FAQ
Q: Can anybody fit the Performance Chip?
A: Yes. We have designed the Diesel Performance Chips to be fitted by anyone. You do not need any special license or degree. On all common vehicles, it is a simple Plug n Play system. If you can change a fuse or do an oil change on your vehicle, you can fit one of our Performance Modules as it takes about the same skill.
Q: Why is your Performance Chip so much cheaper than other well-known brands?
A: Many reasons actually. One of the reasons is you are buying direct from the manufacturer. We do not re-brand or re-badge our Chips. Our Chip is not going through importers, distributors or resellers, which means each middle-man takes their profit before ending up on your vehicle. Even if the chip is purchased and installed from a mechanic, they are buying directly from us the manufacturer. The other reason … we’re not making 500% profit. This Aussie company believes in giving the Aussie Auto industry a fair go and not charging the earth for the products we sell. Compare even our Stainless Steel Exhaust prices … we are one of the cheapest suppliers of performance exhaust systems on the market. Our exhausts compare in quality to the top 2 brands in Australia and are about 2/3rds the price.
Q: Your Performance Chips give superior performance gains over other chips or modules, why?
A: Simply because our chips are tuned on specific Australian complied vehicles using Australian fuels. We do not have a range of tunes that cover many vehicles like other chip manufacturers. We therefore we are able to provide higher performance tunes for your exact vehicle requirements. When the other brands develop tunes based on their countries vehicles they must de-tune their power maps so that they don’t run into problems with vehicles they have not tested … or even seen! Our power maps are developed and dyno tested right here in Australia by Aussie experts.
Also, by providing DIGITAL tunes (not a knob on the front cover) we can change JUST THE AREA OF THE MAP THAT NEEDS TUNING. Turning a knob on the front panel of the Chip, as many of our competition’s Chips do, will just change a set resistance value of the ENTIRE tune!! This changes the signals to the factory ECU by fixed percentages i.e. 3% each click of the dial. Adjustment knobs on the front of Modules are very much “old school”. The best way to tune a modern diesel engine is to tune it like the factory ECU does it … incrementally and individually using a proper ECU …not a resister wheel or knob. A “Chip” to us means a “real” processor! The Chip It module uses state-of-the-art processors and board manufacturing techniques and this makes us is different. We can change any point in the rev range (or more specifically “load” points) to whatever value the engine needs to make the best safe power. Also by using a real processor we can tell the Chip not to touch the fuel map where the factory ECU is doing the best job of providing an economical tune. Usually at light throttle no power is needed and an economical tune is what’s needed. This means that the factory computer is as smooth and gentle down low (light throttle) as it was without the Chip. Why do we leave this part of the map alone? Because in very light throttle applications, telling the factory ECU to do anything other than to “go slow” is wrong.
Where other chips may falter and bring up engine codes, we can tweak a tune to suit YOUR particular needs, email it to you and have you on your way within minutes. No other module on the market today gives you (or us) this level or flexibility. And for the trump card we are able, with our “Co-Pilot” program and your mobile internet connection, we are also able to connect to YOUR laptop whilst you are on the road test and tune the Chip in real time!
Q: Another well-known Chip manufacturer says that half price Chips only do half the job. Is this true?
A: The truth is some Chip manufacturers only use a variable resister to vary a particular signal. However this is not only the domain of cheap imported Chips like you see on eBay. We see this on many well-known brands that are sold here. This is not true of the Chip It Module. Our Control Boards use powerful signal processors. We utilise 32K processors to accurately control the board’s every function and control the signals we send back to your factory ECU. Don’t be fooled, our Performance Module is state-of-the-art and we have many more features than any other Module on the market today. We don’t do HALF the job .. .we do DOUBLE the job! 
Questions to ask other chip manufacturers:
- Can you provide individual tunes via email for customer to download and install into their Chip?
- Does your Chip allow for full on the dyno custom tuning?
- Does your Chip DIRECTLY connect to the MAP Sensor (not only the Common Rail)?
- Does your chip monitor Exhaust Gas Temps and de-tune the Chip if and when temps get too high?
As mentioned, providing a great product at a fair price is what we believe in and this is good for everyone … (except our competitors)
Q: Is there another reason why the Chip It Module is better value for money than other chips or modules?
A: Yes. The Chip It Module has an in-built emulator for the MAP sensor signal. This extra feature of ours allows the engine to safely run more turbo pressure. This feature alone provides another 10% extra power and comes free with every Chip It Module. Purchased separately, this piece of kit would be worth $300 – $500. Also, with your purchase of our Performance Chips, you are supporting a fully Australian Brand.
Q: Does your Module adjust Injection Timing?
A: Indirectly it does however it would be wrong of us to say we DIRECTLY change injection timing. No need to lie about this and no for others to either. Any Chip manufacturer that tells you their Chip controls injection timing is having a lend of you. Injection timing is controlled by the factory ECU. What Common Rail Sensor emulator Chips (like ours and all others) do is allow the factory ECU to re-adjust injector timing based on new calculations. i.e. Where standard delivery will have the peak flow at say 60% of the injector opening duration, we can bring it forward to say 55%. The factory computer will adjust the timing earlier or later because it is told extra power is needed.
The Common Rail Module therefore does not change the start or the end point of the fuel timing delivery directly. No Module which plugs into the Fuel Rail will control the advancement of injection timing! This is another “con” by some reseller/manufacturers to make it look like their Chips are better. Let’s be honest about things. If you want to change injection timing you need an aftermarket Engine ECU or a re-flash of the original timing MAP inside the factory ECU. See point below on re-flashing your ECU.
Q: How do you know how the high priced chips work?
A: We took a peak!
Q: What is an ECU re-flash and why is this not a good power-up solution?
A: An ECU re-flash is a method of uploading a non-standard performance tune to overwrite your factory ECU map. In our opinion, this power-up procedure has two inherit problems. Firstly, the re-flash is permanent and can only be removed via propriety software which is nearly always only available from the place that first uploaded the map … this will cost you extra time and money. If you ever need to have your ECU checked by the vehicle manufacture or dealer, they are able “see” the non-standard program and cancel any engine or drive-train warranty you may have. This will leave you up the proverbial creek! With a Chip It Module simply unplug the unit or remove the fuse and the vehicle is back to standard tune. Sellers of ECU re-flashes now LOCK the computer so that EVEN THE MOTOR DEALER CANNOT OVERWRITE IT with a new factory update!!! They call it “PROTECTING YOUR REFLASH”. They say that if you want to unlock the ECU, take it back to the Flash installer to pay a “small fee”. I bet the “small fee” is around $100.00 or more and after the OEM has re-programmed an update (ie for an emission control fix etc) you need to take it back to the flash installer and pay a “small fee” ???
Consider this: If you are at the “back of Bourke” the only thing you can do if your reflashed ECU is playing up and you need the dealer to look at it is to a) remove the ECU, b) mail the ECU to the Flash Installer for unlocking c) have the ECU mailed back all, at your cost, and the reinstall it. After the OEM has updated the OEM ECU you obviously wouldn’t have the Power re-flash anymore … even if it were not locked in the first place! Then you need to have the Flash put back in! Complicated? You bet
Secondly, the cost of a re-flash is much greater than a Chip It Module. They charge a small fortune for the re-flash, and for the “after sales support”.
For these two reasons we feel you are much better off with a module of any brand.
Q: Will I feel an increase in power immediately?
A: Yes. There is no running in period or anything like that. Just start the engine and have fun.
Q: Will the Performance Chip be expensive to run?
A: No. The difference in fuel costs is marginal and usually saves you fuel unless you are using the extra power ALL THE TIME. Drivers will often experience better fuel economy for two reasons, 1) because the extra power allows the vehicle to remain in the higher gears for much longer. This negates the necessity to down shift and revving the engine harder. 2) the extra power allows you to get off the throttle earlier without the need to wring the neck of the engine to get it to go. We also welcome customer feedback on their personal experiences here. So far, most people say they achieve circa 7%-10% better returns.
Q: I have a 3.2l Turbo Mitsubishi Triton which really noise injectors at 2000rpm in 5th gear. Mitsubishi say that they have re-mapped their ECU to stop this, but it hasn’t. Will your Performance Chip stop this rattle?
A: Most customers tell us that the Chip actually quieten down injector and engine noise and make the engine much smoother to drive.
Q: How long is the Chip It warranty?
A: 5 years on the Chip itself and 2 years on the harnesses. We also have a 48 hours parts replacement policy.
Q: Do you offer a money back guarantee?
A: Yes. A 30 day guarantee gives piece of mind in anyone’s language. See “30 Day Money Back Guarantee Policy” for return details.
Q: Can a dealer cancel my new car warranty if I have the Module installed?
A: No. It is against Trade Practices “Anti-Competition Laws” Act for an Automotive Manufacturer to cancel, warn or even hint of cancelling new vehicle warranties because aftermarket parts are installed. It is against the law and if you are threatened with this you should kindly advise them of the breach of anti-competition laws and that you know it is illegal for them to even suggest this to you. They will soon do an about-face!
By the way, if a dealer tells you that your new vehicle “must” be serviced by a dealer for you to keep a warranty, this too is in breach of the law and you can safety ignore the statement. As long as the mechanic servicing your vehicle is licensed you are legally entitled to have you car serviced and your service book stamped ANYWHERE!
Q: I have heard that vehicles with Diesel Particulate Filters may be problematic without a Chip installed. What really can be expected?
A: We have written a detailed article regarding Diesel Particulate Filters. You can find the article at the bottom of this FAQ page.
Q: If I add a larger exhaust or other mod, what will a custom tune cost and where do I have it done?
A: The truth is, you won’t need a custom tune however having a full custom tune does allow you to have the Chip develop the full potential of your engine. If you add 3″ exhausts or snorkels etc we actually will be able to email you custom tweaked tunes to help pick up more power. We have a fantastic hands-on approach which allows us to custom tune to specific needs and then email that tune to you for download to your Chip It ECU. This will involve around 1 hours’ work and we charge $110 per hour. If it is something we have already made for someone else, we won’t charge you a cent. Experienced tuners all around the country that have dynamometers will give you the best tuning potential however, again, this is not completely necessary.
Q: Will I be able to wear out my tyres faster with a Chip It Module than any other Module?
A: Yes, we guarantee it! We guarantee to provide the best tunes for your vehicle … WITHOUT A DOUBT. See our comparo between us and the competition at the bottom of the page.
Q: OK where can I buy one?
A: Preferably, please go to http://www.chipit.com.au/support/order_form and download an order form. Alternately, shop online with the Chip It Shopping Cart https://www.chipit.com.au/products-page.
If you have downloaded the order form you should email or fax the form back to us with your payment details. We accept direct deposits (cheapest method), credit card or PayPal payments. (NB: please do not email forms back to us with your credit card details … it is not a secure transmission and scammers can intercept your details. Best to fax the form to us or use the shopping cart feature on the website if paying with credit card)
Q: How long will it take for delivery?
A: We usually ship with 72 hours, 5 days a week. Overnight shipping is usually provided where and when possible.
After Sales Service
After the purchase, here is our Service Commitment to you:
1. Five years guarantee on the Chip Module and two years quality guarantee for all other products.
2. Five year free technical support.
3. Five year free software and firmware updates.
4. Thirty day money back guarantee if our Diesel Performance Solutions do not work as advertised.
5. All shipments are fully insured.
IMPORTANT LINKS
Diesel Particulate Filter Info
http://www.chipit.com.au/chipped_vehicles/ford (comparo between us and another brand)
http://www.chipit.com.au/chipped_vehicles/chipped-vehicles/toyota/200-series-landcruiser (comparo between us and another brand)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSgQp9-TiLU&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL (comparo between us and another brand)