I have around $300 to invest into my rig. I am interested in performance and power enhancing chips to get some more end pickup, preferably top end.

What are the pros & cons? What good or bad experiences have you guys had? Do you have to run premium gas, or can I remain and regular? Do I have to modify my spark plugs, or anything like that?

Whats a good brand to look in to?

 

i've been looking into them as well most people think it is a waste of money unless you go with a full standalone

 

Let me know if you find anything. What do you mean by a full standalone?

 

like a new ECU or computer that is preprogrammed to replace your existing ECU (I think) unlike a piggyback system which runs "on-top" of your current computer...

 

^^werd like a micotech, haltech, mega squirt etc..

 

Waste of money for a very minimal gain that won't even be noticeable on a naturally aspirated engine.
The only way a stand alone really is worth it is if you have a forced induction car or just plain severly modded.

 

Or a Diesel...you can get some crazy power from diesels with just a slight modification to your ECU.

 

IMHO - save yer $$ - maybe get a ROTH IRA instead....

 

Certainly not a recommendation you often hear on a auto message board. Good call though.

 

What about custom chips though. For like a hotter cam and bigger valves?

 

The 22RE ECU is "smart" enough to deal with most changes you can do to your engine. Some slight adjustments to the AFM will be sufficient for 99% of the "drop in" mods you can get.

You need to be dropping some serious coin to make an engine that will flow enough (without forced induction) to need a new ECU.

 

I remember seeing a thread on TTORA where a guy ran like 10 piggybacks inline and gained about 30HP...but for the 3K spent on that it seems like a waste of money.

 

Which are forced induction in almost all big trucks. $50 boost controller can accomplish the same thing.