Since 1980 almost any vehicle in the USA has a computer chip installed. The introduction of those chips has a positive and negative impact on the automotive industry.
One of the Negative effects of having a chip is that engines don’t perform at their full potential. You get a pre-established limit on your car in order to be more friendly to all kind of customers.
The good news is that the car can be reprogrammed with the help of a Performance Chip.
Eliminating all the factory limits and boosting the vehicle capabilities. This Computer reprogramming doesn’t take a lot of time and doesn’t require to replace any part of your vehicle.
The only thing you need is a simple chip to start increasing your engine performance and better fuel efficiency.
The improvement ratio you’ll get depends on the particular chip you install on your vehicle. Some Performance Chip offers more Power while other mainly focus on getting better mileage.
BOOSTING YOUR ENGINE:
The Performance Chip eliminates any restriction from manufacturer to get the most out of your vehicle’s engine. You can get more Horsepower and extra torque. Final results will depend on the particular Chip you have installed and also your Car Model as well. Some makes are more compatible with such upgrades and others like on turbocharged engines you’ll not notice a huge performance boost after installing a Performance Chip.
ACCELERATION:
Performance Chip allows shortening acceleration times by improving the air/fuel ratio inside the engine, the result provides a quicker response and a rapid acceleration. Performance Chip not only controls engine, but also control vehicle transmission, stabilization systems, and the ignition. As a result, having a Performance Chip can improve and solve many performance-related problems at once.
SPEED:
Have you seen the Impressive speed numbers on your vehicle dashboard? Vehicle installed ECU “speed governor” limits your maximum speed and will not let you accelerate after you reach a pre-established speed limit. With the help of a Performance Chip, you can tweak those settings to get the real Speed your vehicle can get.
FUEL SAVING:
One of the most noticeable side effects when you reprogram your Vehicle ECU. “Increase Fuel efficiency”. Therefore the use of a Performance Chip can help you to gain as much as 4 MPG. After the engine reprogramming has made. This significant save on Fuel helps you have a return of your investment in just a couple of months.
Good morning ,
I have 2012 Camry with a 2.5 4 cylinder which is our daily driver. We own a truck and a Chevelle so we wanted something super reliable and decent on fuel . On a recent road trip through the Rockies mountains the Camry was very comfortable and handled surprisingly well but the power was lacking even with a tank of super unleaded fuel. I want more power and torque without effecting the cars reliability.
Is a chip the way to go and what else can be done to improve power. I have checked with local Toyota dealers here in lower mainland British Columbia and I am greeted with blank stares and no solutions.
Thank you in advance.
Hello,
I would recommend the stage 2 performance chip and a cold air intake to help with that issue.
See the chip here:
https://www.performancechiptuning.com/stage-2-performance-chip-module-obd2-for-toyota/
See the intake here:
https://www.performancechiptuning.com/performance-air-intake-for-toyota-camry-2012-2017-2-5l-i4/
This combination will offer 15-25 Horsepower gain, 13-14 Extra Ft. Lbs. of Torque, 2-4 MPG Increase, Faster Acceleration, Better Throttle Response, Smoother Engine Idling.
Hi, thanks for this post. I have a short question, do you think that using ECU file will effectively increase my car performance?
thanks in advance for any support
regards, Kenny
Hi, the chip’s processor on the performance chip is better on the stage 3 performance chip on most of the chips we’ve tested. That’s the one to go with. It increases the power and smoother acceleration while burning fuel more effectively and efficiently. You gain at lease 1 or 2 MPG increase in fuel.
I’m looking for a chip for my Hyundai Genesis 80 sedan 5.0 L v 8 . I was told put in a cold air intake would not help I was wondering if you have a chip for my vehicle
Hi, we recommend the SMARTTUNE performance chip and a cold air intake. That’s the best combo you can get for the most HP, Torque and fuel efficiency. Smarttune here: https://www.performancechiptuning.com/stage-2-performance-chip-module-obd2-for-hyundai/
A cold air intake at knfilters.
Hi, We recommend the Stage 3 Performance Chip from PCT, see it here, they got it on sale and free shipping:
https://www.performancechiptuning.com/stage-3-performance-chip-obdii-module-for-hyundai/
Hi! I have a Jeep Grand Cherokee Altitude. I would like to increase the horsepower and fuel range with a Grade 3 chip. Which chip would you suggest, and where can I send for it? Thank you kindly for any help in advance.
Sorry for the late response. We recommend the Stage 3 Performance Chip for Jeeps, Chrysler and Dodge models if you’re looking for the most horsepower gain. A cold air intake will also make sense to combine with it to increase the performance even more. Head over to PerformanceChipTuning.com those guys are currently offering a coupon for $20 off, free shipping and 60 day money back guarantee on the performance chips to help folks out during these difficult times as we understand a vehicle these days if highly essential to go to work, errands and grocery shopping. Stay safe.
I have a ’17 Nissan Pathfinder. Looking to do some mods. Your site has helped me narrow my chip search down TREMENDOUSLY. I have been told that cold air intakes and chips are a waste of money and don’t make a real difference. Just got a k&n CAI. Plan on pairing that with a Jet MAF sensor and either the smart tune stage 2 or the jdm stage 3. Based on your research, which would you suggest?
The stage 2 is the best to go with if you want good fuel efficiency combined with decent horsepower and torque gains, if you want more aggressive gains, go with the stage 3 Performance chip.
Regards.
Sorry for the late response, we were out for a little while due to Covid, limited staff. We recommend to try out the Smarttune Stage 2 since you already have a high end, quality K&N CAI, plus the SMARTTUNE recently got a new look and design and software update, so it responds better, works and looks better.
I have a 2014 pathfinder SL, I assume the engines are the same no matter what level of trim. My Question is, I drive low miles to work and still looking for the best performance, more mileage than anything else. The vehicle runs and drives almost perfect. Will it effect my warranty? Also will it burn my engine out Quicker? Thanks
Hi, no it won’t affect it, because the engineers we were lucky enough to talk with before, informed us that their software is designed so that when you unplug the chip from the OBD2 port on any compatible vehicle model, the ECU automatically resets back to factory settings within seconds after unplugging leaving no trace or footprint. This helps car owners with dealership warranty if they need to visit the dealer, for mechanical work, for emissions testing with the state etc. You want to have the vehicle’s computer back to factory settings for engine checkups so this chip’s feature of unplugging is great for that. They focus on plug n play chips, unlike other companies that you’re more involved in with manual settings making the chip a handheld tuner which you might leave a footprint that can fail emissions testing, state inspections or warranty with the dealership.
Vehicle application: 2000 Honda CRV LX AWD, 105,804 Odometer, OEM City/Hwy mpg: 19/23.
Looking to improve gas mileage first, initial acceleration second.
On one trip about 150-miles, averaging 68-70-mph in California, mpg calculated at 29-mpg.
Request effective, safe, reliable performance chip.
Yes, we recommend the stage 1 chip for better performance in fuel gains.
Have a 2016 mini cooper S 2.0 turbo 4 door hatchback. What would you suggest. like to have a fun. Better fuel MPH would help
We recommend the stage 1 performance chip GTE. Offers up to 4 MPG increase, come people have received 5-6 MPG increase with them, but it varies from car to car.
The stage 2 performance chip oughtta do. Would probably get you 15HP or less, since it’s a smaller engine and turbo charged, already tuned from factory, you wont get too much increase.
I have a 2018 Honda CR-V 1.5L, I4 DOHC, 16V, Turbo.
What chip do you believe would be best for my Honda in terms of low end torque and HP increase. I always use Shell Premium gas (93 octane) only.
Thank you for your professional time, professional input, and recommendation.
Sincerely,
Patrick Dorr
Hi, the stage 2 SMARTTUNE would be best recommended for it. The company updated the software on it late 2020 as well as the chip’s design. Give that one a shot, should see results as Honda models respond pretty well with it.
You can try the SMARTTUNE Stage 2 chip, it reads Honda ECUs pretty well.
I have a 1997 Lincoln Mark 8 LSC.
Might you have a chip recommendation and any possible improvements from it for the car’s performance?
Hi, the SMARTTUNE performance chip should suit your vehicle well. It works well on Lincolns and Cadillac models. Not sure how well it will perform with the 97 Mark 8, a classic, but it is very safe to use. Gets you 20+ HP, 14-16 ft lbs of Torque 2 MPG increase, acceleration and throttle response improvement as well as smoother engine idling.
Hello I have a 2013 Dodge Dart 1.4 turbo (manual) I have installed Injen cai, intercooler pipes, dv go fast bits and forge blow off valve. These cars are notoriously slow on the acceleration. I just recently purchased the JDM stage 3 performance chip because it came highly recommended through your review. Does the chip work with pre existing upgrades? Do they factor into the performance with after market parts?
Yes, many aftermarket add-ons work well with that chip. We know that many JDM stage 3 performance chip users have cold air intakes or headers, or new exhausts, pedal commander etc. and have no errors or issues.
I have 2012 Dodge Avenger 2.4L with K&N intake just installed, what chip recommendation, etc. would you have for me to pair with that? thanks in advance
We recommend the SMARTTUNE Stage 2 Performance Chip. It has currently been updated. It should respond very well.
I am looking at the F150 STX or FX4 5.0 32 valve Coyote 365 hp V8 with 6 speed transmission. What chip do you recommend better mileage and pick up. Stage 2
Yes, Stage 2 offers the best of both worlds. Extra fuel efficiency 2MPG increase, 20-25 HP, 15-18 Ft lbs of torque
Hi! I have a 2010 Nissan versa 1.8 S and I’m using a performance filter afe power dry filter. I would like to increase the horsepower and fuel range but which chip would you suggest, Thank you kindly for the help .
Hi. We recommend the SMARTTUNE Stage 2 Performance Chip Module. It will increase fuel economy by 2MPG increase, 15+ HP, 8-10 Foot lbs. of torque.