Hi, new contibutor to this forum, although been a member of some of the other Magna forums in the past. I've got a TH Sports tippy auto (Lukey muffler, K&N panel), and as I had a Powerchip fitted a week ago, I thought I'd give you a report.

Initial impressions: The Powerchip has delivered the most noticable and usable improvement in performance of anything I've done so far to the car. I was pretty dubious about Powerchip's advertising and nearly cancelled out having it done on the day. I'm glad I went ahead! I know the Unichip and Greddy people out there will say that a Powerchip won't allow further engine modifications, and they're right - however, I don't plan to have new cams etc so it doesn't worry me. And the Powerchip does work with further exhaust modifications (having new extractors installed tomorrow).

Nuts and bolts: It's a piggy back computer that does not replace the ECU and is fitted just behind the driver's footrest. Cost was $890, fully installed. Requires 98RON fuel.

Driving impressions: Delivers a major power and torque increase. Coming out of a corner in second (remember I have an auto), used to be pretty lethargic - a real dead spot as the 3.5 cranked up. Now it fairly zings out of second and third delivers a solid and sustained push in the back - it almost feels like a turbo coming on in third. It really flies. I've also noticed that second and third hold in gear longer (ie. don't need to use the tip shifter going up anymore). I paced an XR6 Turbo without any probs the other day (maybe he wasn't trying that hard :) , but he seemed to be going for it and I had no problems at all keeping up with him).

So really good investment and totally recommended.

Welcome, glad to hear it, would there be any chance of dyno graphs in the near future?

It would be great if we could collect dyno graphs of cars with different Chips installed hey... although it's hard keeping their mods all similar. but oh well...

Cheers.

any increase in fuel consumption? just curious.. :) thx

Fully agree. Not that I doubt anything but....
Year ago I subscribed to Powerchip and did 2 different setups with different mods, fuel etc. And it gave me SAME power increase results! Hmmm - made me back off immediately. I would like to be proven wrong - on paper.


Welcome, glad to hear it, would there be any chance of dyno graphs in the near future?
It would be great if we could collect dyno graphs of cars with different Chips installed hey... although it's hard keeping their mods all similar. but oh well...
Cheers.

what would this do to a 3.0l manual with panel filter, exhaust, extractors and throttle body?

Trav

i.e what is the line you cant cross with getting this chip?

Trav

It's a bit early to tell properly on fuel consumption since the chip was installed, as I've only gone through one tank of fuel since. However, I notice on the trip computer readout for fuel today I seem to be averaging about 1 litre per 100km better since I had the chip installed. I'm not sure that can be right (maybe the chip's messed my trip computer!), as I've been giving the car a bit of stick since I had the chip installed and would expect to see a worse result, not better. I'll wait and see how it goes over the next couple of weeks. Happy if it is better though!

where'd you get it done?

and i see your from SA, check www.gdivision.org 8)

Only thing I have to say about powerchip is - waste of money

The only programing that has gone into your chip is a simple timing advance, the chip has never been tested in a Magna (or any other car) on a dyno, estimated power figures are based on computer simulations not actual dyno figures, so basically for $900 you're paying for a timing advance that can be done by yourself at home.

Why do you reckon that powerchip are so much cheaper than EVERY other type of chip on the market?

ok nice were abouts in adelaide did u purchase this comp from and who installed it ?

Sorry mate ,but no more 98 RON i Australi ! only 95 RON @ BP .So chip is useless??

perhaps a full tank an octane boost

why isnt there any more 98 premium unleaded anymore ?

whats this gona do to the premium unleaded commos , fords , performance cars from overseas

why isnt there any more 98 premium unleaded anymore ?

Shell Optimax was, I have a funny feeling it is now 96.

There is still 98, Im still using BP Ultimate out here which is still 98.

Actually there are correct. The unofficial word is that teh ultimate 98 is not actually a 98 ron fuel but garaunteed to be no less than 96 ron fuel. Now I think we all know what this means don't we.

Actually there are correct. The unofficial word is that teh ultimate 98 is not actually a 98 ron fuel but garaunteed to be no less than 96 ron fuel. Now I think we all know what this means don't we.



Yup! Very true, I know the emissions fella who test fuel around Australia told me that the 98 fuel we get is actually closer to 96....

Yeah I heard that too

But the thing is..if they advertise it at 98...then they can be done for false and misleading advertising.

BP still advertise theirs as 98 octane....

No KB last week i checked @ BP '95 OCT'.

I mean KB I saw new sticker at BP & there was 95 not 98 octanes.

The one I go to still says 98 ;)

same as mine ;)

I mean KB I saw new sticker at BP & there was 95 not 98 octanes.

I just got in the car and drove to my local BP it still says 98 and the guy behind the counter, who has worked at this stite for as long as I can remember just gave me a funny look when I questioned him

[quote:6c66b14366="REV937"]I mean KB I saw new sticker at BP & there was 95 not 98 octanes.

I just got in the car and drove to my local BP it still says 98 and the guy behind the counter, who has worked at this stite for as long as I can remember just gave me a funny look when I questioned him[/quote:6c66b14366]

he prolly thought, "damn! the secret's out!" :lol: :lol:

My 3 L -96 TE ignition timing cannot be changed "at home" according to manual and Service books. Could u tell me the trick?

No more 98 Oct gasoline???? Let's boycot them! Ammmhhh, well....
Bicycle?


*** so basically for $900 you're paying for a timing advance that can be done by yourself at home***

98RON fule is widely available. Shell Optimax, BP Ultimate, and Mobile 8000 are all 98 octane. Caltex is the only exception at 96 octane.

TJ.3535, mate, I'm not arguing that Powerchip has probably only done a few tweaks on timing etc, however, I swear the difference, particularly at half to three quarters throttle-open, is nothing less than dramatic. If you reckon you can get the same results at home, given that Magna's run a fully integrated ECU, then tell us so we can all save some money.

I noticed all the chatter about BP's RON rating on premium fuel, so I rang the guy I get my fuel off ........ all $3000 a week of it (for the work patrol cars). BP has two grades of Premium fuel. You have Premium ....... you have Ultimate. Premium is a spanktacular 96RON. Ultimate (6 cents a bloody litre more then unleading) is 98.

Depending on what station you go to depends on what fuel you get. Most of the older stations don't have ultimate. The newer one's do.

Hope my 2c was helpful.

I checked Shell website - thay claim Opti is 98 oct. But that statemant was last revised in 2001. Does it then make it invalid statement in 2004?
If they advertise it as 98 and it can be measured as 96 - that is grossly illegal trading and they can be severly sued for it. I doubt they would do it at Shell. But do independent retailers spike it them selves - another story....


[quote:00c0a0a611="fysh"]why isnt there any more 98 premium unleaded anymore ?
Shell Optimax was, I have a funny feeling it is now 96.[/quote:00c0a0a611]