ZUKIWORLD Online | Suzuki 4x4 Editorial and Forum

ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Technical Discussion - Performance / Modify => Topic started by: rluka on April 18, 2012, 11:10:39 AM

Title: Does this chip really work as advertised
Post by: rluka on April 18, 2012, 11:10:39 AM
Im looking to improve the performance of my 97 GEO Tracker (4 door 4x4)
This site claims that their chip will do that: http://www.gfchips.com/geotracker.aspx (http://www.gfchips.com/geotracker.aspx)
Its called: GF Performance Chip Kit
Anyone have any experience with this one?
Your help and experience will be greatly apprecited
Ron L
Title: Re: Does this chip really work as advertised
Post by: ack on April 18, 2012, 01:24:21 PM
No.
It does not.

It's not even a "chip" in the sense of what is pictured on their webpage.

It is a simple resistor (possibly a leadless resistor so it might "technically qualify" as being a chip) that fools your IAT circuit into adding more fuel to the system than required.  This, of course, might generate more power for a short period but it won't be enough to "knock your socks off" nor will this chip help your engine run properly in the long run.

In a word: snakeoil.
or perhaps: flim-flam.
Title: Re: Does this chip really work as advertised
Post by: rluka on April 18, 2012, 03:08:52 PM
No.
It does not.

It's not even a "chip" in the sense of what is pictured on their webpage.

It is a simple resistor (possibly a leadless resistor so it might "technically qualify" as being a chip) that fools your IAT circuit into adding more fuel to the system than required.  This, of course, might generate more power for a short period but it won't be enough to "knock your socks off" nor will this chip help your engine run properly in the long run.

In a word: snakeoil.
or perhaps: flim-flam.

Thanks for the info....It claims to improve gas mileage...
Title: Re: Does this chip really work as advertised
Post by: bentparts on April 18, 2012, 04:54:39 PM
It only improves the rate at which money leaves your wallet.
Title: Re: Does this chip really work as advertised
Post by: ack on April 18, 2012, 06:24:44 PM
It only improves the rate at which money leaves your wallet.

That's the Reader'sDigest version!

Well put, bentparts!
Title: Re: Does this chip really work as advertised
Post by: rluka on April 19, 2012, 12:11:37 PM
Is there anything that can be done to improve and bring the small 1.6 engine to modern day gas mileage standards?
That would be so cool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: Does this chip really work as advertised
Post by: DonD on April 19, 2012, 02:20:15 PM
Mine gets slightly better mpg than my '99 Astro 4.3! That's pretty good huh.... ::)
Title: Re: Does this chip really work as advertised
Post by: ack on April 19, 2012, 04:04:23 PM
Is there anything that can be done to improve and bring the small 1.6 engine to modern day gas mileage standards?
That would be so cool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This may sound incredibly stupid but it really isn't:

Give it a thorough tune-up.  If necessary, rebuild the engine and you'll get better gas mileage.

Also, and I speak from personal experience,  take it easy with the skinny pedal!

Back to performance improvements...

If you have the money, I would suggest an aftermarket exhaust manifold and a two-inch exhaust system. It's not Zany-cheap (like that 10-cent resistor that GF Performance wants so badly to sell you for $65) but you'll actually notice a change.
Title: Re: Does this chip really work as advertised
Post by: rluka on April 19, 2012, 05:03:52 PM

This may sound incredibly stupid but it really isn't:
Give it a thorough tune-up.  If necessary, rebuild the engine and you'll get better gas mileage.
Also, and I speak from personal experience,  take it easy with the skinny pedal!

Back to performance improvements...

If you have the money, I would suggest an aftermarket exhaust manifold and a two-inch exhaust system. It's not Zany-cheap (like that 10-cent resistor that GF Performance wants so badly to sell you for $65) but you'll actually notice a change.

Thanks for that info....Can you point me in the direction of one aftermarket exhaust manifold that would do work? Also, I get about 310 miles per tank driving in the city.
Have a great day
Ron L
Title: Re: Does this chip really work as advertised
Post by: bentparts on April 20, 2012, 04:12:39 AM
That's almost 30 MPG in the city, be grateful. Ya can't get much better that that out of one of these. Try inflating your tires to about 35 lbs, it'll ride like a skate board on gravel but your mileage will go up a bit, if you can stand it. It will also probably shake the truck apart eventually.
Title: Re: Does this chip really work as advertised
Post by: Drone637 on April 20, 2012, 08:37:08 AM
For the exhaust manifold on the 16v I think the Calmini kit is the best of the available ones.  It is the only haftermarket eader that has all 4 exhaust ports going to the 02 sensor.  I believe Calmini sells a full 2" exhaust kit as well.  On the 96-98 Trackers you have close to a 2" until you leave the cat stock, so a 2" cat back should be all you need as long as your cat is in good shape.

As bentparts said though, 30 mpg in town is pretty good.  I would only get around 25.
Title: Re: Does this chip really work as advertised
Post by: kreator on April 20, 2012, 08:56:52 AM
That chip dose't even make good scrap !!!! and 30 mpg in town man your already doing beter than most.
Title: Re: Does this chip really work as advertised
Post by: ToyYoda on July 11, 2012, 06:56:51 PM
So we all know the "chip" is a way to get your $. Sure, on several cars/trucks (mostly domestic) they do have chips that add performace to those vehs. NOT OURS. My question would be why are they being advertised on ZukiWorld ?
Title: Re: Does this chip really work as advertised
Post by: chadstichter on July 13, 2012, 05:23:40 PM
i have the calmini header and i noticed a small diference. is you live in cali though it will not pass the visual inspection. the other thing i did was i pulled off my air intake at the box it helped a little to
Title: Re: Does this chip really work as advertised
Post by: tombstone on August 23, 2012, 05:25:54 PM
Finally,someone who has ordered/used the G-force performance module...ME!!!  I installed one on my '99 Dakota 4x4 with the 318 Magnum and auto tranny,these modules work best at WOT (Wide Open Throttle) and yes my Dakota was damn fast when I floored it!Just put a G-force Module on my '97 Avenger Sport with the 2.5 ltr and auto...pretty damn fast at WOT!!
Title: Re: Does this chip really work as advertised
Post by: locjaw on August 24, 2012, 07:00:30 AM
Seriously, what kind of mileage are you expecting to get out of a 4 wheel drive sport utility???
you could always trade it for a Tahoe or suburban   ::)
Title: Re: Does this chip really work as advertised
Post by: Rhinoman on August 24, 2012, 01:20:48 PM
that fools your IAT circuit into adding more fuel to the system than required.  This, of course, might generate more power for a short period

or maybe not, given that the 97 is a MAF based system and doesn't use the IAT for fuel calculations anyway.
Title: Re: Does this chip really work as advertised
Post by: fordem on August 24, 2012, 01:49:08 PM
Man - I think Tombstone was just trolling.
Title: Re: Does this chip really work as advertised
Post by: tombstone on August 24, 2012, 02:37:34 PM
Sorry guys,dont know what Trolling means but I have used that Module couple of times,currently have it on the Avenger.It is strange though,the Avenger gets great gas mileage but I dont know if its the G-force or whatever!!
Title: Re: Does this chip really work as advertised
Post by: fordem on August 24, 2012, 02:44:17 PM
Sorry guys,dont know what Trolling means but I have used that Module couple of times,currently have it on the Avenger

But not on a Suzuki - do you even have a Suzuki (or a Tracker)?