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Thorton performance chips come in three stages. Stage 1 targets up to 20 extra horsepower, Stage 2 up to 40, and Stage 3 up to 60, with the fuel economy gain rising with each stage for drivers who keep a steady foot. All three plug into the same OBD2 port, install in the same 60 seconds, and unplug to return the vehicle to stock. The difference is how much of the engine’s available range the chip uses.
| Stage 1 | Stage 2 | Stage 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Everyday Performance | Performance Upgrade | Maximum Performance |
| Horsepower target | Up to +20 HP | Up to +40 HP | Up to +60 HP |
| Fuel economy | Up to +1 to 2 MPG | Up to +2 to 4 MPG | Up to +4 to 6 MPG |
| Character | Smoother, more responsive | Noticeably stronger acceleration | Maximum throttle response and mid-range |
| Price | $39.95 | $69.95 | $99.95 |
A Thorton chip does not rewrite your ECU. It works on the signals the ECU reads and keeps the engine in the more responsive part of its own factory map. Each stage uses more of that range: Stage 1 makes conservative adjustments that most drivers describe as “the car feels lighter”, Stage 2 makes the throttle and mid-range noticeably stronger, and Stage 3 uses the full range the factory calibration allows. None of the stages can exceed the engine’s own limits, because the ECU is still enforcing them; that is why all three carry the same warranty and the same 30-day trial.
Choose Stage 1 if your priority is a smoother, more responsive drive and a modest economy gain, or if you drive a small naturally aspirated engine where the headroom is limited. It is the stage we suggest for compact cars, hybrids with a gasoline engine, and drivers who want the least change in character.
Stage 2 is the middle ground: clearly stronger acceleration and throttle response without going all the way. It suits mid-size sedans and crossovers, and turbocharged four-cylinders where Stage 3 might feel abrupt in city traffic.
Stage 3 is the choice of roughly nine in ten Thorton customers over the last year, and it is what almost every truck owner picks. The F-150, Ram 1500, Silverado, Sierra, Tundra and Tacoma all respond to Stage 3 with the firm throttle and mid-range torque that matters when towing or hauling. Turbocharged engines, from EcoBoost Fords to BMW, Audi and Volkswagen four-cylinders, get the quickest spool from Stage 3.
From the last twelve months of orders:
Honda and BMW drivers lean slightly more toward Stage 1 and 2, which fits: smaller engines and more city driving.
Each chip is configured for the stage you order. If you start with Stage 1 and want more, contact support within the 30-day trial and we will arrange a return. After which you may repurchase the higher stage chip you want. Outside the trial, a new chip at the higher stage is the route; the original can go to another vehicle in the household after a reset.
The Performance Analysis Kit logs horsepower, torque and fuel economy from the OBD2 port to your phone. Log a baseline before the chip, then the same route after a tank of driving, and you will have your own numbers rather than ours. It bundles with any chip for a $10 saving.
Every stage is available for all 55 makes. Start with the vehicle finder, or go straight to Ford, Dodge and Ram, Chevrolet, Toyota, Jeep or GMC.
Find your vehicle and see your gains in seconds.
The companion to your Thorton chip. See real performance gains, monitor engine health and diagnose issues from your phone.
$59.95 on its own. The $10 comes off automatically when a Thorton Performance Chip is in the same order.
