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Tony
Dodge Dakota
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10/07/2005
15:19:29
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 Subject: Are the el-cheapo mod chips safe, good?
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I am new to modifying my truck. Had an 87 V6 Dakota 4x4 and just got a 95. I am kinda old school, I like the older more square body style. It needs some mechanical work but the engine seems strong.
Anyway, I was wondering if those cheap mod chips you can get on eBay are any good and are they safe. Has anyone used one with good results? I am no mechanic so are they as easy to install as they claim?
These are a couple I saw -
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8005149671
and
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8005168392
I did try to find a post on this before asking but didn't see any recent ones.
Thanks
Tony
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davec
Dodge Dakota
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10/07/2005
15:59:55
|  RE: Are the el-cheapo mod chips safe, good?
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"The Speed Seeker" ahhhhh....that's funny. "20 horsepower faster" yeeeah...that makes sense.
Honestly man, I would stay away from it. It appears to be nothing more than a simulated IAT (intake air temperature) sensor. I'm assuming all it does is relay a given temperature to the PCM, basically telling it that the air is cooler than what it actually is. This in turn will richen the fuel mixture (add more fuel).
I can see the principle behind it, but if the actual air that is coming into the engine is normal temp, I'd say all you would be doing is running rich and sucking gas.
You would be much better off purchasing a quality performance piece that will give you better timing/fuel curves. I think you would see more gains and your truck would probably like it much better.
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8banger
GenIII
10/07/2005
16:47:20
| RE: Are the el-cheapo mod chips safe, good?
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don't buy that p.o.s.
invest in superchips..it adds several improvements, and it is proven by many members here
03 Dakota 4X4 QC SportPlus 4.7L 3.55 LSD AWD
Superchipped, 2Chamber Flowmaster Dumped, K&N Drop-in, 2"Torsion Lift
 MY 4X4'S BAPTISM
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Craig
Dodge Dakota
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10/07/2005
21:47:52
| RE: Are the el-cheapo mod chips safe, good?
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Yep- in plainer english, that module probably tells your truck that it's cold outside. :-)
Superchips is one of the more reputable makers of chips. Hypertech too, but I don't know about applications for V6 Dakotas. They might be a V8 only company. I don't think that the module above would damage your truck, but it probably won't do you any good.
Those modules worked back in the '80s when computers couldn't "learn around" a module. Your truck is too smart for that sort of thing, so you need to hire the guys at Superchips to outsmart it for ya!
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cuzindoug
GenIII
10/07/2005
22:41:28
|  RE: Are the el-cheapo mod chips safe, good?
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You can do the same thing by going to radio shack and buying a 10 cent 20k ohm resistor and adding it in series with your IAT. What it does is widens the pulse width to your injectors(more fuel) and advances your timing. Equates to "slightly" more power and only slightly affects (if any) your MPG. I do it myself, only mine is switchable for the winter months.
If it ain't broke, fix it til it is.
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Tony
Dodge Dakota
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10/08/2005
01:32:33
| RE: Are the el-cheapo mod chips safe, good?
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BTW my new (used) truck is a 318 V8 - I Upgraded.
What price range are we talkin? Any suggestions on where to find one? Should I look local or is there an online vendor you recommend?
I also looked into K&N air filters. Going to do a basic tune-up using parts based on some posts here. Also saw a flowmaster dual-exhaust on eBay with chrome tips for $250 after shipping. My mechanic said he would install for $70 - I know, don't say it, I have not time or talent to install it myself.
Thanks for the advice
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Tony
Dodge Dakota
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10/08/2005
01:46:05
| RE: Are the el-cheapo mod chips safe, good?
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OK now ya'll got me thinkin. I looked at one of these things online and instead of being a permanent installation as I thought it was, it looks like a scanner that you hookup temporarily to program your computer. Is that right?
Ok, so can it work for more than one truck? Is there anyone in Rockford IL that has one who could stop by my house this weekend and program my Dak? Free Pizza?
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Luke
Dodge Dakota
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10/09/2005
22:12:48
| RE: Are the el-cheapo mod chips safe, good?
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A superchip can only be on 1 Dak at a time. It pulls your stock programing and puts in the new one. If you were to try to pulg in to another Dak it would tell you that the chip is VIN locked. Once you put your stock settings back in you can than load it to another truck. I doubt that any one is going to unprogram their truck and let you have it just for some pizza.
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Tony
Dodge Dakota
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10/10/2005
10:13:44
| RE: Are the el-cheapo mod chips safe, good?
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Gotcha. so you couldn't unload a supership without reprogramming your truck to the factory settings. They locked it up pretty good.
I would think that as another avenue of revenue they should sell em with the ability to do multiple trucks. Priced higher but not an exact multiple, kind of a bulk discount. Then individuals or dealers could program multiple trucks and charge for the service and the truck owner could get the prgramming done for less then buying one himself.
But that is just me. Thanks for the info.
BTW the pizza comment was a bit of a joke. I didn't think it would be that easy.
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Luke
Dodge Dakota
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10/11/2005
09:41:33
| RE: Are the el-cheapo mod chips safe, good?
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NP man but ya it is that easy. Plug it in hit a few yes or no questions, and done. Also I do not think superchip makes a programer for your truck, 98 and up I belive.
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01Motorsport
Dodge Dakota
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10/13/2005
11:14:04
| RE: Are the el-cheapo mod chips safe, good?
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Tony, I had a '92 5.2 once that I bought a Mopar Performance PCM for, that added 25HP. It cost about $325 from the Dodge dealer, but you got a $100 rebate when you returned the stock PCM to MP. Perhaps you can still get the 1995 version, even from places like Mancini Racing, Summit, KRC, etc. Some easy performance tricks are: removing the bug deflector at the air inlet hose entrance; adjusting the shift points with the adjusting square on the tranmission cable near the throttle body; a high-flow catalytic converter and/or muffler, and/or duals; K&N drop-in filter; Bosch Platinum +4 plugs; '92-'93 5.2 exhaust manifolds (1/4" larger inside diameter). www.dakotausa.com has a GenII board you may want to check out.
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Tony
Dodge Dakota
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10/13/2005
15:21:31
| RE: Are the el-cheapo mod chips safe, good?
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01Motorsport - Thanks for the great advice. I was already thinking of the full K&N intake for about $150, plugs, wires and dual exhaust.
The exhaust I was thinking of was this one http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8005514701
Would you believe I just spotted a PCM mod on eBay that someone is selling used - (I know I a cheap) - for about $50. Any reason not to try it out? The only problem I see is that he states it required 91 octane. Budget is a bit tight with three kids and with gas prices already bad, try convincing the wife I need to spend another .20 per gallon for 20HP she doesn't think I need. What happens if you use less octane?
Here is the link
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8006318843
I absolutely love buying off eBay but always do a lot of research to make sure I am getting a good deal and the right part. Only been stuck one when I stupidly bought a Ubattery backup for my computer serveer that was for Japan. It was still under warranty and APC was nice enough to replace it with a US version at no charge - wheeooh!
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