• Registered users are encouraged to enable MFA/2FA to add an aditional layer of security to their account. More information can be found here: https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/collection/top-tips-for-staying-secure-online/activate-2-step-verification-on-your-email

Chipping - An explanation for beginners

Chris.

Founder
Administrator
Messages
52,581
What is chipping?

Chipping is usually linked to some sort of modification of the cars performance. The term came into use when electronic fuel injection was introduced. Modication of the EFI engines required some kind of electronic hack to alter performance.

Nowadays the term is used loosely to describe a modded vehicle.

How do we go about it then? Well the CTR has a complicated OBDII ECU which is difficult to work on. Luckily there a ways around this:

Air-Fuel controllers such as HKS & Apexi AFC intercept sensor signals, allowing alteration of the A/F ratio. As we all know, the CTR runs a little rich, hence leaning out the engine will release a bit more power.

While A/F controllers are good for lighlty modded car, they are no good for major mods where the fuelling needs to be radically altered.

Don't assume that A/F controllers are no use. More advanced types of AF controller have inbuilt ECus which allow full fuel curve tuning.

What AF controllers do not do is alter the ignition timing. Advancing the ignition can create more power by sparking earlier and increasing cylinder pressure. The problem is that by advancing ignition/timing is the increased likelihood of detonation/knock which can be catastrophic for an engine.

The HKS FCON and UNICHIP can alter both ignition and fuelling by directly manipulating existing maps in the ECU. THe ECU itself remains unaltered. Hence these chips are also referred to as piggyback ECUs. These need to specialist tuned as you will destroy your car if you don't know what you are doing.

HKS produce pre-programmed maps (like lancaster honda's) for plug and play purposes. These are often installed with specific mods such as intake and exhaust. Modules can be purchased for piggyback ECUs which allow greater control and flexibility, such as altered vtec actuation.

You can also opt for a fully independant ECU upgrade which ditches the std ECU, such as AEMs and a motec. While these are great for racecars, where aircon and lights are not so important, they might lack the abilty to control the more mundane features of your motor. Remember the ECU controls almost everything.

Standalone ECUs require much more setup time in general, and cost a lot more. Some may require dedicated sensors too. The CTR ECU is highly specific for ivtec and a standalone may not have the abilty to control it properly.

This brings us to the hacked ECU. Hondata have managed to hack the firmware of honda ECU and reflash it, allowing them to control nearly all ECU parameters. THe adavantage of this is that non of the original ECU functions are lost. Cam timing can also be altered, as well as raising the rev limit and altering vtec actuation.

These are known now as the S100, K100 and KPro.

Altering cam timing and vtec actuation have great benefits for modded engines. The former can help squeeze more power out the engine by adavancing the intake cam, and increase low end torque. The latter can remove the torque dip during vtec engagement, giving smoother power delivery.
 
ok so make it even easier, CTR exhaust and filter i'm guessing a piggy back or replacement ecu would be the next step correct? If so which would you say is the best value for money? As a couple of my mates have supercharged CTR and they get random EML lights come up for unknown reasons (well so they say)....what do ya think?? :confused:
 
hi hope this is in the right place bit off a noob here.im lookin on ebay at a chip offering +30 bhp tuning module box for civic.prelude.integra.type r its easy to fit .is this a genuine offer thanks for any advice u can give
 
ok thanks good job i didn't buy it sorry for the txt speak do it without realising .im not too up on engine mods guess ile take some time to read some threads on here .dont want to get ripped off when i get it done
 
No worries.

There's lots of useful threads on here already so the search button is your best friend till you're up to speed. :)
 
Great post thanks. Just been looking into a remap as the exhaust and intake mods will be complete soon. But, a quick look at the tdi north website and I'm not so sure. In between £500- £800 depending on hardware once the kpro has been brought. Seems a bit steep. Shame. Back in the day I took my Astra to Courtney motorsport and came out with a custom map for around £200.

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk
 
Excellent write up this mate, explains a lot. Nearly bought the HkS boost editor for my FK8 but pleased I didn't now as I could have likely done something drastically wrong. Instead I'm getting a tuning box from Blue spark. However it's a 3 channel box, the third being a cam sensor so guessing that ticks a big box. It's the first one they'll have done but it means the biz is being mapped specifically for my car with a full day on the dyno!

Sent from my VOG-L29 using Tapatalk
 
Aw Bless...
Chris actually seemed happy in his posts 15 years ago!
What happened man?

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk
 
Jesus didn't realise the article was that old. On another note. Getting a custom tuning box done from Bluespark automative. They've recommended filling up with 99 for purposes of the dyno but I usually run 97. I've asked them the question but waiting for a reply. Do you think this would cause any issue by have the box 'mapped' on 99 but then going back to 97. I'm guessing no as the actual ecu is still in play.

Sent from my VOG-L29 using Tapatalk
 
Depends on the tuning box. Some are dumb and just trick the sensors into throwing in more fuel or upping boost. If they don't interface with the ODB port, it won't be talking to the ECU.

If they've tell you to use 99 even though they know you use 97, they're just after numbers on the dyno. Using 97 when mapped on 99 will mean the engine will retard ignition when it detects knock. If it's a dumb tuning box, that could be a bit dodgy...
 
Cheers. I get it won't be talking to the Ecu as such but I was more meaning the Ecu is still active just getting false readings so guessing could still adjust to the different octane, regardless of whether it's getting more fuel than it thinks. What would define a clever box, its 3 channel so boost, air/fuel and cam sensors all in play? I've emailed Tdi tuning to see what they say as they've already got box mapped for the FK8. I'm guessing it should be OK though as every single box could have this problem given the range of fuels people will run on.

Sent from my VOG-L29 using Tapatalk
 
Back
Top