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Discussion Starter · #1 · (Edited)
Since my 451 I have considered a chip tuning mod but the 451 was a lease so I decided to pass on it then. After buying the 453 a couple years ago, my interest in a bit of a performance tweak came back. I have known about the options and mostly because of price decided to go with the German firm CPA-Chiptuning. Since last December there is now a U.S. office in NC. I decided on just doing the mild boost option. Price is $279 & free S&H with additional Spring discount of 8% and included lifetime warranty!

Install is actually very easy and quick. Biggest hassle was vague directions which I have been in contact with them to sort out and clear up for any future purchasers. Only two plugs to disconnect and connect with supplied wiring harness. Biggest issue is deciding where to place harness and box in the very crowded engine bay. The ends of the harness are color coded so you know which end to connect where since both connectors are identical. One end of the harness connects by the air box hose and the other end connects just beside/under the oil dipstick. Thats it! Original connectors were pretty easy to remove if done carefully and by directions.

Claims are for 18% boost in HP and torque with some variation depending on each engine’s characteristics. That is enough for me. The engine fired right up after the install and has been running well. The boost is noticeable when you put your foot into it, accelerating up to speed. Nothing much on low speed roads but nice when pulling out onto 50-60 mph roads or merging onto an Interstate.

Usual disclaimer: I have no connection to the company and am not receiving any compensation from them. Just sharing my experience with other 453 owners.
 

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Discussion Starter · #9 ·
Here's another option with perhaps more realistic performance claims: http://www.oetuning.com/index.php/products/smart :)

Just a note to any 451 owners reading this - cpachiptuning only has products for turbocharged smarts, which leaves us North American 451 owners SOL.
Really? I just found their listing for the 451, in Pro, Ultra and Nitro versions. It is listed as the fortwoii. They even have the 450 listed.

The HP claim for the one you listed is about the same as CPA and SmartMadness but the one linked claims a much higher torque increase than either CPA or SmartMadness - from 100 stock to 137. I’m suspicious of that claim for the base chip.
 

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Thanks for the post. It seems like the installation of this unit is much easier than other piggyback on the market with only two connectors. I'm seriously debating to get their PowerBox Nitro Connect.

Did you also get their pedal box setup? Any other performance mods in your ride to support the tune?


Since my 451 I have considered a chip tuning mod but the 451 was a lease so I decided to pass on it then. After buying the 453 a couple years ago, my interest in a bit of a performance tweak came back. I have known about the options and mostly because of price decided to go with the German firm CPA-Chiptuning. Since last December there is now a U.S. office in NC. I decided on just doing the mild boost option. Price is $279 & free S&H with additional Spring discount of 8% and included lifetime warranty!

Install is actually very easy and quick. Biggest hassle was vague directions which I have been in contact with them to sort out and clear up for any future purchasers. Only two plugs to disconnect and connect with supplied wiring harness. Biggest issue is deciding where to place harness and box in the very crowded engine bay. The ends of the harness are color coded so you know which end to connect where since both connectors are identical. One end of the harness connects by the air box hose and the other end connects just beside/under the oil dipstick. Thats it! Original connectors were pretty easy to remove if done carefully and by directions.

Claims are for 18% boost in HP and torque with some variation depending on each engine’s characteristics. That is enough for me. The engine fired right up after the install and has been running well. The boost is noticeable when you put your foot into it, accelerating up to speed. Nothing much on low speed roads but nice when pulling out onto 50-60 mph roads or merging onto an Interstate.

Usual disclaimer: I have no connection to the company and am not receiving any compensation from them. Just sharing my experience with other 453 owners.
 

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OliverB:

I run into an issue with my CPA-tuning Nitro connect and would appreciate to hear if you have similar issue. While I have connected both the ECM chip and Pedalbox, the gains are very noticeable and car runs great for the most part.

However, I’ve been noticing every time when I first startup the ignition, the car has no boost and running very little power (feels like safe or limp mode). If I turn off the ignition and re-start the car again for the second time, it would run normal again.

This issue has been repetitive and every time I basically need to turn the ignition two times in order for it run properly. Occasionally I have to restart a three or more times to get the engine to run normal, but mostly it’s two times.

Only time which I don’t have to restart more than once is if I just turned off the car after running it for a bit, and then restart again within a very short period of time.

Have you run into this issue at all?
 
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