Date: Thu, 3 Aug 2000 09:59:02 EDT
Reply-To: Wolfvan88@aol.com
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Robert Lilley <Wolfvan88@aol.com>
Subject: Re: Buying the ECU Chip- What version ECU to put it in!! -Works
w-no rockers!
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...Chip is socketed (not soldered), so swap should not be any problem. Just
make sure precautions are taken to guard against ESD (electrostatic
discharge). I think he mentioned there may be some sort of foil shielding
to clip through to get to the chip...
...****Your ECU module part number _must_ end in "022D". The chip will not
work otherwise.
The chip can be run without rockers for about a 10% power boost, but they
_strongly_ recommended against running rockers without the chip. Yes, you
get a larger power boost but you will end will end up with a _very_ rich
exhaust mixture. Apparently the airbox is 'overstimulated' with the ratio
rockers, and the _stock_ ECU cannot accurately process/calculate the proper
fuel ratios. The engine with the new chip (with/without ratio rockers)
should still pass the sniff test (!). The chip should have sufficient
capacity to handle additional headwork, cam changes and exhaust work (but
to what degree I did not fully explore). Even a three angle valve job
would be a worthwhile improvement. Richard did wisely recommend a valve
spring upgrade if one departs from the profile of the stock cam. They
faxed me a dyno printout (actually, the exact same one scanned in at Kyle
Wade's website) which shows an increase of rear wheel horsepower from about
58 horsepower (stock) to about 62 horsepower (new chip only). The chip
with ratio rockers (1.4:1 I believe) gives about 85 horsepower at the
wheel. This chip was originally designed to add to their Vanagon Truck
used to tow their race car with tools, spares, etc, with their 'goal' being
a total increase of 10-15%. I guess they made it...
I edited the text of Lawrence Dongilli post in July 1998.
http://gerry.vanagon.com/cgi-bin/wa.exe?A2=ind9807e&L=vanagon&D=1&O=T&P=11626
If you want to run the chip and have an older DF ECU, you could buy a
new/used correct model ECU put the chip in it and have the old as a spare.
That is what I did.
The chip can also be run without rockers. Add the chip and then see if you
want more power. Then add the ratio rockers.
Robert