Chips work in Ca.?

[Big Bear Bob]

Someone said that the smog equipment on the California trucks. That if you tried to run a chip, you would either blow your motor, or it would hurt your performance. I am no mechanic, and have no clue, but have been intrested in getting a few more HP out of my X

 

[DocVijay]

Installing a chip will not blow your motor. All cars have "smog equipment" nowadays. A chip won't make you loose power. Most of the chips out there have a CARB number. CARB stands for California Air Resource Board. If a part has a CARB number or is CARB exempt, it's ok to use in California. Also, even if it isn't, it should be ok, as long as they don't see it during inspection. Some parts say they are 49 state legal. The missing 50th state is California. Just check the specs. If it's 50 state legal, go for it. If not, use at your own discretion. It won't blow up you motor, but it may be noticed at inspection time.

As an exapmle, check my signature line. Even with all those mods, the exhaust coming out is practically cleaner than the air going in. There are plenty of things you can do.

 

[Big Bear Bob]

Thanks for the response, I've been intrested in the chips for awhile, but because of the stories I've heard about there effectiness in Ca. have passed them up. I will check out a few local 4x4 shops and see if they have them in stock these days.

 

[KEbert]

You should be fine. If you are really concerned, call a smog shop. The guy will most likely not know or say something like "I wouldn't reccomend it" but as long as you have a clean burning engine to begin with, you should be fine.

 

[Big Bear Bob]

Actually the truck runs very clean, and generally has enough power, but...

From what I've heard, it seems a little risky so I honestly think I'll just continue running the motor stock.

 

[DocVijay]

There really is no risk in running a chip. What a chip does is re-map the engine parameters to give maximum power. The factory always goes with conservative settings for use with lowere octane. With a chip, the settings are much better, and give more power, but you must use high octane fuel. Using a chip may actually give better milage also, if you drive conservatively. In real life though, the extra power tendss to make your foot a little heavier, and thus any potential mpg benefits go out the tailpipe. But don't worry about using a chip, it won't hurt anything. It doesn't cause any permanent changes. If you decide you don't like it, unplug the chip and you're instantly back to stock.

 

[Big Bear Bob]

How much HP and our mileage improvement can you expect with the chip, and how much do they normally cost?

 

[DocVijay]

Gains depend on the chip you get. If you search for chips on this forum, you'll see which are better. Do not get the JET chip. It is pretty much generally hated. I had one and my truck felt better AFTER I took it off.

Right now I have the Superchip. That one and the Diablo chip are the most popular. Depending on engine you'll se anywhere from 10-20 hp. It's enough to feel the difference. Moer importantly, if you have an automatic tranny, it'll shift much better. The truck will just feel more responsive. I would recommend the Superchip or the Diablo chip. Do a search of either of these and you'll get plenty of results.

 

[Big Bear Bob]

I would really have to think about it.

I just saw the prices for the Super Chip and Diablo it seems to me it's a lot of money for an additional 15 HP. From what I read they claim they may not not improve performance for all vehicles. But that I could expect a 15 HP increase in most cases.

I sent them an e-mail to see what the tech's have to say about using them in Ca. and hope they get back to me soon.

Currently I'm running BFG AT/KO's 31's with 373 gears in the diff, and sometimes the shifting isn't the best, especially going up very steep grades. The cost is a little more than I had expected, and if you add up the need to run high octane fuel it begins to sound like a lot of investment for a minimal return.

But I'll wait till I hear back from them.

Thanks again for the response
3B