My engine chipping experience so far

[woody50]

Finally installed a Steinbauer Chip a few months ago mainly for the extra toque for towing. Overall the experience has been good. Fuel economy appears to have improved beyond expectations. The Prado is pulling the van better (2.4-2.5 Tonne). Recent trip of 900kms with the van in tow the economy showed at 11.7 on arrival home. Therefore probably about 12. Around town showing 9.4 and dropping on last fuel tank before the Chip hardly ever got below 10 - 10.5.

I must admit I don't drive the Prado hard and it still hasn't quite reached 60,000 on the clock. Also only ever had BP diesel of which 80% has been ultimate.

One issue I haven't got sorted out yet is what I can best describe as "Turbo Lag" where between 2100-2300 RPM the engine appears to die for a second. If fact you would think it is going to stall. It appears to happen when I "plant the foot" a bit and it doesn't occur all the time.

I have learnt to be a bit softer on the accelerator and once I get the engine to 2400-2500 RPM away she goes.

It is a bit more noticeable with the van on the back - obviously the weight has doubled.

Had it checked out recently but no ideas yet on what the cause is.

I did read a post somewhere that said 2010 /11 Models may need an ECU upgrade.

Planning to talk to Diesel Care about the issues.

Even taking this issue into account it has been worth it.

Woody

[CQ_Prado]

all good thanks. picked it up from mate.

[Fossey]

Happy to copy onto a stick and post to you. If interested PM your details.

Cheers-Fossey

[CQ_Prado]

anyone have the laptop software for chipit chips.. I've lost my usb stick and cannot remember what tune I left the chip on.

[Early]

HI, and before anyone jumps down my throat and says read the whole thread i have read enough as it is.
All I'm doing is giving my opinion on the whole diesel chip situation.
A chip be it what brand does not matter and speak from man years of experience will not perform to its potential unless it is able/has been dyno tuned once fitted to your vehicle, regardless of the engine management system's in place your engine will not be identical to the bloke sitting beside you at the traffic lights, simple plug and play will get it close but it just simply won't be of MAXIMUM benefit if it isn't tuned directly to your vehicle. And if i was spending over 1G on a performance mod I would want the maximum benefit.
Just my opinion

Also got told by a mechanic to dyno after chip and again after exhaust upgrade (or do everything at once)

[AJ120]

Has Chip-it gone broke? I can't find them on the Internet anymore

Yep!

Cheers Andrew

[barryswanson]

Has Chip-it gone broke? I can't find them on the Internet anymore

[Dieso-P]

HI, and before anyone jumps down my throat and says read the whole thread i have read enough as it is.
All I'm doing is giving my opinion on the whole diesel chip situation.
A chip be it what brand does not matter and speak from man years of experience will not perform to its potential unless it is able/has been dyno tuned once fitted to your vehicle, regardless of the engine management system's in place your engine will not be identical to the bloke sitting beside you at the traffic lights, simple plug and play will get it close but it just simply won't be of MAXIMUM benefit if it isn't tuned directly to your vehicle. And if i was spending over 1G on a performance mod I would want the maximum benefit.
Just my opinion

[leachy_9]

Has anyone got Chip Tuning's "Dominator" chip on the 150 Prado, and if so, how's it going?

Since your in Perth talk to GTurbo in Balcatta. They can do anything from mild to wild using Unichip and/or their own custom turbos.

[dugite57]

Has anyone got Chip Tuning's "Dominator" chip on the 150 Prado, and if so, how's it going?

[maxjj]

yes, test drove all the dual cab utes as I was looking for more towing capacity and then when jumping back in the Prado to head home was wondering why I would leave this. Seemed stupid, they are still all overpriced farm trucks of varying degrees. Then just for a bit of a laugh really drove the big Prado. That was it really. Now need to tighten the belt for a while.

[Steve M]

wooo Max you gone a 200 ??...Cheers Steve

[maxjj]

I just chipped mine, by adding 4 cylinders and another turbo

but seriously, since upgrading to the 2012 over the 2010 and then having the hesitation issue at a 110 on cruise fixed, the thing goes better than ever.

They seem to have boosted the torque down low and with the auto hooking up better in the later models, I would suggest a software/firmware upgrade to ecu and auto. If that doesn`t fix any issues , then maybe look at a chip.

[snewby]

I agree that the power increase is really nice, but for me the cold start rattle was just too bad, so I have taken the Chip-IT off. If I win the lottery I may look at one that does not pump up the fuel... as it seems the Prado fuel system is only just capable at the best of times.
Without the chip I have no problems.
Any offers for a used Chip?

[MidLifeCrisis]

Dodgy
computer says no......
They cannot afford to give you one and pay for my "cash for comments"
Now back on track with the thread . (There ya go Matty)

mlc, no animals were harmed in testing the chip and no cash has been received for my commrnts until all members are 100% happy excluding dodgy Dave.