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Subject:Aussie chip update
From:Brent Christensen
Date:Sat, 13 Apr 2002 17:38:14 -0700

OK - answered my own questions.  Here's what I have:

1. Old chip can be pried out of its mount.  GENTLY.  Use a non-metallic
instrument (I used a wooden spatula for mixing epoxy)

2. New chip presses in.  It is difficult to seat, but should seat ALL the
way down.

3. Do not try to remove the chip once installed.  YOU WILL LIKELY BEND/BREAK
THE PINS.  They bend EASILY!

4. There is a metal cover (probably for inter RF interference protection?)
that has two halves - one on each side of the PCB where the chip is mounted.
  The new chip is two parts stacked together, so you cannot reinstall the
cover back over this side of the PCB.  (The new chip is too tall).  Don't
know if this will cause problems...

I took pictures of the whole procedure and will put something on
www.vanagon.com as soon as I get a chance.

Now - how does it work?  All I can say is WOW.  Feels like it at least
doubled the horsepower.  I can go up hills in 4th gear that I used to have
to shift down to 2nd gear and crawl up....

Nah... just kidding.  [sorry!].  It works, that's about all I can say
without the rocker upgrade (and K & N filter).  It does definitely run
richer at startup and when it is about 1/2 warmed up.  It does feel a bit
punchier in the mid-range, but that is certainly a relative statement in a
Syncro Westy. ;-)

I will do some time tests and see what comes of it.  (I have another ECU
without the chip that I can swap back and forth with)

More later as  have it...

Brent Christensen
'89 GL Syncro Westy
Santa Barbara, CA

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