Chips, programers, are they worth it?

beatfreak79

Test Drive
Location
north carolina
I'm compiling a parts list to start my build later this year and I am curious about chips and programers. I know that JET makes one but it requires the ECM to be sent in and re-flashed. I was also trying to find something like a Banks Six Shooter programer. I know Banks is for diesel trucks, but I figure there has to be something out there for a gen 1 x or am I wrong?
Please let me know what is out there and if its worth installing if you could.
 

TKDx00

Lockers Installed
Founding Member
For what it's worth, the research I did a while back showed chip replacement in a Gen1 3.3L is a waste of money. You are better off going w/ a CAI, K&N filter and headers to get better performance and MPG. However if you are dead set on a chip upgrade there is a nice writeup (at least there was) on Xterra Firma. Good Luck.
 

FaroutX

Bought an X
Location
Sparks, NV
I like my bullydog, sometimes I use the tune, but mostly I like it for the on-board diagnostics, being able to read codes and reset them is nice!
 

Muadeeb

Nissan al Gaib
Admin
Location
Dallas
The 1st gen ECU is too stoopid to make any advantage of aftermarket add-on chips. If Nissan is going to spend the money designing a fuel control system, they are going to set it for the best balance between horse power, economy, and torque depending on what they think the target market it. About the only option is sending an ECU off to be reprogrammed based on any mods you have done. AC looks to be the only ones offering the service and I haven't read any reports of people doing it.

Also be wary of anyone saying 'put this randomly designed piece of steel in your intake and you'll get tons of HP'. While those designs worked in carb'd engines, they are useless in a direct injected engine.

Intake spacers may or may not offer any benefits. Most people say the theory is they thermally separate the upper intake from the lower. In truth, the gap is so narrow, and there is so much radiated heat in the steel box of the engine compartment that there is only a marginal difference in temperature. The other theory is they add a swirling effect to the incoming air, which, again, is not as effective in a direct injected engine. People claim HP improvements, but I have yet to see any real dyno tests.

The best thing you can do is get an Ultragauge or similar to monitor your instant MPG while at speed, and be very gentile on the skinny pedal.
 
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