Does anyone here have the means to reprogram a car's ECU?

[scourge]

I want to disable the speed limiter on my Dodge Stratus. I'd also like to change the shift delay, compression ratio, etc. Dealerships frown on this (guy looked at me like I had corn growing out of my ears) so I was wondering if anyone here could help me. Thanks.

[richamies]

I'm not up on american cars at all but you can't change things like the compression ratio via an ECU, this is determined by the piston, stroke, bore and cylinder head - basically it's all set by the mechanical specification of the engine. The ECU controls the amount of fuel dumped into the airflow, you may be able to change that but manufacturers are pretty good at setting that up. It only really needs adjusting when there is a considerable amount of extra air flowing through the induction system and manifold.

The ECU will also control the ignition timing, and that might need adjusting to compensate for the extra throuput of air(if their was an actual increase).

Anyway, I feel I'm drifting completely off subject here so I will shut up now http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif.

[noresull]

First of all what year, and engine size is it?

You might be able to buy a "Super-Chip" for it, I know from working on Ford's, that you can't disable the speed Limiter, but with a Super Chip, it reprograms the limiter to a higher, more un-realistic speed, i.e. 250 MPH.

Like Rich said, you can't adjust compression ratio with the ECU, but you can adjust fuel flow, and spark timing.

E-mail me if you want more info, I have some connections, and might be able to help more.

[seti]

With the bmw I have to purchace an aftermarket programable (sp) ecu. They make some that are not programable and are just optimized for the stock car. In my car adding the ecu gives me 20hp. But when you go with aftermarket exhaust and air intake, your varibles change.....in that case I'd have to pull the programable chip, send it back to the company and they would make the changes to reflect the mods. I can't, however, configure the current ecu. I have no idea if a Stratus comes with a programable chip...you might know better, but I doubt it. You might have to search for a company that makes aftermarket ecu's for a stratus, I can't think of any. Perhaps going to a Dodge specific garage, like one that is part of a dealership...those guys usually can awnser any questions you might have about your car.

[Missing the point]

I know this from Vlkswagens:

I agree, you can't adjust the Compression ratio through the computer, but you can heighten the rev limiter, highten the Top speed limiter, and if you have a turbo car, a computer chip makes a HUGE difference

I have a 1995 VW Jetta, with a Audi 1.8Tmotor. The new ECU chip gave an added 50 HP right off the bat, because it gives a higher PSI of boost. The jetta is now running @ about 260 HP.

[narayan]

There is a company called Hypertech, they may have a PROM chip or somithing like that for your car. I had a Hypertech chip in a Trans-Am and with that and other small mods, free flowing exhaust, K&N air filter, and power pulleys, raised the limited top speed of 128MPH to 167MPH. The top speed would still have been 128 w/o the chip, even with the exhaust and air filter. The chip was the first mod, and top speed was raised to 137MPH, and it helped 0-60 and 1/4 mile. Yes, they do help. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/biggrin.gif

[Biff]

scourge I dont know anything about Dodges, but from my experience as a tune up tech at GM dealers for 30 years its probably done one of two ways. A replacement mem cal or prom or an eprom which can be burnt with new info, however these are only for stock products. Your gonna have to check out performance shops these chips usually richen up the mixture, fool the electronics into thinking its running cooler than it is and possibly altering the shift points. There may be spacer plates and larger accumulator springs for firmer trans shifts http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[barry glisson]

try www.cranecams.com (http://www.cranecams.com) they are very helpful if they dont have what you want they usually steer you in the right direction. barry

[scourge]

Thanks for the info. It's a brand new 2000 Dodge Stratus SE(not ES) with the 2.4l DOHC 16v engine. I find that it already produces a surprising amount of horsepower and low end torque, but of course, I want more. It's speed limited to 110 (assuming my speedo was reading right). I know this because I was cruising down the interstate and it was pulling hard and then just crapped. I'm just getting into this and I was told that before I make any physical changes to the exhaust, air intake, etc. I should optimize the ECU. Perhaps I should experiment on my '87 Volvo first.

[noresull]

First, your '87 Volvo probably couldn't handle it http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif, second, You're probably in luck, and your ECU, more than likely, has a flashable EPROM, Which means, you can get the ECU re-programmed, and not have to buy a chip. Right now, in my best opinion, you should probably take a trip to your local performance shop, and see what they have to say!

[neo_otyugh]

most reviews of "super chips" and so forth seem to indicate tht they do next to nothing most of the time. theo ne that made a big difference was the chip for an audi 1.8 turbo engine. usually a reprogramming your ECU for the car is a matter of unlocking ptential within the engine, and sadly most american 4 cylinder engies do not have much potential.
honeslty i would say get a car that is able to be hopped up better, such as a VW, a japanese car or an american car with a V-8
maybe if youget lucky you can find someplace that does mods for the stratus, you might even check and see if Mopar makes anything to make tha car faster....they have raced those cars in teh touring car races...

[jad1097]

I know where to get a chip but I will not say seeing how you drive your car 110MPH!!!! Unless you race this car there is no need to go faster.
I do 90 in mt Yacht (84' Delta 88)and it will do 120 easy, no need to though.

You want speed get a bike and if you hit someone at least you will do less damage, or kill yourself instead of someone else!



[This message has been edited by jad1097 (edited 03-06-2000).]

[dkozloski]

A guy where I work had a similar problem but he bought an aftermarket EMU and fuel injection package that he can program on the fly with a laptop. He can make that car, turbocharged Pinto, sit up and beg. All it takes is lots of money and lots of knowledge.

[socalgal]

Though I agree that one should drive responsibly, the subject matter is not inappropriate considering this is General Discussion; if it wasn't appropriate, it would have been locked by now.




[This message has been edited by socalgal (edited 03-06-2000).]

[Joel Kleppinger]

Not to mention I'm learning quite a bit. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif /me knows lots about computers, but little about cars. I'd actually never heard of a speed limiting chip. So I'm learnin here.

I may believe the the speed limit is more suggestion than law, but I don't (and won't) drive THAT fast. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

[dexmax]

Yup, I'm learnin' too. It seems my ICE(Internal Combus Engine) really needs updating. It has been a few years, and our books then had a chapter about EFI's and other electronic stuff, but really didn't study much about it, I guess my instructor. would have failed me if he knew,hehehe. But I'm catchin' up pretty good.

Any of you know how I can get more power on my Mit. Eclipse??? Just kidding, I have as much power for now.

[This message has been edited by dexmax (edited 03-06-2000).]

[narayan]

COOL! My Trans/Am had a higher top speed than a 1990 'vette!

[Richard_Cranium72]

The Corvette Doctor here, Jad is correct, you don't need to disable the speed limiter on your vehicle. The PRIMARY reason the mfg put them there was because of the limitations of tires, brakes, suspension and vehicle aerodynamics. If you want a faster car get a Viper or Corvette, my 1990 Vette's limiter is set at approx 160 mph, my 94 Chevy p/u is set at 100 mph.. These things are there for a very good reason. The costs involved in making a stock sedan a Hi-Performance car exceeds that of buying a used vehicle that began life with speed in mind from the Engineers all the way to the production line.. Small increases in speed dramitically increase stopping distances and decrease reaction times.. SLOW DOWN. BTW, a motorcycle here in Ga hit a Honda at high speed and cut it in half. This killed both cycle riders as well as the Honda driver who was on the opposite side of the car from the impact. One of the cyclicts helmets was found nearly 1000 feet from the impact site.. SPEED KILLS.. most sincerely DrVette

[Hyper75]

I believe the original question was in the idea of (paraphrased, of course)

How can I get more power and speed from my Dodge Stratus?

not

What are your opinions on me driving fast?

http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

(pause and wait for the flames)

[scourge]

Thank you Hyper75! And yes, I am well aware of why they have limiters on cars. But, being an engineer, I am also well aware of safety factors (which are notoriously conservative). Which leads me to believe that with proper tires, this car is good up to the top end of the engine.