Techtonics Chip Install for Digifant T3 Vanagon and lazy alternator fix. Add HP to your Vanagon!

[@paulbaldwin9906]

Long ways from the early days of Peter the vw answer man. Good job son.

[@ThatBaldwinLife]

Peter was such a great resource! Learned so much from him

[@knoxsyncro2988]

Thanks for the entertaining and informative video, as usual. I think that we all must’ve worked our way through the Mk1’s and Mk 2’s, we would’ve never driven that “old man’s Vanagon” 😂

[@ThatBaldwinLife]

Right? Looking at those pics makes me want to try and find some of the old MK1 and MK2's. Prices are nuts now though! Thanks for watching!! nate

[@milesjulihn2772]

Nice video as always, Nate! We have a ‘90 Vanagon with stock WBX and chip-replaceable ECU. But not sure $100 for a chip to get a 4-5 hp is worth it for us. Glad you are happy with the improvement.

[@ThatBaldwinLife]

Agreed. It was just as much an experiment as it was for any real power gains. I do feel it is smoother on both accel and decel and less bog right off idle but I could be fooling myself. But I did get a sticker! :) nate

[@pyronitro]

just doing a PSA. when working with any electronics/chips/ECU. Please be aware of ElectroStaticDischarge or ESD. Avoid items that will generate static electricity like carpets rugs, polyester clothing. Make sure to "short" yourself by touching something metal before touching the electronics/ECU. one zap is all it takes to fry it. Take Care and Enjoy!

[@ThatBaldwinLife]

Excellent point. Techtonics does cover this in their instructions but I failed to add it to mine. Thanks for bringing that up! nate

[@mozaic_channel]

I’m going to have to check what my 90 has. Never heard of this chip.

[@ThatBaldwinLife]

Yeah it is like a secret for some reason. A few companies used to make performance ECU chips for these vans. nate

[@rubatoguy]

Let's see a dyno run to document the improvement! How are you validating the 5hp claim??

[@ThatBaldwinLife]

I of course do not own a dyno or have easy access to one for a 5 hp test. Techtonics does though and they list dyno runs on their site: techtonicstuning.com/dyno.html thanks nate

[@rubatoguy]

@@ThatBaldwinLife Of course I don't expect you to own a dyno! :-) But it would be a simple matter to take a Van to a dyno facility and do your own tests. More important than the HP is any change to the torque curve. Also any MPG difference would be informative.

[@ThatBaldwinLife]

Trying to rent time on a dyno for a 5hp and $100 upgrade seems a bit silly given that Techtonics provides the dyno info. If this was a full engine management system upgrade like GoWesty's or a turbo upgrade, sure I could see that money might be well spent. We don't track MPG close enough to give good feedback on that. It doesn't appear to be any worse based on just visuals at the pump. Thanks for watching nate

[@quickdogproductions]

May be worth a visit to a chassis dyno before and after.

[@ThatBaldwinLife]

For sure but I wasn’t going to spend a few hundred dollars on that! If I had free access to one, it would be great data. Nate

[@Italjohn]

Do you know how many ohms the lazy alternator resistor is?

[@ThatBaldwinLife]

No but I am sure the info in on the Samba. Thanks John! nate

[@danieltang6526]

Great video. What do you think gave you the most improvement in hp? I am thinking of changing my ratio rockers. Cheers!

[@ThatBaldwinLife]

Hard to say. I think the timing and fueling curves change above 3k. It’s not a huge improvement but it is noticeable. Nate

[@juantastic1713]

Hi Nate, I'm about to replace my exhaust system and looking at the RMW performance exhaust. Why made you change the RMW perf. exhaust for the GW exhaust? The RMW tuned exhaust should free up the exhaust that in theory should work best with this chip and the rocker arm mod.

[@ThatBaldwinLife]

You’re right, the RMW exhaust flows better and we had more usable power above 3k rpm. But, for us, we had constant leaks from the clamps which made it hard for us to pass emissions. We also had the collectors crack three times and the brackets that held the exhaust cracked. I welded it all back up many times but finally had enough and bought the GW exhaust. Others haven’t had all the issues we did but the leaky clamps is common. In my opinion, the RMW is so close to being perfect, but for us, it was too much maintenance. Nate

[@vwforever4131]

I've been looking into this -anything to get a little more git-up-n-go on our 90 Westy. We have the GW2.3. Would having that engine make a difference? and did you notice any difference in your fuel consumption? same? worse?

[@ThatBaldwinLife]

I believe the GW engines have stock rockers and possibly cam but I am not 100% sure on that but yes this chip would still add the 5 HP that Techtonics claims. They do say it works best with performance upgrades but that's not to say they are needed. We don't track fuel consumption that close but it appears to be very similar. I haven't noticed a difference if that helps. nate

[@CDVEDROD]

Is the chip making the engine more efficient? In other words, with that 5% power increase, is the mileage the same or reduced?

[@ThatBaldwinLife]

We don't track our fuel mileage that close but over longer trips we have not noticed any real difference in fuel consumption. It just seems to run a bit smoother from 2K-5K rpms. You're probably not gonna win any drag races with this upgrade :) nate

[@snazzfab]

any idea how this is adding power? is it somehow changing the timing advance? mixture?

[@ThatBaldwinLife]

Hey Jo, your best bet would be to contact Techtonics Tuning for the whole story but yes I believe it is changing the timing curve along with the fueling tables. nate

[@snazzfab]

@@ThatBaldwinLife very interesting stuff! Thanks for the reply

[@johncrisp6683]

Does adding the fix for the lazy alternator something that is helpful for the systems?

[@ThatBaldwinLife]

No it just excites the alternator to charge without having to press the gas pedal if your van doesn’t automatically rev up. Just annoyed me that the Bosch ECU didn’t do it.

[@tristanhickenbottom4372]

Does this mod to the ECU also apply to Diesel version as well?

[@ThatBaldwinLife]

No just to the 1986-1991 Digifant ECU found in the Waterboxer gasoline engine. nate