Performance Chip

[deeclue]

Hello, so I'm in the process of doing a little work on my 89 ix because it just failed emissions testing. I'm replacing the cat/muffler and have cleaned out the MAF/ICV. My next step was investigating the possibility that this car was chipped by the previous owner. I had my suspicions but never knew for sure.

After pulling the computer out and looking I could kick myself for not doing this long ago because it took like 5 mins. Yes indeed it has had a Dinan D900-2532 this whole time. I couldn't fine a lot of specifics about this chip, but I assume it requires premium, which I have not consistently run. (whoops) Anyway I want to swap it for a chip that can just run on regular octane and I'm curious if anyone has any recommendations?

The main one I've found so far is from Sssquid, but I wanted to make sure there weren't other good options to choose from. I'm definitely keeping the Dinan around - you know, just in case - but as a daily driver I'd rather be able to run regular.

Thanks!

[AndrewBird]

Why do you not want to run premium? It's only $3.20 more per tank. The chip likely makes you get better gas mileage too.

[deeclue]

Haha, yeah I had a feeling removing a performance chip would be like sacrilege to some people on here. I'm just trying to take it back to stock, I'm going to keep the chip around in case I change my mind down the line.

[ForcedFirebird]

Don't need premium for Dinan (and AA) chips. I have read the file and they only added a few degrees of timing across the board and raised the rev limiter (to where the m20 makes no power).

If you want a good chip that has a real tune on it, go with MarkD or SSSquid (both forum sponsors).

[jeffnhiscars]

Not to mention that many higher octane recommendations are cya. For anything modest try using regular and if you don't get detonation you're good to go

[deeclue]

Thanks for all the info! Yeah I'll probably get a MarkD or SSSquid chip, and see if it runs between.

[sampayne]

+1 for SSSquid

[Das Delfin]

I put a MarkD chip in my car last year and at the risk of sounding like a cliche, it really woke the car up.. of course runs on premium fuel

[e30rapidic]

Haha, yeah I had a feeling removing a performance chip would be like sacrilege to some people on here. I'm just trying to take it back to stock, I'm going to keep the chip around in case I change my mind down the line.

Hey, you're not alone. I just did the same thing for my S50. ;)

[ForcedFirebird]

Chips work, but often are "over-advertised". A dyno tune on a stock engine is usually good for anywhere from 5-10whp.

[deeclue]

Well I bought and installed a regular octane sssquid chip, now I just need to get the rest of the car back together to test it out. I'm curious if I'm going to really notice much of a difference. I'll report back.

[bmwman91]

+1 on SSSquid. I have been working with him on a custom project and he definitely does more than just a couple of small tweaks to the WOT maps. He seems to go through everything from idle to part-throttle to WOT to improve power and driveability.

[deeclue]

Day one of finally driving my car with the new chip, and it runs soooo much better than it did before. Much more quiet and smooth. I can definitely feel that I don't have quite as much punch when accelerating as I used to, but I expected that because I went with the regular octane stage 1 chip. But the acceleration also feels smoother and more consistent. All around very satisfied with the SSSquid chip - highly recommend if anyone is on the fence.