me the chip was a worthwhile investment but my expectations were realistic.
- the SW chip was simple to install using the provided instructions,
- undeniably crisper response at the lower revs required for city driving,
- car still runs beautifully a couple of thousand miles later
- I got the chip programmed for the Cat bypass and free-er flowing muffler even though I don't have them yet. The SW site recommends this chip if you plan to change the exhaust later. Hoping that Santa Claus is stopping at M&K this year. oh wait, I forgot. I'm Santa Claus.
For me the chip was a worthwhile investment but my expectations were realistic.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
From: Santa Monica, CA
"For me the chip was a worthwhile investment but my expectations were realistic." Well said!
Without a single doubt there is a positive difference in the acceleration of my 911 with the Steve Wong chip. Quicker response at lower RPMs, for one. It might not be seconds faster as far as overall acceleration time, but the quicker response makes it all worth it. Basically it feels like I lost a few hundred lbs off the weight of the car.
Like I said: I will debunk everything if I can, but this is one thing I cannot. My good friend has an '89 Carrera without any mods, and the difference in response between our two cars was undeniable to him when he dove mine (he didn't know I had the chip when he first made the comment).
As far as possible damage to the engine, I asked two separate Porsche mechanics here in L.A. about possible damage before I bought the chips and they both said that they hadn't seen anything consistently different as a result of the chips, compared to non-chipped 911s. Hopefully they're right! We can all probably find studies and articles to support either side of this argument, of course, which is the "fun" thing about arguing on a message board. :-)
Without a single doubt there is a positive difference in the acceleration of my 911 with the Steve Wong chip. Quicker response at lower RPMs, for one. It might not be seconds faster as far as overall acceleration time, but the quicker response makes it all worth it. Basically it feels like I lost a few hundred lbs off the weight of the car.
Like I said: I will debunk everything if I can, but this is one thing I cannot. My good friend has an '89 Carrera without any mods, and the difference in response between our two cars was undeniable to him when he dove mine (he didn't know I had the chip when he first made the comment).
As far as possible damage to the engine, I asked two separate Porsche mechanics here in L.A. about possible damage before I bought the chips and they both said that they hadn't seen anything consistently different as a result of the chips, compared to non-chipped 911s. Hopefully they're right! We can all probably find studies and articles to support either side of this argument, of course, which is the "fun" thing about arguing on a message board. :-)
Last edited by Headlands; Dec 8, 2011 at 04:39 AM.
Race Car
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 4,272
Likes: 105
From: SoCal
"As far as possible damage to the engine, I asked two separate Porsche mechanics here in L.A. about possible damage"
And they mentioned now you need to use 93 octane to maintain the margin of safety
to prevent detonation when driving in hot weather, driving under heavy loads, e.g. going
up a hill, or during a hard acceleration. That's the real issue that NEVER gets discussed
in this topics, i.e. 'pushed' timing (chips) requires a higher octane which for here in the
USA is no longer available.
And they mentioned now you need to use 93 octane to maintain the margin of safety
to prevent detonation when driving in hot weather, driving under heavy loads, e.g. going
up a hill, or during a hard acceleration. That's the real issue that NEVER gets discussed
in this topics, i.e. 'pushed' timing (chips) requires a higher octane which for here in the
USA is no longer available.
Addict
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 37,754
Likes: 15
From: Alta Loma Alone
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Pro
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 667
Likes: 0
From: Amish Country, Pa
I'm looking to get the SW with an M&K exhaust single out next spring and can't wait, I was just talking to my mechanic tonight and he says it's a great setup.... This is major league Ground Hogs Day, this was just brought up again on Pelican the other day....
Racer
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 392
Likes: 0
From: Westchester NY
I dont have it but I have heard great things about the SW chip from many people and would not be afraid to recommend it even having never used it.
If you just got the car there are some other things that are commonly over looked that can make the car handle and drive a whole lot better.
1. New filters (gas, oil, air), new plugs and a new distro rotor and cap.
2. New suspension bushings, these come in lots of flavors and prices, there is a great deal of info here on them.
3. new shocks, they do wear out over time,
4. new torsion bars while you are in there doing the bushings.
5. plug wires and coil
All the things above wont make the car any faster than it is stock but the car may be slower than it can be due to old and warn out components.
Regards
Dave
If you just got the car there are some other things that are commonly over looked that can make the car handle and drive a whole lot better.
1. New filters (gas, oil, air), new plugs and a new distro rotor and cap.
2. New suspension bushings, these come in lots of flavors and prices, there is a great deal of info here on them.
3. new shocks, they do wear out over time,
4. new torsion bars while you are in there doing the bushings.
5. plug wires and coil
All the things above wont make the car any faster than it is stock but the car may be slower than it can be due to old and warn out components.
Regards
Dave
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From: Acadia National Park, Northeast Harbor, Maine
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From: Bend, OR
Race Car
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 3,929
Likes: 70
From: Los Angeles
My chip is programmed for 91 octane. Steve can't walk on water, but he can write an optimal program for just about any intake/engine/exhaust/fuel scenario.
And while it sucks to live in a state where 91 octane is as good as they sell, it's great being close to where Steve is so you can get the maestro himself to program the chip as your car runs on the dyno.
And while it sucks to live in a state where 91 octane is as good as they sell, it's great being close to where Steve is so you can get the maestro himself to program the chip as your car runs on the dyno.
