Hello,

As a newbie <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> I am after some more advice.

I've seen that lots of you have the Gtech1 chip but I have also read conflicting reports about what difference it makes to the drive of the car.
Can someone give me advice whether it is worth buying one or not. This is going to sound stupid but it seems too cheap to really make much difference. My car is 20vt standard. Do you think it will make any difference to the performance, torque and drivability etc??

Cheers

Yes it will do <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

It will give you approx 20-25 bhp more, will remove the limiter in 1st and 2nd.

However you should also fit a boost controller, boost gauge, give your engine a health check, before fitting it, as if the engine is already poorly, the gtech will only stress it more

<img src="/forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

as JimO said, but remeber if your clutch is a bit worn the extra power will mean you need a new clutch + also the turbo will wear out faster at the higher boost level the chip provides.... <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

he he I can understand this thinking, but GrahamL doesn't sell 'em for profit, more as a service to fellow coupe enthusiasts <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

You could always pay £250 for a Novitec chip - which is pretty much the same (only a more exagerated overboost map) if it makes you feel better... <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

I spent alot more on a Novitec from ebay than the GrahamL chip and trust me it doesnt make you feel any better when you can get the same thing for less money!

just ordered a gtec btw and has anyone here used an IC extractor to remove their old chip? or know where to get 1 from? other ways of removing it successfully would be a help 2 thanks?

paperclip or a thin engineers-type screwdriver will do it <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Hi to all, i am new to this site and feel a bit daft as i don't have as much knowledge as most on this forum. In May i bought my second coupe from the forum. My first one wasn't very good. The one i'm driving now is spopt on it's a 20vt sprint blue and has been owned by a couple of people from the forum. It's now got to the stage where i would like a few extra mods, i've just bought a Gtech1 and already have a supersprint exhaust, dump valve and a strut brace. Could someone please advise me on which garage to use in West Yorkshire to fit my chip and what gauges should i buy and do i need a PRV. I'm not sure what they are but people keep on mentioning them. Also can i get rid of the name lurker or is that because i'm not a member. Sorry to you all for the long note. Thanks.

your`re no longer a lurker now you`ve made your`re first post <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> welcome to the coop encyclopedia <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

ps dont worry about not knowing much... i dont <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> but you will learn loads on here <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

before anything you have to get the boost gauge, you can find many offer on E-bay..

the Gtech chip will give you aroom to increase the turbo boost, however, to increase this boost, you have to use PRV, and keep your eye on the fueling as well <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

You dont need to take your car to a garage its a simple job to change the chip

Fitting Guide

When installing the chip you will need to fit a PRV (Pressure release valve) this allows you to set the boost to 1.2bar You will also need to fit a boost gauge to show the boost level
PRV fitting guide
Boost gauge fitting guide

All easy jobs

Thanks for the reply Dan, could you tell me which boost gauge to get please as i haven't a clue. Plus i need a service soon who's good near yorkshire.

Im sure they'll be loads on boost gauges on here.
important to get a decent one though as you wouldnt want to be getting an incorrect reading.
Id suggest motormech for a service.

Very pleased with this one I had fitted a little while back - reads 0 correctly when switched off (see the Boost Gauge thread <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> ), reads to 1.5bar (doesn't need to be higher) and is the right colour for my dials <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Clickety

Boost gauges are down to taste really. Lots of boost gauges available on eBay for around £30 but avoid the "Tim" gauges as i have heard lots of bad comments. I have a Blitz 52mm gauge but these are expensive £100/£150 although in my opinion you get what you pay for and i think looks well and suits the silver dials i have in my coop. Also depending on where you want to mount the gauge depends on the diameter you will need, i.e if you want to mount the gauge in place of the clock or in a nomad pillar pod then you will need a 52mm diameter gauge.

Im not sure who's good for services in yorkshire sorry but if its a cambelt service you require then your best bet will be James Twist garage in wigan. If its an oil service then i dont know sorry <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Agreed - TIM guages are not worth bothering with. I've had one, so I can say first hand that it remained in the car for about 10 mins only. They are innacurate + hard to read, look cheap, and the one I had also rattled. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

What are tim gauges and what do they look like? What's the correct setting as well?

Thanks for the picture. Carn't budget the blitz what's an other alternative. Just bought the ArmvalBCv-11. Do i fit the gauge first?, and is it best to get a pilar mount or are those clock one's ok? Thanks.

Well........I have a TIM gauge <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> (which came with the car - not guilty!). Is it worth removing and sticking something else in? I mean, how far out is the reading on them?

Just dont want to end up overboosting or running lean (since ive already had my car sorted once this year due to pinking a piston to death, thanks to the same previous owner that had the gauge fitted....!) <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

Also;

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/AUTOGAUGE-2-BOOST-...1QQcmdZViewItem

Any good?

That autogage will be no better than your TIM one, it just looks better. You need to spend twice that for a decent Boost gauge.

Fit the boost gauge before the Armval.


Pilar pod is best id say but again its the expensive option at £75 but theres loads of places to mount the boost gauge.
You could put a wanted ad on the forum for the nomad pod and maybe get on cheaper?

As far as alternative boost gauges go im not sure? You could post a link on the forum of a gauge you like the look of and ask for peoples opinions if they have used that particular gauge?

The gauge i have is on eBay Blitz it doesnt have a fitting kit but i know a place where you can buy the required bits for £3 <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> Might be worth a bid if you like the look of it? It has no wiring but i cant see that being to much of a problem as its only to illuminate it at night and should be a simple job. Possible bargain to be had.

another thing to watch when you are fitting the chip (its an easy job for anybody by the way ) is to make sure you ground yourself before toching any of the electronics,especially the 2 chips.
I found the best way to do this,if you dont have an earth wrist band,is to install it on your kitchen drainer board and ground yourself for a few seconds on the taps or drainer before touching anything.
Static electricity can fry the chips,no pun intended.
Paul

Very good advice on the chip grounding there spit.

On the subject of Boost gauges I have a Racetech. It reads right up to 2.5bar even though I know it'll never be needed. Racetech are a respected brand in rally circles which is very big over here in Ireland. It only cost £35 and matches the original clocks exactly, black face, white needle and digits. I have it installed in a Nomad pillar pod which is well worth the money. Looks like OE trim and is easy to read at eye level.

just a quick one how much more fuel does the coop drink when you install the chip?

Depends how you drive it i suppose?

I havent noticed to a difference to be honnest. I find i still put £20 petrol in every few days as i did before i fitted the Gtec.

I love my GTEC V.1 chip !!
.

Another couple of questions on this:

Would anyone else like to comment on fuel consumption after fitting the chip, better, worse, same etc.

Also insurance, would anyone like to comment on how much their insurance went up after declaring this chip (if you did declare it)!!

Fuel - no difference. I think it may have made her a little more economical overall. I mean obviously if you drive it like you stole it, it's going to return silly MPG but driving normally with the occasional bit of fun, really no difference as far as I could tell.

Insurance - no difference. With tesco, after ever mod, there's only one question, "did this increase engine power by more than 10% ? to which I replied "no" and there is no increase. you could do this for every mod with tesco, as long as each didn't increase power by 10%, you could have a 400BHP coupe and the premium wouldn't change.