Thinking of buying a Hypertech computer chip for my formula v6. Wondering if it's worth the investment....and if they actually work...and what kind of power increase I can expect for the $119.95 price. Thanks

Phil

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GTDude
25 years GM experience

I have one along with the suggested thermostat and fan sensor. In my humble opinion...as a single upgrade it is not worth it, I can not say I honestly noticed any performance increases (but mind you on another car this may not be the case..we all know each Fiero has a mind of its own !!!)Plus you might see a gain if you do a dyno. But in my case the trade off is not worth it to me anyway. I now have to use Premium or I actually lose performance and I with out a doubt get worse gas mileage. Performance gains I have done with results or have heard about are, porting the exhaust manifolds (requires removing) had to do this anyway to fix some broken bolts, having the throttle body and upper plenum bored I have heard several people say shows a performance gain. Going with 1.6 rockers I have heard also helps. I have my timing set at 12 BTDC an it helps some. Some people block the EGR off but there are several opinions on if one should do this or not. THere are also ignition upgrades,And there are several more things you can do for performance gains without having to get off deep into the motor. There is no one bolt on low cost upgrade that will give you a big performance jump. A combo of the above should give you some modest gains. Of course you can spend a few dollars and turbo charge or use Nitrous etc. I am sure others have suggestions and can pick it up from here

Well, you confirm my suspicions. I've already got a low temp them and coolant fan sensor. I'd like to hear from some more folks, but I think I'll save my money for nitrous! I do have an overbored TB that I'm gonna install too as well as a side scoop. Thanks.

Phil

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GTDude
25 years GM experience

[This message has been edited by GTDude (edited 02-27-2002).]

I wouldn't waste the cash. I have an ADS strip chip (remove cat version) in my '85 GT 4spd. It did make a seat-of-the-pants-dyno difference, but now I know why... The chips advance the timing, remove the rev limiter, disable the EGR, and they don't shut off the the injectors when coasting. Plus removing the cat helps alot.
I don't think it's worth it because, you can advance your timing, you don't have a rev limiter on an '88, you can electronically disable the EGR very easily (and then reconnect it if you want). The only thing that maybe a definite advantage to the chip might be the injectors are always flowing (slightly), which does seem to help throttle response in certain situations.
For the same money, I'd advance the timing to 12*, disable the EGR, put in 1.6:1 rockers, port the exhaust manifolds, and remove the cat. That should give much more bang for your buck.
Edit- I'd also put in a 195* thermo (I didn't like the 180* unit) and lower thermo switch.
Scott

Disclaimer: Before anyone whips out their flame-O-matic, please realize this is what I remeber to be true; I may be all wrong, but I hope not.

[This message has been edited by AnimalGT (edited 02-27-2002).]

I can't speak for a Hypertech chip in a fiero but I know in my 94' Z28 I had done ALL intake(K+N FIPK, remove silencer, bigger TB and exhaust(heads back) mods with 1.6 cast roller tip rockers and when I installed the the new program there was a noticeable difference across the board. I know I'm talking about a whole different FI setup and more electronic adjustments but there was definately a performance increase. Our stock fuel injection systems aren't that complex so the chips don't and can't do anything that can't be done manually. Follow the advise of Zoom88 and AnimalGT, add a couple pounds of fuel pressure with an adjustable fuel pressure regulater and if you can get some dyno time, DO IT it's the best way to adjust your ignition and fuel systems.
My 2 cents.

Banzai !!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for your response guys....my take on it is that it's not worth my money and I'll save it for a nitrous system!

Phil

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GTDude
25 years GM experience

Hey Phil how ya been? I had a chip in my 87 Trans-am and I could notice the difference, but then again it was a chip made for the strip. I used it on the street anyway. It made gas econo suck.

Sean

Been fine sean........you? Thanks for the input. How's the 3.4 conversion coming?

Phil

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GTDude
25 years GM experience

no, not wortht he $.. i've dynoed LOTS of chips.. JET, JWT, ADS, Hypertech and obsiously stock... none were worth the $. wait till you have more mods then have one burnt for your mods. or get a real engine management system. and uum you don't have to remove the cat.. thats where your HP "feel" comes from.. the added noise and little increse of upper RPM torque. still not worth the $. get and MSD, a 2.5" exh, port your stock exhaust manifolds, decent coil, K&N and a wet nitrous system.

just my findings...

[This message has been edited by 1FST2M6 (edited 02-28-2002).]

i have a hypertech thermomaster and the only thing i noticed was a decrease in fuel economy and a loss of a couple bills from my wallet.

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1986 GT 4spd> Suspension Techniques Springs, Poly Bushings, Bosal Brospeed 4.5" Exhaust Tips, Cross Drilled Rotors

Thanks guys......just as I suspected. Hey where do you get a custom chip made? Never heard of that. Nitrous for sure!

Phil

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GTDude
25 years GM experience