Has anyone purchased a plug-in performance chip? Are they worth the $$$?

Don't waste your time or money......

Seriously!

I've read reviews of chips and most are 1 star but a couple are highly rated. Just wonderin' if anyone has tried one.

If you have a stock engine, I am doubtful a "performance" chip will help make more power. At wide open throttle (WOT) the fuel control is open loop (O2 sensor is ignored) and extra fuel is added to get an air-fuel ratio (AFR) of something like 12:1. Too much fuel can actually cost power. I see no reason that the OEM would not pick the best AFR for WOT. Best emissions are at around 14.7:1. Best mileage a little leaner than that like 15:1. The OEM ECM already stops the A/C compressor and shuts the EGR valve at WOT. Perhaps the "performance chip" is advancing timing but then knock becomes a concern. Maybe timing advance plus higher octane fuel could do something. But again doubtful there is much to be gained.

Maybe these "performance chips" are unreadable. If they are it would be interesting if someone actually read the chip and compared it to OEM

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formerly known as sanderson
1984 Quad 4
1886 SE 2.8L
1988 4.9L Cadillac
1988 3800 Supercharged

[This message has been edited by sanderson231 (edited 07-24-2022).]

Snake oil....

But honestly what motor you trying to do this with?

[This message has been edited by Spadesluck (edited 07-24-2022).]

Some members here and elsewhere have looked at many "Performance chips" vs OEM programing and found most does little or nothing.
Worse, some make the car to run rich eating gas, remove data streaming for scan tools, and more problems.
Use search in archives.

Any "Chip" Deleting EGR and other Emission controls are Illegal and while EPA usually leave buyers alone, has Shut Down many Businesses, Order to Destroy "Delete Kits/Parts" and Fine the Owners 10's to 100's of Thousands of $.

⚠️ Many Fiero can't even reach WOT and cause several problems beside low power trying to pass a car etc.
See my Cave, Throttle Cable

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Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
(Jurassic Park)

The Ogre's Fiero Cave

Thanks...very helpful