OBD2 performance chips have been a hot topic among car enthusiasts for years. Do they actually live up to the hype, or are they just another automotive myth? After diving into the research and even trying one out myself, I’m ready to share my findings and give you an honest review. Like many, I approached these chips with a healthy dose of skepticism. Terms like “resistor scam chip” and “blinking lights” often come to mind. However, there’s a growing number of companies claiming to use OBD2 chips to genuinely adjust air/fuel mixture and ignition timing. This review explores whether these devices are legitimate performance enhancers or just snake oil.
Several OBD2 chip brands have started gaining traction, with some users and reviews suggesting potential benefits. For instance, the Volo VP15 OBD2 chip has been mentioned in forums and reviewed on sites like Performance Chip Reviews.
Forum discussions, like those on Mirage Forum, feature members sharing their initial thoughts and experiences with these devices. One member, Loren, noted after research that the Volo chip “sounds like the real deal,” suggesting it could be a worthwhile upgrade, especially for the price. He decided to test it out, planning to evaluate its impact on his modified Mitsubishi Mirage.
Performance Chip Reviews also provides insights into other OBD2 chips, such as the Sawyer Tuning ST8PRO OBD2 ECU Performance Chip.
These reviews and discussions often highlight the core claims of OBD2 performance chips: to enhance engine performance by optimizing parameters like air/fuel ratio and ignition timing. While some chips, like the Volo VP15, offer some level of customization, others, like the ST8PRO, focus on plug-and-play simplicity with pre-set tunes that adapt to your vehicle.
Initially, I considered trying the Volo VP15 myself. However, after further research and considering the features, I opted for the ST8PRO. Both chips seemed to operate on similar principles, but the ST8PRO piqued my interest. I had a direct conversation with a representative from Sawyer Tuning, who assured me of the ST8PRO’s compatibility with my vehicle (a 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage) and its potential benefits. The lifetime warranty and satisfaction guarantee further reduced any risk, making it an appealing option to test. The price point, around $130, also felt reasonable for an experiment that could potentially improve fuel economy and performance. The representative claimed the chip could detect vehicle modifications and fuel grade, adjusting its tuning accordingly, which added to the intrigue.
Now, I’m not a professional tuner with dyno equipment. My perspective is that of a regular car enthusiast who enjoys modifying their vehicle to get the most out of it. So, what was my experience with the ST8PRO? To my surprise, it actually worked! The most immediate change I noticed was in throttle response. It became noticeably quicker, smoother, and more linear. The engine felt more responsive overall, with a newfound eagerness to rev. The improvement in low-end torque was also significant, making the car feel more powerful and capable, especially when accelerating from a standstill or overtaking. The engine pulled more strongly throughout the rev range, feeling like the power band had broadened. Even high-speed cruising felt more relaxed and effortless. Beyond performance, the engine idle seemed smoother, and even reversing felt less jerky.
Fuel economy was another area where I observed a positive change. On my initial runs, I consistently saw higher peak MPG numbers. After approximately 220 miles, I was already seeing an improvement of over 1 MPG, even with spirited driving. This improvement continued to grow. After resetting the chip and driving over 300 miles, my fuel economy had increased by more than 2 full MPG. The chip is advertised to “learn” and adapt to driving habits over a week or two, suggesting that fuel economy gains could potentially improve further over time.
While this isn’t a dyno-backed technical analysis, my real-world experience indicates that the ST8PRO OBD2 chip delivered noticeable improvements in both performance and fuel economy. For those seeking a simple and affordable performance enhancement, OBD2 chips like the ST8PRO offer a compelling option. They might not be a complete replacement for a professional ECU re-flash, but they provide a tangible boost that, in my experience, is well worth considering, especially given the money-back guarantees offered by some manufacturers. For those waiting for a fully customizable tuning solution, OBD2 chips can serve as a worthwhile interim upgrade.
