Is This Safe?

[Haitian_King]

Are these guys offering the same thing you are elwesso?

I don't know them, so I'm wary. I highly doubt that Wes would try to screw a Nico member.

Any input on this guys?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...wItem

[Rex]

Well, that "looks" like a real actually reprogrammed chip, but they're leaving you to disassemble your ECU, pull the old chip/prom and install the new one. If I read things correctly. That's not as easy as it sounds.

Look at the prices for their "complete" ECU's and then at Wes' complete ECU. Keep in mind that Wes also takes TCS and other things into account. Be interesting to see email them and ask if they account for TCS, 1st gear start, Fed vs CA, etc and if you could send them an ECU, have them re-program (or swap chip set) and send back.

It's an unknown and somewhat of a gamble (did the dyno tune their chips?), but might be okay.

[Q45tech]

OEM ecu have the "chip" eprom soldered in place you must remove the old chip, solder in a 28 pin socket and then insert the new program chip.

Takes special equipment to remove chips without damage to circuit board.

[lino]

Are these guys offering the same thing you are elwesso?

I don't know them, so I'm wary. I highly doubt that Wes would try to screw a Nico member.

Any input on this guys?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...wItem

My input is buy from Wes! We know it works and is guaranteed.

[qsiguy]

Looks legit but like the others said, it's not simple to remove the OEM chip and reinstall the socket without damaging the circuit board unless you have the proper soldering/desoldering equipment and a delicate hand. Everyone knows the chips/socket are not all that expensive and once you have the program written you can write chips all day long. The real value is the labor and warranty you get when you get a completed ECU. If you install that chip yourself all bets are off and I'm sure they will offer no warranty. Once you attempt to install it yourself they really can't give you a refund because you most likely toasted the chip.

Unless I am mistaken, Robert/Wes or myself don't have the ability to change the 1st gear start. That is the TCU and the ECU mods we've been doing have nothing to do with that. TCS is an issue tho and I'd be curious if they have a different program for different vehicle options like the TCS or active.

[Haitian_King]

Wait. So buying a 93 TCU wouldn't do anything for my 92?

I don't think I'm going to buy from those guys. I guess I'll just buy from Wes.

This guy on ebay that's parting a Q out told me that the 90-92 transmission is more prone to breaking down because of the second gear start. Is this true?

[Q451990]

The auction link doesn't mention anything about a TCU upgrade - at least not that I can find - but to answer your question a 93 TCU will upgrade you to 1st gear start. A 94-95 will as well, but may cause some issues at redline due to differences in the gearing on the 94+ models.

1st gear start should be easier on the transmission due to creating less heat - so they're correct there too.

Heath

[Haitian_King]

ok. Awesome. Thanks a lot. I guess I'll pick up the 93 TCU.

[heywier427]

i dont know the part #s of hand but the 93 tcus didnt have 1st gear start untill late in the model year. ask around and make sure you get the right one. you could be buying the same part # tcu thats in your car already.ive been using my 94 tcu in my 91 and havent had any problems thus far. i dont think anyone has. my car hasnt seem much pavement lately, but i took it to readline offten with no problems.

[Rex]

I'm running a 95 TCU in my 95 with a 92 transmission.

It's the 2nd 92 transmission in the car, but the first one "died" due to a cut trans fluid line and the long term effect of the short term leak/low transmission fluid/starvation/etc.

[Haitian_King]

ok. Thanks guys. Anyone know where I can get one? Like quickish? I checked ebay. Not much of anything there.

[Fenvy]

it is very easy to remove the old chip with a 20$ heatgun but is it very inaccurate and may overheat and cause the pcb to flake

I am pretty familar with soldering and I wouldn't want to do that without the proper equipment

[Haitian_King]

i don't mean resoldering and stuff like that. I'd bollocks that up. I mean just an ECU with the NICO chipset. All I'd have to do is swap the things out. Isn't that how it works?

[ejXa q45]

i have one of these chips and q45 tech is right you have to soldered in place and remove the old one you can get a piggy back board and plug and play with old chip and new chip i have not installed it yet for this reason

i think nico ecu is the way to go how much is it with out providing a ecu

[elwesso]

that seller is a member on NICO, he knows what hes doing... he makes consults as well. Quality is acceptable, not great... HE has a twin turbo J30.

Also, this only applies to 90-93 ECU... 94 ECUs require a PROPRIETARY board designed by Robert, as well as the switchers... The 90-93 single programs are easy, I can program those and hell, id sell them for like $20 if you install it yourself. It takes about 5 mins to program a chip if you already have the program... The thing is though, it does require a bunch of skill to install it properly... You'd probably spend good money on the equipment to do it just once...

Also, his program is most likely a copied JWT program, not our DYNO TUNED program. As far as I know, he doesnt have a Q or a VH45 so his program probably isnt as good as ours. If someone can get his BIN file I can compare to mine, but I think that may be a waste of time. Robert spent a bunch of time on the dyno perfecting his program for the VH45.

I will not sell you an ECU with just a socket in it, thats just stupid. If you want to be cheap, you can have an electronics guy solder it in for you, its not rocket science for someone who generally knows what their doing.

[Rex]

i don't mean resoldering and stuff like that. I'd bollocks that up. I mean just an ECU with the NICO chipset. All I'd have to do is swap the things out. Isn't that how it works?

You're right, the NICO ECU that Wes offers, is a "complete unit" that you install in place of your existing ECU. No "skill" required.

[Haitian_King]

Sounds good. I definitely need one. I got beat by an A8 the other day. IT wasn't a bad race, but he beat me. I want to turn my car into a sleeper. Well even more than it is now.

[blackqguy]

Hello, I see that you are pretty active on this forum and are close by (I'm in Athens, GA). I just purchased a 1997 Q45 and I posted tonight "HELP! Overheating and high rpm at ~80 mph). Any insight on this problem? I was driving from Charlotte, NC to Athens. After it cooled, I started the car again and drove 2.5 hours with no problem. Also, my check engine light is on (Knock sensor bank1 and air intake temp sensor). What is the approximate charge for the ks replacement at T3?