I went out to PES Tuning in Flemington, NJ late this afternoon. Tony Ricci, Mike and Gary were there. They are all really nice and honest guys. They had 3 new programs for me to try. When I tried the third (the most aggressive) I knew this was the one. It is much faster on downshifting than stock. The chip will need a little time to adapt but these are my observations so far: with the tranny lever left in drive - kickdown to 1st gear is usually very fast. Sometimes it goes down through gears and then goes down to 1st gear with none of the hesitation (for about one second) that it used to have. It hasn't "spaced out" once while deciding what to do. Many times the kickdown is direct and positive to 1st gear with immediate and sporting response. Kickdown at higher speeds to other gears are also quick and positive. Upshifts are smooth, crisp and quick. At full throttle they are at or within 100 RPM of redline. With the tranny in the tip mode, kickdown seems always to be very immediate and authoritative. I believe all upshifts are at redline and are very quick but smooth at the same time. I have no more bouncing off the rev limiter at full throttle in first gear. BTW, 1st gear can't be held at will. I have to say, that in the 2 or 3 hours that I have driven the car with the newly programmed chip, I am delighted and would definitely recommend this upgrade. It makes my 4.2 with sport package the responsive ready to go any second machine that it should have been from the factory. I will post some more comments as I get to know it better but I am really excited about the response. PES does what it says. These guys are reputable, helpful and very nice. For those interested they have a gorgeous 18" 10 spoke wheel and are distributors for products from Discount Tire as well as those shown on their website at www.pes-tuning.com.

 

Pablo,
this sounds very interesting and I would also like to get such a modified Tip chip. However as I asked at several tuning companies in Switzerland (where I live) and in Germany - nobody has a Tip chip available.
Did you install it yourself? Are any special tools neccessary?
Ernst

 

I'm very glad to hear that Tony and the gang are tweaking the TIP chip with positive results.
I noticed that you said that 1st gear can't be held at will. Does this also mean that with regard to this it is exactly the same as before the factory chip was changed. Also...is it now possible to kick-down to first at slightly higher speeds?

Thanks again.

JP4

 

Are they done "tweaking" or do they plan to come up with other programs?

 

or have they more or less settled in on the 3 program choices you had. You seem to be the "guinne pig" (spelling?) for them with this transmission. If you are, I would like to thank you for offering up your new baby for the betterment of others!

 

It'd be a shame if we couldn't never hold 1st gear at will! :-)

 

I don't think this chip is to change the way the transmission operates but merely to correct inadequacies. While I too believe that the tip should be able to hold first gear this will not be dialed into this mod. Sorry srosie and JP4. However the delay in downshifting has been addressed and it is in this regards that the new chip shines. BTW Stu B, I am the guinea pig. My car was the second car in the country to receive this mod and the first in the East Coast. I think that I gave more fed back so that PES could get the programmer, GIAC, to come up with a different program that would do a beter job. I did feel comfortable doing this becausa everyone that experience with this guys had positive comments. They are gentlemen. The transmission will kick down to first at up to 32 or 33 MPH. Sometimes maybe a tad higher. There is no question that the new chip results in a more desirable and responsive car. It feels more lively under any downshifting throttle position. Upshifts are quicker too. Finally, Ernst, I had the chip installed by PES. The transmission ECU is on the floor under the front passenger carpet. No special tools are necessary. It sis straight forward and should not be a problem as long as you are of the handy variety. If you have any questions I encourage you to call PES. They are very helpful. I'll also be glad to provide you with any other info you may need if I can.

 

Thanks Pablo1, without your efforts this enitre conversation would be much more difficult :-)

 

Thanks Pablo1...sounds like a great improvement in the chip thanks to your efforts.