What is the difference between the DSMLink, and a DSMChip?
The DSMLink is a wonderful product, but there are several important differences:
1) The most important difference is that the DSMLink allows the user to tune and change many of the ECU variables on a laptop computer, whereas my chips are fixed at the values determined for your setup and burned into the chip by me. Changes to my chips, like an injector upgrade, require $20 for an update to the chip, and the later return of your old chip, as cheaply as possible. The DSMLink is especially suitable for DSMers who frequently change fuels, or race on weekends, since you can quickly swap maps or retune at the track. My chips are designed for ONE specific octane fuel, unless you have the "dual-image" version which can allow you to swap to extra AFR or timing maps.

2) The DSMLink comes with STOCK timing and openloop AFR maps, whereas my chips are fully customizable to whatever octane fuel you run, your compression ratio, or stroke. The DSMLink requires the user to tune the vehicle using a laptop interface, to lean the AFR or remove timing for example, whereas my chips have optimized maps already in them, which get you up and running much faster, especially for guys with daily drivers, or who don't want to have to learn to tune.

3) Most of my 1G chips feature expanded timing and openloop AFR maps. The 1G factory maps topped out at ~15psi of boost. So, when you turn up the boost, an ECU with a stock or DSMLink chip is still trying to use timing advance intended for much less boost, limiting the amount of boost you can run because of knock issues. My chips will continue to adjust the timing as high as 24 or more psi of boost. The DSMLink tries to get beyond this limitation by allowing the user to add or subtract timing at each rpm increment. However, any changes made to that rpm become effective at ALL load levels. So, removing timing on the top map also can cause the car to become less responsive at lower boost levels, effecting drivability. On the other hand, my chips can be customized to ONLY effect the timing or AFR at the boost levels that you desire, leaving the lower load maps untouched, maintaining better driveability.

4) The DSMLink includes a built-in logger, to aid you in tuning, including the ability to log the AFR from a wideband O2. My chips require an aftermarket logging program, such as Pocketlogger, TMOLogger, or MMcD.
Pocketlogger Website (a Palm-based logger)
TMO Logger 16.02 (a Windows/notebook-based logger)
MMcD v1.8g (a Palm-based logger)

The long and the short of it: The DSMLink is a great, mature product which has helped hundreds of DSMers make lots of power. But, the provided maps are for a stock DSM and need to be tuned to adjust for changes you have made, like stroking or a higher compression ratio. Many guys don't know where to even begin to compensate for such changes, or don't want to hurt their daily driveability, so they find that the maps in my chips are "close enough" to make a LOT of extra power, without tuning or the use of piggybacks. If you are the kind of guy that enjoys tinkering with your tune, or need to change tuning for weekend racing, or "need" every last HP out of your setup that you can get, do yourself a favor and try the DSMLink.

Jeff Oberholtzer
http://www.dsmchips.com Please address any questions / comments to keydiver@yahoo.com

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