Venom 400

[Dahmin8]

The following is taken from the Venom site:

"The Venom400 performance control module
is an add on control unit that features it's own
micro-controller. This module is connected to
the throttle position sensor and the Manifold
absolute pressure sensor, and by monitoring
the sensors output characteristics and modifying
the input signal to the vehicles existing ECU.

Improving horsepower by as much as 25%
through the range of approximately 1,000 -
5,000 RPM. The Venom400 is OBD II
compatible. Besides substantial increase
of torque, the Venom400 reduces the flat spots
or delay timing during sudden accelerations.

Incorporated into the Venom400 is an 8-bit micro-
controller that is capable of monitoring the
various sensor inputs and modifying their
outputs at more than 40 times per second."

I've heard a lot of bashing on the Venom 400, and I am looking for some input as to why Jet and Superchips get the A Okay instead of the V 400. If anyone would like to discuss this topic please join in.

The following is another excerpt from the Venom site:

"If you already have another performance
prom installed not to worry the venom400 is
a mid range performance chip and the prom
chip is a wide open throttle application thus
complementing each other through the entire
RPM band.

The Venom400 has an on/off switch so smog
certification is possible without detection of unit.
Easy installation with basic hand tools requiring
only four electrical connections.

Loss of gas mileage to be expected
is 1-3 miles per gallon in fuel economy.
No significant damage or long term
stress side effects in long and short range
testing."

It may seem like I'm trying to sell V400.

I'm not!!

My concern is only to determine which product is better.:flash:

[Dahmin8]

This is in Superchips Inc. own words from their site.


Pre 1991 Hondas :

Superchips Inc. cannot chip Hondas dated before 1991. To improve performance on those vehicles we recommend using the Superchips ICON. This is an inline ignition computer, which yields similar improvements of a 10% increase in horsepower and 10-17% increase in torque.

The ICON is a high performance engine management computer which interfaces with your car's own ECU, intercepting the ignition pulses and recalibrating them based on a performance ignition map developed specifically for your car, truck or boat. It uses the latest PIC microcontroller, running at 4 million instructions per second - 4 times faster than most current manufacturer's ECU's. A new ignition value and advance pulse is calculated for each and every spark giving your vehicle more mid-range torque and added throttle response, with power increases around 10%. (This figure could be higher depending on your vehicle.)

It isn’t just stock vehicles that benefit from the performance timing curve provided by the ICON, but also vehicles with aftermarket modifications, especially supercharger, turbo, and nitrous oxide systems. In the past, vehicles with non-adjustable ignition timing that had aftermarket products installed typically had driveability problems. There just wasn't a solution available, until now! The ICON can correct ignition timing problems and allow the full benefits of aftermarket combinations to be unleashed.

Although this could be called "leading edge high-technology" it's simple to install. You can improve your vehicle's performance by connecting just 4 wires (6 on some models). The ICON is reliable - if it were to fail, a built in fail-safe circuit would allow you to continue driving using the vehicles original ECU.

We also offer an optional software package, which will allow you to alter your ICON's program by using a standard PC. The ignition timing is adjustable from the base program up to 20 degrees of advance or retard from 1200 RPMs to7200RPMs. The ICON comes with a one-year manufacturer's warranty

[Dahmin8]

Jet Performances' claim is as follows:

Q: What will it do for my vehicle?

A:The upgrade will provide horsepower increases and improved acceleration. Unlike other brands JET's exclusive Dynamic Spectrum Tuning (DST) provides power increases all the time, NOT just at wide open throttle. In addition, by having the computer in our lab, the JET engineers can custom program the chip for any other modifications you have done to the vehicle.

Oh Yeah it's not available for my model Honda, you know the 90 Accord LX.

[Dahmin8]

Anyone out there with a complaint with the Venom 400, Superchips ICON or Jet Chip?

[YogsVR4]

These kind of products and claims have been out there for a long time now. I dont believe their claims. I dont know of anyone believes I can put a chip on my 320hp car and suddenly have it cranking out 400hp. Its one thing to claim it will improve efficiency, but its misleading to think it'll give 25%. It might be able to do that on a 5hp lawnmower, but not on a well tuned automobile motor.

[Dahmin8]

For the record that's:

Venom 400 = 25%

Superchip ICON = 10% - 17%

Jet Chip = ?

You may be right.

It's just that, when looking for every bit of fun and excitement while driving, most people seem to be very passionate and will lay out big bucks for that F & E.

[Dahmin8]

Anyone else? Well here are their links if you need to check them out.

www.jetchip.com
www.superchips.com
www.venom-performance.com

[Verse914]

i used to have a superchips ecu upgrade, but I sold it when I got my zex kit. i noticed a gain from the chip, but I doubt it was 10-15hp like they claimed. But the more mods you have, the more hp you will gain from these chips, so they should be one of your last mods...unless you have alot of money to waste...cuz every time you get a new mod, you have to send it in to get it reprogrammed and that costs 125 each time.

[Dahmin8]

I didn't realize there was a continuation process when it came to the Super chip. But it does make since to make it your last mod once everything has been upgraded. The Venom units come in two different types. NOS and NON NOS.

[easternxtreme]

sounds like the venom400, never has to sent off for reprogramming.
is that right??

[easternxtreme]

one of my friends bought the venom400 for his 97 eclipse.
said he could tell a pretty good torque increase. now comes the bad
news; broke in about a month. sent it back to venom, they sent it back.....didnt work. sent it again, got it back........didnt work. now their exchanging moduel for injectors and fuel rail. good news for him, bad news for the module

[Dahmin8]

If it worked for about a month, then.

When you say didn't work, exactly how didn't it work?

[infiniteracing2003]

i installed the venom 400 yesterday on my 96 accord v6 auto. and i cant feel shit! although, i did only pay 150 bucks for it still, i would expect more from it if it retails for almost 400 bucks. the guy i bought it from sed he will pay for dyno runs so he can "prove" that it works. i basically payed 150 dollars for a red LED. haha. bbbuuuutttt if he can show me it made an improvement of at least 15-20HP ill keep it. if not, REFUND!!!!!!! lol. anyone else try it on my type of car?

[Chowhound]

I installed a VENOM 400 to my 2000 V6 accord & discovered that the unit would not work. I spoke with a tech at their So Cal factory who was helpful in providing me easy to perform diagnostics using a voltmeter. Once convinced I had not erred, I shipped the module back & it returned one week later having been recalibrated. The factory did not charge me & they included new cables, connectors, etc. My second try worked. In fact, I was quite impressed with the performance. The car seemed to enjoy more torque off the line...definitely accelerated with more spirit. The module also altered the transmission's shift points, allowing for a quicker rev which also contributed to quicker acceleration.

Now for the bad... Shortly thereafter, the emmissions dash light came on. I removed the unit & headed to the local Honda dealer. Their diagnostics told me that an 'out of spec' emissions signal had been received...no foul to the engine, just the frustration of the experience.

Later, I spoke with a technician at the VENOM factory & the said they could adjust the module's engagement rpm....increasing it to my preferance. However, they told me they could not decrease the power gain of the module. I would be happy with half of the gain I was getting...so as to not over-tax the tranny. It might make sense to add a tranny cooler when adding performance mods. I have CAI/exhaust/Denso Iridiums installed & am preparing to install a Helix throttle body spacer.

[Dahmin8]

Originally Posted by Chowhound

I installed a VENOM 400 to my 2000 V6 accord & discovered that the unit would not work. I spoke with a tech at their So Cal factory who was helpful in providing me easy to perform diagnostics using a voltmeter. Once convinced I had not erred, I shipped the module back & it returned one week later having been recalibrated. The factory did not charge me & they included new cables, connectors, etc. My second try worked. In fact, I was quite impressed with the performance. The car seemed to enjoy more torque off the line...definitely accelerated with more spirit. The module also altered the transmission's shift points, allowing for a quicker rev which also contributed to quicker acceleration.

Now for the bad... Shortly thereafter, the emmissions dash light came on. I removed the unit & headed to the local Honda dealer. Their diagnostics told me that an 'out of spec' emissions signal had been received...no foul to the engine, just the frustration of the experience.

Later, I spoke with a technician at the VENOM factory & the said they could adjust the module's engagement rpm....increasing it to my preferance. However, they told me they could not decrease the power gain of the module. I would be happy with half of the gain I was getting...so as to not over-tax the tranny. It might make sense to add a tranny cooler when adding performance mods. I have CAI/exhaust/Denso Iridiums installed & am preparing to install a Helix throttle body spacer.

Well Chowhound I am glad to hear that someone enjoys the Venom 400. I have a similar tale to tell. But I'll just say that I have disconnected my Venom because, it seems to burn out one of my Trannys synchros, which left me almost motionless. $400US later my car was fixed and I again tried the Venom and my problem returned but with a lesser consequence. The car still moves well but in the morning it sometimes takes a few seconds to determine that I've place it into Park after a short drive. It also tends to over rev in D3 so now I start out in D2 when the engine and tranny are still waking up.

My plan is to wait until I can do some more research on a different engine and tranny setup (you know maybe a H22) and then go back to the Venom 400. I see that you contacted techs about your system well that something I neglected to do. But alls well that ends well.

Dahmin8