Date: Thu, 30 Jul 1998 22:12:24 -0700
Reply-To: Lawrence Dongilli <buspilot@WORLDNET.ATT.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: Lawrence Dongilli <buspilot@WORLDNET.ATT.NET>
Subject: ECU Chip Upgrade Info.
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
What a coincidence....just as I was finding out on my own about performance
enhancing chips for the Vanagon, the topic happens to surface on the list.
I don't know how much information on this topic has changed hands in the
past, as I am new to the list. I apologize if some of this is old news,
but there seems to be little real data on the list right now....and quite a
few questions.
I have spoken several times over the past few days with a gentleman named
Richard Holzl, of Vintage Vee Dubs in Australia about this chip that he and
his cohorts have developed. Richard passed a lot of data to me. These
folks sounded like they really did their homework. Here are some important
points to consider (while they are still fresh in my head):
****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.
It seems VW tended to make the Vanagon run _really_ lean......even to the
detriment of power output. Rather than starting out lean and enriching the
mixture like the factory chip, the new chip starts out rich and leans the
mixture out to the proper 15.2:1 stoichiometric ratio. This ends the the
overly lean running condition. Their dyno tests showed a flat spot in the
power curve at 2150 rpm which is also cured with the chip.
Fuel curves were made by plotting points at 200-500 rpm intervals over top
of a volumetric efficiency graph. Curves are not necessarily a straight
line.....they rise and dip as the rpm rises....reflecting 'sweet spots'
based on volumetric efficiency.
A 'thirty second' (!) delay to full power condition is
eliminated.....giving instant full throttle response.
Among the chip designers/programers were actually some insiders to the
original design of the factory chips.
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.
Additional benefits can be realized by adding an impedance transformer (a
genuine VW part available from the dealer) between the ECU and airbox.
With ratio rockers, I believe Richard said that the pushrods will need to
be replaced with units shortened to 273mm (double check this
number.......so much info....I couldn't write fast enough).
He also recommended Bosch triple prong plugs, Magnacoil leads.
Anyway, that is the bulk of the info he gave me. It is as accurate as my
frantic scribbles allow. If you have more questions, you can make an
expensive phone call to Australia and talk to Vintage Vee Dubs at
(011.612.9.789.1777). You can also correspond by FAX at
(011.612.9.718.8704).
Finally.....prices. For folks like me who _will_ be buying onesies, the
price is $425 (Aussie bucks). This translates into approx. $260 US. If
you buy in quantity, the price takes a pretty good dive......so find some
friends.
By the way, check out < http://www.clubvw.org.au/index.html >. There is
info about a Race Bug that Richard built called 'Dak To The Future' as well
as a bunch of cool links.
Regards,
Lawrence Dongilli
