Anyone fit a Powerchip to their 355?

I, too, was initially interested in the Nick's Forza POWERCHIP. I believe the dyno values stated - as it is relatively easy to increase the horsepower and torque of the F355 (5.2) to these levels, i.e., 33 hp and 23 lb.ft of torque. However, the POWERCHIP is expensive ($2450.00, as I recall) and requires the removal of the ECU and sending the unit to POWERCHIP so they can de-solder and remove the stock chip and re-solder in their own.
Alternately, if you check out FabSpeed they have an ECU upgrade which provides an almost identical power and torque increase. I believe it is only $995.00 and does not require the hassle of the POWERCHIP unit. Instead, it utilizes supplied software, your computer and an USB adaptor to link to the car's OBD2 port to download the new "map" to the ECU. However, FabSpeed does not provide the detailed dyno charts that the other chip manufacturer (Nick's Forza) does. In sum, this system appears to be far easier to install, far cheaper, and you can return the car to its original ECU map at any time. If you do the math, the POWERCHIP costs $74.24/hp; whereas the FabSpeed ECU upgrade costs $30.15 - BIG DIFFERENCE! I am going to contact FabSpeed to get more quantitative information (e.g., dyno charts) on their chip. It looks like a very cost effective way to increase horsepower and torque. IMHO, this and changing to K&N or BMC air filters are probably the most cost-effective things that you can do to your car if you compute cost/hp gained.
Maybe FabSpeed will give us a discount if we can get a group together, like was done for FChat FabSpeed header buy.

 

I heard none of the chips/upgrades are what they claim to be and not worth the $$$

A stock 355 is supposedly good for 186 mph.....you going to spend $$$ to go 187?

J/K...there may be some low/midrange torque gains....I don't think it's worth it IMHO

My car is stock with a 6-speed and lights em up all day in 1st...chirps 2nd and 3rd...the local police aren't impressed and neither is my insurance company!!

 

The ECU can be reflashed and tailored toward your individual car---Bob, give Fernando at Compertizione a call--he can do it....

 

If FabSpeed can do this via OBDII without removing ECU, count me in for the upgrade.

 

We were talking at the shop today about the ECU changes or chipping whatever you call it and the consenses is the best guys for this is a company in Italy associated with Ferrari. Cant remember the name but its around $2000. Ill list more when I see the guys again.

 

Don't waste your dough...want more power....buy a F430

 

I was never any good at math...but I do love the 430!

 

(First, adjusting my plastic pocket protector, slide-rule, calculator, and various writing implements)....

I'm NO expert, so please correct me if I'm wrong but it's my understanding that all internal combustion engine manufacturers, due to the stringent European and U.S. EPA regulations, have to adjust the the stoichiometric air:fuel ratio to run on the "lean" side to get the best emission tests. The re-mapping of the ECU to enrich the air:fuel ratio (to give an approximate 14.7:1 ratio at idle and a 13.6:1 ratio under load, I think) is where the increase in hp and torque comes from.
While Ferrari engines are just about perfect mechanically, they still have to contend with the "Greenies" who worry about a few exotic cars polluting the plant. Thus, Ferrari has to map the ECU to run on the lean-side and give the lowest possible HC, CO, CO2, NO, etc. readings during emission certification. We, the owners, have the option of adjusting the air:fuel map of our ECUs. There are other advantages to re-mapping the ECU to run richer than just hp/torque gains which include reducing cylinder head and exhaust gas temperatures.
Robbie (285Ferrari) gave the best option, going to a shop where they re-flash your ECU EEPROM, put the car on a dyno, and custom-tailor the air:fuel map to provide the best hp/torque gains for YOUR car. That being said, I was just trying to provide some information. I'm really happy with the hp and torque of my F355 in stock form. However, if someone can provide me with quantitative data that I can add 33 hp, 23 lb.ft of torque and have my engine run cooler for $995.00, I just might take them up on that offer!

 

Re-programming the ECU has been discussed over and over on many threads for the 355. Do your research here. I personally have come to the conclusion; it's just not worth the extra HP, if any, and Ferrari did a lot of research with this ECU. I did install BMC air filters. That's it. I operate the car at the max capacity (RPMs, HEAT) on the track. The best bang for your buck is the standard ECU program. It can handle extreme temperature and fuel types. It protects the engine from failure very well. I would not mess with it. Save your money.

 

As I said we were talking about this yesterday at the shop and I asked how can one extract more horses from these cars and the answer was that the 355 was designed with lots more horse and had to be detuned to meet the pollution specs for each country. The ECUs are sent to Italy where FERRARI guys remap and seal your ecu. These are the same guys the put together the factory ECUs. They say and I quote...."when you put this ECU back in you will see a different animal" (insert Italian accent) I have extra ECUs coming to me soon and I may give it a go this winter. With the newly programed ECU the 355 makes the 360 look like a pace car and Im sure that the numbers on the back of a 430 get much bigger.

 

jcthree (Bob), who started the thread, was seeking information on a specific product - POWERCHIP, which is sold by Nick's Forza Ferrari - not ECU re-flashing, in general. Jusy trying to provide information to another Ferrari guy.

 

Is the extra hp coming from an increased redline?

 

To the best of my knowledge, none of these products really alter the redline and the factory-set RPM limits and the ECU safety cutoff remains the same. The increase in hp/torque comes from the re-mapping of the air:fuel ratio throughout the RPM range. If you think about it though, how often do we even get to use the 375-380 hp we have now, except on track days? However, it is an interesting topic for discussion.

 

Imola racing has these four steps for the 355 and they have a 9300 or 9500 rew limit. I haven’t got any prices, but from what I heard they are very expensive. I have also heard rumors that they have modified the F1 gearbox ECU as well but haven’t been able to verify that. Here is the link to their online catalogs: http://dimex-group.com/en/home/catalog.html I would really like to know what the 355 engine sounds like at 9500 RPM!

Step 1 - 309 KW / 420 HP - 380 Nm max rpm 9300
Sports exhaust made of stainless steel, modification of ECU, optimized intake air flow,
sports air filters

Step 2 - 316 KW / 430 HP - 380 Nm rpm 9300
Sports exhaust made of stainless steel, modification of ECU, optimized intake air flow,
sports air filters, 200 cells sport catalysts

Step 3 - 327 KW / 445 HP - 384 Nm rpm 9500
Sports exhaust made of stainless steel, modification of ECU, optimized intake air flow,
sports air filters, 200 cells sport catalysts, patented fuel cooling system

Step 4 - 331 KW / 450 HP - 385 Nm rpm 9500
Sports exhaust made of stainless steel, modification of ECU, optimized intake air flow,
200 cells sport catalysts, patented fuel cooling system, kevlar carbon airbox with
sports air filter system

 

I'm with Greg on this one, this motor is too expensive to mess with getting a few extra hp. True Ferrari had to meet emissions, but they also did plenty of development work to make sure the consumer mapping works in all conditions. If you change the mapping (ignition timing, A/F curves, etc.) you'll probably be close to the edge of detonation and may need race gas / octane boost. And she may run fine and safe in 'cool' temps, but throw in a 100F day and that could be enough to induce detonation. If I had a few $k to go faster I'd go for weight savings first - that helps acceleration, braking, and handling.

 

Have to agree that weight is a big area, followed by larger brakes Friend tracks his '89 348TS, and also swears by weight loss and brakes for helping to keep up more with 355s.

 

Well said, Jay and Greg:

You both have made a lot of sense. While the Ferrari can be improved in certain areas, in general, the engineers at Marenello did a damn good job!! The POWERCHIP system is specifically designed for 91, 93 or 94 Octane gas minimums. The Imola Racing systems are $$$$ - Step 1 starts at $6800.00 and Step IV is $27,500! Well engineered and state of the art - but thanks, no thanks!

In conclusion, I generally like to do things that will improve my car's overall reliability. I'm much less worried about increasing its power and torque. I think its really interesting to discuss these issues, get everybody's opinion, do my own research and then come to a conclusion. Each argument/opinion has its own inherent strong and weak points. - we all can learn from that! I'm probably just going to leave my engine stock with its "wimpy" 375 hp.

Jay, one question. Wouldn't enriching the air:fuel ratio decrease cylinder head temperature and actually decrease the probability of detonation? Additionally, great job and thread on performing your own 30K service! That engine looked like a display piece at the end!! Do you want to fly to San Antonio when I do mine?

 

Absolutely, a richer mixture will be safer. But you'll really need that fuel to keep things cool if you mess too much with ignition timing. One partially clogged injector and you're cooking a piston. I readily admit I don't know exactly what the 355 tuners are changing to get the power, this is just my general logic...I'm playing it safe with the engine!

You wouldn't want me to do the major, starting now it wouldn't be running until early '09

 

Jeez, Bob, I may be WAY off base here (if so, someone please correct me) but it's my understanding that with the stringent EPA emission requirements, the engine manufacturers LEANING of the overall mixture, in fuel injected cars, to meet EPA criteria is the reason for the lower hp and higher cylinder head temperatures. By ENRICHING the mixture, the after-market equipment manufacturers have been able to increase hp and torque. But, like I always say I'm NO expert.

 

Yeah. I've heard some horror stories about the things some gas stations are doing to "stretch" their fuel to increase profits. I hope the OEM tank filter, fuel line filter and injector system can handle them, if we happen to get a "bad batch". Also, Imola Racing's system uses a proprietary fuel-cooling system to help get their increase in hp/torque and decrease detonation risk. Gee, I don't understand why you wouldn't want to experiment with your F355 engine. It ONLY costs $25,000 to rebuild.

 

that's true, lean when cruising and not under load...then dump the gas when you stomp on it! The maps are tied to rpm's and throttle position...