I was looking at the website http://www.jetchip.com for a chip for my '87 300E.I also looked at the website for RennTech, which does modifications on MB's like AMG. In the RennTech website, there was no chip for the 300E. I called RennTech and they confirmed this.They said that the whole computer system would have to be modified, and a chip wouldn't work.Could someone please tell me if my money would be well-spent buying a chip from jetchip?I hope jetchip is not fly-by-night.I understand RennTech was founded by the man that built the Hammer, so RennTech sounds like a solid company, as opposed to jetchip.

JET is not a fly bynight outfit and the letters apply to Jones Electronic Technology. Haven't ckd. but they may have a website but mainly make chip kits for USA vehicles and are well accepted.

The 300E does not have an electronic controlled fuel injection system via computer...something to be tuned by a chip. The system is the good ole CIS. You need something like the DME or LHS type that controls both ignition and fuel via computer which wasn't available/used until years later.

TobiasMB
4MBs

I phoned JET about a year ago looking for a chip to put in my 500E. They seemed nice and told me they could do it but i would have to mail in my brain box to them for evaluation. If I remember correctly they are located in LA or San Diego, California.

Tobias, does the company at jetchip.com carry a legitimate chip for the '87 300E?They mention this chip in their website.Your reply seemed unclear regarding your opinion about this.Thanks.

'87 300E plus extra power?Hmmm...crystal ball tells me "mucho dinero"....Seriously..I've looked at the Superchips website (got this from any earlier thread posted here):they don't have a chip for the 300E.In that thread Lee Scheeler said to stay away from Quickchip.If Superchip and RennTech don't have chips for the '87 300E, I'm wondering how Jetchip got around the problem.Now, I've heard several sources say in this section that a camshaft will give more HP in the upper rpm's but may even decrease what little torque there is in the lower rpms of the 300E engine. My "plan" was to get the chip, which jetchip states will give more torque even in the lower rpm's, and combine this with the camshaft.Lee, I'd greatly appreciate your input about all this: mainly, do you think it is worth my money to invest in a chip from jetchip?A completely rebuilt engine and camshaft from RennTech(they are local for me)would cost in excess of $13,000, and I would get 250 hp from this.For that kind of money, its better to get a 400E, so I'm definitely not going that route.

I have been also searching for a chip for my 300E and the only thing I have found is from a $400 upgrade from the JetChips company. They claim an 16-18 Hp increase at 1500rpm and up. How does this work, since the 300E uses CIS? Can anyone confirm that our M103 300Es are even chipable?

Thanks!

I just emailed Jet chip asking what the chip changes up in the benz. Hopefully they will reply...

What about Wetterauer? I know they don't have a chip for the 300E, but their gains are impressive: http://www.chip-tuning.com/usa/fzg/ukmercedesclk320.html
I'm wondering why more people don't have Wetterauer chips.

Alright guys... I got a reply... here is the entire conversation...
///We do have an ecu upgrade available for your application. The ecu upgrade does
require that the factory ecu be sent to us for modification. You must purchase
the upgrade package before sending the ecu to us for
the modification. Suggested retail is $399.00, and the part number is 65002. The
ecu upgrades are all done per the application, in other words, do all the
modifications you intend on doing before you get the ecu upgraded. That way the
program can be set up for the specific modifications.Hp gains would be dependant
on the extent of modifications.You are wrong in your assumption that the ecm
does not control the timing/fuel. The ecu does.

>
> From: "Omar Alvi"
> Date: 2001/11/21 Wed AM 11:51:47 CST
> To: sales@jetchip.com
> Subject: Chip for my 1992 Mercedes 300E
>
> Hello,
> I was looking on your website at a chip you offer for the Mercedes 300e.
> First, will this chip work on my 1992 300e? And second, how does it work. As
> I understand, my car's computer does not control the fuel/air mixture, that
> is done the old fashion way with throttle body injection etc. So, the only
> thing that the chip controls is the emission business. So, keeping with
> that, could you please tell me what exactly the chip changes up in my
> engine? I am very intersted in your chip, because you are the only company I
> can find that offers one for my car. I need to know what it changes up
> because my car does have 105k miles on it, and I might need to change out
> the gaskets etc. to handle the extra power. Thanks.
>
> Omar
///

Yea... so whats the deal? Are they right about the ECU actually controlling the fuel mix and timing? Or are all of us right? Somebody has got to know the truth. And... it seemed like the guys didn't know exactly what they were saying. It came across as... you do some modifications... and we will get you a new chip that will make your modifications work better... not... we give you a new chip that makes your existing stock car fast.... so yea... any thoughts?

Does it not appear a little strange with all the companies out there producing performance chips that JET is the ONLY one that has an application for a 300E? If you do buy one make sure there is a good money back guarantee for a performance improvement.
Bet all they do is enrichen the mixture some!

Tobias MB
4 MBs

I seroiusly doubt the validity of noticeable gains by popping in a chip in a stock motor. I my experience...I raced a chipped 500E with my stock 500E at a dragstrip...results were less than complimentary to the PAD chip which only propelled his car .016 of a sec. faster than mine in the quarter mile and I'll honestly say that his reaction time was about that faster than mine. His excuse was that he had a 200lb stereo in his car, seriously, my killer HOME stereo weighs in less than that!! Now , we all know that it was his enormous ego that slowed him down. Anywho.. Bottom line...do the research and ask around with people who have them in their cars...don't believe the manufacturers claims unless they have been proven in a real world test. Chips seem to be most beneficial to modified motors. You want more power...try exhaust, cams, gearing,etc....then get a chip.

__________________
Jim

1992 500E
2007 CLK63
2003 Audi RS6
2001 Audi allroad

Here I am again to spoil your fun. The only reason I am insisting is because i know what i am talking about. Here it is:

Guys, do not waste your money on chips. The 300E is not designed to be a performance car, and any attempt from your part to mess up with the factory settings can only have negative effects. Too many of them...

You want a performance car, you should look at other options including major engine overhauls (per Renntech way, etc).
The greatest part of the aftermarket industry is supported by selling worthless (from a performance increase standpoint) parts with the fake promises that they will make the car faster. The most common of these parts are: Intake filter kits, chips and cat back systems. On a well designed car, these mods will do nothing to improve the performance of the engine. They may improve the sound or the looks, but not the performance. If you do not believe me try it out yourself by strapping the car on the dyno before and after. The results will surpise you.
Still don't believe me? O.K. Then before purchasing the chip or the other worthless things mentioned above ask the aftermarket company wether they will guarantee you will measure a performance increase on the dyno. Ask them about their refund policy if you do not measure any significant increase on the dyno. Go ahead guys, do it. You will be surpised at their answers.

Today a routine dyno run on the Dynojet dyno will run you about $100 (I have seen lower prices, too). Superior Automotive in Anaheim, CA, does dyno runs for $75. If you want to mess around with your engine MAKE SURE to do a dyno run on the DynoJet BEFORE touching anything. Then make your mods ONE AT A TIME and then take another dyno run.

I recently built a 1996 BMW M3 for a friend of mine. He wanted to bolt on a supercharger. I do not remember the exact numbers but I think that the aftermarket company was promising about $80 HP increase or so. I cautioned him that he will be wasting his money and he will not get the performance promised. He insisted to have the supercharger. So, I told him go ahead, it is your money. He paid a few thousands of dollars for the supercharger kit and then a few hundrends of dollars to me to install it for him. We took the car to the Dyno and all he had gained was 19 HP. He could barely feel the difference, too. About two months later he brought the car to me and paid me to uninstall the supercharger (a good 10 hour job) and then traded the car for a Porsche 911 and sold the supercharger kit.

Like I said, you want a fast car, then either buy a fast car to begin with or if you want to mess around with the engine buy a car that can be modified to go fast.

Jim he he Bite your tounge. I just installed a new chip from PAD in my 500E. What a differnce it made. with a free flowing exhaust system and intake system. My car is pulling soo good out of the whole and midrange. Just a chip without any other mods may not be to noticeable but if you do the extra it show. Oh it also help to have your linkages adjusted properly. At least 4 out of 10 mercedes I work on daily I have to adjust the throttle linkages , including the transmission kickdown cable which is called the bowden cable. So yes it doesw help.

The results are very impressive alone. but much more so when utilized in conjunction with additional performance upgrades. K&N Air Filtres, ASR defeat Switch tuner exhuast system. A gain of approx 40hp has been achieved in the 500 series autos with a chip alone. The percentage increase is about 10-12% on full power and 15-20% on partial throttle to boost midrange power for normal driving. Following chip currently avialable.

1992 1/2 to 1995 5.0L V8 all models 40 HP

__________________
500E Sold
2006 Mini Cooper S
Modified,pulley,injectors,suspension
2009 E350 Sport AMG package

I think Jim's caveat is that don't CHIP an engine, that already has the most torque and HP extracted from it.

There really isn't much you can do to a M103 engine, either than bore & stroke. Yes you can but in a new ECU (e.g., TEC II), lower the compression ratio and then do some heavy forced induction. Add that all up, and you're better off getting a 400E.

I believe the 500E can get more power because the USA version is detuned, plus it has knock-sensors. I don't think the M103 engines had knock-sensors.

Jim- forced-induction works for some cars. At EuroTuner Fest I got to ride in a supercharged CLK430 and supercharged Dinan M3. These cars are definitely putting out more HP and torque than stock, and significant amounts of it.

Take care,
:-) neil
1988 360TE AMG
1993 500E

I hear ya' Guido but I have the slips from the dragstrip ,chipped with no ASR vs. stock, both with K&Ns was only .016 difference...I know your car is modified the right way so maybe your car does show improvement as they claim but have you dragged a stock 500E to see what, if any , gains are real-world? No doubt the Renntech chip does its job in the 6.0 litre M119 upgrade but in my real world test the PAD chip barfed. Anywho...I'd love to line up with you at a dragstrip and be proven wrong...if you leave tommorrow, we could meet at Lebanon Valley, NY, say, thursday? (laugh now) PS...love the piggyback...which wasn't installed when I did drag...could of used it though...it was real hot that day. One more thang, Guido...I noticed that your website has your speedo at 160...did the chip remove the speed limiter...maybe it is worth something after all. Be good..Chiachi...BTW, what happened to the 'old' PAD chip you had?

__________________
Jim

1992 500E
2007 CLK63
2003 Audi RS6
2001 Audi allroad