Plug and play "performance " chip

[Elton45]

Anyone have experience or recommendations on the so-called plug and play performance chips.
I have no plans to race the car but wouldn't mind having a few extra horse power.
2013 3.8 Sedan

 

[StarPower]

Some plug and play performance chips just adjust your throttle inputs so the car thinks you're pressing the throttle harder than you are. This makes your throttle more aggressive and can make the car feel a little quicker, but won't add any power (similar to Sport mode). Others plug into your OBD port and claim to adjust the car's fuel mapping, but I have no experience with them. If someone can recommend an off-the shelf tune for the 1G, that would be an even better option.

You also need to watch out for scams (i.e., the device is nothing more than an OBD-powered LED). I recommend searching for a teardown video or a review from someone who actually has the brand you're considering (other car forums with active modding communities or Youtube videos of the teardown are probably more trustworthy than eBay/Amazon reviews).

Don't expect mind-blowing results regardless of what you finally go with. Even a full tune can only do so much on a naturally aspirated car.

 

[Elton45]

Some plug and play performance chips just adjust your throttle inputs so the car thinks you're pressing the throttle harder than you are. This makes your throttle more aggressive and can make the car feel a little quicker, but won't add any power (similar to Sport mode). Others plug into your OBD port and claim to adjust the car's fuel mapping, but I have no experience with them. If someone can recommend an off-the shelf tune for the 1G, that would be an even better option.

You also need to watch out for scams (i.e., the device is nothing more than an OBD-powered LED). I recommend searching for a teardown video or a review from someone who actually has the brand you're considering (other car forums with active modding communities or Youtube videos of the teardown are probably more trustworthy than eBay/Amazon reviews).

Don't expect mind-blowing results regardless of what you finally go with. Even a full tune can only do so much on a naturally aspirated car.

Well I was asking more out of curiosity than desire and I'm pretty savvy re:scams.
Always do my research.
Since I don't plan on racing and really love the Gen,I'll just stay with it OE.
Truth be told though I do miss the responsiveness of my Dodge Avenger RT. The luxury of the Gen is worth it.
Thanks for the information

 

[AgentSmith007]

Truth be told though I do miss the responsiveness of my Dodge Avenger RT.

In this case I suggest you buy and install SprintBooster.

I did this about four years ago and I am very happy camper.

 

[Elton45]

In this case I suggest you buy and install SprintBooster.

I did this about four years ago and I am very happy camper.

Thanks. I'll check it out

 

[Elton45]

In this case I suggest you buy and install SprintBooster.

I did this about four years ago and I am very happy camper.

Thanks for the info. I took a look at the SprintBooster v3(your v2 is no longer made or supported).
At about $300 not really worth the investment to me and I like that uncluttered sweeping curve of the dashboard too much to mount the booster on it.

 

[srobak]

Does the G1 have the flapper under the air filter like the G2 has? If so - reverse the magnet, remove the magnet or remove the flap - you will notice smoother and more immediate acceleration from a dead stop and overall more pedal responsiveness.

 

[Elton45]

Does the G1 have the flapper under the air filter like the G2 has? If so - reverse the magnet, remove the magnet or remove the flap - you will notice smoother and more immediate acceleration from a dead stop and overall more pedal responsiveness.

Cool.I will check that.Already planning on using a K&N to replace the paper one on the next service. Ran one on my Avenger for the whole 5yrs I had it.

 

[Elton45]

Does the G1 have the flapper under the air filter like the G2 has? If so - reverse the magnet, remove the magnet or remove the flap - you will notice smoother and more immediate acceleration from a dead stop and overall more pedal responsiveness.

Yes it does.There are several posts on this here with pictures for any other folks here looking for this fix.
Thanks for the lead

 

[Elton45]

Well, I've been a little slack on getting back to this thread, but I did use one of those little furniture pads on the flapper. Short answer:it worked Throttle modulation is much smoother.
Still haven't gotten around to the K&N drop in hi flow filter.
Anyone have experiences to add on that?
I've also tried to keep the Gen fueled on Top Tier brands. Got a Chevron fairly close that tends to run 15 to 20 cents cheaper than even the discount brands. A closer Valero 10-15 cheaper than the Murphys Kroger QT etc.
Averaging just under 21mpg mixed hwy city driving with most trips less than 20 miles

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[VictoryGenesis]

Chip tuning can have a similar effect to mapping the car if the unit is fine, but since this is an older naturally aspirated vehicle, don't expect marvels. Often times chip tunes work on increasing your turbo's potential more compared to NA. If you find $300 too much, I wouldn't even bother as these chips can go for even more expensive numbers alongside of some of the other stuff they sell (I.E, throttle body controllers).

Years ago I bought a Racechip unit for our Audi but never actually bothered with it. IIRC it added some 45 HP. Expect less on a NA car, ours is turbocharged... yeah, it ain't worth.

 

[Andyj]

Well, I've been a little slack on getting back to this thread, but I did use one of those little furniture pads on the flapper. Short answer:it worked Throttle modulation is much smoother.
Still haven't gotten around to the K&N drop in hi flow filter.
Anyone have experiences to add on that?
I've also tried to keep the Gen fueled on Top Tier brands. Got a Chevron fairly close that tends to run 15 to 20 cents cheaper than even the discount brands. A closer Valero 10-15 cheaper than the Murphys Kroger QT etc.
Averaging just under 21mpg mixed hwy city driving with most trips less than 20 miles

I'm about to do this furniture pad flapper mod, finally.

 

[Elton45]

I'm about to do this furniture pad flapper mod, finally.

Hope you have small hands.The filter box cover doesn't give you much room if you just unclip and lift it rather than completely take it off.

 

[Andyj]

Thanks. I will pull the entire air box to do this as I don't have baby hands; although I can and do reach and service the oil filter from the top front....

 

[Elton45]

Thanks. I will pull the entire air box to do this as I don't have baby hands; although I can and do reach and service the oil filter from the top front....

Yeah I tried to avoid that. Skinned a good bit of bark off the back of my hand as a result.
You'll have much easier time just r&r the air box.

 

[srobak]

Rather than put the furniture pad on the magnet, which will still allow some magnetic charge and may still hold the flap shut (if even slightly) - you could remove the magnet from the slot by holding the flap open - or just remove the flap altogether.

 

[AgentSmith007]

Like I mentioned in my other post I have SprintBooster V2 (old version with only three modes - Off, Green, Red). Red mode does wonders in terms of responsiveness.

Do I still need to do magnet/flap mod? Will it add anything to performance?

 

[TinsleyC]

They are two separate things, so I'd say yes. The SprintBooster basically reduces the amount of pedal travel needed to reach a given throttle point. I've got the Pedal Commander and they work the same way. But I have not reversed the magnet, yet, in the air box. That will give it more air flow at lower RPM levels. I'll do that when these crazy Dallas temps drop from the 108 I saw today.

 

[AgentSmith007]

@TinsleyC

Thank you for explanation.

 

[Elton45]

Like I mentioned in my other post I have SprintBooster V2 (old version with only three modes - Off, Green, Red). Red mode does wonders in terms of responsiveness.

Do I still need to do magnet/flap mod? Will it add anything to performance?

@TinsleyC

Thank you for explanation.

Question..how did you acquire the wings badges. I thought the Genesis didn't get it's own badging until it spun off in 2014.
I've been told that some dealerships got them and applied them for certain customers. Were they diy?