Horsepower Chips

Horsepower Chips

Author
Discussion

lotusman

Original Poster:

124 posts

270 months

Friday 8th November 2002
quotequote all
I am considering installing the MotoConcept chip that supposedly will increase my horsepower from 225 to 260. As I have a '89 non-SE, I am concerned that the existing fuel arrangement, ie, no secondary injector on the first cylinder, will lean out that cylinder with the new chip and cook it. As I had heard, the secondary injector there was to prevent that in the SE's.
So has anyone used it in their non-SE car?

Any other negatives to talk about? Well Sanj?

cnh1990

3,035 posts

270 months

Friday 8th November 2002
quotequote all
Email Marcus at Moto Concept and have him explain how the hp boost will occur. That will tell you if it is safe as you don't have certain things in your car.
Calvin

lannoy

6 posts

266 months

Saturday 9th November 2002
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I have a 89 Turbo/carb (215 hp) and I'm also interested in the chip. But I wonder if there is any risk to damage the engine (not immediately but after a few thousand km). The engine was originaly made by Lotus with 215 HP, would it be able to resist to 260 HP? The latest engines (SE, S4,..) are more powerfull but they were also adapted consequently.
Another question about the chip: how is the power increased? Is it by increasing the turbo pressure or anything else?
Does anyone know the answer or have experience?
Thierry

sydneyse

406 posts

267 months

Monday 11th November 2002
quotequote all
No magic to how the horesepower is increased- more air and fuel.

On a naturally aspirated car this is usually increased by more revs...

On a turbo car- more boost. On mem-cal equiped cars the chip ALWAYS increases boost pressure, the program on the chip then has to provide the fuel for the extra air (up to the capacity of the injectors).

The only other variable the program changes is the spark (ignition timing) to maximise power, but not detonate the mixture (ie prevent pre-ignition).

As for reliability- colin chapman built race cars to last long enough.... to cross the finish line (paraphrase fo famous quote)

In all seriousness, the higher the horsepower, the more stress placed on bearings, conrods, pistons (and cylinder head bolts).

For everypossible failing in a component, there is a stronger/ligher/better replacement- at a cost.

One of the japanese tuners has managed to get 600hp out of an MR-2 (original 2L motor stroked to 2.2L); however the cost of the motor was more than buying a new MR-2....

You play... you pay!

>> Edited by sydneyse on Monday 11th November 00:09

th4neuk

124 posts

268 months

Tuesday 12th November 2002
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so can these chips be fitted to the carb/turbo esprit then????

cnh1990

3,035 posts

270 months

Tuesday 12th November 2002
quotequote all

th4neuk said: so can these chips be fitted to the carb/turbo esprit then????


I don't think carb/turbo Esprit's have chips as you dont have ECM?

lotusguy

1,798 posts

264 months

Wednesday 13th November 2002
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th4neuk said: so can these chips be fitted to the carb/turbo esprit then????


th4neuk,
The chip cannot be used on a carburetted car without extensive additional modification. This is partly due to the fact that carburetters deliver fuel much differently than an electronic fuel injector. In a carburetted car, fuel is delivered by the vacuum created in the intake manifold. More vacuum causes more fuel to flow through the jets, and in the Esprit, increased vacuum also triggers the fuel regulator to operate at a higher pressure delivering more fuel to the power jets. It is an 'analogue' system and not one governed by a chip. A chip, for all intents and purposes is analogous to a series of switches controlling various electronic components.
Electronic fuel injectors on the other hand, deliver more fuel by opening and closing for greater duration. This opening/closing is controlled electronically by signals from the chip or ECU. In addition, the chip also controls the duration and timing of the ignition spark. This timing and duration are determined by signals the ECU receives from various sensors such as the 0² sensor, MAP sensor(Manifold Absolute Pressure), MAT sensor (Manifold Absolute Temperature), throttle position sensor etc. It then compares these signals with a pre-programmed set of values and controls the engine functions according to a pre-programmed set of instructions. The newer chips merely have a diffrent set of instructions for the given conditions. These Chips sample the engine function through these sensors at an amazing sampling rate and adjusts it's instructions so quickly and often that near perfect combustion is achieved.
That having been said, there are a number of things one can do to increase the power and driveability of carburetted cars. These things range from advancing the static timing, adjusting the vacuum and/or mechanical advance of the distributor, increasing the turbo boost, advancing the valves, re-jetting the carburetters, increasing the fuel pressure. But as the system is not adaptable as an EMS is, you basically must select a given operating scenario and set up the car for those. In other words, it's much more of a trade-off. Let me know if you wish to discuss these improvements further. Hope this helps...Jim '85TE

th4neuk

124 posts

268 months

Thursday 14th November 2002
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thanks jim, cleared up a question i've been meaning to ask for a while. I assume from the post that the turbo/carb cars can benefit from a bit of tweaking??

What would you suggest is the best place to start.

I am currently modifying the rear valance to have a custom twin exit stainless exhaust built for next summer. Similar to Tony with his black one

Alan