I bought my truck with the chip in it already (I know I know, bad idea). It is one with a toggle switch, down is "off", first click is 90 HP (according to original owner), second click is 120 HP (again according to orig owner).

I have had problems with my transmission and am planning a rebuild in the near future so I am not currently running the chip, it is "off". Once I get the tranny done I would like to be able to use the chip, but don't trust it.

I tore into the PCM and came up with the chip brand as "ATS", which I determined to be Advanced Turbo Systems. I called the company and they said mine (3 position chip) is from the old ATS, the current ATS only produces 6 position chips. He said all he knew about the old ones is that they were re-programable.
My big question is, what is reprogamable exactly mean? What does that enable me to do? Should I "re program" this one or get a new chip all together?

 

If you do not know how the chip interacts with the truck and how it adds power, I would remove it and get something more up to date. When you get a new transmission you want to verify the tune also works with the transmission controls.

 

ok thanks!
I would still however like to understand what being "re programable" actually intails and enables you to do. I'm also hoping maybe someone has some kind of experience with this particular chip and can maybe give some details about it.
I do agree though that I should just pull it and have a new one installed. If I'm going to do that I would like to eliminate the need for the regular gauges and pod and just get one of the chips that can display all my egt/trans temp/oil temp/ ect. I would also like it to have the "High Idle" option in the chip, my truck has the EBPV and high idles itself when cold but I would like to be able to use it for extended idle as well, so it would have to have High Idle option that you can use even when the truck is warm. All that being said, what kind of chip that can do all that would you guys suggest? Thanks in advance!

 

re-programmable means someone with the correct adapter and software could put new programs onto the chip.

 

Thats what I thought, so I know there has to be a reason not to just have that done then right? What I'm getting at here, why can't I just have it programed with the same programs as a new more reputable one? Would it work with the truck just like a new one would? I am guessing it doesn't just work like this and would like to understand why.

 

You may find a hard time finding someone with the capability to re-program it. If it were like a TS chip, most any tuner can program it with the appropriate software and tunes.

 

Thanks for the heads up, I will do some calling around and see but I'm probably just going to change it. However...With this thread, I should have just asked, How do these chips work exactly? What do they change besides timing and pcm? And just how do these chips work with software and tunes? I hear that if you have the right chip (could possibly take more than one chip from what I hear), and the right cords+software, you can just hook up to it yourself and put tunes on it such as high idle, quiet mode, and all others like tow/race ect ect whatever you want. SO, how would one go about having that set up?

 

It is a little more complicated than just changing the timing. The tuners who professionally write programs have lots of data and a thorough understanding of the relationships that all the components have. A simple mod is the 10k mod. This is a simple 10k ohm resistor that is wired at the ICP sensor. By doing this you decrease the voltage the ICP sends to the PCM. The PCM then demands for oil from the HPOP. This gives an instant "feel increase in HP" You really don't get more HP, you just get it sooner in the RPM/torque range.

Companies like Banks tend to package their products in a modular format. You buy a chip, then you buy a transmission controller, then you can buy add-on modules for more power.

When you get a chip and tunes from one of the known tuners you get it all in one package per say. They can change the shift points and any other thing you would like. They can customize your tunes based on your driving style.

If you get a tuner like an Edge module, you get out of the box generic tunes. Sort of a one sizes fits all type of tune. You will notice a power increase, but if you get a custom tuned chip, you will notice a much greater difference!

Some of the tuners like DP-Tuner have the F-8 chip that allows you to tune it yourself if you buy the needed items, for me I will leave the tuning up to Jody at DP-Tuner!

 

i had a three position switch like that and Cale of tyrant diesel was able to reprogram it for Chris brownie after he bought it
can you post a pic of it so i can see if it is the same one???

 

Here are the two pictures I took when I was in there.
This one is from right behind the little toggle switch


This is one of the PCM, not sure what I was thinking when I took this picture cause it don't show anything but here it is


Quick question: if I take it to someone local that does chip installs, what is the process they are going to go through to find out if they can change it? Is it something they can hook up to OBDII or do they have to pull the pcm? Thanks for all the help its greatly appriciated!

 

def not the same as my old ts 3 position

 

To reprogram is to to change how it changes Throttle position, injector fueling, timing, shift points, line pressure...etc.

With a new tranny, find out just how the builder sets it so that you can send the info in with the chip to make sure they don't try to change something that has already been done in the tranny rebuild.

You don't need to buy a new chip....just have yours reprogrammed. They should be able to give you a list of choices as to what HP you want to add etc. Just rememeber you only have 2 choices if you keep the same one.

 

THANK YOU!
I'm going to do the tranny rebuild myself so I will have all the details. Actually a 2 position chip is fine for me, I will just do the AIC mod to get that and have the current chip reprogramed. One question is how are things like "quiet mode" and "Aux Idle Control" programed into the chip? Would each of those things take a position as well (are they considered "tunes")? thanks again lots of help!

 

That appears to be the exact same chip I have. Been running with it for a couple years now(bought the truck with it installed). PO stated he installed it a couple years prior to me buying it. Stock tranny, 106,000 miles, 2002, 4x4. I drive with it on the middle setting all the time. PO stated 60 hp not 90, but who knows. I tow a trailer at about 5000 pounds fairly often in this setting. EGT's stay under 1000 all the time (well under most of the time), but Illinois is fairly flat. Does not smoke at all, but does smoke a fair amount with heavy throttle in the 120 setting. Can see 25 pounds of boost no problem on 120 setting, even with red line hooked up.

 

Yes...those settings also take a position on the chip. Those settings are also set by fueling and timing.

If you want more than two settings, I would then recommend going with a chip that offers more.
If you are unsure about going with a generic company or one not so well known, you can try out DP tuner, (16 positions), and I think the other is Tony Wildman chips.
They both will basically set you up with a custom chip. You will need to send them your puter code and any mods you have done and the VIN to be sure it is set for your truck.