On a recent trip up the Great Northern Highway I was able to overtake road trains going up hill! The Pathy comes in at 405kN. I can now put my foot on the pedal and there is instant acceleration. However, the main improvement is in power. This has dropped to an average of 11.5ltrs/100kms. Towing was anywhere between 16ltrs/100km and 24ltrs/100kms dependent on road and wind conditions. On a run I have had it as low as 5.7ltrs/100kms! I was getting 12 ltrs/100km around town and this has now dropped to 7.2ltrs/100km. I was not expecting much of an improvement in fuel consumption, but the improvement is incredible.

In fact I think every 5th fill is free on the savings I'm making. The cost was $1600 fitted and while this seems expensive the following figures will show I will be paying this back in no time through reduced fuel costs. Whilst I have no idea what all this does all I can say is the result is amazing. Whilst able to offer the Steinbaur he recommended a 'Chip it' chip with a new section of exhaust called a DPR race pipe, an EGR backing plate and a fuel pressure limiter billet. I went to see a diesel specialist who came highly recommended. Whilst the Pathfinder pulled it with no problems, it was very slow at take-off and you always had the feeling that there was extra power available, but you couldnt get access to it without the turbo screaming. I have a 2009 Pathfinder 2.5TD and tow a two and a half ton (fully loaded) van. Simply put, any benefits in power or economy are lost as soon as the gases hit the baffles that are in modern exhausts. However, the same could be said for all the chips I asked about when they were fitted with no consideration taken to the exhaust.

When deciding whether to have a chip fitted I did a lot of research and I must admit everyone I spoke to who had a Steinbaur fitted reckoned that the economy claims were false.

Hilux dp chip