Response to question from Powerchip

[GTSpeedRacer]

So Wayne (although the subject line said it was from Joel- I'm very confused) got back to me after I sent a question from their website contact page.

They note on their site that a 'trained specialist' must remove thestock chip from your car to be sent to Powerchip, so I asked them for specifics. This is their response and my reply:

Hello Wayne (or is it Joel?)-

I have recieved this email, but it does not answer my original question which was that your FAQ's note that a 'trained specialist' needs to remove the stock chip from my car- how do I find one of these. Are you referring to a mechanic or someone else? Will this person then have to install the new chip, and what potential cost might I be looking at?

You say that (and I quote), "I recommend Powerchip's Not Available upgrade. It's the best choice for your needs." Is a chip not available for my '02 Elantra, or did powerchip call one of it's chip's the "not available" chip???

The links you provided me direct me to a site that says the web pages are not available.

I have to say this email hardly inspires me with confidence to put one of your products in my car, however I am still interested.


>
> From: Wayne Besanko (Powerchip) <wbesanko@powerchipgroup.com>
> Date: 2004/11/04 Thu AM 11:16:27 CST
> To: Pat Cunningham <patcunning@verizon.net>
> Subject: Hi from Joel at Powerchip!
>
> Dear Pat,
>
> This is a follow-up to my earlier email with the link to the performance datasheet for your Hyundai Elantra 2.0 MY04 (PDF file*). In case you didn?t see it, here it is again: http://www.powerchipgroup.com/datasheets/2/Hyu0049.pdf
>
> We also have a corporate brochure available for download which explains our development process and other interesting information. There is both a .pdf and also an E-book version that are just over 2Mb in file size. To download a copy, follow this link: http://www.powerchipgroup.com/interact/brochure.asp
>
> I reviewed the information you sent about your car, your local octane ratings and your driving style. I recommend Powerchip's Not Available upgrade. It's the best choice for your needs.
>
> It's easy to add this performance enhancing technology to your car. Click here to start the process https://www.powerchipgroup.com/products/order/order.asp?pid=Hyu0049 Your order is RISK-FREE and backed by a FULL warranty and 100% satisfaction guarantee.
>
> To help you decide, answers to frequently asked questions from people just like you are here: http://www.powerchipgroup.com/innovation/faq/index.asp
>
> Do you have a question related to your Elantra 2.0 MY04. Feel free to call or reply to this email. But please make your question specific to the Powerchip, rather than other modifications. This will help me get back to you faster :)
>
> Thank you for your interest in Powerchip!
>
> Sincerely,
> Joel Ayson
> Hyundai Power Consultant
> Powerchip?
> Digital adrenaline for your engine
> Toll-free anywhere in North America 1-800-495-0777
> www.powerchipgroup.com
>
> * Note: Acrobat PDF Reader is FREE. Get it or update your existing version here: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html
>
> This message (including any attachments) contains confidential information intended for a specific individual and/or purpose, and is protected by law. If you are not the intended recipient, you should delete this message. Any disclosure, copying, or distribution of this message, or the taking of any action based on it, is strictly prohibited.
>
> A4110351678*`Q$:^ Pat Cunningham Hyundai Elantra 2.0 MY04

[2GTS]

I'm guessing that somehow N/A was changed by his e-mail editing software to Not Available(damn microsoft) but the part he's talking about have a professional do is actually taking a "chip" out of the ecu. You remove the ecu from you car and mail it to them, they then remove the chip from the ecu and reflash/reprogramm it put it back in the ecu and send it back to you.

[tharptroy]

^^he's right. I think if you'd poked around their site more, you would have found out that you pull your stock ecu and mail it to them, and they mail yours back you you (after being chipped)

[XDGT03]

Who is Colin B. in their testimonials? Shouldn't he be here? And, if they have actually made and tesed a unit on the beta 2, shouldn't they have a dyno sheet or something. It looks to me that their calculations on hp and tq increases are projected not actual.

That said, it it will do what it says and give a min of 12 hp and 11ft-lbs for $400, then that will be a bargin after a SRI/CAI upgrade.

[NHElantraGT]

And, if they have actually made and tesed a unit on the beta 2

Not sure if this helps at all, but searchity search...
http://www.elantraxd.com/yabbse/index.php?board=6;action=display;threadid=9734;sta rt=0

read Watson80s stuff beginning about 1/4 down the page.

I have the chip as well. I cannot verify the performance numbers the site gives, but I can tell you that I'd do it again. The hardest part was getting the ECU out while lying upside down under the steering wheel.

The Hyundai techs noticed the performance difference during a service call follwing the chip mod so yes, it is noticible. They asked what else I had done to the car, and I said I'd never tell.

[GTSpeedRacer]

I wonder if you do this and pay the $400 and then Hyundai re-flash the ECU for an issue (for example the hanging rev service alert) you will then loose the data on the ECU that Powerchip added.

Anyone know?

[kylemorg]

I doubt that you could have Hyundai reflash the ECU after it went to Powerchip -- I believe that the reason you send it in is because they physically replace the chip with their own.

As I said in other threads, Hyundai would certainly have a good basis for denying any warranty claims on the engine and powertrain after you had that done, so keep that in mind if you're considering doing this mod. It would vary depending on the dealer who serviced it, but if I were Hyundai, I certainly would deny engine warranty claims after something like that was done...

[NHElantraGT]

I doubt that you could have Hyundai reflash the ECU after it went to Powerchip -- I believe that the reason you send it in is because they physically replace the chip with their own.


I had the hanging rev reflash done after the ECU mod. The techs weren't aware that anything had been done to the ECU.

[kylemorg]

Huh... interesting; I wouldn't have thought it'd work. I would assume that there's a software ID code stored somewhere in the program which would be different (Like the BIOS identity code on your PC when you start it up). That would show up if the dealer ever went looking for it.

[NHElantraGT]

Huh... interesting; I wouldn't have thought it'd work. I would assume that there's a software ID code stored somewhere in the program which would be different (Like the BIOS identity code on your PC when you start it up). That would show up if the dealer ever went looking for it.

I'm not sure. I wish I was more technical help. I had many, many email conversations with the company before I sent them my computer. Some of these addressed the very questions being asked. After the mod I erased them all. Sorry I can't be more help.

[XDGT03]

Not sure if this helps at all, but searchity search..

Damn, I forgot all about that thread. My memory is going. :eek:

[NHElantraGT]

Damn, I forgot all about that thread. My memory is going. :eek:

The only reason I remembered is because it is the thread that prompted my purchase. ;)

As a side note, regarding whether or not the dealership could tell there was a modification... Although I stated my dealership could not tell, a visible inspection of the ECU would tell on you. When you get your computer back, it will have a tamper sticker across it from Powerchip stating that breaking the sticker would viod the warranty.

[2GTS]

That's good to know about the sticker, I wouldn't be too concerned though. How many times is the dealer actually going to crawl under the dash to look at the actual ecu? My guess is few to none.

[southpawboston]

i'd really like to know exactly what the powerchip mod does. maybe i'm just being naive here, but does it simply advance the timing? that would explain the requirement for higher octane gas. or is much more sophisticated and complex than that.

[2GTS]

It advances the timing(hence the higher octane requirement) and they adjust the fuel curves. Both things that you can do yourself but it will cost you more than $400 to get the equipment to adjust the timing and fuel delivery and you would still need to tune it.

[2loud2k2xd]

whats up ppl. just got email from 'joel' i think.lol 400.00 for a decent whp upgrade is not bad if you are trying to keep warranty in good standing. what they cant see, cant hurt. i have full custom exhaust and cai, dlrship says not a big deal. only voided bumper to bumper warranty for those parts only. i will be purchacing this powerchip unit from them this winter. and for 400.00 i better feel difference. from what i understand from emails is they remove and replace chip, so if hyundai does do a flash, it should have NO effect on the new chip.i think.

[Elantra2.001]

The only chip they replace is the one that handles the fuel and timing curves. Nothing you do with a scanner or diagnostic device is going to affect those curves.

[2loud2k2xd]

thanks. i think i said that above. but thank you for agreeing with me. does anyone have in their car? is it wirth it?

[NHElantraGT]

does anyone have in their car? is it wirth it?

and again...

Not sure if this helps at all, but searchity search...
http://www.elantraxd.com/yabbse/index.php?board=6;action=display;threadid=9734;sta rt=0

read Watson80s stuff beginning about 1/4 down the page.

[shovel_it]

Hi...Im the new kid on the block...The Hi-Pro Scan tool featured at www.hmaservice.com will not be able to reprogram the ECU. I was going to purchase one because I thought it had the feature of being able to change the look-up tables. What do you think? I'd rather reprogram than to buy a piggyback system!

[GTSpeedRacer]

I'm not sure if they make this offer to everyone, but Powerchip offered me the option to spread out payments as I did not get back to them about ordering one of their products:

Dear Pat,

We recently sent you information about how the Powerchip can improve your car's
performance. I am pleased to be able to offer you the opportunity of having the
ultimate performance chip for your car right away.

If you order within the next 7 days, you can make split payments, paying 50%
now, and 50% in one months time.

This lets you pay for the Powerchip over time, and yet you get the power,
performance and acceleration of the Powerchip delivered to your door, the very
next business day.

Pat, time is running out for you to take advantage of this special offer.

If you wish to place an order for a Powerchip, you can do so online:
https://www.powerchipgroup.com/products/order/index.asp?pid=Hyu0049

We look forward to hearing from you!

Kind regards

Travis Cattach
Powerchip Inc

233 Wilshire Bvd, 4th Floor
Santa Monica, CA, 90401-1205

Freecall 1800-495 0777
Ph 310 917 1075

Digital Adrenaline for your engine!