9 replies to this topic

[LukeH]

As title, does anyone have any experience of fitting or using a Superchips ECU for the MPI? Are they worth going for and are they much hassle to fit?

My MPI is currently running the standard ECU, Alarm/Immobiliser and air-filter/throttle body setup. I have a de-cat pipe fitted though and an RC40 exhaust system.

Thanks in advance.

Luke.

[grnichols]

The Superchips Icon Race module is an additional ECU module which connects to your existing ecu, allowing you to modify the ignition timing up to 20 degrees advance or retard. Obviously this has a direct effect on fuel economy (either positive or negative depending how you drive!)

The figures given on the mpi are an approx increase of 5bhp according to the Superchips website. Hardly worth the £239 price tag. They are dead simple to fit - plug in and go, and work with your existing setup. They come with a standard map to get you going, but obviously you'd then need to remap your ignition timing on the new module.

I do know someone who fitted one to his mpi, but ditched it soon afterwards in favour of a Canems system which did make a much larger impact on performance, and can be infinitely modified to suit the engine.

I suppose if you can get one cheaply, then it might be worth trying it out? Make sure it comes with the wiring multi-plugs though!

[rick.spi]

id pay £500ish and get the reprogramable ecu off calvers website that was featured in miniworld or minimag (cant remember which 1)

[grnichols]

The one on Keith Calver's site is only suitable for the SPi, although there is an MPi version 'in development' apparently - it isn't available as yet.

[rick.spi]

The one on Keith Calver's site is only suitable for the SPi, although there is an MPi version 'in development' apparently - it isn't available as yet.

ah ok.. sorry i didnt read into it properly thought it was just 'injection'.

i heard something about these superchips just tricking the ecu rather than overriding it, any truth to this?

[grnichols]

That's what a lot of this type of product do. Many ebay sellers will provide you with a resistor to place in the circuit to 'fool' the ECU into altering the settings, to allow different fuelling etc. I'd avoid them like the plague.

The superchips race module has been carefully developed, and is a good product which allows remapping of the timing. It doesn't so much fool the existing ECU, rather overrides it after the signal has left (so is my understanding) so that the original ECU remains unaltered - running in standard mode, but the superchips module outputs a different map to the various components involved in fuelling the car. You fit it in serial to the existing ECU, using the multi connectors provided.

My problem with it is that it provides a limited increase in performance and bhp for the cost. A Canems ECU system is approx £500 plus fitting, set up etc. Not cheap, but a big difference in performance.

[LukeH]

Hi

Thanks for the replies. The reason I started this topic is because of a Superchips Icon unit that is listed on eBay and is currently at £40 start price. Having read eveyone's comments I think I'll give it a miss considering the small gains that I would get from fitting one.

I'll check out the Canems ECU instead.

Cheers, Luke.

[nicksuth]

I would have thought £40+£5 PP for 5 BHP was a reasonable price ???

[grnichols]

I agree, £40 would be a reasonable price. I still think £239 (taken from the manufacturers site) is expensive for 5bhp.

The actual item sold for around £78, which compared to the list price is a bargain.

[mykweb]

I agree, £40 would be a reasonable price. I still think £239 (taken from the manufacturers site) is expensive for 5bhp.

The actual item sold for around £78, which compared to the list price is a bargain.

I was watching this as well, and decided to give up, as after reading all the hype, turned out to be a fad.

Good luck to who bought it.

Mike