Snake oil?

Came across this in our local paper. Gain 60 HP, 7 MPG, and drop emissions by 40%. For the Mazda3. 60 HP gain???

http://www.gfchips.com/mazda3.aspx

Any chance this is anywhere close to realty?

No. The item isn't a chip like in the picture. It connects "via 2 wires to the IAT", just like the crap resistors sold on ebay. You will not get 60HP by altering the IAT sensor signal. If that were true, your car would lose 60HP between cold start and getting to your destination 10 miles away

Not a chance... "GF module installs into your MAZDA 3's engine bay and is connected via 2 wires that plug into the IAT sensor. Diagrams are included. The unit is then able to reprogram the ECU thus improving your car's performance. "

All it is a a resistor that tell the ECU it's cold out thus run richer...it might help but only if it is indeed cold out thus air is denser.

Pretty much what I expected.

The trick I've always used was to get the IAT sensor off of something that's just getting heatsoaked. Honda used to mount them on the intake manifold, and they'd get really warm. We'd move them over to the intake plumbing when we installed a cam and needed more fuel. Even the one time we did it as the first mod, the car ran better when it was hot. It really is one of those times that I wish I knew what a wideband O2 sensor was.

The Bugatti chip adds 60 hp too. Would you even notice? The 7 MPG increase would be huge for a supercar.

No way to stop these clowns?

cwh wrote: No way to stop these clowns?

There is, but people here would bitch about getting the Feds involved.

looks legit -

Regardless of your driving style our chip will provide a substantial increase in performance in your FERRARI ENZO. All of these benefits are achieved without disassembling your FERRARI ENZO's ECU thereby preserving your factory warranty or permanently altering your car in any way shape or form.

cwh wrote: No way to stop these clowns?

Ads for 'speed' equipment have been exaggerated since the beginning of time, along with ads for baldness cures and miracle weight loss products.

stuart in mn wrote:

cwh wrote: No way to stop these clowns?

Ads for 'speed' equipment have been exaggerated since the beginning of time, along with ads for baldness cures and miracle weight loss products.

You forgot "penis enlargement"

So, Caveat Emptor, as always.

cwh wrote: So, Caveat Emptor, as always.

Yep. Use the "smell test". If a carmaker could yeild those kinds of improvements in power, mileage, and emissions, don't you think they'd do it?

Back when I was a kid, it was the "fish carburetor".