I suspect i may be "chipped" is there a way to tell? (also a semi-kill story)

[Lawrider]

Gentlemen,

I purchased my MM about a month ago, and have been loving it. The car appears stock, though one thing that is interesting is the previous owner put the reflective lettering into the rear bumber. That made me start thinking that he might have done a chip, as it is an extremely logical and easy mod.

So naturally i was planning on a chip (generic term to mean one of the tuner reprograms) intake and exhaust work. Reading this board, i am beginning to think i might already be chipped. Here are my three indicators:

1. The car shifts very logically (no hunting) and *hard* at redline...as in the car squeals into 2nd gear, and your neck snaps on every WOT shift. In fact my buddy commented on how hard it shifts. I have never, even when putting around, been annoyed by the tranny's actions. The only irritant is if i am at a light throttle and manually engage the OD, it will immediately do so, but i guess that is expected.

2. I have read how the MM's alternator clutch was not implemented by the factory. After sustained WOT runs my interior lights are dim...and then they slowly brighten afterward.

3. I have done a few runs at WOT and have gotten to 120mph. Now i know factory gauges can be quite sloppy, but shouldn't some wussy limiter due to a crappy driveshaft kick in before an indicated 120? Perhaps i should run her to 130 to check?

So am i chipped? Kinda sad how a normal person would be happy to have saved $400...but i would rather know i have another ~15hp on the table :( Sounds extremely silly but do vendors allow one to purchase a tuner and try the program with a return policy? I just want to figure out if i would just be wasting $$ getting a program when one might already be in the car?

As an added bonus i had an extremely interesting run-in with an Audi. Now before i go into details i used have a heavily modified 330awhp A4 1.8T, and so i know their lineup very well. Just a couple days ago i made a right turn and saw what appeared to be a A6 4.2 behind me. I gave some throttle, and saw him feed some, so i went WOT (merge coming up).:banana2:

He was at my rear bumber when we started, and i ran at WOT through to about 80mph, all the while he was right at my rear bumber, not gaining a bit.

I figured my 300hp RWD sedan kept up with the 300hp AWD German sedan. Then he rolled past me since we were at the light, gave me a big smile, and i noticed the RS6 badge on its ass :D

I was in utter shock. I know very well that AWD soaks up alot of power, and that i caught him at the worst possible engagement point (a roll-on from 20mph) but even giving up the additional 30-50hp he might lose over my losses due to AWD...we are still referring to a 450hp beast. It is the 4.2 found in the 300hp A6 with two turbos and IC's bolted onto it. So its easily making gobs of torque down low since Audi favors wee little snails from the factory.

I followed him some more and from a stop sign he definitely took off hard. Never got to line up against him though.

I have no doubt that RS6 would have pasted me, and i believe that a lightly modded RS6 will match the SC boys here...but i could not wipe the grin on my face that for a brief moment from 20-80, he couldn't gain an inch on my big fat black ass :cool: .

Or to quote Homer Simpson "im not fat, its glandular!"

Cheers,
Sameer

[bigslim]

Very possible that you do have a chip or a tuner program. From what you described it sounds like the same program I have on my chip from Lidio at Alternative Automotive Performance (vendor here on this site). My alternator turns off to allow more power at WOT and then returns to normal after such a burst. You may even have 410 gears. Welcome to the site and congrats on your purchase.

[SergntMac]

From what you described it sounds like the same program I have on my chip from Lidio at Alternative Automotive Performance (vendor here on this site). My alternator turns off to allow more power at WOT and then returns to normal after such a burst.
Ummm...I'm on my second MM, both were early '02 300A production, and both came with a one-way clutch on the altenator. The default EEC setting from the factory turned the altenator off under WOT, as you describe. I have since changed this programming to leave it turned on full time, for better spark and fuel system performance under WOT. I cannot say what the 300Bs or '04s have, in altenators or programming.

[Shaft333]

Ummm...I'm on my second MM, both were early '02 300A production, and both came with a one-way clutch on the altenator. The default EEC setting from the factory turned the altenator off under WOT, as you describe.
I was under the belief that the clutch was not utilized as a stock setting. In Lidio's propaganda he changes this so that it takes advantage of the clutch.

Now's which is which? :dunno:

[RF Overlord]

So am i chipped? I just want to figure out if i would just be wasting $$ getting a program when one might already be in the car?

No chance of asking the previous owner?

I assume you've already looked at the PCM to see if a chip is plugged into the service port? ;)

Another way to tell would be to see what your RPMs are at 70 MPH; if you have 4.10s, you should see about 2400 RPM...the stock 3.55s will read about 2100. If you have 4.10s, you must have the PCM reflashed to compensate or the speedo and shift points will be off...and if the PCM is reflashed, chances are good it has a performance tune as well.

The only other way I can think of would be to find someone with the SCT Pro-Racer package...they can read the program in the PCM and compare it to stock.

[04funmerc]

I have an 04, I just put Lidio's chip in last month, It sounds to me like you have one in your car. I'm not up on electronics so no futher comment.
Welcome to the net and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. :D

[mtnh]

If you have a chip, the overdrive should be a bit delayed from the 29 mph that is stock. The lock-up torque converter should be felt engaging at a much higher speed than the 30 mph or so that the stock program offers. In the case of Lidio's chip, he leaves the torque converter unlocked until around 63 mph. That said, if you are driving at 40, 45, 50, 55, or even 60, you should see your tach vary speeds with slight throttle blips. If it is steady at all speeds above 30-35, you probably have a stock program. On my stock '03, it would routinely chirp the tires going into second at wot.

As for holding the audi at bay at your rear, that is the safest place to stay, even if you have more power than the guy in front of you, especially on public roads. It's also safer while you, if you happen to be holding up the rear, perform IFF checks. (Identification, Friend or Foe). You never know who you might be messing with, so if you insist on going to the front, and the guy you passed has a complex about being passed by something lessor (in his mind) you may have a new friend on YOUR bumper that's just dying to talk to you the next time you stop. Perhaps that Audi driver was trying to protect himself until he was able to figure out what you were up to. All in all, I wouldn't declare it a kill, until you can verify it at the track. An entertaining story, nonetheless. Congratulations on your purchase. :beer:

Mike

[twolow]

I routinely 'chase' other sports cars and dont try to pass unless I can see a ways down the street and feel 200% confident there isn't a cop around. Like the previous post states, I like toying with people and like the safe spot behind them. Soon as I stick my butt out there and go for it, I'm the one inviting the ticket and I cherish the fact I haven't had a ticket in probably 10 years.

The rumor around these parts is that the police have Marauders to entice people to race and when they do, they get pulled over and ticketed. I run with the rumor so its funny to see Mustangs and the like take off and act crazy till I get on their butt, then they slow down acting like Grandma. Usually the passenger in the Mustang keeps turning around looking at me trying to figure me out :D

[SergntMac]

I was under the belief that the clutch was not utilized as a stock setting. In Lidio's propaganda he changes this so that it takes advantage of the clutch. Now's which is which? :dunno:Well, it was utilized on both of my 300As, that's all I know. It makes sense to me that the factory setting was to indeed shut off at WOT, otherwise why would the clutch be there in the first place? And, the only reason we can do this is aftermarket tuning, so, the intent was (at one time) to have this setting in play. Maybe it's different for 300B and 2004?

[Motorhead350]

Congrads on your Mercury Marauder. Just curious how many miles does your have?

[AzMarauder]

I was under the belief that the clutch was not utilized as a stock setting. In Lidio's propaganda he changes this so that it takes advantage of the clutch.

Now's which is which? :dunno:
Since there seems to be so many variations on the MM theme in stock trim I am not sure my car follows the rule... but...

With Stock tune my Alternator doesn't seem to cut off at WOT... (Voltage meter stays constant)

With Lido's tune in the car... WOT and the Voltage meter dives until I let up on the gas.