Chip tuning

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Chip tuning refers to changing or modifying an EPROM chip in a car's or other vehicle's electronic control unit (ECU) to achieve better performance, whether it be more power, cleaner emissions, better fuel economy, or better appearance.

This was done with early engine computers in the 1980s and 1990s. Today, the term chip tuning can be misleading, as people will often use it to describe ECU tuning that does not involve swapping the chip. Modern ECUs can be tuned by simply updating their software through a standard interface, such as OBDII. This procedure is commonly referred to as engine or ECU tuning. ECUs are a relatively recent addition to the automobile, having first appeared in the late 1970s.

As technology advanced, so did the electronics that go into cars. The ECU in a modern automobile, together with advanced engine technology, makes it possible to control many aspects of the engine's operation, such as spark timing and fuel injection. The ECU may also control electronic throttle control (drive-by-wire), valve timing, boost control (in turbocharged engines), ABS, the automatic transmission, and the electronic stability control system.

Most performance gains are realized by adjusting the ignition timing advance to suit High-Density High-Octane gasoline without pre-ignition detonation or pinging. Manufacturers generally design for the 'lowest common denominator' fuel available and limit performance accordingly. Changing the engine tune specifically to suit better fuel results in slight increases in performance.

A common approach to ECU tuning used by tuners and gearheads who like to modify their cars involves adjusting the air-fuel mixture and spark timing maps for greater power, or to smooth out drops in power. While requiring extensive knowledge and expertise, this modification can often result in significant power increases without any additional changes to the vehicle. However, a poorly tuned ECU can result in decreased performance, driveability, and may even cause engine damage. An aftermarket ECU can expand a car's potential, as well as optimize existing performance attributes.