Yesterday I tested the new chip at an Autocross. It was the forth for the car and it was awesome!!! The car really launches off the cones now. They got another video of one of my runs and I will post the link as soon as it's available. I will also post the times for all the cars (96 cars) that ran. You will see that the BMW M3s and 350Zs times were higher than mine. The Best M3 time, as I recall, was about 53.1 seconds and the best Z was 53.8. My best time was 52.7. The Z that turned the 53.8 was in Hoosier slicks all the way around. The Zs on stock tires were in the 54 second range. This was a pretty tight, but fast course. The Z s just don't have any grip in the front.

The SCCA has the Crossfire running in "D Stock" class. The Z runs in "B Stock" and the M3s run ing "C Stock" I think that the SCCA will be reclassifying the Crossfire. If not I should be the first to win my class in an SCCA sanctioned series. This series (solo II) is an 8 race point series. One race per month. It ends in November.

At any rate, I'm a very happy camper with the changes I've made. They are working great!!!

 

Great for you!!! We have a racing champ in our mist!!! One quick question since I no nothing of that type of racing. You speak of the different classes. How are they set up and with the car chipped, does it put you in a different class?

 

Chipping doesn't change the class. At least I don't think it does. I told them that I have chipped it and they left me in DS. IMO it's not fair for someone that is bone stock. But if you modify intakes (ie, after market cold box intakes, turbos, etc.) or exhaust system that will changes you to a modified class.

 

I just found something very interesting (to me anyway).... I went to the SCCA web page and found that the Mercedes SLK 320 is classified as B Stock and the Crossfire is D Stock..... Go figure. I'm sure they will be changing the Crossfire as soon as they figure out that it is a more ridgid SLK 320.

 

Were the M3's the newer models with the 333 HP engine? There are few things better than knowing a Chrysler beat a BMW in an autocross. It just goes to show that the true test of a sports car is not how fast it can get to 60 mph.

 

I'm not sure what year they were. I will check the registration and find out. I don't think the 2 that were here were any where close to 333 hp.

 

WMichaels, I contacted an Upsolute site a few miles from here and ask about getting my xfire done. My wife of course is concerned with the warranty on the car and any long term "damage" with these changes. I tend to keep vehicles for many years and miles ie: dodge dakota 300k, dodge ram 180k. Do you have any idea or thoughts on this? I may just have to take the chance and find out 10-20 years later. I don't want to hurt my baby (crossfire or wife).

 

It doesn't hurt the car at all. Nor does it void your warranty. It's totally transparant to the tech.s. It does give a little better fuel mileage. I too tend to keep the cars I like for a long time. I plan to keep this car for a very long time. I'm planning to keep it so long that I'm thinking of what I may do to it when the warraty expires.

One last thing.... Did the Upsolute person tell you that you can go back to the stock chip any time you want. My Upsolute guy told me that he would put mine back to stock for free withing 30 days of having it done. But, I can't see a reason in the world to have it reversed!!!

 

I did not think to ask about reversing the process if I didn't like it (what's the chance of that happening). I'll e-mail him again and I would like to talk face to face anyway. I'll let you know. Thanks for the info.

 

Any time... My pleasure.

 

I think that's standard Upsolute policy. Mine said exactly the same thing. AND, just like Wes, I was told if for some reason my ECU has to be replaced by Chrysler, bring the car back after and for $100 he'll re-flash it.

ditto.

I'm filling the tank this morning, so I should have my first hint on mileage. Though I don't expect much if any change right away, since the weather was decent yesterday (it FINALLY stopped raining after 4 straight days) and I was not light on the accellerator. :shock:

Punkin... according to EVERY chip person I've talked to (Upsolute, Renntech, PowerChip, etc.) your dealer cannot detect that this has been done via any diagnostic they have. Of course, a tech at your dealer who really knows Crossfire's would be able to feel 8) the difference...

 

i put about 60k miles on my previous car with a Superchip with no adverse effects. there are distinct limitations to chips in cars, so the possibility of damage is slight.

 

I saw a dyno of the Crossfire with the Powerchip mod and its air-to-fuel ratio was totally whacked, ranging from 15.3 down to 10! Someone needs to work on programming these chips better than that! The car died slowly towards the top end at the same rate as the air-to-fuel ratio got richer. That's uber bad :-/

 

It may be transparent, but if some how they found out, it would surely void your warranty. ANYTHING you do to modify your car can be cause for voiding your warranty on associated parts.

 

SCCA rules about being able to stay in STOCK:
13.9 Electrical System
a) The make of spark plugs, points, ignition coil and high tension wires is unrestricted including spark plug wires having an in-line capacitor .
b) On cars made prior to January 1, 1968, any ignition system using a standard distributor without modification may be used.
c) Ignition settings may not be adjusted outside factory specifications.
d) No changes are permitted to electronic engine management systems or their programming.

Looks to me like chipping is in violation of 13.9.d :cry:

 

I haven't tried to hide the fact that I had it chipped. If they want to move me ta a modified class that's okay with me. It won't distract a single thing from the fun.

 

I had a Stage2 chip in my 93 Buick Regal G/S for 5 years and put 50K miles on it and it ran just as good the day I traded it in for the Crossfire as it did the day I chipped it.

I will be having mine Dynoed as soon as I get back in town. I am going to be out of town for about 3 weeks. But, I'm quite sure all is well. If you go to the Upsolute site or even a MB site. You can get feedback from SLK owners that have had it done and see what they are reporting. I did that and no one had any bad reports. This chip came very highly recommended and I'm very happy that I've had it done.

 

I agree, having fun is first and foremost. But having read the scca appeals etc, if u were up against serious racers, they would definitely contest the classification. Having fun. That's all I want to do too.

 

I talked to the Compitition director about an hour ago. I told him that if I happen to win anything that I want to make sure that it's legal. He said that since I'm running as a novice that it doesn't matter. This was my 4th autocross... I raced midgets and sprint cars many years ago (last Sprint car race was in York, Pa. in 1973... Army made me give it up after I was hurt), but that doesn't count. Next season I won't be a novice and I will more than likely be classed as DSP (D Stock Prepared).

 

Ahhh, it is all clear now. So I can get mine chipped and race as a novice too. Yahoo

But that means I need to get P and C letters (in addition to DS). Just planning ahead. BTW, where are your numbers ? They are a MUST around here...