cuda06
Veteran CEG'er
Has anyone heard of or have experience with the CarChip E/X? For just a bit over $100 it looks like it would be a great troubleshooting tool and could give some insight into mod efficiency and tuning needs.
-
Welcome to the Contour Enthusiasts Group, the best resource for the Ford Contour and Mercury Mystique.
You can register to join the community.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
CarChip E/X
- Thread starter cuda06
- Start date
Kremithefrog
Hard-core CEG'er
If you're tuning, why would you not just use a xcal2?
cuda06
Veteran CEG'er
The question posed was not directed at use to write the tune with. The item does not have this ability. It simply has the datalogging ability that could give some insight into tuning needs and how some mods are working while giving you the ability to read codes and use the datalogging for troubleshooting. Also, it is not restricted to a certain make or model. Furthermore, if I could get an xcal2 for 100 bux I would jump on it whether or not I already had an xcal2. I just ran across an article on it and wondered if others had seen or used one before.
CSVT1214
Addicted CEG'er
I used one and loved it! Very helpful and awesome for the price. It was my buddies so I gave it back but it came in handy.
Scanned codes, did a little data logging. It gives some awesome data for a chip thats so cheap.
Scanned codes, did a little data logging. It gives some awesome data for a chip thats so cheap.
cuda06
Veteran CEG'er
Thanks, that is good to know. With all of the separate projects I have going it may be something beneficial to pick up.
pimpdcontour
Veteran CEG'er
what is the site that you found this on?
Kremithefrog
Hard-core CEG'er
Umm I got that. The xcal2 also does data logging and it does it better than just about anything. It can pull codes from multiple Ford vehicles (assuming you have a Ford xcal2).The question posed was not directed at use to write the tune with. The item does not have this ability. It simply has the datalogging ability that could give some insight into tuning needs and how some mods are working while giving you the ability to read codes and use the datalogging for troubleshooting. Also, it is not restricted to a certain make or model. Furthermore, if I could get an xcal2 for 100 bux I would jump on it whether or not I already had an xcal2. I just ran across an article on it and wondered if others had seen or used one before.
Though yeah if you need something for all types of cars, then it'd be OK. It may be somewhat useful in tuning but it can't monitor as many things at once as some other devices (such as the xcal2) nor does it have the ability to monitor certain things. Like, you could not monitor IMRC opening with that, among other things.
cuda06
Veteran CEG'er
The xcal2 also does data logging and it does it better than just about anything. It can pull codes from multiple Ford vehicles (assuming you have a Ford xcal2)..
Really???? Sorry for the sarcasm( honestly, I just could't resist), this is already a well known fact for me and is once again not the reason I posted here.
Though yeah if you need something for all types of cars, then it'd be OK. It may be somewhat useful in tuning but it can't monitor as many things at once as some other devices (such as the xcal2) nor does it have the ability to monitor certain things. Like, you could not monitor IMRC opening with that, among other things.
I am very well aware of this. As I already stated this would be for troubleshooting number one, and then have the side benefit of giving some insight into tuning needs. For $100 it is a far better choice to cover basics than to buy a couple hundred dollar more specific tuning module for each make that I happen to have now and in the future.
Thank you for your input, I realize that the XCAL2 is about the greatest thing out there for tuning this platform. I am looking at a slightly broader scope here, at a lower level of use, and most of all a very good return on usage for the price.
Kremithefrog
Hard-core CEG'er
I guess you're just wanting me to say that's the greatest product in the world.
But really, it's only OK. I wouldn't spend the money on it for tuning purposes like you're saying, maybe basic diagnostic purposes. But really some good knowledge and a free code pull from autozone is enough 'diagnostics' in most cases.
If all your makes are in your signature, than the carchip thing is only gonna work on the csvt's, which so will the xcal2 obviously and it'll do the tuning part that you mentioned.
The carchip does have a broader scope, a lower level of use, but I wouldn't necessarily say a very good return on usage for the price. Maybe a good return, but it really doesn't do that much. I have experience with cheap products that actually do more than the carchip and they are still lacking. If you've never used something with full data logging abilities like a xcal2 vs. something cheap like the carchip, then you won't really understand. It's almost useless for tuning. Getting on a dyno with a wideband is a lot more worth your money than that little thing.
You can't spend a little and get a lot when it comes to automobile diagnostics. Sorry, that's just the way it is.
But really, it's only OK. I wouldn't spend the money on it for tuning purposes like you're saying, maybe basic diagnostic purposes. But really some good knowledge and a free code pull from autozone is enough 'diagnostics' in most cases.
If all your makes are in your signature, than the carchip thing is only gonna work on the csvt's, which so will the xcal2 obviously and it'll do the tuning part that you mentioned.
The carchip does have a broader scope, a lower level of use, but I wouldn't necessarily say a very good return on usage for the price. Maybe a good return, but it really doesn't do that much. I have experience with cheap products that actually do more than the carchip and they are still lacking. If you've never used something with full data logging abilities like a xcal2 vs. something cheap like the carchip, then you won't really understand. It's almost useless for tuning. Getting on a dyno with a wideband is a lot more worth your money than that little thing.
You can't spend a little and get a lot when it comes to automobile diagnostics. Sorry, that's just the way it is.
cuda06
Veteran CEG'er
I don't want you to say that anything is the greatest product in the world, you are only asking to be proven wrong when dealing in definites such as this. I simply want you to drop the argument that it is a bad choice for tuning...well no sh**. I will state for the last time, the insight into what tuning may need to be done is an added side benefit of this troubleshooting tool, not the other way around. You are still trying to bring up an invalid argument. And BTW, the rx-7 could very well use it with its new internals(just wait till I reveal this one), my wife's gtp could easily use it, and the truck could too. In the near future my barracuda may even be able to use it. All of the available vehicles that would use it are not listed in my sig other than the rx.
All, I wanted to know is if the product works reliably and if anyone else has had direct or maybe some indirect experience with it.
In summation - I do not think that the carchip could be anywhere near a reasonable answer to correctly tune a vehicle and have never stated so. I simply thought that for what it offers it might be a worthy investment for a broad scope of troubleshooting, WITH THE ADDED BENEFIT of some insight into tuning needs for the vehicles. This thread has now become unnecessarily cluttered without any benefit to the forum so this will be my last post in here.
All, I wanted to know is if the product works reliably and if anyone else has had direct or maybe some indirect experience with it.
In summation - I do not think that the carchip could be anywhere near a reasonable answer to correctly tune a vehicle and have never stated so. I simply thought that for what it offers it might be a worthy investment for a broad scope of troubleshooting, WITH THE ADDED BENEFIT of some insight into tuning needs for the vehicles. This thread has now become unnecessarily cluttered without any benefit to the forum so this will be my last post in here.
Kremithefrog
Hard-core CEG'er
What the heck man? I was just trying to help you. It looked like you wanted some input but then you got all angry and sarcastic when I gave you mine.
You are the one that mentioned tuning so I discussed it. What is your problem?
I also talked about the data logging (assuming that's what you're talking about as a troubleshooting tool, since you can get codes pulled for free, or get a $30 code scanner). I don't know what you want from me. I said the thing would be OK and pointed out what it lacks. It's got a broad scope of vehicles in can be used on but has limited abilities in what it can do. Figured you'd want to know that since you were asking. You could have just said thanks for the input or if you only wanted super positive input, then why not just buy the thing and you can find out what it lacks first hand (and I'm not talking about just tuning here buddy, though remember you're the one that mentioned tuning as something it'd be useful for, not me, so chill out).
Last time I ever try to give you some helpful input.
You are the one that mentioned tuning so I discussed it. What is your problem?
I also talked about the data logging (assuming that's what you're talking about as a troubleshooting tool, since you can get codes pulled for free, or get a $30 code scanner). I don't know what you want from me. I said the thing would be OK and pointed out what it lacks. It's got a broad scope of vehicles in can be used on but has limited abilities in what it can do. Figured you'd want to know that since you were asking. You could have just said thanks for the input or if you only wanted super positive input, then why not just buy the thing and you can find out what it lacks first hand (and I'm not talking about just tuning here buddy, though remember you're the one that mentioned tuning as something it'd be useful for, not me, so chill out).
Last time I ever try to give you some helpful input.