Chip reprogramming vs. intercooler+BIGger turbo

[Make206]

Hi!
I'm again in need of great wisdom. Earlier I was thinking of changing the turbo and/or adding a intercooler, but I found out that it's cheaper and easier to get the ECU -unit reprogrammed. At the moment I would be satisfied with the about 200hp, that the chip programmer claims to achieve.

Any experiences of reprogrammed chips? Will there be some problems, or will there be a great change in the nature of the engine? Power only in the high rpms? Considerably worse mpg?
Or just thumbs up?!

Thanks
Make

[tandino]

Without knowing the year of your 900-classic? or not?, if its a classic then the ecu only controls fueling so chipping this will not give a great increase if any, tweaking the apc box will however , a bigger turbo will not be needed to produce 200bhp, if you have a Garrett T3 then these can sustain around 20psi!! which is enough for 250+bhp, the main drawbacks of the C900 are that the intercooler has marginal airflow where its situated so ideally this should either be changed for a front mount or have a fan/water spray fitted to it to avoid heatsoak, and the ability of the gearbox to handle high power outputs or not as the case may be!.
As for fuel consumption it will only increase if you use the performance more than you did before!!
You will use more fuel when you first do these mods as they are addictive.Good luck

Pete.

[Make206]

Allright, so I once again forgot to mention my Saabs facts but here they are: 1990 Saab 900S 16v and a manual trans (thank God!), so she's a low pressure turbo sans intercooler and unfortunately there isn't a Garrett turbo but a tiny Mitsubishi one, watercooled though..
Yeah, I quess will go on with the ECU reprogramming later this month. I hope the transmission will cope with the increased power and torque. It's a well known fact that the tranny is [expletive deleted]. And my Saab has seen some miles in her life 425000kms=264000miles and still going..

Make

[tandino]

Personally i wouldnt bother getting anything done to the ecu at the moment, you really wont see any gains at all.
Your car has no modifications to warrant re-programming the fueling side of things.
Better to spend your money on getting a 900 turbo intercooler and pipework then you will be able to fit a bleed valve set to say 10psi then you would at least get near full turbo performance (175bhp).

Pete.

[James]

I'm with Tandino, I'd be surprised if anyone can 'chip' an lpt given that these cars don't have an APC to start with ...

The proven but expensive option is to fit an Abbott Racing Chargecooler (as I've done). Makes a helluva difference. I had a FPT boots gauge fitted at the same time, and my car boosts around half-way into the red. Other 'mods', such as they are, are a JR filter and a free-flow s/s exhaust. Next to come are a RRFPR and a cat bypass.

James

[SteveN]

This might not be useful but is Saab the only marque where people discuss performance upgrades on cars with 264,000 miles on the clock and in Northern Europe?

[Make206]

SteveN is hilarious.. But hey, if y'all would have the same taxes in cars that we have in here, you wouldn't be laughing. At all.. EU and everyone has equal taxation and all, yeah right. Gasoline is 1,117/liter and let's say a basic 9-5 Aero sedan manual starting from 53000 €. You have to do the converting gallons/£. That's why I'm working still with my old reliable. And for James, are you sure that my Saab doesn't have an APC? She will drink happily any gasoline up from 91 octane, although we have only 95 & 98 nowdays. I would be more than happy to add bigger turbo&intercooler but I would have problems later with vehicle inspection authorities. Guys, living here in the "North" as SteveN mentioned isn't that easy. But we're trying. And we have Saabs. Atleast I'm driving a domestic car, not an import! (My Saab was built in Uusikaupunki, Finland)

See ya

[tandino]

Your car definately doesnt have an APC system, the reason it will take any fuel from 91ron upwards is because the lpt's run a very low boost level to allow for this.
If you cant fit a intercooler of some description and i dont see why you cant fit a genuine Saab 900 one (what official is going to know that aa lpt never came with an intercooler?) then i recommend that you leave the performance side of your car alone as the intercooler is the limiting factor in your quest for more power

Pete.

[Todd in Hollywood]

She will drink happily any gasoline up from 91 octane, although we have only 95 & 98 nowdays.

I cant say we here Stateside feel any sympathy for you. All I can get is 87, 89 and the best 91. I know the 900 and my two wheeled babys would be much happier with 95 or 98. Enjoy!

[adrian]

Ahh there is a difference in Octane ratings used in US and in UK. MON and RON numbers - can not remember which uses what but basically the American 91 fuel isnt that much different than the UK 95 fuel - at least if I remember correctly - sure someone out there will know for sure?