ECU chip upgrade-socketed or permanently mounted?  Jeff -- Friday, 24 August 2001, at 12:08 a.m.

 I have noticed that there are two ECU upgrade chip mounting styles available for the 850 (and other Volvos as well). Style 1 I will call
 the ipd method, which apparently replaces the original chip with a modded one and is soldered onto the processor board. Style 2 is
 the socket method (used by PES and Wetterauer, to name two), where a chip socket is soldered to the board, allowing the chip itself
 to be changed out without resoldering (probably bad for the board if repeated more than once). Anyone here have any experiences,
 good OR bad, with the socket approach? This style appeals to me since it would be possible to reinsert the stock chip if necessary
 (prep for emissions test, for example) and to also swap in other modded chips to do comparisons, etc. There is certainly the potential
 for bent pins, ESD damage to the chip, etc, with Style 1, but if the insert/remove is performed carefully, the chip should sustain no
 damage (that's the theory, anyway). As always, comments and recommendations are heartily encouraged. :-)

 I am the one you want to talk to! I've had my Wetterauer ECU for about 2 years now and have had no problems with it whatsoever in
 terms of check engine lights and bent pins as a result of chip swapping. I've swapped the chip at least 3 or 4 times now being extra
 careful when I open up the ECU and paying extra attention to grounding myself so as to not cause any static damage to the ECU
 and/or chips. I'm sure the chip and socket will be fine so long as you are extra careful with them, the real problem is the ECU case.
 The latch assembly is loosening as a result of all my chip swapping. Another concern is the ECU cover itself which is kinda flimsy and
 have 4 square tabs that need to bent backwards in order for it to be removed. Finally, be extra careful with all the pins when you slide
 the ECU back into place.

 derspi will have answered most of your queries, but i thot i'd just point out that "style 1" which you call the "IPD method" is a misnomer.
 IPD and their swedish parent source for the product doesnt install any chip, it reprograms the ECU ie. the original program is washed
 out, slate wiped clean, and a new program is downloaded.
 which is better? my 2 cents worth: reprogram ie. IPD/TME, it's rather pricey is all.
 but you're rite of course in that there are 2 styles for chippers.
 me, i have 2 ECUs, stock and SAM-chipped, the former i've reverted to only once since i got the latter and only to refresh and compare
 purposes.
 once you're on to the boosted chip/reprog, you just won't wanna return to stock.
 rgds
 jeff
 95 855T5A SAM chip

 Jeff, thanks for clarifying. Ipd/TME must have a fixture for the entire ECU that they connect to their computer so they can reprogram the
 chip. That must mean the chip is some sort of EPROM, and they are essentially uploading a firmware change to the chip to overwrite
 the original stock firmware. This method does have the advantage of not disturbing the original solder joints for the chip, although I
 don't understand why it would be mor eexpensive than the socket method-the socket method actually involves more labor (soldering
 of the socket as well as the chip firmware upload.

 it's not the labour you'd be paying for, it's the expertise. i think there's a fair bit more "work" involved in attempting to reprogram the
 stock ECU than merely using a chip to intercept and modify signals. later edition volvo ECUs (ME7s) have many more procedures
 built in just to prevent such mods, but TME managed to get thru all the same.
 so unless one can find another reprogrammer who can "attack" the stock ECU and reprogram it, there's no one else to compare to for
 this service.
 rgds
 jeff
 95 855T5A SAM chip

 jeff yeoh has his opinion and I respect it but I disagree and if I had a choice to do it all over again, I'd still go with the socket style chips
 (ie. hardware change as opposed to IPD's sofware flashing of the ECU). Reason is one, you CAN swap between a boosted program
 and the stock one for those who have emissions testing (which is in many parts of North America unfortunately). I'm not saying all
 boosted chip programs will fail emissions testing (I actually passed with the Wetterauer chip) but it's good to know that you have
 something to fall back on, just in case you don't pass. Another concern I have is that being just a software flash upgrade, the IPD ECU
 can be accidently flashed back to stock settings by a Volvo dealership. Now this is unlikely but weirder things have happened at Volvo
 service departments. Lastly, if you haven't noticed already, practically all the socket style chippers are cheaper than IPD. Actually, it's
 unfortunate that in N. America we HAVE to deal with IPD because in Europe, they get their ECU upgrades straight from TME which is a
 helluva lot cheaper than any IPD "sale" price.

 Jeff, I'm not discounting the R&D labor/test aspect of the chip software, but don't Wetterauer, PES, SAM and ipd do essentially the
 same thing when it comes to reprogramming? If the firmware mods are essentially the same (and this may be a BIG if), then the only
 other differences are the physical mounting styles, which I don't think accounts for any real cost difference.

 How do you like your new chip so far?

 Is there a significant real increase in performance?

 Is acceleration from stoplight much improved or is the power at the upper end?

 How does the engine otherwise run- idle smooth , etc?

 Had a chance to measure MPG impact?

 Sounds like you got a good price from SAM !

 Nathan

 There's really nothing to update here. The chip is working very nicely. Idle is perfect, part throttle response (50-60%) is harrowing. I am
 almost a little nervous to go down there some times for just a little more. Full throttle definitely gives you a more seat of the pants feel
 and the boost gauge practically pegs to the end of the white strip. As far as dyno numbers or real increase, I'd say definitely but I don't
 know how much. Basic rule of thumb is you can feel 10%. I can defintely feel it. MPG is unnaffected so far. Price from S.A.M. was $350
 plus about $150 shipping fo two ways. Total under $500. Bottom line is I am very happy with the chip so far. I have not used TME, IPD
 or anything else so I really don't know what the others are like. I'll keep posted as I add the 2.5" ATR and OMP strut brace (hopefully
 this week). And, of course, if anything happens with the S.A.M. chip, I'll post.

 X