Is this a scam?

[Sallad420]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2418731657&category=6763

Seems a little cheap. Aren't chips in the $200 price range? or is this something different?

Thanks.

 

[rhyno]

I would not waste your time sending them any money. If a $9 pice-o-crap gave horsepower, we would all have them.

 

[Gonzo]

I have always believed that if something sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.

 

[mattadams]

yeah... scam-o-rama.

 

[woodychitwn]

Calling this a scam or not is all a matter of opinion. What this guy is basically selling is a resistor that goes between your O2 sensor and your computer. The computer thinks there's too much oxygen in the exhaust and so it cranks up the fuel intake. And although you are getting more "performance", you're also getting horrible fuel economy and could get the same results by never cleaning your O2 sensor.

On the other hand, I just so happen to have an OEM O2 sensor with over 200,000 miles of in-depth road testing which has proven itself to suck as few miles as possible out of every gallon of gas. I'll make you a deal you just have to refuse.

 

[brendan]

Hey, someone bought it though! Can't blame the guy for trying I guess. Although ppl should also have more common sense than to buy these things. Then we wouldn't have scams anymore... don't even get me into junk email!

 

[Sallad420]

Oh I see, so it doesn't alter your timing, etc the same way "real" chips do.

OK, thanks guys.

 

[Mbrooks420]

Wouldn't it, as an added bonus, clog up your cat. converters and cost you a few hundered bucks?

 

[bluevolume]

The post above is exactly correct -- this "mod" serves only to give the computer an incorrect O2 reading, which causes it to jump to a higher fuel band. This really isn't a lot different than running with the choke part way on, and you can expect to see the same negative effects -- premature wear on plugs, bad mileage, and eventually clogged catalytic converters.

This is really a bad idea for most people, especially for normal street driving. At least the guy isn't trying to totally rip people off, $9 instead of $100 or something, but keep in mind the part is only around 50 cents.

Blue

 

[diablo5969]

Rule of thumb: If you're tempted to ask whether it's a scam or not, don't buy it

 

[biggs92EB]

ok i got sucked into buying one when they first started selling these on ebay i payed almost twenty bucks and then got a 5 cent resistor in the mail. I was just a little dissapointed, and embarrassed that i was juped. Oh yeah i never hooked it up as i am not into cutting wires under my hood

 

[huskyfan23]

This is something more for the ricers. They'll do every little thing it takes to gain petty hp, and I've only seen this resistor used on imports. I wouldn't get it.

 

[brendan]

I have some resistors laying around! Maybe I can just chop wires and put them in randomly and get +50hp... guaranteed!

 

[410Fortune]

fool the computer into dumping more fuel doesnt equal horsepower, it = a clogged cat converter, ruined 02 sensors, and lots of $$$ in repairs and lost MPG......

Extra gas requires extra air and spark.........