does this work?

[lilred]

i found this on ebay and was wondering if it fits and works.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/90-93-Ford-Festiva-Performance-Chip-Module-Kit-25HP_W0QQitemZ8053072565QQcategoryZ33597QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[25Horseplay]

NO.....there is no way a chip could almost double your HP. It is a waste of money.

[lilred]

didnt think that it would

[FastoNOS]

junk. lol
most of the time price tells u if something is good or not...

[FestYboy]

all it does is wire into your IAT harness leads and tell the PCM that the incoming air temperature is around 40* F. the PCM reads the thermal resistor (IAT) in the intake track and adjusts fuel and timing to compensate. the lower the "temp" the more fuel and timing the PCM commands. in many cases, this mod does work, but not on the scale that they claim. a similar mod was done to some of our test mules at UTI and there was a gain, but only for 2 or 3 runs on a chassis dyno before the PCM re-corrected via the MAP sensor and ECT.

basically it's a waste of money on anything newer than 94, the older PCMs aren't programed to compensate for the discrepancy. in that case they trick the PCM and you'll see a gain, but like i said before, not nearly as much as they claim.

[vincefestiva]

is there any way of making that thing yourself, if so, how??

[FestYboy]

yes there is: remove the IAT and stick in the fridge (most refrigerators are about 40*F). measure the resistance at the IAT BEFORE & AFTER being put into the fridge. the difference in resistance is the size resistor you put in line after reinstalling the IAT. this will give you a varying change in readings to the PCM so as temp rises the difference becomes less (this keeps you from pinging in hot weather).

the best thing is to leave it alone and install a header or high flow cat or high flow muffler, you'll see a bigger improvement with those than by tricking the 'puter .

[getnhi1]

It won't do anything, except maybe decrease the MPGs, in order to gain you have to get more fuel and air in cylinder, one without the other is useless.

[Taylor_cook]

it does work... it simply advances the timing for the pistons, but their 20 HP claim would be outragous for a B3, although they aren't really lying as a big block V8 might get these kind of gains... on a festy i think youd be luck to get 2 HP, i think they advance the timing bout 10degrees so it is really bout a 5% increace in HP (not bad, but detrimental to MPG). there is a write up on one of the GEO forums that explains how you can do this for about $2.50 with parts from radio shack... wish i could remember the link... ANYWAYS these chips do work but are not worth the money as you can easily make one yourself for less than the shipping cost... not a bad way to boost HP if you dont mind a little MPG loss, BTW its fairly common to see tuned cars with permanantly advanced timing

[getnhi1]

This?

The "Chips" being sold are nothing more than a 10¢ resistor which is available at your local Radio Shack.

From what I've gathered from searching the net, the most popular resistor to use is 4.7K ohms which is supposed to emulate aprox. 58ºF intake temperature at all times. This resistor value is always mentioned for the Camaro. Mustangs and Dodge products had different values.

I've heard the IAT used on the Storm is the same as used on Camaro's but wanted to make sure. My Imperial Eastman meter said my intake was 67ºF. At this temperature my IAT sensor read 3.7K ohms. Warming the intake to 72ºF the resistance of the IAT dropped to aprox. 3.2K ohms. It's safe to say that if I COOLED the intake to 58ºF the resistance would indeed increase to aprox. 4.7K ohms.

I pulled a 4.7K resistor out of my parts bin with a silver band (10% tolerance). It was rather close at 4.6K ohms.
I popped it into the IAT harness connector (resistor leads fit nice and snug), wrapped electrical tape around it and started the car. It did fool the ECM, there was no check engine light.
Drove the car a few miles with the resistor and a few miles with the IAT hooked back up.

NO NOTICEABLE DIFFERENCE. If there was an increase it's in the 1 to 2 HP range which isn't even enough to produce seat of the pants feel.

If anyone decides to try this keep in mind the resistor is 4.7K ohms which is 4,700 ohms. Not 4.7 ohms and not 4.7M(mega) ohms. ½ watt rating or larger is needed. I would also suggest a gold or silver band resistor for tighter tolerance. It will also need to be sealed with tape to keep it from shorting out. For long term use I'd recommend taping it then putting a small plastic bag over it held in place with a plastic zip tie. Do the same for the opening on the IAT sensor, this will keep dirt and moister away from the sensors terminals.

This is just something I tried for the heck of it. I did NOT leave this on my car. I don't know if there will be any long term effects on the ECM. It may also effect your cars ability to pass an emissions test. IF YOU TRY THIS MOD IT'S AT YOUR OWN RISK.

The location of the IAT sensor on your can be found in your Haynes Manual.
This pic below shows the location on my '90 SOHC engine with the resistor already installed in the harness plug.

It fools the computer by making it think the incoming air is cooler, denser, therefore more fuel needs to be added to stay stoich, adding fuel without adding air. The timing mostly relies on the TPS and tach signal, Which you can play around with and gain a little, just advance the distributor, beware of ping and knock if you do.

[Taylor_cook]

that may have been it... seems to be a cheap way to boost 1-2 HP... not bad if your looking for max power

[SVTguy]

that may have been it... seems to be a cheap way to boost 1-2 HP... not bad if your looking for max power

Uggghh! The complete misinformation in this thread is mind-boggling.

[Taylor_cook]

that may have been it... seems to be a cheap way to boost 1-2 HP... not bad if your looking for max power

Uggghh! The complete misinformation in this thread is mind-boggling.

ugghhhh if you have better information lets here it! not that many people (including myself) claim to be experts, we merely give information as we understand it. its not nice to knock someones else because they share what they think on a matter; especially if you cant prove otherwise.... this thread is asking about whether or not a product works.... and in effect it does by artificially advancing timing. if you disagree lets here what you have to say.