Chip tuning refers to changing or modifying an EPROM chip in a
car's or other vehicle's electronic control unit (ECU) to achieve better
performance, whether it be more power, cleaner emissions, better fuel economy,
or better appearance.
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This was done with earlyenginecomputers in the 1980s and 1990s. Today, the term
chip tuning can be misleading, as people will often use it to describe ECU
tuning that does not involve swapping the chip. Modern ECUs can be tuned by
simply updating their software through a standard interface, such as OBDII.
This procedure is commonly referred to as engine or ECU tuning. ECUs are a
relatively recent addition to the automobile, having first appeared in the late
1970s.
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As technology advanced, so did the electronics that go into cars. The ECU in a
modern automobile, together with advanced engine technology, makes it possible
to control many aspects of the engine's operation, such as spark timing and
fuel injection. The ECU may also control valve timing, boost control (in
turbocharged engines), ABS, the automatic transmission, and the electronic
stability control system.
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| A common approach to ECU
tuning used by tuners and gearheads who like to modify their cars involves
adjusting the air-fuel mixture and spark timing maps for greater power, or to
smooth out drops in power.
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| S and R Performance
staff have extensive knowledge and expertise. Chip tuning modification can
often result in significant power increases without any additional changes to
the vehicle. However, a poorly tuned ECU can result in decreased performance,
driveability, and may even cause engine damage. An aftermarket ECU can expand a
car's potential, as well as optimize existing performance attributes. |
