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I am looking at fitting a Tune It performance module to my 55 plate diesel Vectra. It is a 150brake engine and the unit boosts it up to 175 brake. It is also supposed to improve mpg and torque to improve towing capabilities. Has anyone had experience of these units and does anyone know if it effects the warranty?

Thanks for that, but these actually plug in between your ecu and the loom, its not like a chip which is actually in the ecu, these arent. Only stuppled on them before Christmas, been on the website and they do look good.

If your buying the performance module off ebay all it is , is a 10p resistor ( sometimes it comes in a box with wires sticking out , other times it comes loose )
What it "so say" does is fools the engine management system into thinking the air going into the engine is cold , that causes the car to add more fuel ( like choke ) , this is where the extra power comes from . Some car engine management systems reteach themseleves ( so the fuel being burnt rapidly goes back to the correct burn ratio ) meaning the benefits are lost quite quickly .
If you go on any Vauxhall forum you'll find most people think they are a waste of money , you should also be able to find out what the resistor value is and buy your own for 10p or less , you'll also find out how to wire it in as well .

Here's one Click_here and here's another 3 Click_here Click_here Click_here
and this one is probably a variable resistor in a box Click_here .

atb

Wizard

This link will tell you everything you want to know about the performance modules / chips .
http://cloud.prohosting.com/davenger/cheapecumods.html

Here's how to fit the resistor http://boomer.cz28.com/iat.html

atb

Wizard

'Chipping' and adding 'power boxes' is a common affair nowadays, but it's important to fit the correct things.

Increasing fuel consumption is not an automatic side effect, unless you use the additional power and performance when running solo.

The warranty, although on paper might be invalidated, is not necessarily a foregone conclusion as various dealers are involved in 'chipping', even brand new cars before they leave the showroom. 

Your insurance company should be informed, and don't be surprised if they're not interested, or want to charge you a crazy surcharge.  Look around and you'll find companies who will offer a sensible deal.

Stories of engines blowing up after being chipped should be treated with some scepticism.  Yes, young guys increasing they're GTIs by crazy amounts run a very real chance of doing serious damage, but if you're a mature and sensible adult and go to a bona fide supplier who can recommend a sensible increase, then you should have no bother.

I had my Sorento's ECU 'adjusted' at 1000 miles!

There are various forums around the internet which include the subject.

 Try this firm www.griffinmotortuning.net

Vic, you say you know someone who's engine blew up, so fine, but you don't give any details of this person's vehicle and exactly what they did to their engine.

If you check the link Corrakid gave, you'll find a link there to the UK Sorento forum where you'll find various people who've fitted Griffin's Powerbox and other similar units.  I know someone who has had more than one brand new Disco and Range Rover 'chipped' by the supplying dealer and who has never had the slightest trouble.  My own Kia dealer had one of their Sorento demos 'chipped' too.

   ""All I would say is that if Vauxhall intended the vehicle to churn out 170 bhp from Tony's engine, then surely they would have marketed it this way in the first place.....?""    I'm sorry Vic, but if you know anything about motor vehicles then you'll know that there are various answers to that question.

Whether it's plug-in or wired in, it will still affect your insurance.  Be sure to advise them of what you have done, or you will not be covered.

Bertie.

With regard to insurance, the problem is that with a lot of companies, the minute you mention "power increase" or words to that effect, you're immediately lumped in with the 'boy racers' and their 'souped up' GTIs.  Also, with a lot of companies you're talking to some young guy or girl in a call centre who haven't a clue but are simply working from a prepared script.

Some companires simply aren't interested, others put on a crazy surcharge, and some are sensible about it.  I used a broker who spoke to someone at one of the insurance companies they represent and ended up with just an additional £40 a year.

Thank you ladies and gents for all your thoughts and advice. I certainly will look into the pro and cons of these units.