Ebay performance mod??

[ennessexx]

I need your opinion on a performance mod found on ebay for $10 - Item#2481519638

I am considering buying it but not sure of its potential for damaging my ECU or if it really boost HP, basically its a carbon resistor used on almost any pc board, and it plugs into the cars IAT (intake air temperature) sensor and fools the ECU into thinking the intake air is cooler than it actually is - he claims a 20hp increase. Anyone familiar with this mod?

Also I'm considering using Amsoil synthetic 10w/30 in my NSX, was wondering what everyone else uses in there machine?

Thanks guyz,

 

[deedubb]

I need your opinion on a performance mod found on ebay for $10 - Item#2481519638

Im not familiar with the mod but would not touch a mod that claimed 20HP for only $10 dollars. I always am very leary about claims as this one, but then again, im no tech. That is just my opinion. Good Luck and hope you find an answer

EDIT: After thinking about this a bit more, i guess 10 bucks isnt that bad of a risk. It may be worth a try, that is if you are willing to be the guinea pig

 

[nsxtasy]

I need your opinion on a performance mod found on ebay for $10 - Item#2481519638

At best, it's a waste of $10. At worst, well... don't try it out on MY car.

Also I'm considering using Amsoil synthetic 10w/30 in my NSX, was wondering what everyone else uses in there machine?

Based on previous posts here, I would guess that perhaps 50-70 percent of owners use synthetic 10W30, 20-40 percent use conventional 10W30 (or 10W30 synthetic blend), and 10 percent use something else.

I would also guess that of those using synthetic 10W30, roughly 70 percent are using Mobil 1.

 

[Vytas]

I watch for NSX items on eBay quite a bit. I see this "chip" up on eBay at any given time over the last year and no one has ever bid on one. I don't believe the claim and wouldn't try some unproven upgrade. I think it's a scam. Given the $10 price, if it didn't work, would you go through the hassle and time in getting your $10 back? I'd pass on this gimmick.

 

[Vegas Boy]

Oil

Based on previous posts here, I would guess that perhaps 50-70 percent of owners use synthetic 10W30, 20-40 percent use conventional 10W30 (or 10W30 synthetic blend), and 10 percent use something else.

When Factor X did my maintenance, they used a synthetic
called "Neo" , 5-30W. Its a synthetic oil used by alot of custom builders. I trust those guys 100%, so thats what I have been using in the X and my M3.

Was wondering if anyone else used/heard of the stuff.

 

[nsxtasy]

When Factor X did my maintenance, they used a synthetic
called "Neo" , 5-30W. Its a synthetic oil used by alot of custom builders. I trust those guys 100%, so thats what I have been using in the X and my M3.

Was wondering if anyone else used/heard of the stuff.

Neo Synthetics is a small company that makes automotive fluids, including engine oil, brake fluid, etc - just like Redline, Amsoil, Royal Purple, etc. They make 10W30 motor oil as well as 5W30.

Almost all of the mechanics around the country who specialize in servicing the NSX use 10W30 viscosity, either conventional or synthetic (at the owner's discretion). Did you ask Factor X why they used 5W30 instead of the 10W30 that is recommended by Honda?

 

[nsx1164]

Re: Ebay performance mod ??

Also I'm considering using Amsoil synthetic 10w-30 in my NSX, was wondering what everyone else uses in there machine?

I use Mobil 1 synthetic in the recommended weights. I've considered Amsoil as well.

Amsoil and its competitors in the "specialty" oil category (Royal Purple, Redline, etc) seem to be real popular amongst heavier use situations (heavy HPDE, Club Race, etc).

I was chatting with some proponents of the specialty oils, and they tell me that one of the advantages is "longevity" -- use of these products can potentially allow you less-frequent oil changes compared to the more "common" brands (Mobil 1, Castrol Syntec, etc.). Am also told that these specialty oils often "adhere" to parts a lot more effectively than other oils.

 

[nsxtasy]

I was chatting with some proponents of the specialty oils, and they tell me that one of the advantages is "longevity" -- use of these products can potentially allow you less-frequent oil changes compared to the more "common" brands (Mobil 1, Castrol Syntec, etc.). Am also told that these specialty oils often "adhere" to parts a lot more effectively than other oils.

And you believed them???

 

[nsx1164]

And you believed them???

Don't know what to make of these assertions / claims.

BTW, this is the same assertion that Castrol makes of their $$$ SRF brake fluid. Whatever gets you market permission to capture bigger margins, I suppose.

Go figure

 

[nsxtasy]

At least Castrol's claims (of boiling points) are quantifiable in a way where anyone can recognize the benefits. (Although since Castrol SRF's advantage is primarily in its wet boiling point, it's of minimal advantage to most folks like us who change their brake fluid regularly.)

 

[ennessexx]

And you believed them???

I've asked others that have bought Amsoil from the same salesperson, just what they think of the oil. One person said that hes gone almost 58k on the same oil, with no change in oil color, nor change in the odor. In other words the oil doesn't smell burned. Others have said that they've actually increased their gas mileage and have noticed a slight increase in HP. My salesperson told me to use the same oil but change the oil filter as recommended by the manufacturer and just add whatever oil was drained from the filter back into the engine from a fresh quart of Amsoil. I just had my oil replaced with Amsoil and I plan to do as recommended and periodically check my oil color and smell, I will keep you guys posted of any changes to my oil.

 

[nsxtasy]

I've asked others that have bought Amsoil from the same salesperson, just what they think of the oil. One person said that hes gone almost 58k on the same oil, with no change in oil color, nor change in the odor. In other words the oil doesn't smell burned. Others have said that they've actually increased their gas mileage and have noticed a slight increase in HP. My salesperson told me to use the same oil but change the oil filter as recommended by the manufacturer and just add whatever oil was drained from the filter back into the engine from a fresh quart of Amsoil. I just had my oil replaced with Amsoil and I plan to do as recommended and periodically check my oil color and smell, I will keep you guys posted of any changes to my oil.

I really think that the frequency of oil change is more important than the type of oil you use. The idea of using oil - ANY oil - indefinitely without changing it for 58,000 miles just strikes me as ludicrous, and a serious risk to the engine.

When synthetic oil first came on the market, the oil manufacturers initially claimed that you could change it less frequently than conventional oil. Most of the reputable manufacturers have retracted these claims, although Amsoil is an exception. Here's what it says on the Mobil 1 website:

MYTH: You don't have to change the oil as often when using Mobil 1.

REALITY: While Mobil 1 has given excellent results in extended oil drain tests, ExxonMobil prefers to remain conservative with oil drain recommendations. ExxonMobil engineers recommend that you can go all the way to the maximum mileage or time frame shown in your owner's manual for oil changes when using Mobil 1 with SuperSyn™. This allows the reserve protection capabilities of Mobil 1 with SuperSyn™ to cover unusual or unexpected driving conditions.

Oil change intervals can be as short as 3,000 miles or as long as 15,000 miles on some new cars. Mobil 1 with SuperSyn™'s high-performance reserves can give you the confidence to go the full mileage or time frame recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. Mobil 1 with SuperSyn™ is especially suitable for the latest vehicles with extended drain intervals or vehicles with oil monitoring systems that vary oil drain intervals.

And, from Castrol's website:

Question: What oil change intervals are recommended for SYNTEC?

Answer: Motor oil serves many purposes. Its primary function is to lubricate and protect, but it also keeps your engine cool and running clean. By changing your oil frequently, you remove by-products of combustion such as acid, soot, abrasives, water and unburned fuel. All of these substances can have damaging effects on both the performance and life of your engine.

You should check your owners' manual for their recommended oil change service. However, we recommend for ultimate protection that you change your motor oil every 3,000 miles (or 3 months).

The simple fact is that, even though synthetic oil is more resistant to breakdown over time, it will accumulate contaminants and impurities at the same rate as conventional oil, and needs to be changed for that reason. If I had to choose between changing conventional oil frequently, versus synthetic oil less frequently, I would choose the conventional oil. Of course, I see synthetic oil with frequent changes as the best of both worlds.

Obviously, you can do whatever you want, but I will continue to use synthetic oil and change it at least as frequently (usually more) as recommended in the owner's manual. And I would never, ever, ever consider buying a used car whose owner rarely or never changed the oil, or ever recommend such a car to others.