I need 2.8 30v chip experiences. I am considering either the TAP or Wetterauer chip and need the honest advantages/diadvanatges from current chip users. The idea of having the Wetterauer option to switch back to stock is appealing but my dealer has told me that they will give no haasles when servicing the car. The TAP is appealing due to the loaner of an ECU until mine is modified. Any comments on performance from each chip or the different filters that come with the chip, Wett w/ Ram-Air and TAP w/K&N.

John,
Either of the chips are good It really comes down to personal prefference. I will say the Air filter is another item. I have been running a Ram-Air for 2 yrs now. It is a great filter but the twice a year cleaning process has me yearning for a K&N. Not that the Ram is a bad filter it is NOT but the K&N seems to be less of a maintanance nightmare. I have a WETT and am very pleased with it. As I said the other brands are very good also.
PeterV.

Here's the scoop:

I plugged in the chip the night that it came (I purchased an additional ECU from Dad's Auto dismantling). I have a 2.8 30V Tip car.

The throttle response change was very noticeable. I didn't expect much...I was taken by surprise here.

I was extremely happy, but having done engine mods to a previous vehicle, I was cautious & drove in a secluded area with the windows down. I heard pinging. Unmistakable. I called TAP, they were surprised to hear...especially because the temps were in the low 70's around here. Ok, so I figure some octane booster will help diagnose the problem. Well, two bottles of octane boost later, I still have pinging. Now I'm thinking bad gas. I had gassed up a Texaco by my office (92 oct)...first time ever. I almost always use a Shell (93 oct) by my house. So I go real easy on the pedal (didn't ping til 1/2-3/4 throttle) til I'm near 1/4 of a tank left. Then refuel at Shell. Redid my tests & no pinging. Temps have since been over 100 around here, 4 months or so later & still no pinging.

For dealer visits, I switch ECU's & the difference is noticeable. Of course it's nothing like the 1.8T differences, but way more than I expected. Is it all 17 or 18hp that TAP claims? Who knows...someone want to fund a trip to the dyno & we'll find out!

Amos (obviously I'm a little paranoid about who might be reading this)

I've got the TAP chip in my 2.8Q Tip. Definitely a noticeable difference. On the TAP ad, they claim that you would feel most of the difference at higher RPM's, but I've noticed the difference more on the low end RPM's. More punch off the line all the way through to higher RPM's. No problems with the chip thus far, except that it tempted me into getting more performance modifications on the car... therefore less flow in the pocket... but it was a worthwhile trade-off. My suggestion: Get chipped! I like my TAP, but haven't tried the Wett. Here are some mods I've done after the chip:

K&N Filter
Stebro Exhaust
Bilstein/Neuspeed Suspension
17" Rims w/ Pirelli P7000SS

Have you noticed any change in the smoothness of the 2.8 engine and have you had any problems with your dealer?

nt

KLHI
klhi@ibm.net
Melange/Onyx Cloth (no mods)