Chip for Diesel motor

Dhutime · Senior Member

Chip for Diesel motor

rockylizard · Guru

Gday...

I don't have a chipped diesel - and have never had a chipped diesel. I had thought about it when I had my 100series Cruiser, but talked myself out of it.

However, there are a few on here who have chipped and are very happy with the outcome. I am sure they will be along soon to give their advice and opinion.

In the meantime, have a read of this site ... a bit wordy, but contains a good overview. Good food for thought.

http://outbackjoe.com/macho-divertissement/macho-articles/why-no-diesel-chip/

Cheers - John

Dhutime · Senior Member

Thanks Rocklizzard
Wow started reading this it's already done my head in
Seems to me this person know's a lot but has never
had a chip himself 👀

-- Edited by Dhutime on Saturday 12th of March 2016 08:36:37 PM

banjo · Senior Member

Forget the chip and get your ECU re mapped, all a chip does is fool your existing ECM to increase injector pressure or alter fuel timing.

I have had mine done, not a Landcruiser, and the difference is unbelievable, just be aware there are no free lunches, more power equals more fuel if you start planting your right foot. But it's good to have the extra power when needed for overtaking or into head winds etc.

I've done around 10k klms now and could not go back to a factory ecu.

-- Edited by banjo on Saturday 12th of March 2016 10:49:23 PM

PeterD · Guru

Dhutime wrote:
Wow started reading this it's already done my head in
Seems to me this person know's a lot but has never
had a chip himself 👀

He has not chipped his motor as he knows the consequences. He is smart enough to figure them out.

Santa · Guru

rockylizard wrote:
Gday...
I don't have a chipped diesel - and have never had a chipped diesel. I had thought about it when I had my 100series Cruiser, but talked myself out of it.
However, there are a few on here who have chipped and are very happy with the outcome. I am sure they will be along soon to give their advice and opinion.
In the meantime, have a read of this site ... a bit wordy, but contains a good overview. Good food for thought.
http://outbackjoe.com/macho-divertissement/macho-articles/why-no-diesel-chip/
Cheers - John

Excellent article John containing sound advice.

@ 220,000 km the op's vehicle has done a significant amount of work and some components may well be getting a little weary, left as is it may well be good for another 200,000, however chipping could well be the straw that breaks the camels back.

This quote pretty much says it all

l "The purpose of this article is not to instruct people not to get performance chips. Its to explain why more power means more wear and debunk the myth that extra power can be obtained risk free. You cant get something for nothing. Chips do increase wear and run the risk of contributing to eventual failures."

No chips for me. wink

Bass · Senior Member

Hi dhutime, haven't chipped a landcruiser , but had my Dmax chipped at about 30k sold it recently at 136k with no problems at all. ( now have a 200 series no need to chip this ) good friend has his D max chipped it tows caravans for a living and currently done over 200k's no problems so far. his previous D max was also chipped ( wrote that off ) Incidently all chips I have refered to have been Stienbauer. I noticed no great fuel saving but the power was a help. My van in holiday mode is nudging 3t which is why I went down the 200 road and needed the extra power for the D max.
Hope this helps a bit, cheers

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

They basically allow more boost to engine .. Modern ECU's will tune on the fly . Depending each vehicle ? Larger exhaust and intercooler works well at keeping efficiency . Adding more boost increases intake temps . Good intercoolers have have no issue with a little more ., but don't overdo it . Change down on hills .. Keep an eye on engine temps .

KevKim37 · Senior Member

Hi Dhutime,

I have had the 2004 79 Series 1HD-FTE same engine as yours for 11 yrs fitted with Diesel/Gas,3" Exhaust for 10yrs. After heaps of research/reading forums etc I fitted a Diesel/Smart Module with a Fuel/Boost Interface Controller.

I can honestly say as a Retired Mechanic this has been beneficial with regards to Power available and I have Not suffered any extra fuel usage,it still gets the same economy. But I do have fitted a Boost Pressure and EGT(Exhuast Temp) Gauges which once you start playing with Fuel and Turbo Boost Increases beyond Manufacturers settings are Major Necessity when doing this.

I run the Module on No.1 setting mostly but do at times set to No.2 for Hilly Country which driven sensibly does Not Increase Fuel usage but Virtually gives me an extra gear up hills.I still keep a close eye on the EGT's still but find I still get further up hills before needing to change down a gear.(Manual Gearbox).

The Best improvement you can Do to any Std Turbo Diesel is the fitment of in your case a 3" Mandrel Bent Exhaust System which when I fitted then Dynoed gave close to 20% Power/Torque Improvements with a slight increase in Economy.

I am Not sure whether your vehicles Engine Computer can be Re-Mapped as with mine it is Not an OBD2 PORT type Computer connection, these have what is called an M-OBD Port Computer connection and Only Compatible with the Toyota Systems. I could be wrong as I have never inquired about the Re-Mapping which has only come in the last few years so check with Specialists first.

If fitting a ModuleI I was advised by a friend who Specializes in Turbo Diesel Upgrades in Cairns that he preferred the UniChip as it was and has better adjustment and settings.But with our vehicle which was interstate I purchased the Diesel Smart Module and fitted myself in SA. He also said he still recommend this unit as he had fitted plenty of them without any problems and it was set to suit the 4.2L.

If you really want to find out how Good these Toyoa 1HD-FTE engines Google GTurbos in Perth WA and XXI Industries in Brusbane Qld. With these blokes pushing upwards of 700 to close to 1000 Nm at the Rear Wheels on Un-Opened Engines without Failure is Mind blowing. These engines are one of the Best 6cyl Diesel Engines ever Built for Reliability.

Hope all this is not too much too grasp.

Cheers Kev.

PeterD · Guru

Aus-Kiwi wrote:
Larger exhaust and intercooler works well at keeping efficiency .

If you go back to the article in the link you will also find interesting articles in links at the side. There is an interesting one on larger exhausts amongst the links.

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Peter .. I fabricate turbo manifolds .. Dump pipes ..Preaching to the converted here .

Dhutime · Senior Member

Thanks all for your responses on this . As I expected some varied opinions but I was thinking it may work and give us some more pulling power . Having read the above warnings against and after just this morning spoken to our mechanic I have decided not to go ahead .
My man said "yes you will have more power not nesserally better economy but there will be extra stress placed on the motor ".
I'm no mechanic but will take his and some of you people's advice .
Thanks again
Dhutime

Santa · Guru

Dhutime wrote:
Thanks all for your responses on this . As I expected some varied opinions but I was thinking it may work and give us some more pulling power . Having read the above warnings against and after just this morning spoken to our mechanic I have decided not to go ahead .
My man said "yes you will have more power not nesserally better economy but there will be extra stress placed on the motor ".
I'm no mechanic but will take his and some of you people's advice .
Thanks again
Dhutime

Reckon you've made the right decision, sounds like your mechanic is right on the ball, smile

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

I wouldn't fit a generic chip without some tune !! Every engine is different . All my engines petrol or diesel go to dyno tune expert . Or I don't fit them !! Btw I think there's issues with Nissans tuning ? They all seem to have engine issues at low mileage nothing touched . Burnt Pistons .. Lately which to me is a tune problem ! Manu pushing these new engines to be competitive !! Either they are not being serviced and fuel filter is causing lean condition or just bad fuel out there ?

patrol03 · Senior Member

I'm with AK here.I don't agree with chipping an engine.Basically if you don't have enough power you are diving the wrong vehicle.However I believe that retuning or 'remapping" the power source within the constraints of factory specs is a more efficient and safer option in the long term.More power and torque must be dependent on the fuel input thus efficiency/power should be balanced off.They are my thoughts.

mr glassies · Guru

If the vehicle is under warrantie I wouldn't re map it as it would be to easy to pick up if there's a warrantie claim .

Dibs

Vince · Senior Member

Install an EGT gauge then see how you are slow roasting your motor.

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Yes totally agree . Even std engines towing should have ETS ., Infact MOST ECU's read them to tune as fail safe tune on the fly . It's when these sensors fail .. Even totally std .. They are so highly stressed a 2.5 /3.2 litre is expected to do the work of 4.2 or larger engine a few years or generations ago .. Restricting exhaust actually builds heat big time .. I've built 4.0 petrol engines over 1000 rear wheel horsepower . Tune and fail safe tune measure are so important ..

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Tune with http://www.mtqes.com.au/branch-locator

Mattt · Veteran Member

Hey Aus-Kiwi,

You mentioned burnt pistons in Nissan engines...

A few years ago, while I was repairing a ZD30 in a Navara (overheated / blown head gasket, etc), I learned that they are over-boosted in their implementation. In the Navara (without intercooler) they're usually not too bad, but in the Patrol (with intercooler and increased boost) they're pretty much always a temporary engine. Apparently - particularly in the Patrol implementation - crowned / holed pistons are pretty much a regular occurrence.

Disclaimer: I've owned neither model or any ZD30 myself. Nissan confirmed the above, but it's all pretty much anecdotal from my standpoint...

Cheers,
Mattt.

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Yes high inlet temps is when compressor is getting outside its map . Then it starts heating the air . Which is why intercoolers are the go . Not so much an issue with diesel motors . If pistons are burning it's the combustion heat with in the cylinder itself .. As in too lean . Modern engines have oil squatters spaying under Pistons to cool them . Many little tricks . But it's possible with little servicing oil changes and fuel filters block fuel and oil supply the engine fails . On petrol engines intake temp matters due to detonation .. No such thing with Diesel engines . Well ? There is they basically ignite on detonation . Why in most cases a proper custom tune can fix problems . Not necessary changing chip etc

Jaahn · Guru

Hi cry

I understand that the Nissan problems with that motor are due to the MAF sensor failing and the overfueling that results because of that. It has nothing to do with the excessive boost on some versions or not but a failure that if goes unchecked leads to a catastrophy ! I may be wrong !!

However a EGT meter would tell you something is wrong. But a chip may not help things furious

Jaahn

Ronaldjd · Member

Hi all. I have actually fitted a Unichip to my Cruiser 200 Series only because fully loaded my van weighs in at 3400 kg and without chip we struggle going up the Adelaide hills & certain areas in Tasmania. My brother in laws van weighs 2500 kg and the 200 Series has the power to handle this with no chip. Conclusion is, depends what your pulling . I've done 33,000 k's since installing the chip , fuel cost has increased about 2 litres per 100 km but the extra power is worth it . Regards

Ronaldjd · Member

P.S when we fitted the chip also put a senor in the exhaust system to monitor the exhaust gas temperature. If it exceed the recommend temperature the chip adjust back to normal

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

A chip is only as good as the installer . There should be fail safe systems in place . Over furling on diesels loose power. Runing lean generally causes heat along with too much boost . Most diesels have variable vane scrol turbo's . There is no waste gate to control boost .. Variable scrol gives wider power band and much better turbo threshold at lower rpm ..