In addition to what gernby just said, I don't believe the chip can be removed without dismantling the ECU. I have never seen like on other cars, a "trap door" where you can just pluck the chip out.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by gernby
[B]I haven't ever heard of a "chip" that worked on any Honda.

 

Previous Honda ECUs (OBDI in particular) use a separate EEPROM which contains the operating maps for fuel and timing. Once the code was cracked, it was relatively easy burn new PROMs with different coding. Not much point in doing it on a stock car, but on a modified car it provides some benefit.

New Honda ECUs use a reflashable memory setup that can be accessed through the OBDII port on the car, so once you crack the code, you just plug your programmer into the port and voila!

Unfortunately for us, the S2000 uses a different system. Instead of a separate EEPROM, or flashable memory, the S2000 ECU incorporates its maps within the onboard memory of the system's primary microprocessor. And even worse, this memory is "write once" memory, so once its been programmed, you can't do anything about it.

All hope is not lost, as the maker of the microprocessor also sells versions with reprogrammable memory. The issue, however, is cost. Instead of a $0.50 EEPROM, we're talking about a microprocessor that costs hundreds of dollars in relatively small quantities. To get any significant price break would require purchasing enough processors to outfit about 20% of all the S2000s ever sold in the US. :-)

If there is enough interest, Hondata is capable of giving us a reprogrammable ECU. They have cracked the basic ECU coding. But right now, it would be an expensive proposition to offer a production unit. If you're really interested, as I mentioned in another thread, call or email them and politely identify yourself and indicate your interest. Tell them you would like fuel, timing, VTEC and rev limiter alterations. If 50+ people express some serious interest, it may prompt Hondata to purchase a small lot of microprocessors and provide us with an ECU. No guarantees, but it can be done.

UL

 

according to rumors out there, if you have a stock/near-stock 00-01 s2k, you can swap your ecu with a 02+ ecu and "supposedly" gain 5whp(according to dyno charts). i dont know if this is 100% true, but if you have access to one..why not?

 

As with all rumors, that's not substantiated yet. We do know that 2002's dyno consistently higher, but we have not been able to verify it is due to ECUs yet.

UL

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by ultimate lurker
[B]As with all rumors, that's not substantiated yet.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by ultimate lurker
[B] Instead of a $0.50 EEPROM, we're talking about a microprocessor that costs hundreds of dollars in relatively small quantities.

 

Unless you are wanting to compete in a class that restricts the use of piggy-back computers, what would be the advantage of a programmable chip? The Greddy e-manage isn't very expensive, and seems like it would be easier to tune.

 

i just did the buddy club race spec computer the second car in the nation the first s2000 and with just a header and exhaust i gained 9.7 to the wheels and its laptop programmable

 

Yes there isn't any chips available for USDM S2000 yet but you can get complete brain box replacement from Spoon , Mugen, Mr. Alex and Amuse. You probably will see addition 12-15whp with I/H/E setup.

Buddyclub Racing Spec computer is also a very good addtion piggy-bag system cuz it has much higher tunability over VAFC.