Performance computer chips are vehicular add-ons designed to offer a wide range of improvements to a car's systems. Though not upgrades for everyone, performance chips are easy to use and inexpensive, making them great additions to cars, trucks, and SUVs that want to improve upon their stock systems. Before making a purchase or choosing to install one, however, a driver should know all the details about a performance chip installation and the results of using it. Below, we'll explain 4 different factors you should consider before installing a chip, so that you can make a well-informed choice of whether to install it or not.

Installation

Chalk this one up to a big one for performance chips. Many automotive upgrades involve hours of work with complicated tools, and require a great deal of technological know-how. Not so with performance computer chips. In fact, most people should be able to install one in under a half-hour, all with just basic tools. Recent upgrades to performance chip technology also means that you won't have to reset the ECU to get the chip to work with your vehicle's systems, saving you even more time and hassle.

Fuel Efficiency

Performance chips aren't magically going to turn your car into a hybrid or an electric vehicle, but they can help to cut your gas bill a bit. The boost provided by a chip results in enhanced fuel efficiency, and you can expect to save around 4-7 miles per gallon after installation. Results will differ depending on the model/year vehicle you own, but that's nothing to scoff at.

Horsepower Increases

Look, if you desire top-of-the-line horsepower gains, you're not going to get them with a performance chip. The 400HP increase that's commonplace with a turbocharger installation just isn't going to happen here, but then again, you won't be spending thousands of dollars either. It's not that performance chips don't perform admirably: a 60HP gain is nothing to laugh about, and will certainly help the average driver out quite a bit. Just don't expect it to turn your vehicle into a racecar.

Price

This category may be the real winner here. Effective performance chips can often be purchased for around $50, making them significantly cheaper than almost any other performance upgrade. Turbochargers tend to run into the thousands of dollars, and many other performance components still run well into the hundreds. If you want an easy-to-install piece of technology that provides results and is cheap to buy, a performance chip is your best bet. It may not be a racecar driver's number one addition, but for most drivers, this chip delivers the goods.