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Old 09-05-2003 | 06:44 PM
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Default Powerchip

Has anyone heard of this company or know their reputation.

http://www.performanceproducts.com/P...source=TP13M27

They really don't give much info on the Performance Products web site (typical), but this may be interesting.

TIA
Old 09-05-2003 | 08:34 PM
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No, I posted and asked for inquiries a few days ago and no one responded. Here's more info on the chip Chuck.

http://www.powerchipgroup.com/

-nelson
Old 09-05-2003 | 10:00 PM
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Is what I find interesting (as Im sure both of you do) is that they have specs for a 96....Is this possible? Can they really do this with our year model car??
Old 09-05-2003 | 10:06 PM
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I just received their "data sheet" and it says that our car's chips are "plug-in".

That's news to me!
Old 09-05-2003 | 10:14 PM
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I don't know, I'm going to find out more. I filled out their questionnaire, and I just got 5 emails from them. In the pdf file I got, they said it was a 30 minute chip swap, but then it said it was illegal in California for highway use. What! They're headquartered in Santa Monica. That don't make sense.

-nelson
Old 09-05-2003 | 10:28 PM
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I tried a Powerchip (now at http://www.powerchipgroup.com ) in my 3.2 Carrera. There was a noticeable improvement but there was some backfiring when I backed off suddenly from high revs, so I returned the chip for a refund. If it were not for the backfire problem I would definitely have kept it. You may have better luck.

EDIT: I should add that it was around 10 years ago!
Old 09-05-2003 | 10:34 PM
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I want to know for a fact that one of their installers has put one of the chips in a '96..I just have a feeling they put all the 3.6 Vari together and really have no idea what is involved when it comes to the 96 ECU
Old 09-06-2003 | 08:52 AM
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I asked the same question re: '96 a few days ago through the Powerchip web site and in email to the sender of their PDF application guide (in response to the same Performance Products ad), but have received no responses as of yet.

-Chris
Old 09-06-2003 | 09:40 AM
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They're may be running around to verify their claims. I'm skeptical, but hopeful. Naturally I'd be cautious about any reliability issues in the long run. Have to admit I never checked out the possibility of chipping my car before I bought it, otherwise I probably would have bought a '97. But I'm still happy as can be with my car.
Old 09-07-2003 | 01:29 PM
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I'd check these Imagine Auto out (http://www.imagineauto.com). I've bought products from them in the past and they've always been great.

Here's the link to the chip enhancement:
http://www.imagineauto.com/Merchant2...de=993Software

Best of luck!

M
Old 09-09-2003 | 05:35 PM
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Here is some info I just received from one of Powerchip's reps.

Dear Nelson,

We are actually undergoing the testing to become California legal this month. One of the unique things about Powerchip is our ability to do a broad variety of vehicles, including your 993. You do not need to swap the ECU as with other products. We are literally the only company in North America that can do your ECU. this means you dont have to go through the hassles of buying an ECU for your vehicle, and having the dealer recode it for anti theft.

Kind regards,

Joel Ayson
Porsche Power Consultant
Powerchip Inc
233 Wilshire Bvd, 4th Floor
Santa Monica, CA, 90401-1205
Toll Free 1800-495 0777
Ph 310 917 1075
Digital Adrenaline for your engine!
JAyson@powerchipgroup.com
www.powerchipgroup.com
Old 09-09-2003 | 06:09 PM
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Joel Ayson was the same guy I emailed there, but I've not gotten a reply from him as of yet. I'd really be interested in knowing *how* they are able to reprogram the '96 ECU.

Thanks for the updated info...



-Chris
Old 09-09-2003 | 07:24 PM
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"We are actually undergoing the testing to become California legal this month. One of the unique things about Powerchip is our ability to do a broad variety of vehicles, including your 993. You do not need to swap the ECU as with other products. We are literally the only company in North America that can do your ECU. this means you dont have to go through the hassles of buying an ECU for your vehicle, and having the dealer recode it for anti theft"

No you just have to open up your ECU (take it apart) pull the chip out and put the new chip in. Easy eh? I would not use a chip from anyone but Rennsport or Imagine. As for the 96, the reason it cant be chipped is the chip is "welded" in the ECU, you cant swap it. I would be very suprised if powerchip had a way around this
Old 09-09-2003 | 07:48 PM
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Having never taken the cover off my ECU to look at the board inside, a couple questions for you embedded systems guys:

* Is the chip surface-mount soldered, or are there pins going through the circuit board and soldered on the backside?

* Is the chip either an electrically-erasable PROM (EEPROM) or a windowed EPROM that would allow for UV erasure and subsequent flash reprogramming, or do the factory chips have to be thrown away/disabled and completely replaced?

-Chris
Old 09-09-2003 | 08:37 PM
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Does anyone have an extra ECU running around from a 96 993?? I will pay them to see if it can be done...but I cant have my car without an ECU..If it works I will swap my ECU for the one that is chipped..Somebody has to be the guinea pig


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