Lancia Delta HF Turbo Chip

[top_man_eldo]

Hi People,

Just wondering if anyone has ever had their Delta HF Turbo IE superchipped? I was considering having my car done, although I have heard both good and bad stories on them. Would anyone recommend them or stay away from them? Does anybody know the cost and where they can be fitted?

Thanks Guys,
Tonio.

[A1.6HPE]

Hello,
The cheaper chips basically arrange for the overboost to kick in earlier so you can do that for yourself by simpling by-passing the overboost valve (above the radiator and intercooler on the bonnet hinge panel). However you will just overstress the engine and dramatically reduce its life and reliability. Burnt out pistons and blown head gaskets will feature. The HF Turbo is powerful enough for front-wheel-drive so if you want more power the sensible thing to do is get an integrale. That way you will get a reliable car and retain acceptable fuel consumption with more horses. Chipping is great if you are not planning to keep the car for more than 6 months. I just got a chipped integrale and am returning to a standard chip/ecu as I am happy with standard integrale performance and want peace of mind on reliability. My car has had the engine rebuilt twice (in previous ownership) I don't want it to be 3 times.

Leo

[top_man_eldo]

OK Thanks A Lot! I Will Take Your Advice, Although By The Time I Go For An Integrale, They Will Have All Dissappeared !

Thanks Anyway!

[Hamish]

As Leo says, chips aren't always the answer to more power.However, the HFIE Turbo will still benefit from some other simple modifications which don't unduly stress the engine......
Power boost valve, freeflow airfilter (k&n), uprated injectors and a quality exhaust all help it a go that little bit quicker :wink:
Mind you, I'd be more inclined to really sort the handling and brakes before going in search of more 'grunt'.

[A1.6HPE]

Yes the brakes on the HF Turbo are very poor compared to the integrale. Not sure about the 4WD brakes that may be an easy modification as the 4WD has 14 inch wheels. 8V Thema Turbo also has 14 inch wheels - probably the same calipers as the 4WD.
Also the integrale handles a lot better (although the carburettored HF Turbo handles very well) not sure how much of that is down to the wider tyres/wheels.
So maybe the best move may be a set of harder pads, maybe a set of 4WD calipers.

Leo

[EVO92]

Save your money, it will sell for more if its standard and the money you gain can be put towards a HF4x4 or Grale.

I've had 2 HFie Turbos and 3 integrale's (8v 16v & now Evo) and the 4wd makes a world of difference and the performance..... let me explain, i once met a guy at a Lancia meeting with a tuned HF Turbo (Was in max power i think, cammed hybrid turbo etc etc 220hp ish). He didn't realise what i had because i had turned up late so i let him brag away at will mentioning i used to have one.. eventually i gave in and said he better take me for a spin.. it was certainly tuned you could see the boost coming in early and hard however didn't feel it was really moving that quick (Even at 1 point i asked if is foot actually hit the floor :? ). Well we went back of the car park to show him my car (8v Grale Martini Rally car so you can imagine his jaw dropped!) the engine was standard but naturally the car was light (No seats in the back etc). Well i had to take him for a spin didn't I :twisted: it was his first time as a passenger in a LHD so i'm not sure whether it was that or the speed but he was a little white when we got back :twisted: :twisted: as if his whole world had turned upside down the HF IE was imediately up for sale etc.........

[rossocorsa]

the simple answer is that the risk of blowing up the engine on an old car is very high, chipping a car when it is relatively new is not a high risk as the engine will have had a wide 'safety margin' built in by lancia so as long as you are a mechanically sympathetic driver and service regularly there'll be no probs. With an older engine past its first flush of youth this margin is in all likelyhood used up the strain of extra boost will almost certainly lead to premature failure unless you do a rebuild first