Speed chip for a 98 civic?

[98sivicex]

hey i was wondering the effectiveness on speed chips, if they really work...ive seen some for 30 to 300 bucks, what is the difference between the high and low priced ones?

[CivicSpoon]

Unless you have some work done on the engine then no chip is going to do any benefit. The Cheap $30 E-bay chips are pointless, all they will do is kill your gas mileage. The other real chips from reputable companies (like shunk2, mugen, spoon, etc), will only be worth it if you have at least bolt-ons and cams.

[kris]

Not true.

However, you cannot just run out and purchase a "chip" for a OBDII car (ECU). You would need a conversion harness, to use a OBDI ECU.

ECU tuning, even on a "Stock" motor will show a gain. All though, the gains will be significantly better, if you have work, or bolt-ons done to your car. Hondata is probably the best ECU tuning program out there. It allows more customizable tuning to your motor, compared to a "generic" baseline chip.

[98sivicex]

where can i get good bolt-ons and cams?
and after i get those on, i should get like a skunk2 chip and it will show good hp, accel., and torque gain?

[kris]

Bolt ons are anything from intake, header, exhaust, etc. Try your local speed shop, ebay, or the targeted sponsor links at the top of the page.

[98sivicex]

oooh, sorry im a newb at this, but ive got a short-ram intake and a full custom 2.25'' exhaust, if i got a DC-Sports header, would it be good for me to get a speed chip? or could i even get one now?

[GScivic7]

there is no point in getting one unless you have high hp mods done to your car. It's senseless to mess with a perfectly good ecu that does what it's supposed to do. If it came to the point where you need tuning done, then get a chip, right now it is completely worthless to get one.

[Dr.Gonzo]

Ok please take the hint don't get the speed chip it's pointless. Go with reputable companies that maybe more expensive but will give you much more.
Hondata is probably the best you can ge with.

[98sivicex]

Originally Posted by Dr.Gonzo

Ok please take the hint don't get the speed chip it's pointless. Go with reputable companies that maybe more expensive but will give you much more.
Hondata is probably the best you can ge with.

im just trying to find out why they only work good if you have a lot of modifications done than if you have a nearly stock car. im probably not even going to consider getting one after the first reply i got from this thread...

[CivicSpoon]

The chips increase the gas flow to the engine and usually have the vtec engagement lowered, even sometimes have the rev limiter raised as well. But if you have a stock motor than there's no need to do any of that. More than likely, on a stock engine, it will just give the engine too much gas and it will just burn it up with no gains. And if the vtec engagement is lowered, it's likely that it won't be the optimal RPM for the motor to get power from; hell it's possible it could even give you less power but having it too low of an RPM. And of course if it raised the rev limiter and you didn't have an upgraded valve train to support the higher revs then say bye bye to your valves. Basically it's a waste of $ if you have a stock engine with stock internals. Save your $ and use it on something better.

[racingnut10]

Well, in this situation, before you really begin asking what chip is worth you money, you need to look at what your performance goals are. Once you set a plan, a budget and a time frame, find the right parts to make it happen. Engine management is typically a poor place to start value wise unless your combination is making a decent bump over it's stock output.

[civicracer9686]

Couldn't he just get a Apex' I V-afc??? That way he can get it tuned for his car and his needs? Sure it would take some playing with if he can't get a few dyno runs in but wouldn't that be the best for any app.?

[GScivic7]

a VAFC would be a good choice.

[racingnut10]

Originally Posted by civicracer9686

Couldn't he just get a Apex' I V-afc??? That way he can get it tuned for his car and his needs? Sure it would take some playing with if he can't get a few dyno runs in but wouldn't that be the best for any app.?

Good call, a vafc would be a good choice, and he could tune it for every mod he adds on, but I still think its best to figure out what you want to to do with the car before you start slappin on parts. Quality tuning is all about combinations -certain parts and choices work well with other parts and chioices, and other parts and choices don't- so its best to look at the big picture.
That said, a vafc would do the job pretty well.

[civicracer9686]

I don't mean to be stealing this thread but, if I got one, do I just bring it to a shop and have them work on it or would it be pretty straight forward for myself to tune???? I'm thinking about getting one but I live up in MN and we have crap for preformance shop choices and I don't know who I should trust with my baby.