KJS24

I've read alot of posts here and noticed that some of you that also have the Tip tranny use just one chip, but some of you use both engine and tranny? Can some of you explain this?

Are there downsides to using a tranny and engine chip together that some would not use a tranny chip? Is one way better than the other? Lastly, what brands/tuners make both? Best to use both from the same brand?

NASA racer

on the tip cars there are TWO ECUs (ECU in this case being ELECTRONIC control unit instead of ENGINE control unit). There is a regular engine control computer box similar to the 6-speeds but in ADDITION there is ANOTHER one under the passenger's side carpet which controls the tip tranny.

You can add power to the engine JUST with chipping the engine control unit (like on a 6-speed) but you can ALSO change the shift characteristics and a few other parameters (oil pressure) of the TRANNY by chipping the tip electronic control unit.

My 2000 tip had both chips and they were a GREAT compliment. Note that only GIAC "race program" tip chip actually changes the shift parameters. Other manufacturers have a "tip chip" which only eliminates a gear "hunting" problem which can occur after chipping the engine.

KJS24

Thanks! Which chips did you use on yours, the GIAC? Did this improve/decrease the shifting lag? What can I expect to pay for the two, can you suggest any places to look into for a good deal?

nostatic

Ive got a few questions for you:


todd@nostatic.fm

Thanks,
Todd

NASA racer

I had both engine and tip GIAC chips. You have probably noticed that when you're WOT the tip shifts FAST but when you're just tooling around, it`s pretty sluggish. The GIAC "race" chip basically makes ALL shifts as fast as the WOT shifts...becomes more responsive to your inputs but does NOT eliminate the automatic 1-2, 2-1 shift.

The Engine chip runs around $5-600 without a spare ECU (a must if you are going to chip) and the tip chip was something like $300 without the tip ECU.

Keep in mind, ZF only rates the HP 24A tranny in the S4 at 310ft lbs of torque and an engine chip makes close to 360ft lbs of torque. Nobody has had a problem YET but both the engine and tranny ECUs are warranty voiding and involve a certain amount of "risk".

I ran a 13.8 at Carlsbad with my tip with 100 octane gas and the spare tire removed and no other mods. The car was good for 14.2 all day long and stock ran upwards of 14.6...that's quite an improvement.

Go to this link for a list of dealers:<ul><li><a href="http://www.giacusa.com/">http://www.giacusa.com/</a</li></ul>

Panzertip

He only uses the "race" programming at this point. In early development, he had two programs, but the so-called "race" program was superior in every way and so is now the only programming sold for the tranny.

And it rocks

KJS24

Since the engine chip alone is a pretty decent increase over stock does that and a tranny chip pretty much draw the line for mods having a Tip? Would it be to much to maybe do an intake, new pipes, or exhaust after doing the chips?

NASA racer

chip only for the tip. Katana on the board is talking to a company back east called "Level 10" who specializes on beefing up transmissions. They claim they can to the tip to make it good for 600hp/tq and they do auto trannies for such things as 900hp drag racing supras so I would tend to believe them. I had talked to them but at the time they needed the tranny to do it (I'm in CA) so it was wildly impractical for me. Aparently now they consider some shops "dealers" who can do the installs.

Zaid

and eliminates gear-hunting, but it also modifies the entire shift program so that the computer is not confused by the extra torque. That is, so much torque is added by the engine chip that every time you hit the gas, the tranny computer thinks you've laid it on the floor and keeps you in first gear.

Zaid

mattchow

it does not eliminate gear hunting.