Chip tuning

KeighJeigh · **Posted:** Wed Jan 23, 2008 5:34 pm

What is the prevailing wisdom concerning chip tuning via a company such as Inmotion?
http://www.inmotionusa.com/website/domestic.html
25-35 HP increases seem rather dramatic for changing a few lines of code. And if it is true, then what of the drive train or mileage?
Thanks!
Chris

chadhargis · **Posted:** Wed Jan 23, 2008 6:07 pm

I have done the InMotion tune and recently had my ECU flashed by the dealer so it's back to stock (InMotion will re-flash for free).

The difference is night and day. My Jeep has less turbo lag and just runs better. The only thing negative I've noticed is a little dip in mileage (about 1mpg), but that's probaly due to me throttling it more.

CATCRD · **Posted:** Wed Jan 23, 2008 7:46 pm

KeighJeigh wrote:

What is the prevailing wisdom concerning chip tuning via a company such as Inmotion?
http://www.inmotionusa.com/website/domestic.html
25-35 HP increases seem rather dramatic for changing a few lines of code. And if it is true, then what of the drive train or mileage?
Thanks!
Chris

Search my posts. I have before and after dyno runs posted after getting this tuning. The gains they state are the minimums. Elsewhere in the rpm range the gains are even bigger.

KeighJeigh · **Posted:** Thu Jan 24, 2008 12:13 am

Thank you!

I wrote an Email to them earlier today asking some further questions and was pleasantly surprised to see a thorough response in my box this evening. But they claim improved mileage.... hmmm.

One thing I failed to ask them: Do I have to reflash before going to the emissions check?

Also, how does this tuning affect the longevity of the my nifty new F37 plastic Tonka Toy torque converter? Or perhaps I shouldn't even ask.

- Chris

retmil46 · **Posted:** Thu Jan 24, 2008 4:23 am

KeighJeigh wrote:

nifty new F37 plastic Tonka Toy torque converter

Dude, I think you just came up with a phrase that will go down in KJ CRD lore - henceforth F37 will be commonly referred to as the "Tonka Toy Recall". :lol:

KeighJeigh · **Posted:** Thu Jan 24, 2008 4:37 am

retmil46 wrote:

KeighJeigh wrote:

nifty new F37 plastic Tonka Toy torque converter

Dude, I think you just came up with a phrase that will go down in KJ CRD lore - henceforth F37 will be commonly referred to as the "Tonka Toy Recall". :lol:

It was either that, or the "the torque converter Chrysler found at the bottom of a Cracker Jack box." Which explains all the empty Cracker Jack boxes laying around the CRD mechanics bays.

chrispitude · **Posted:** Thu Jan 24, 2008 6:45 am

[quote="KeighJeigh"Also, how does this tuning affect the longevity of the my nifty new F37 plastic Tonka Toy torque converter? Or perhaps I shouldn't even ask.[/quote]

Some people with the Inmotion tune have reported vibration in lockup, and this is figured to be the torque converter clutch slipping in lockup. I added the tune after the Suncoast torque converter so I can't comment.

- Chris

Reflex · **Joined:** Mon Jan 29, 2007 8:48 pm **Posts:** 567

KeighJeigh wrote:

One thing I failed to ask them: Do I have to reflash before going to the emissions check?

Being as your in my neck of the woods I thought I'd point out to you that we don't have an emissions check in King County for diesel vehicles. Only gas vehicles have to get one.

UFO · **Posted:** Thu Jan 24, 2008 12:10 pm

Diesel emissions checks here in Colorado are a joke. All they test is exhaust opacity under load, which even my worn-out diesel Benz passes without trouble. No one is going to check whether your ECM has a factory program or not. No way.

dieseldoesit · **Posted:** Thu Jan 24, 2008 12:23 pm

Nice to see some eastside Seattle metro CRD's. Do you guys run the inmotion tune with biodiesel? Thinking about getting the tune to make it easier up the pass when towing.

chadhargis · **Posted:** Thu Jan 24, 2008 12:45 pm

I had the torque converter shudder prior to the chip tune, and it really wasn't much worse afterward.

I have not had my ECU reflashed since the dealer flashed it trying to fix my transmission.

The chip tune is transparent. It can't be detected. It does make the engine more efficient, so you can get better mileage if you keep your foot out of it, but that's SO hard to do. The little diesel just squirts from a stop with the slightest touch of the pedal.

gmctd · **Posted:** Thu Jan 24, 2008 2:55 pm

I thought Tonka's were those high-quality all steel with steel wheels and rubber tires toys, no cheap plastic with vinyl wheel\tire combos - been a long time since, but iirc a Tonka was hard to destroy

KeighJeigh · **Posted:** Thu Jan 24, 2008 3:47 pm

gmctd wrote:

I thought Tonka's were those high-quality all steel with steel wheels and rubber tires toys, no cheap plastic with vinyl wheel\tire combos - been a long time since, but iirc a Tonka was hard to destroy

Those were the old ones! In fact, my son plays with my old Tonkas that we found at our family cabin last summer. They are nearly 40 years old and come complete with sharp sheet metal edges. However, the latest Tonka I got for my son was Chinese plastic and lasted about a month before it cracked - just like the DM TCs

KeighJeigh · **Posted:** Thu Jan 24, 2008 3:58 pm

Reflex wrote:

KeighJeigh wrote:

One thing I failed to ask them: Do I have to reflash before going to the emissions check?

Being as your in my neck of the woods I thought I'd point out to you that we don't have an emissions check in King County for diesel vehicles. Only gas vehicles have to get one.

Not true anymore. I had to have my F350 Powerstroke checked last year. However, for once, it was actually FUN to go in to the emissions inspection. I run B100 biodiesel in it (have for many years) which burns 80% cleaner. While they do plug the analyzer into the dash to check for codes, they also perform an actual exhaust sampling. I laughed out loud as they kept repositioning the probe, scratching their heads, repeating their test and finally called over the supervisor who told them to print out the report and send me through. The problem? The emissions were so far below what was expected for this truck they thought their equipment was broken. :lol:

So, perhaps any manipulation of the chip in my CRD could be offset by a tank of bio.

Great comment folks! This looks like another mod to go into my "must have" basket.

Next question: Do I simply use my laptop with USB port to do this? Are these guys primarily a software company? Or do I send the chip in? Or how does this work???

dieseldoesit · **Posted:** Thu Jan 24, 2008 4:03 pm

You take out the ECU and send it to them. Typically a 3 day turn around kind of hard considering my Jeep is my only transportation in the winter.

Reflex · **Joined:** Mon Jan 29, 2007 8:48 pm **Posts:** 567

KJ - When did they change it? I just got my notification for new tabs and there is no emissions check required despite it being the second year(purchased in Jan 06). On my gas vehicle it was every other year, is it on a different schedule for diesels?

KeighJeigh · **Posted:** Thu Jan 24, 2008 4:59 pm

Reflex wrote:

KJ - When did they change it? I just got my notification for new tabs and there is no emissions check required despite it being the second year(purchased in Jan 06). On my gas vehicle it was every other year, is it on a different schedule for diesels?

I don't know what the schedule is. But I was very surprised when I got the notice last year that my F350 had to be checked. I have also seen conversations in some diesel forums about training problems at many of the King County checking stations since they don't see very many passenger car diesels. Just remember to put some bio in when your number comes up. In fact some people who otherwise don't use it are using it just so they can pass emissions. :wink:

Reflex · **Joined:** Mon Jan 29, 2007 8:48 pm **Posts:** 567

I'll skip the bio unless I have a failure, I really don't trust it in these engines for reasons I've stated elsewhere(and argued ad naseum about) in these forums. For the moment its a non-issue until I actually get a notice....

KeighJeigh · **Posted:** Thu Jan 24, 2008 10:17 pm

Reflex wrote:

I'll skip the bio unless I have a failure, I really don't trust it in these engines for reasons I've stated elsewhere(and argued ad naseum about) in these forums. For the moment its a non-issue until I actually get a notice....

That's OK Reflex. You are not alone. I know lots of people who have all sorts of superstitions....angels, tooth fairies, gnomes and yes, biodiesel-will-wreck-your-engine superstitions. Heck, about 4 years ago when I began running B100 100% of the time, my computer crashed and I'm absolutely certain it was the biodiesel in the tank out in my driveway. And I guarantee you can't prove it didn't happen. :lol:

gmctd · **Posted:** Thu Jan 24, 2008 11:12 pm

Cummins officially ok'd B5 for a while - now they've ok'd B20, it's on their website - but DCJ ain't budgin' - anything but LSD OR ULSD will seriously endanger your Diesel warranty, up to and incl voidance.

Apparently B5 up to B umpteen in your part of the country is not traceable to any same standard as the B's in my part of the country, or any part of the country - until the standard is strictly adhered to and enforced all over the country, that stuff could very well rotcher dipstick off, and worse - whatever the opinions, I'll wait till it's official - same goes for the ULSD situation - lubricity content is fully dependent on the distributor's adherence to strict rules covering how much and when - if he's running short, he ain't gonna hold up fuel deliveries while waiting for his supplier to come thru - adding ashless 2-stroke oil to my fuel is a safety hedge, and should also increase fuel mileage, but I suspect that the extra weight of the gallons that I carry serves to cancel out any gains.

Chip tuning

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