H2Sport and the PSI Motorsport Power Box.

[Deezel77]

Recently been told to check out a place in Georgetown called H2Sport. Checked out their site, and they specialize in VW/Audi/Porsche Tuning. Looking a the products page and found this plug and play power chip.

http://h2sport.com/products.php?productid=45

Checked out the PSI-Motorsport website, read their description, can't really find any customer reviews other than what they supply on their site.

Has anyone bought one of these? Or knows someone who bought one. Am I better off with a better brand? Do these H2Sport guys have a good reputation amoung the VW community?

 

[Wingnut]

I don't want to bash any products, but lets just say that you can get the same amount of power increase with a $200 set of nozzles. And the power will be more linear & smooth. Or, for a 5 cent resistor, you can do the same as a tuning box. Search the forums for "evry mod"

 

[blizzak]

I bought my Vag-com and bentley from H2, they seem to be decent, down to earth guys. As for the product, I dunno...generally I have been of the school that tuning boxes of any sort are inferior to a chip. For a PD though, I suppose that would be a less costly route?

Certainly looks like a decent product though.

 

[Deezel77]

Well I'll ask around, maybe get a few more oppions on here, I was thinking of that box + nozzles. I used to work at a bike shop, and you could buy this module called a power commander, all it did was change A/F ratio etc. I thought that maybe you can achieve the same and wake the car up a little bit, but 450$ is a steep hill to climb for something like 2 hp. I'd rather do nozzles if you guys think it is better.

 

[Sweeps]

Start with nozzles for sure!!
Period.

 

[OmegaRenegade]

As wingnut suggested - nozzles are far better bang for buck. Tuning box will give u a nice kick in your pants upgrade but you won't have a very linear power band. For the price of the tuning box, I'd pay someone like EMT-tuning to "chip" your car which will tune the ecu to fuel and boost more giving you a refined power output which won't smoke and still leave your car reliable.

As for H2Sport - I've used the guys to get work done, order parts or just to get their opinion. I've had a generally positive experience with them and will continue to go back to them

 

[Toronto_Vento]

box is definitely not recommended if you do nozzles. I know you are trying to cut a few $$ corners, but I don't think you'll be happy with the combination you are looking at. I would definitely recommend nozzles, and drive that for a bit. If you look for more power, get a performance chip afterwards. You have a 2000 Jetta, so you likely you have a LUK clutch. These tended to hold a little more power, BUT be prepared to require a clutch upgrade in the future if you do a nozzle + another mod.
As for why a tuning box is no good, it just pumps more fuel in there, and doesn't affect your boost as much. They definitely will give you a boot in the rear, BUT if you couple this with nozzles, you will be smoking quite a bit. A chip is better programmed to handle fuel, boost, etc and will give a smoother and less smoky ride.

Now that I own my second TDI, I definitely would recommend to not rush into the modding game. I know it's exciting, but take your time and map out what you want to get out of the car. (and I mean a more thorough answer than "power power power")

 

[OhMagoo]

If you're running a PD engine, the PSI Powerbox will be great for about 5000 klics. Then you'll have to unplug it for 1000 or 2 klics to allow the ECM to reset, then plug the Powerbox back in. The car will smoke like an 50's vintage Mack. I have first hand experience with this. The advantage is that for warrantee work, the module can be unplugged in 3 minutes and no one is the wiser. I traded my Powerbox back into H2Sport for a rear sway bar. I have no experience with the ALH engines.

 

[LNXGUY]

Hell if you want a powerbox, make your own!

Unplug your CTS and go for a ride, the results will be the same

 

[Toronto_Vento]

ALH does react better than the PD I think. The box doesn't "get detected" like on the PD.

BTW, H2Sport seems to be a good place to deal with: a lot of VW guys go there.

 

[OmegaRenegade]

H2Sport is more for the gassers then it is Diesels - however they are a lot more knowledgable then most other shops out there.

 

[Vik F]

as mentioned above, H2 has a good crew, very VW gasser knowledgeable...diesels, they have much to learn, but atleast they are open to it, unlike most other vw shops.

 

[Deezel77]

as mentioned above, H2 has a good crew, very VW gasser knowledgeable...diesels, they have much to learn, but atleast they are open to it, unlike most other vw shops.

Do they do like maintenance stuff there? Like tune ups oil changes etc?

 

[JASONP]

Stay away from the PSI POWER BOX,I had one first when I got my JETTA TDI.
This was before I knew anything about diesels,and now it's not in my car anymore.
The only thing it's good for is blowing ALOT fo smoke after a while as all it does is increase fuel pressure(runs way too rich) causing more problems than you care to deal with.
I had my intercooler pipe blow off and couldn't see the BUS behind me,had to replace MAF sensor annd not to mention fouls up CAT after extended use.

FYI only after all it is your car just letting you know.If you want the same performance, GET A CHIP TUNE! The proper way to do it.

 

[NarfBLAST]

I am a huge fan of the PSI IP Powerbox on my ALH engine and I did buy mine from H2Sport in Georgetown. I've had it on for two years and over 50,000km and there is no need to unplug it. I did unplug it recently to see if it would affect fuel economy but it did not and I could not stand to drive without it. This unit SMOOTHS out the power band. That is the first thing I noticed. This unit has a digital processor, so it is NOT the same as the evry mod and will not cause smoke as long as you are getting enough air (I know this because I had VNT actuator problems while using this powerbox and I did smoke). If everything else is running properly and you do not have any other mods then it is impossible to get this box to smoke. That is the key to this powerbox. It probably works best as a STAND ALONE POWER MOD. If you just want to wake up your car, and you do not intend to mod further, this is probably the IDEAL power mod. The only other thing I have done is adjusted my VNT actuator for quicker spool and added a boostvalve to control boost spikes associated with extra fuel and shortened VNT linkage. Very mild mods but I am very happy with them.

PROS:

- adds 20% power and torque
- easy to install, just plug it in
- easy to remove, just unplug
- smooths the power band, smoother take off from a standing start
- not detected by the ECU, will not cause a CEL
- no adjustment, just enjoyment

CONS:

- may not play well with other mods so hard to upgrade without removing this mod, but then again, this Powerbox is easy to sell... just offer a money back gaurantee, install it in their car, and if their car was stock before I promise you they will not want to unplug it! Very easy to move from car to car.

 

[Uberhare]

The PSI unit is one of the better ones out there. I am not a fan of tuning boxes to begin with though. Just skip the box and get a chip. What I can tell you about the PSI box:

Digital processor onboard (risc)
Programming - yes believe it or not. If you contact PSI there is a cable you can get to tweak the box.

The thing it does not do is change boost. If you really want to get the most out of your car, chip it with bigger injectors. Do not try to use a box with big injectors either.

Just my 2 cents...

 

[Deezel77]

Can I purchase just the chip and install it myself on a spare ECU ?

 

[Uberhare]

Can I purchase just the chip and install it myself on a spare ECU ?

Any good tuner can reflash your ECU, no soldering required these days.

 

[Deezel77]

Oh seriously? I thought it was like an eeprom that needed to be soldered in. In that case I'll pic up a spare ecu or something from the junkyard.

Btw, instead of making another thread. My air conditioner if it sits for more then a day STINKS. It literally smells like rotten eggs or some type of sewage when I turn it on for the first 5 minutes. Do you guys think it could be the cabin filter?

 

[NarfBLAST]

The PSI unit is one of the better ones out there. I am not a fan of tuning boxes to begin with though. Just skip the box and get a chip. What I can tell you about the PSI box:

Digital processor onboard (risc)
Programming - yes believe it or not. If you contact PSI there is a cable you can get to tweak the box.

I've Emailed tdtuning@psi-motorsport.com requesting info

 

[Uberhare]

 

[Deezel77]

To bad you can't build one.. I'm that type of guy that if I could I would just build everything to cut back on the cost lol

 

[NarfBLAST]

Uberhare, what make/model of power box is that? Mine is the one for VE cars (see the link in my signature) but it looks nothing like that inside, it is actually kind of neat, just a board, with one chip, and a couple of LEDS... one red for power, the green one turns on about 30 seconds after starting the car to indicate that box is "working".

 

[NarfBLAST]

PSI Powerbox model PB200002 for VE cars

Just got this reply from PSI:

Thank you for your interest in our product.

You have the possibility to regulate the by using the small brass screw inside the box.
If you turn it clockwise power will decrease and if you turn it counter clockwise power will increase.

But, be careful with regulation. It’s not recommended to adjust boxes because all boxes are regulated for specific cars. Only adjust box by single revolutions. Otherwise there is possibility of limp mode, black smoke or too high exhaust gas temperature.