Re: T.A.P.'s a pleasure to deal with

[Allan Jones <ampj@tiac.net>]

>         I have one question though. Has anybody had any experience with TAP's
> chips for normally aspirated cars? 16 hp from a $200 chip seems to me to
> be a bit of an exaggerated claim for my I-5 20v. Any comments would be
> greatly appreciated...

	I also would like info any lister(s) has on a NA I-5(10v in my case/'86
CGT) chip upgrade. I would pay the $200 for 10-15 hp since I've been
happy before with simple mods like swiss-cheesing the air box and adding
a K&N, switching to synthetic, and changing to a high performance
ignition coil and advancing the timing. These few mods(although
synthetic is not really a mod, IMHO it does add hp) have given me a
noticeable gain. I've come up against other CGTs and beat them fairly
easily. I figure the K&N/swiss-cheesed air box adds maybe 8, the
synthetic(especially Amsoil's Racing 20W-50) maybe 3, and the Omni-Pak
from Jacobs Electronics maybe another 9, for a possible total of 20
extra hp! That may not seem like much, but when the puppy only put out
110hp to start with, 20 is a lot! So I figure in optimal conditions, I
am running 130 horses. Another 10-15 wouldn't be too bad... Hmmm
..145hp.. now that you got me started...I'm REALLY interested! I have
asked and called around before. The answer seems to be: "check your
ecu(?) or whatever on the passenger side footwell and if it has a
certain # on it, then my CGT is chippable. Is that true? I have never
REALLY tried to get to the computer for fear of breaking the plastic
piece - it doesn't seem to want to come off. Your personal opinions are
always so much help, so please let me know. . .
	I also never got a response when I asked about Jacobs Electronics and
their Omni-Pak. Does any lister have, or know of, any experiences with
their coils. I noticed a difference, but nothing major. I guess from
what they advertise, it could be doing a much better job than I can
feel. I could have an extremely poor engine and the system could be
fixing all w/o me even knowing!(I doubt it)

> P.S. Suspension is my next upgrade... Am considering H&R Springs and
> Bilstein Sport Shocks as well as Urethane Bushings... Yes? No? Anything
> else to consider?

	H&R - YES! I love mine. Not too stiff, helps dive/squat(what I HATED
about my Audi) immensely, reduces body roll enough, makes my Coupe look
so much nicer, and are progressive!
	Bilstein - I can't help you.
	Urethane Bushings - I think you'll get a resounding NO!!

						Allan