chipped" '87 5ktqa

[Ben Swann]

John,

Sounds like you have the "resistor" mod being used in conjunction with some
means of obtaining the boost, like schrapnel knob or heavier wastegate
spring.  See: http://www.homestead.com/ben_swann/boostin.html for details
on this.

I have long since downplayed it's use in lieu of the economical QLCC chip,
which provides a greater margin of safety and is a real chip.

The only real way to be sure is to open the ECU up and see what's inside.

On the note about the purchase, if the car is doing fine, then it's a
keeper.  I have done a lot with my '87 avant, and the TCO is still under
$8k in over 4 years including purchase price.

Ben


[Dear list,

I bought a car of dubious backround quite a while back.  The "complete"
records never materialized as promised from the guy I bought it from.  I
know, I know, I can hear all of you thinking "what an idiot, bought a tq
with no records?!"  All that aside, I've put 40k uneventful miles on it,
and approaching 160kmi, it still runs very strong and burns no oil, and
gets fantastic gas mileage.

The PO claimed the car was "chipped".  I tend to believe him, as this thing
has more torque and feels faster than my stock '91 200 20V sedan, all
though it's a little peaky.  Thing is, it only shows 1.4 bar max, which I
understand is normal for a stock car.  Wouldn't a chipped car show more
boost, or is something wrong with the guage?  Should I go in search of the
oh so elusive vacuum leak?

Is there any way to tell what type of chip it is?

Thanks,

John Cassidy]