Basics of 

Performance chip tuning

A brief history on performance chips; they became popular in the '90s with dramatic advancements in the electronic and software engine management, manufacturers installed small, read-only chip modules that contained preset values controlling spark timing, fuel injection, throttle control, and boost control (for turbocharged engines).

• Spark ignition - they tell sparks when to light up
• Fuel injection - without it, injectors would not “know” how to inject fuel at just the right moment (and how much of it)
• Throttle control - values that say just how much throttle valve will open at a certain point in time in the chip module control
• Boost control - they tell the turbocharger how much it can spool up and how much boost should it produce

With that said, it is safe to assume that back in the '90s and for some cars in the early 2000s, performance chip modules were like the brain of the engine. Now, with slight changes in the preset values, aftermarket specialists developed performance chips so that they release hidden engine potential - more power. After some parameters are changed, all the installed hardware will start to behave differently. In simplest of terms, performance chips would allow a bit richer fuel mixture, slightly change ignition timing, and slightly alter change throttle response. Resulting in about 10-20 more horsepower, maybe more for turbo-diesel engines.

Today, however, performance chips are no more. Performance chips are replaced by what can only be described as computers. Welcome, the age of the Engine Control Unit (ECU).

You might still wonder why manufacturers do not do this in the factory? Well, original software is usually perfectly programmed to provide the optimum balance between performance, power and engine wear. What Performance chip tuning (or ECU flash) does is put more stress on all the elements. Tuning the engine this way would probably void the warranty. Now, I could go into great details describing how wear and tear actually occurs, but TL;DR it means a shorter lifespan. However, if you do it right and do not go for power overkill, you can avoid major engine problems.

However, performance chips and ECU flashing can be used for a number of other things as well. It is, actually, an integral part of the tuning process after hardware updates. See, one may benefit the most from chip tuning or ECU reflash after installing new elements on the engine - such as a new cold air intake kit (K&N Air Charger), new headers (Hedman Stainless Steel Hedder), or a new exhaust (MagnaFlow Competition Series). This way, the engine will definitely behave differently compared with its original setup. Just the right changes within the software will definitely have the most profound effect on the engine power and engine characteristics. Some, like AEM Performance, provides full-on Software solutions.

Some other characteristics that performance chip tuning or ECU flash may control:

• Electronic throttle control
• Poppet valve timing
• Boost control (for turbocharged engines)
• Anti-lock braking system
• Automatic transmission
• Speed limiter
• Electronic Stability Control system

Here are our picks for the top Performance Chips for your vehicle:

In short, if you are installing new hardware such as new intakes, new exhausts, headers, air filters, or changing other important parts of the engine (or suspension for that matter), this is the ECU unit you will need to program to use all of the new hardware to the best of its potential. It is not by chance that the system is best utilized with racing cars, off-road machines or some other special use vehicles. In this case, the Infinity 508 is adapted for V8 engines, although AEM Electronics do have programmable ECU units adapted for cars or four-cylinder and six-cylinder engines.

In the simplest of terms, the AEM Infinity 508 will replace the conventional ECU unit and allow for unrestricted programming of engine parameters.

Change the intake, enter new values and the ECU will adjust all other parameters (fuel injection, ignition timing and everything else). AEM offers a whole range of ECU reprogrammable units. There is a downside, though - you are allowed to use it on racing engines.