Turbo Tweak chips....

[UR50SLO]

I don't work on these cars much but there's one here I've been trying to figure out this problem.

Most of the time when under hard accelleration it'll just totaly shut off.

Got the Direct Scan Hooked up and found the O2 not moving .. but that would

not explain what this is doing...

87,coil pack,module,ecm,airtemp sensor,cranksensor with 84/85 engine and alky injecton.

The problem I just found out to be this "Turbo Tweak" Alky Chip. With or with out the injection on it would just flounder under hard accell... Almost like turning the key off. When you'd let off the gas it'll come back to life and be fine till you'd get back on it.

I pulled the chip and put a stock 86/87 chip and it runs fine. I've heard of some chips being "off" a little but this thing totaly sucks. It's not even worth the .02 it costs for the chip... Be aware of this chip.
It's costed me hours of chaseing my tail!

Anyone else have trouble with this chip before?

~Scott

 

[highboost]

i have a couple turbo tweak chips,and they are great! i have never had any trouble with them.
call eric @ turbo tweak and address this issue with him and im sure he will make it right. he is a upstanding guy! and a great guy to work with

 

[Jerryl]

.... The problem I just found out to be this "Turbo Tweak" Alky Chip. ............ I pulled the chip and put a stock 86/87 chip and it runs fine. I've heard of some chips being "off" a little but this thing totaly sucks. It's not even worth the .02 it costs for the chip... Be aware of this chip. It's costed me hours of chaseing my tail!

Anyone else have trouble with this chip before?

Scott,
First off this is not a paid advertisement.
I am a TT paying customer like yourself.

Eric is one of the BEST chip writers for the TR's and has exceptional service.
If you search the boards (any of them), you will find that TT is one of the BEST Alky chip writers. Sometimes due to static discharge, mis-installed chips (YES, I have done that as well) and/or mishandling, chips CAN in fact fail.

I fully understand and appreciate your level of frustration. Sometimes, S*** JUST happens, trust me on this one .... TT will make it right.

Are you SURE you installed the chip correctly with all the pins fully seated?

 

[tenright]

wow I have to add .02 cents in here, I don't think anyone has ever complained about the TT alky chips, I mean my jaw is on the floor reading this post. I have 2 of them myself, and they cleaned up a ton of issues I had with my old what I suspect are Poston chips....

Definately contact Eric and tell him what your issues are with it....

 

[cool 84]

Fuel pump.

 

[Squid4life]

So, everything was perfect until you put in the chip, then it ran like crap? No other changes? Put the stock 87 chip in and it runs fine? Did you make sure the chip didn't get buggered up installing it? (pins bent, not fully seated, etc) Was anything else changed? Did you reset the ECM for each install?

I'd drive it with the 87 chip in it, ensure everything is fine under boost, etc. Then unplug the ECM wire, swap Erics chip back in, and try again. I am very surprised you are having issues with it, but NO ONE IS PERFECT.

Before you bash his stuff too much, you might contact him and see if there is anything wrong, etc. His customer service is top shelf. So are his products, so good luck and hope you get it taken care of.

 

[UR50SLO]

Tempermental 85

I recieved the car with the chip already installed with a new alky setup. The spark was weak and kept blowing out under ANY boost. So I started there replacing the outdated 85 coilpack/module and updated the crank sensor to the 86/87 too. The ecm was already a 86/7 and had the Tweak Chip in it.

Once the spark issue was resolved it would run every time you turn the key and take moderate throttle but a heavy stomp it'd just flat drop on it's nose.

Watched a external fuel press gauge.. fine.. datalogged on Direct Scan and found that it'd read 255g/s on the Maf then like 70 then back up then down.

Finaly today I said well.. I've got a stock chip I'll just swap that out and see what happens... It idle better, plenty of power.. Full throttle stomp is no hesitation and works great.... It's got 10deg of knock retard because it's programed for a intercooled car but it runs fine. I realize the 86/7 stock chip is not Ideal eather but it took care of the problem till I can get a chip that's programed for the car.

I put a post on the Turbo Tweak site and gave him the symptoms and my contact information and said that I'm not looking for a "freebie" and would give him a second chance to give it a try.

You've gota understand the level of frustration I've had with this car over the last couple of weeks... Major venting going on here.
The chip is honestly the last thing I suspected.

I don't know who exactly Installed the chip or how carefull they were... I think the recept is in the golve box so I'll pull that in the morning so I have exact information.

I'm sure he's a good programer I just need one setup right for this car so it can get out of my hair!!!!!!

Thanks for the input and background info on the company.
Scott~

 

[Eric Stage I]

I got your post on the TT board Scott. We'll get it figured out.

Do you have those directscan runs saved so you can email them to me?

Regards,
Eric

 

[boosted84]

hey sorry to hear about your bad luck.... but you might want to find that receipt and see what it was burned for. Make sure it matches your setup if all else fails i would definatly give him a call , he is one of my favorite chip burners and does excellent work i have bought 5 chips from him. I also chased some poston Chip problems so i understand your frustrations but he is deffinatlly worth it and one of the best
1st for hot air with 37# injectors
2nd hot air with 50# injectors
3rd for step dads 87 running alky
4th for 87 ecm swap in my hotair because new ecm didnt have one
5th for 87 ecm with Pte60 front mount 50# injectors ( currently running chip)

Never had any problems, Goodluck with it man let us all know what happens.


Anthony

 

[BRAD_PADGETT]

Scott- I have been in your position the last three weeks and I might be able to help. I am finishing up my upgrade to alky on an 85GN. Your symptions are the same that I had until today. My problem which was diagnosed by Julio at Razor was a bad vacuum connection from the 3-bar map to the engine. I fixed this today and the car is a rocket. I was actually afraid to go into alky tonight.
I now know that every vacuum line connection (100%) on my car will be zip tied. There is no margin for error when building boost. My two cents worth. Brad

 

[UR50SLO]

There is just a 2bar map in the car and actualy it's not even hooked up. There is a aftermarket boost gauge in the car.
The MAP only sends a signal to the boost gauge in the stock cluster.
Unless the 85's are different. I left it unhooked.
Like I stated above this car has/had many issues...

Replied to your post on Turbo Tweak board Eric....

I would just like this car to run stock.
Stock boost,timeing ect.... Just reliable

It would be different if the customer knew anything about the car/tuneing. When he has to fill up the alky tank and worry if it's working or not and does not know the signs of detonation it's a sure thing to a comeback with internal engine problems.
If it would run strong and not detonate on 92oct. on 10psi I'd be happy and not have to worry about him driving over the crank in a week.

The alky system has me worried anyway... the "spray" light stays on even at idle... I can't tell when or if it ever works...
I did not install any of these things on the car so all this is second hand and now dumped on me to repair.
I've never used a alky system on any of my cars and after working with this one won't ever consider it eather.
Just not reliable enough... reminds me of back in my nitrous days ..lol...

Thanks for hearing me out on this one.. and trying to help.
Let me know if you'd like to re-flash this chip to stock settings so
it'll run right for this guy.
~Scott

 

[Tampa T-Type]

Alki!

You need to start from the begining on your Alki Kit. I have an 85 that works like a charm your Alki it is not hooked up correctly. Two steps back will get you one step ahead but you will be going in the right direction.

1985 Buick T-Type

1987 ECU
Spearco Intercooler Part # 2-135
Turbo Turbonetics, Cheetah .63
Razor Alkyl running methanol
Adj Wastegate
GReddy Profec B2 Boost Controller
Kenny Bell Headers
Kenny Bell Air and breather filters
Fuel pump 340
Hot wire kit
Extender Chip
3” High Flow no-cat converter
2 ½ dual mandrel exhaust
MSD 50 Lb injectors
Lt-1 Maf
Translator
Bosch Adj fuel pressure regulator
2004R Shift kit rebuilt with all new performance parts
2800 Torque Converter
AVC Motor Sports GNX cluster dash kit analog
30 Lb boost gauge
Oil pressure
Temp Gauge
New cam “cams 231t 0.519”
New crankshaft
Valve springs
V-8 Radiator
Rod and main bearings
Oil pressure booster plate
Turbo ram air not installed
New Egr
New O2
New Plugs
New Wires
New Vacuum Lines

 

[Jerryl]

There is just a 2bar map in the car and actualy it's not even hooked up.

I would just like this car to run stock.
Stock boost,timeing ect.... Just reliable

The alky system has me worried anyway... the "spray" light stays on even at idle... I can't tell when or if it ever works...

I did not install any of these things on the car so all this is second hand and now dumped on me to repair.
I've never used a alky system on any of my cars and after working with this one won't ever consider it eather.

Scott,
You have answered all your own questions. As stated by Boosted84, The chip may not be for the combo you are running. You MUST get all the other issues (TR basics) taken care off if you expect it to (even) run stock!

Sounds like a typical project one gets into when you buy one of these cars. My advice is to NOT take any shortcuts if you intend to get it to run correctly.

Most of us got into a love /hate relationship with these cars. But, if you work on them for a living, you will not be very profitable if you don't really understand these things, especially if there is no baseline. Good luck with it!

PS:
Your alky system is whacked! Rip it out and start over!

 

[BRAD_PADGETT]

UR50SLO-If your Alky is a progressive Razor kit it will not work unless you have a 3-bar MAP. My razor kit is kicking A**. These kits need a perfectly tuned car before you turn them on.Brad

 

[Squid4life]

Scary thought that you have an alky chip but not using the alky. (or it is not working correctly) Alky chip calls for more timing and boost, similar to a race chip. You have two of the best products (Razors alky/ Erics chip) and two of the absolute best customer service guys I hgave ever dealt with on anything. But, as mentioned before, none of that matters without the basics. I would use the 87 chip for now, (until another comes in I guesS) and check the basics.

What boost is the car running because the following statement scares me: "It's got 10deg of knock retard because it's programed for a intercooled car but it runs fine". 10 is excessive and I don't believe that hot air vs IC'ed chip with no other differences would cause 10 deg.

If you haven't already I'd verify boost, fuel pressure, vac leaks, etc. I know if it were your car you'd know all that would be good to go, but you are dealing with someone elses car who may not be as knowledgeable as you so start small. It'll work out. There is no reason with some work that you could get it figured out either at 10 psi with no knock like you said, or 25+ with the alky and TT chip.

Keep us posted!

 

[UR50SLO]

On the Direct scan I'm seeing 32deg under boost... Way too much.

I'm told that it was a stock chip and it appears to be.

I'm running 10lbs of boost but it's advanceing the timing too much.

Today the spray light is not on at idle... not sure what the deal is with that.

It is a progressive system and has a built in MAP. The way I understand it

anyway.

Working on this car sure makes me miss my intercooled F.A.S.T. controlled

stuff!!!!

Thanks again for the support...

The "tweak" chip as I understand it was burnt for the exact setup in the car.

but from the recept and the bottom of the chip I can't tell if it's for the 84/85

MAF or the 86/87 MAF... Based on the clues with wacked MAF readings

I'd say it was burnt for the 85maf... Maby that's the whole problem...?

~Scott

 

[BRAD_PADGETT]

The original 87 MAF has a sticker on it which is "BW". Brad

 

[Eric Stage I]

Scott,

Ok, I got the DS files.

The chip you are using as a stock 87 chip is not a stock chip. In fact it's not made for a turbo car, but a naturally aspirated 3.8 with the same computer (code ABYS). That chip was made for 17lb/hr injectors, and the MAF tables are calibrated differently. In the run you sent me, then MAF reading never went over 106 gr/sec, which is equivalent to about 0psi boost. Also, the timing is way higher in a N/A chip, around 32 degrees, so be extremely careful with it.
The pulsewidth on that chip never got over 13ms, or about 50% duty cycle. I don't know how there could be enough fuel running stock injectors at 50% dc. The only possibilities I can think of, are the fuel pressure is way higher than you think (needs to be 40-43psi line off), or the injectors are not stock. Can you confirm the injector part#?

Something is way way off here, and I can see why you would be frustrated.

See if you can read the part# of the injectors and lets go from there. Also, maybe try and get ahold of a true stock 87 GN chip and see how it runs.

Regards,
Eric

 

[UR50SLO]

That'd explain the detonation :biggrin:

Wonered why it had so much timing for a 86/87 chip... humm lol..

That's all the chips I have. I threw away the stock stuff on my GN and hybrid

stuff along time ago. The car had your chip installed and the other one

in the glove box.

I called your number and talked to a laidy there and she took down my info.

Give me a call tonight so I can go over any questions you've got so you can

send me a chip for this thing and It'll hopefully not come back... lol

Thanks for all the help,

Scott~

 

[tenright]

Well if the chip came with the car you should be either sending it to him for programming and paying him for his very valuable time, or buying a new one from him, he's a nice guy but nobodies fool

after all it's not his fault the previous owner stuck a TT chip in the ECM that didn't belong in it.....