Understanding Performance Chips
Your car comes from the factory with settings that dictate timing, power output, air-to-fuel ratios, and much more. While these settings are great for daily driving, what if you turned them up a notch? Enter performance chips, which are devices that you plug into your OBD-II port to improve the performance on your
car engine. It's also important to note that this doesn't just apply to horsepower because some tunes will improve fuel efficiency and make your shifting experience much smoother.
The way chips work is simple. They're loaded with a tune from a company like
BAMA that alters the settings within your engine’s PCM or ECU. Chips come with a preloaded tune, and you can change which setup your car is running by simply flipping a switch – something you can't even do with a handheld performance tuner. Overall, these chips will change your driving experience for the better and you can really customize the experience to your preferences.
Types of Performance Chips
There’s really no such thing as OEM chips, so you’ll have to look at the aftermarket. Performance chips tend to come with one, two, or three tunes installed. Depending on the vehicle and the parts you have, there are a few different types of performance chips you can choose from, and they tend to vary based on the octane of the fuel you’re using. For example, many street tunes create more power at different RPMs but require 89 or 91 octane fuel. What's more, many racing chips will have tunes that require 93 octane fuel due to their aggressive timing,
throttle, and fuel requirements. These tunes will help you compete at the drag strip but they're not always practical for street use.
While performance chips will improve your driving experience right away, you shouldn't stop there. To maximize your engine’s performance after installing a chip, you'll want to pair that chip with better intake and
exhaust parts to maximize the flow of air through the engine.
When you need a performance chip for your vehicle, we have everything you need from
basic tunes for street driving to more advanced options that will have you running circles around the competition at the track. Connect with our helpful sales techs to find the right chip for your build and choose from our selection of tunes from reputable brands you can count on like BAMA.