what does chipping a ecu do can you be very in detail about how and what it does it the engine

 

Think of "chipping" the ecu as soldiering in a socket into the mainboard, which interupts the way your ecu ( engine control unit) controls. You simply plug in a rom (chip) into the socket you soldiered in the mainboard. That rom (chip) will alter the way you ecu thinks, and it will do whatever your chip is telling it to do.

Sorry if its not so clear. Feel free to ask questions.

 

but what can i tell it to do and r there any set programs i can use ex skunk2 or mugen whats the best and how much $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

 

what kind of motor do you have? have at least all of the bolt ons?

these 'chips' are not magical things that will give you 20hp on demand. you need to do i/h/e first pretty much. then you can think about getting a chip.

otherwise, the benefit isn't as great. you're looking at $100-150 for an ecu already chipped/socketed.

 

i have a jdm b16a with aem intake sort ram dc sports header and a full exhuast with no cat

 

On your setup, a good tune will give you AT MOST 10 hp with a good tuner and dyno. I could be wrong because im so use to single cams, but with just IN-n-Outs, your wont gain much.

Sorry DOHCers, correct me if I'm wrong.

 

Not worth it imo without cams or other more mods beyond I/H/E. If you really want to get some tuning done get a vafc and use it with the stock ecu. Althogh for 300 bucs on a vafc the gains you will see are not worth it imo. The only reason why I would say to get a vafc over a "chip" is because the programs are not specific for your exact setup and usually require tuning to get it running right for your car anyway. Unless you need to raise your rev limit or have other mods like cams, FI, etc...I would not get a chipped ecu. You would also have to convert to obd-1 which requires a harness.