[Andrew]

I was looking at Powerchip's website, our sponsor, and their data shows a 20hp increase with the use of their chips. Does anyone have this chip?

I know two of the 360 owners have the Tubi. How much HP did this add? I'd like to see the two [Tubi + Powerchip] added together. I'm guessing it would be a lethal combination, probably even enough to push it beyond the new 360 Challenge Stradale's HP.

 

[Andrew]

Here is a link to the page for the 360 chip:

http://www.powerchipgroup.com/interact/datasheets/datasheets_two.asp?pid=Fer0012

This is the North American site but they have sites for all over the world. They also have the chip for the 360 CS.

 

[Stradale]

I certainly would be interested to know.

 

[tracknut]

Keep in mind the PCM upgrade requires 93 octane at a minimum, and you (and I) live in California. We'd be brewing home-made gas to see if we could get that extra 20hp.

Dave

 

[Andrew]

Keep in mind the PCM upgrade requires 93 octane at a minimum, and you (and I) live in California. We'd be brewing home-made gas to see if we could get that extra 20hp.

Dave

Dave,

My contact at Powerchip said they are trying to get a Ferrari in L.A. to test it on with our gasoline. I will be sure to update that information here.

Off-topic: I met an instructor of your club. Not to give his name out but he runs Drivetrain. Supernice guy who said your Radical is a fun machine.

 

[adlinyusman]

i've been trying to get a powerchip for the 355, but to no avail. is it possible to import the powerchip?

 

[Andrew]

i've been trying to get a powerchip for the 355, but to no avail. is it possible to import the powerchip?

Adlin,

It should be. They have an Asian website. I'm sending you a PM about this.

Andrew

 

[tracknut]

Cool, it would be very useful to see a before/after dyno with 91 octane, thanks for the update.

Heh, yep the Radical is a kick in the pants all right!

Dave

 

[Andrew]

Cool, it would be very useful to see a before/after dyno with 91 octane, thanks for the update.

Heh, yep the Radical is a kick in the pants all right!

Dave

Dave,

Something just occured to me. Don't they make Octane boost mixes that you can get at auto stores (just pour it in first before you fill up). Would this not be enough you think to get to 93 or do you think it isn't a "true" 93 octane when you do this. Plus a pain in the ... to do everytime I know.

 

[tracknut]

They do make octane boost that you can buy and pour in your tank, but it would be horrendously expensive. A typical can of boost will add a "point" or two of octane to a tank of gas, which is 0.1-0.2 in terms of additional octane. So buy about 10 of those cans and toss them in to a tank. Sorry, not my idea of fun. The other plan would be to keep some 100 octane in a big drum at home, and mix it about 5:1 with 91, to bring it up to 93. Again, not something I really think is viable for your typical owner.

I'm only slightly interested in the tuning anyway, something like $4K for 20hp, with the inherent risks of warranty claims, is probably not worthwhile, to me at least.

Dave

 

[Andrew]

with the inherent risks of warranty claims, is probably not worthwhile, to me at least.

Dave,

I completely agree and didn't think the octane boost was viable either.

In regards to the warranty here is some info sent to me when I had this same question.

> 1.  How easy are the chips to install on both the Ferraris and Maseratis?
 
They are fairly easy... All the customer needs to do is remove the ecu and overnight it to us. We then make the changes and overnight it back to the customer. Then all they need to do is plug in their ECU again and drive off with a smile We have full instructions (with color pics) on most models.

> 2.  Will the chip void the warranty (probably not your concern so I'll ask a dealer).

The dealer may in fact tell you it does... but this is not the case. Under several laws in place accross America, it is illegal for a warranty to be broken from the manufacturer due to fitment of a replacement aftermarket part. It is called the magnusson-moss warranty act. I can provide the entire act for you if required.

> I'm figuring if the installation is easy they can just unplug it each time they go into the dealer.  Is this recommended and would the dealer know there was a chip on the car?

Even though it is easy to remove the computer and have us return it to stock settings, it is not required. We have designed the software so that it is totally undetectable to the dealer both physically and electronically. So when the dealer plugs into the OBD-2 port for service, it shows as totally stock - and therefor no warranty is affected.

 

[4i2fly]

This may be an old topic but I just wanted to make a couple of comments:

Dave,

Here in California in Redwood City I get 100 Octane at 76 and mix it with their 91 Octane. For every 7 gallons of 91 you need two gallons of 100 to make up 93 octane. I do this regulary and find my car runs much better with this mix than if I don't mix the fuel.

Andrew,

Do they have a 360 in LA that they are going to program the ECU? I know my buddy may be interested in boosting the power and goes to LA regularly. Who is your contact?

Cheers,
Matt

 

[Andrew]

Matt,

Very interesting post. I didn't realize 76 station carries 100 octane (at least they don't at the one near me). This certainly makes it easier and you'll get the 20+ bhp from the chip with this mix, plus your Tubi!

I sent you the details via email. They were working with Evosport I believe to get a local 360 owner to try it but I haven't heard back from them on this.

 

[4i2fly]

Andrew,

Not all 76s carry racing fuel. I feel fortunate to live close to one!
Thanks for the e-mail, I got the contact info.
Matt

 

[tracknut]

with the inherent risks of warranty claims, is probably not worthwhile, to me at least.

In regards to the warranty here is some info sent to me when I had this same question.

> 2.  Will the chip void the warranty (probably not your concern so I'll ask a dealer).

The dealer may in fact tell you it does... but this is not the case. Under several laws in place accross America, it is illegal for a warranty to be broken from the manufacturer due to fitment of a replacement aftermarket part. It is called the magnusson-moss warranty act. I can provide the entire act for you if required.

> I'm figuring if the installation is easy they can just unplug it each time they go into the dealer.  Is this recommended and would the dealer know there was a chip on the car?

Even though it is easy to remove the computer and have us return it to stock settings, it is not required. We have designed the software so that it is totally undetectable to the dealer both physically and electronically. So when the dealer plugs into the OBD-2 port for service, it shows as totally stock - and therefor no warranty is affected.

I'm going to run away fast from these folks. Standing behind magnusson-moss, then telling you that their software can't be detected therefore won't affect warranty is just plain unethical. I owe more to Ferrari than I do to Powerchip to be doing something like this.

Dave

 

[Andrew]

Dave,

Not sure what you mean. I don't think Powerchip is doing anything wrong. Doesn't an owner have the right to add 20 more bhp? Everyone slaps on a Tubi and doesn't even bat an eye. What is the difference?

Cheers,
Andrew

 

[tracknut]

Well if the Tubi caught your engine bay on fire, would you expect Tubi to send you an email recommending you please re-install the stock exhaust before showing the car to your insurance appraiser? That's essentially what Powerchip is telling you here. "The dealer won't be able to tell our software is in there advancing the timing, so they won't know any better." And then they're giving you the tired old "see the Magnussen-Moss Act" story.

Nope. I'd prefer they'd be honest about it all along.

Dave

 

[Andrew]

Nope. I'd prefer they'd be honest about it all along.

Are they being dishonest or is the owner who takes his car in and trys to pretend it isn't there and or never tells the dealer? Regardless, let us end this on a positive note as we both understand where each other is coming from.

Regards,
Andrew

 

[tracknut]

Yep, I certainly didn't mean to take something out on you. And aftermarket programming is always in this situation. I was just surprised to see their recommendation listed in that email (that I presume they wrote, not you) posted above.

No hard feelings of course, cheers. I've got to get back and watch the last half of the F1 race

Dave

 

[Andrew]

I've got to get back and watch the last half of the F1 race

I won't spoil it, but I'm sure you have a good idea who will win. Forza Ferrari!