Date:         Mon, 7 Aug 2000 00:31:23 EDT
Reply-To:     Wolfvan88@aol.com
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Robert Lilley <Wolfvan88@aol.com>
Subject:      Some Questions about the ECU Chip Upgrades- Answered....
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

Questions about the ECU Chip Upgrades- Answered....

Performance Enhancements-DO they WORK and what will happen to my engine

I am writing this message from a computer in Bozeman, Montana.  I will be
home later to fully respond to the number of emails that I have received.


The main question is WHAT is the ECU chip upgrade going to do to my engine???

Simply put, your engine will run better...

Why you ask?

The way the ECU responds to the various sensor signals is changed.
Rather than start the engine lean and use the various sensors to correct the
mixture to the proper ratio, as VW does, the Australian company, starts the
mixture rich and use the sensors to correct the mixture to achieve the proper
ratio.

What will the effect then be on the engine?

On a stock engine without the ratio rockers, there will be a small benefit,
The engine will be able to make its power easier.
If you add ratio rockers or other modifications, there will be a greater
proportional increase in power.

Consider a box that two people are pushing.  One person can just push the box
with all its strength and the other can push the box easily.  The one that is
pushing the box at the upper limits of their power will not be able to push
as efficiently as the other will.

I had a customized T4 2L engine in my 73' VW Bus.  It had a Porsche 914
hydraulic performance cam, Modified 914 racing exhaust, electronic ignition
AND DUAL- DUAL Throat 36mm Dellorto carburetors.  I was getting @20 mpg at
@70 mph.  The power was OK.  I switched to LARGER 40mm carburetors.  You
would expect the mileage to decrease, BUT it increased to 30 mph at @70mph.
It increased because the larger carburetors made the engine run more
efficiently.  I did not have to have my foot in the gas as long to get up to
speed.

In the same way, the ECU Chip should not decrease the mileage but maintain or
even increase the mileage, Because the engine can now run more efficiently.
The improvements made to the WBX engine have increased the power, the
reliability and the efficiency all with an INCREASE in mileage.


Will the life of my engine be cut short with the new chip?

No, not unless you start driving like a mad person!  The life of the engine
can actually be increased.  You would not have to run the RPMs up, shifting
as high to increase speed.  The engine can run cooler because it is not in
such a lean, heat producing state.
If you plan to add the chip, make sure all the FI parts are in good working
order along with the engine.

If you add the 1.25 ratio rockers, there could be some increased wear on the
valve guides if swivel valve adjusters are not used.  The 1.4 rockers have a
offset arm so the valve guide should be similar to stock wear.

I had my cam lift increased and added Rhino 1.25 ratio rockers with Rhino
swivel rocker adjusting screws (911 style) Rather than go to 1.4 rockers.


While adding just the ECU chip will get you a small increase in power (Some
want just a small increase in power)  If you want to gain additional HP add
the various bolt on items discussed- air filter, muffler, ratio rockers, quad
tip plugs, synthetic oil in engine and tranny. Still not enough, when rebuild
time
 port intake, exhaust, increase cam one step, maybe two, counterweight crank,
balance engine.

90>100>115>130+

Later,

Robert