ok, i'm a major NOOOOOOB, but I've had my 01 CL-s for about 2 years now and have been way too busy to do anything perfomrance wise to it. But i joined this forum so I can find out what and how.

What I wanted to ask you guys is what everyone thought of ECU chips that promise hp gains of 30+???? Sounds like a lot. Any one have any experience with these. How about falshing ECU?

So far, my CLS is bone stock. I am going to:

1. Lower with adjustable TEINs
2. Comptech CAI
3. Maybe headers.

Thanks.

 

number one the search tool netted me TONS UPON TONS of great info about the pros and cons of chips, and to make a long story short they suck,apexi units from what i read suck. the great engine tuning tool i have read great info on is the emanage unit. also from what i have read headers give a nice boost in power also. there are tons of great threads on the forum here, just get ready to do a TON of reading...

happy searching

 

Get headers, they give close to 25whp

 

Tein's for sure. Then CAI and Headers are also a must. As far as the ECU chip goes, Unichip is the only PREPACKAGED ECU piggy back unit you can get. It's costly for decent gains. Not the best bang for your buck but when you are ending your mod spectrum it's worth a look.

 

No maybe... GET HEADERS !!

 

honestly, i wouldn't spend my money on a chip. If you go with intake and headers I think you'll be pleased with the gains. If you need more power then I think forced induction would be in order but be ready to shell out some big money.

 

I would definately do headers and intake first. Then Spacers. If you can find a used Unichip, it's worth it IMO. But that more for down the road in your case.

 

you recommend that chip? i've read that it's nothing but hassles and worries w/that chit/chip. then again, good luck finding a used Unichip.

 

headers for sure!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I have a custom tuned Unichip in my '02 TL-S. Total cost of the chip with custom tune was around $600. Total gains approx 3-4 whp. The same gains do not justify the high cost of the chip. The UR crank pulley gives far more gains for far fewer dollar.

I would not recommend the Unichip, not even a used one.

 

the bad thing is that some people were wrung out of their money. some tried to milk the "potential" of the chip to get the max gains out of it. dyno after dyno and hours tuning this piece of crap di some people in.
no on the other hand, the Turbonator...

 

Turbonator = crazy gains!

On a serious note, headers are definitely a must. Even though I took mine off (Megan 3rd batch), the difference is night and day, try to get used Comptechs or if you want to take a risk you can try OBX, Alphawerks, or Megan. I'd say Megan's are the best out of the three, some of the problems such as resonance can be fixed with wrapping. The only annoying thing is the front flex which breaks pretty easily if you're cars lowered and you start scraping.

Tein's are definitely the way to go for lowering, SS's if you're gonna get the EDFC or if you're going to be adjusting stiffness. I personally went for the Tein Basics since I figured I wanted the height adjustability but I wouldn't be messing around with stiffness anyway. I'm selling mine since I'm selling the car and they're practically brand new so let me know if you wanna check em out.

Intakes just sound mean with the headers and the Icebox definitely sounds closer to stock than the AEM's or Injen's. It's up to you. Have fun!

 

whereas i got 8 whp gain just from a map to b

 

wow thnx guys. as soon as i wrangle up some money my strategy will be:

1. TEINs
2. CAI
3. Headers
...screw the chip

happy motoring.

 

Wow, great gains. That's just like mine.

 

I never had any problems with mine. It takes about 15 minutes to install and remove and never fired any CEL's. I had it in for about a year and I thought the car ran smoother when it was installed. I wished I had it dynoed when it was installed.

 

I need to know a little tid bit real fast about these chips. Are all these chips that are out for a 03 cl-s a piggy back kind or is there some that just reflash the ECU? Acura is saying my car has a modded ecu (chipped or reflashed) and they cant check any error codes and why a check engin light is on. The car aboslutly does NOT have a chip of anysort and the car was in a wreck and this problem started after it. I might have to prove my ecu is stock...help anyone!!

 

Heres a list of stuff:

CT Headers, CT Cat-back Exhaust, CT S/C kit (comes w/ CAI), Hope Systems Intercooler, CT or B&M Tranny Cooler, Ajustable Tein Coilovers w/ Pillow Top Mounts, CT Sways, CT Strut, Mugen Tstat, Mugen Fan Switch, Mugen Radiator Cap.

 

The dealerships said that? They are bullshiting you. Our ECU is not programmable. The unichip and e-manage are piggybacks, not replacements.

 

I know this...its a looooong story...car was wrecked a year ago...still dont have it back...after many months I took the car for a test drive and the chk eng light came on and the car was making a funny sound. Thats when acura got involved to see what the code was...they say they cant check the code because the ecu is modded (reflashed). So now I am going to talk to the ins. co. some more...car was close to being totaled and was hit on the side of the ecu....I think this could make them total the car. There is more to it than that but thats the short version. Now I just have to prove I didnt tamper with the EUC...the wreck did!

 

Where is the ecu exactly in these cars?

 

Underneath the coin tray and heated seat buttons. You can access it through the passenger side. Just pull the carpet back a little.

 

Is there anything like it under the hood too?

 

We only have one ECU and it's inside the cabin.