MarkRobinson

Hi guys,

I recently took all my acquired data & dynos (others too) for these cars with AA chips & proposed a compromise to AA for making a better set of chips: More timing, higher rev range, leaner Closed-loop maps, and a huge effort to flatten the Air/fuel curves.

Hopefully, I'll soon have a few prototype versions to dyno & try so they can narrow down the best set for our cars. Does this float boats with anyone?

Mark

James-man

Included in stage 2 should be an aftermarket knock sensor system? Many are not fortunate enough to have 93 octane available - CA for example!

Stage 2 should also be optimized for free flowing exhaust systems? Or would that be stage 3? For those with headers, X, no cats, or other enhanced exhaust, folks may wonder if the combination of the stage 1 chips and exhaust mods are working together or working at odds with each other. Those interested in stage 2 probably would not have stock exhaust.

Boat duly floated. Are you doing this for the fun of the science of it all - what is the motivation Mark?

Please list what other elements you would consider stage 2.

Thanks.

Shane

Well Mark if I ever get a copy of my dyno runs last Saturday, I'll forward them on to you. Stock 86.5 with chips, and it dynoed at 281/278. Air/fuel was lean in the middle but who knows really as the cat is still in and the sniffer was in the tail pipe.

SteveG

Mark: I'm interested. So you are saying the current AA chips can be improved upon in the areas above, and better than the +/- 30 hp advertised for the current ones?? Price has been a stopper with $99 chips on ebay. Love to see documentation.

John Speake

How do you make closed loop maps leaner ? It's a closed loop with a very narrow band sensor....

Why do you want to make it leaner ?

MarkRobinson

Hi guys:

I guess I could have elaborated a bit: the Stage II will be with standard exhaust modifications: typical systems people are using: dual 2.5, single 3.5, etc, though not considering headers as they are few & far between.

I used dyno graphs from 4 different cars, all with AA chips, & each with different exhaust systems, and averaged them, though they were all so close, I saw greater fluctuations on just my car in back/back runs.

I suggested about 8 different configurations to AA:
*increased rev limiter to 6800,
*decreased fuel in closed loop for mileage (saw 2-3mpg in city & reduced surging in low rpm/high vacuum conditions)
*correct WOT maps per dyno chart average (based on how my car reponded to AF corrections using the three piggy backs I tried).

Then, they will make different chips for different testing:
*a bit more fuel throughout for safety
*more timing, same fuel
*more timing, increased fuel
*even more timing, increased fuel
*even more timing, increased fuel during peak torque, medium increase on top, etc.

So, with these configurations, I'll dyno them all back to back, find the best set, and if necessary, propose final changes to the chips for correction. Kinda fun.

MarkRobinson

Louie Ott discovered years ago that AA's chips were timing conservatively, after he coaxed another 21 rwhp/tq over a fuel-tuned GT with AA chips. That's why I suggested increased timing.

Cali only has 91 octane? 93 is not common there? I could have sworn....

sharkmeister85

I'm all for an "improved" AA chip. Good work, Mark. I hope you are able to see this through to a successful conclusion. My only reservation, like so many others here I'm sure, is the price point. If its typical AA chip pricing, then I couldn't justify it. If you were able to get results in the 30 plus rwhp range, a price around $200 would be nice.
Glenn

MarkRobinson

Yeah, I can discuss that with them: adjusting the price to stay competitive. Course, I spent over $1000 on fuel computers trying to do just this...and would have easily paid another few hundred for a "tuned" chip.

goodspeed928

Will it work well with OTT pipes?

MarkRobinson

Yep.

BrianG

Will it work with forced induction?

MGW-Fla

Hey Mark, I just bought the current AA chip from Derek, got them yesterday, plan to install them by this weekend. I cannot wait! I know that those will probably be more than enough for me...... maybe till I get used to them & want even more Gitty Up after reading about everyone who buys the Stage 2 version when those do come out!!!

Just wondering... any chance that AA would consider giving any "trade-in" value for their current chips if you bought the Stage II when it comes out, or a perhaps a discount of some kind if you already owned the Stage 1 version?? Might help increase sales for those wanting to upgrade. Especially since I'm reading the of comments about the price point. I knew the AA chips were great, & probably well worth the retail $$, but it took being able to buy Derek's 2 yr old chips at a discounted price to cause me to finally get off my duff & buy them. Course I dont even have them in yet & I've wondered why I waited this long!! Appreciate your efforts to provide us with further upgrades to th 85-86.5 models! THANKS!

MarkRobinson

Yes, I plan to ask that as well. Couldn't hurt right?

James-man

Usually price points rise as you move up the performance stages.

AA would probably charge a good 50% more for Stage 2 wouldn't they?

Perhaps they could have a introductory offer where you agree to give them feedback in exchange for lower out of pocket?

Anyhow, I see no reason to have low dollar expectations on value here. That just seems unrealistic.

I challenge AA and Mark to make an @ss of me and prove me wrong. Um, would I still get to buy a set???