I have received my Race File Performance chip for my 1998 mk3 Jetta VR6 12v motor that I have purchased from
www.c2motorsports.com for $220 to my door. Heres a direct link from c2
http://www.c2motorsports.com/index....tegory_id=116&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=58 or it can be purchased from
http://www.ngpracing.com/store/index.php?target=products&product_id=4194 for the same price. I recommend the C2 performance chip especially to all California owners who drive a Mk3 or mk4 jetta/golf because it does not affect smog check when it comes to that.
The performance chip called Lays barbecue chip can be purchased at your local corner grocery store for $1, this is a must have to complete the installation of the ECU performance chip.
C2 performance chip offers 2 different types of ECU chip, the versions are RACE FILE and Street file. I have the race file version... The reason why I decided to purchase a Race File C2 performance chip for my mk3 vr6 12v is because of the benefits my car can get from the programs that the C2 has to offer, unlike what other performance chip doesn't. below is the following why...
Improvements include:
- -Better throttle response
- -Better midrange power
- -Improved overall drive ability
- -Increased rev limiter to 7200rpm
- -Deleted speed governor
- -Secured off-idle control
- -Hi-Flow CAT compatible
Not only is this a performance file, but
it also deletes the secondary air injection pump and the rear oxygen sensor while still setting readiness. This gives you the option of running a test pipe (catalytic converter delete)
without having to worry about a check engine light. This file is tuned on 93 octane, however the ECU will pull enough timing if you had to run 91 or even 89. The chip will also works very well with a pair of performance cams. There is also an option for higher compression (HC) for those running a MK4 head gasket.
Having this chip that deletes the secondary air injection pump saves me huge amount of money from actually buying the secondary air injection pump from the VW dealership, which cost roughly $850 although I can get it for $636.
Here are some pictures I took to provide a guide for anyone that is planning to chip their mk3 Jetta/golf on how to remove and install ECU / ECM performance chip.
First, prepare the following required tools at the pictures below to perform the proper removal/installation.
Tools 1
- -Phillips screw drivers (long & short)
- -Flat head screw drivers (long & short)
- -90 degree Plier tip
- -Open wrench 10mm
- -10mm open socket
- -1/4 socket wrench
Tools 2
- -Torx bit (T-15)
- -Miniture flat head screw driver (eye glass repair type)
Tool 3
- -Vacuume cleaner w/ suction
Step 1
Open up the hood and
disconnect the battery (positive and negative), and then locate the passenger side cowl plastic covering. Then remove the cowl rubber strip out of the way. now, unscrew the plastic screws with a Phillips screw driver. when the plastic screw are halfway up, carefully unscrew them off while trying to pry them out with the 90 degree plier.
Step 2
When the passenger side cowl cover are removed, the vacuum cleaner are now required as you can see whats hiding under that cowl plastic cover on my mk3 jetta, I can build a bird nest with those stuff hiding there ;D LMAO! Clean all of those debris and dirts as this is a must to avoid ecu malfunction due to them, especially for early mk3's and mk2's.
Step 3
Unscrew the nut and the bolt with a 10mm socket or wrench to loosen up the ecu/ecm bracket from its place, there will be a white clip at the back that can be pulled up from its place that's also securing the bracket.
Here's a picture of the ECU/ECM number that most performance chip manufacture needs to assure the compatibility of the product. mk3 jetta/golf OBD2 has the following number
***-***-259. mk3 OBD1 has a different ECU/ECM #.
Step 4
Once the whole ECU/ECM is halfway out with the harness, the harness must be disconnected from the ECU/ECM box by carefully prying out the clip that secures the connection with a flat head screw driver.
Step 5
Grab a size 15 (t-15) torx bit to unscrew the torx bolts on all 4 sides to remove the top cover of the ECU/ECM box.
Step 6
Remove the ECU/ECM bracket from the box, then disconnect the ECU/ECM top cover from the box by using a flat head screw driver and lightly tap the top off. Once the top is off, place the circuit board on a flat clean surface away from everything.
Step 7
NOTE: This only applies to mk3 jetta/golf OBD2, OBD1 mk3 jetta/golf requires the chip to be soldered in unlike the obd2. Take the ecu box and the chip to a TV repair shop, computer repair shop, or any shop that deals with soldering CPU to a circuit board.
Grab the miniture flat head screw driver (sunglass repair driver) and carefully pry off the OEM ECU/ECM CPU from its retainer box by alternating from one end to other end. pay close attention to where to end of the CPU where the notch is located, the performance chip has to be installed the same way how the OEM CPU was where the notch was located.
In this picture, the OEM ECU/ECM PCU is on the left and the C2 performance chip is on the right.
Step 8
Install The performance chip by carefully pressing in the CPU in the retainer, pay close attention to the CPU wires by making sure that the wires aligned to the wires on the retainer.
Step 9
Reverse the steps from Step 6 to install everything back to its place. once everything is on to its place, connect the battery wires to the battery, turn on the ignition without starting the car so that the ECU/ECM recalibrates it self for good 5 mins. while waiting for the recalibration of the ECU/ECM, enjoy an edible performance chip for the hard work like I am in this picture.
After installing the performance chip into my mk3 jetta vr6. I went for a test drive around my block and I was really amazed on the gained performance from the C2 performance chip. The brand spanking new tires seems like they want to burn out on me on 1st and 2nd gear when the gas pedal is to the floor. It feels like there's better throttle response each time i step on the gas, my mk3 jetta vr6 is lot more aggressive. I still got to purchase a good headers and exhaust system to see the full potential of the C2 performance chip. Overall, I am very pleased with my purchase, spending $220 is well worth the gains.
The following websites is where I got my informations regarding ECU/ECM removal and installation of performance chip, thank you for the information to each respective owners of each site.
http://qcwo.com/technicaldomain/chipping-a-vw-jetta-ecu
http://www.tdtuning.com/wp/?page_id=46
Note: for mk3 jetta/golf owners who has a 4 cylinder 2.0 or 1.8 engine, here's a link to where you can purchase performance chip
http://www.ngpracing.com/store/index.php?target=categories&category_id=1517