AdamsC280

I was checking out powerchips from powerchipgroup.com and was very surprised on the gains for a C280. They claim 208 and 212hp with their gold91 and gold93 chips respectively. the 91 and 93 represent the grade of octane used. In california, which happens to be the ONLY state this chip is illegal, recently downgraded fuel octane to a max of 91 at all pumps. Bummer.

Check out this data sheet for a 94-99 C280...pretty impressive.

C280 Powerchip Data Sheet

Can anyone attest to these numbers? For $490, its actually a damn good investment for up to 20hp gain. Imagine a Cat-back system and K&N filter AND the chip. hmmmmm...

After I lower my vehicle, I wanna make it go faster! Now if I get this chip, the only way to tell its in (besides the power) is SMOG inspection, right? I'm wondering if it will pass? I'll have to give them a call I guess.

My .02

pocholin

I can't attest for it yet, they claim upto 24 hp for my car.

Check with them because it might still not be legal in California. I do want to try it, I'll see if I can send my ECU soon to them and try it.

AdamsC280

Cool. Let us know what you find out. Anyone using Upsolute chips? Legal in California? Price? Just wondering.

I have this undying urge to blow away any "rice" that I pull up next to. I guess its pre-midlife crisis time.

SLK Boy

Someone posted that Powerchips now has a location in Santa Monica...lucky cali peeps..

AdamsC280

This is true. I was told via email that the chip will be shipped from Santa Monica, CA. Ironic that the chip is actually illegal in CA. LOL.

BTW, I did send an email to Joel at powerchip about legality/smog/etc. I'll let you all know what he says.

AdamsC280

Just checked email.

powerchipgroup is awaiting "CARB" (the treehugger, clean air folks) approval and I was told to check back in April. The chip was designed to pass CA smog and they are confident that it will get CA approval.

SLK Boy

I like the fact that the chip is a plug in for my car (30 min install)...hmm..very tempting...

osocold707

where do you see the powerchip for $490? I see $650. I guess that was back in February. I saw somewhere that speedtuningusa makes chips with comparitive gains and their chips are listed starting at $250 for MB, they dont list performance stats on their web. You would have to send them the info fo find out.

Spooky

hmm... a fairly large hp boost for $650.
not bad... very interesting.
If anybody installes it into a c230k plz tell me. This sounds like something i would buy.

merclover

WHY spend 400 $ in a chip which can harm the good running of the car, when you can get for less money a hefty load of NOS that can increase not +20 hp but +150!!!!!!!!
400$ for only 20 horsepower! thats 20$ per hp!!!!!! people thats a ridiculous thing to buy. dont mess with the electrics man.. i know by my mistakes and i can tell you, the electrics are very delicate whereas the engine is bulletproof!!
NOS is better!!!!

DougandhisC280

You've had problems with chips? Do you have nos? Looks like you're going to have to take some more pictures.

merclover

nos is illegal here in spain... if its legal there, why dont you go for it??? they can be quite cheap given the results they can give you...
i had a very bad experience with a powerchip, it guaranteed 35 hp gain by changing the injector pressure, the ignition timing and the fuel pump pressure, (this was before the kleeman thing by the way) so after a day or so the car was incredible, i even took it to the race track to do a few laps.
but then, two days after the car started sounding bad (heavy rattling sound) and not long after it just died on me. so i towed it to MB and they told me the whole computer had overheated and screwed up some of the electrics, and oil started leaking from the engine block. so i was very lucky i got a mint condition C-220 ECU computer from a scrape yard (wouldn't ya know...this scrape yard is the best man!) and saved me 1200€ from MB dealer, and "only" had to pay 400 or so for the engine block repair. but after that it went like new, MB only had to tune up the computer (they did it for free) and fix the engine seals.
so.... well it might be successful for u guys, im not saying they are a guaranteed failure, but hey, why not invest the same money in something that gives you more bang for ur buck?

DougandhisC280

Do you know about the dangers of nos? My friend is on his 3rd engine in his Acura RSX because of nos. I think it is only safe if you use it just right. But sometimes it gets tempting, I've done it. That little red button just screams "push me now!!!"

merclover

hahaha third engine?!!!!
but if u want a small increase (say 90-100hp) you can do it safely in a stock engine, but if u want to have an increase of between 140- 900 hp you have to reinforce the **** out of the engine, buy reinforced pistons, camshafts, valves, dead gaskets, engine block, and a large etcetera... maybe your friend got a bit carried away when setting the horsepoer increase.

so, tell me how did you feel after pushing that magic red button??

pocholin

That is sad, I had NOS in my Impala SS for 2 full years and I was going thru 2 bottles a month (15 lbs bottle), never broke engine or transmission, I had every safety device except a window swtich.
NOS is great, and like you said IF you use it right.

Spooky

hmmm... nos on a merc?

If you going to get those big boost of hp from the nos, why spend extra money buying new valves and everything...

I'd stay it safe and do something other then nos.

But i must admit, just having nos in your car and having those buttons in there looks really cool.

But not for a merc.

Merclover: U should move urself down to California... Its Car heaven! All the good litto boys and girls get nos on christmas. We all prance around civics and integras and sing our happy racing songs.
There is no other place with a bigger concentration of rice rockets (cept for Japan.) U should come down here some time and go see some car shows. It must stink having no fun nos in spain...

merclover

I TOTALLY AGREE WITH U MAN!
this place SUCKS, i even had to go through a lot of paperwork just to fit my kompressor, and i'm even having restrictions on tire sizes, and when i found out NOS is illegal there i was like WTF!!
so im thinking of buying one of these "concealed nos kits" im planning a trip to the US for june so im most surely going to rent a car and drive to CA 'cos i cant miss it!

Spooky

try planning during may, cus Hot import nights is on may 24 in longbeach, ca. lol that is if u wanna go see a HIN car show, up to u. i think my friend might take me. Here's a list of HIN shows in june:

Reliant Park / Houston Astrodome - Houston, TeXas

6/7/2003
901 Bagby
Houston, TX 77002

Orange County Convention Center - Orlando, Florida

6/14/2003
9800 International Drive
Orlando, FL 32819

Bayside Expo Center - Boston, Massachusetts

6/28/2003
200 Mt. Vernon Street
Boston, MA 02125

Try to go get some tickets : http://www.hotimportnights.com

While you are down in US pick up some NOS or something.. hahah
Is it just me or are we getting off topic?

DougandhisC280

the little red button was fun