ECU chips. (Auto vs. Manual)

[Faramire]

Alright,so i was chatting with a friend, since i am going to turbo my car very soon.

ECU chips came up somehow, and well, he said anywhere from 400-1000 dollars, and turbo set ups are like 2000 for a smaller set up. So, even the biggest 1k$ ECU chip would be cheaper then a turbo, and easier to install.

Alright, but then we got into discussion about ECU chips on a manual, then on an automatic. My car is auto, and one of my friends that was there mentioned that ECU chips make a big difference on a manual, but it's barely noticable on an auto. I don't see how this is true, since it is basically a direct plug-in to the engine, not the tranny. I know manuals would have more power, but how would the ECU chip pump more HP to a manual, than an Auto. Would not the same Horsepower gain be the same on auto or manual?

Let me know, for an auto, would you ECU, or turbo?

[falcon]

I'd imagine that even with a turbo you'd want a programmable ecu so as to maximize performance while tuning.

[thumper64]

I know they used a slightly different cam on the engines that came bolted to automatic trannys versus manuals, but not enough to really matter. Then the ECU itself isn't all that much different, except an automatic checks for a lockup solenoid. Don't quote me on this, but I THINK the fuel maps are probably the same. I don't think it's going to really affect the amount of power at the crank.
Now, automatic transmissions shift as smooth as they do because they can slip to an extent, so that the gear changes are more fluid. I'm kind of new to Hondas, but I know there are shift improver kits you can use on automatic transmissions, and ways you can reprogram the transmissions controller to adjust shift points so that they perform better. I don't know if such an item exists for Civics though. I imagine that most if not all people use stock design Honda transmissions. I doubt that the transmission that a soccer mom has in her car to pick up kids and groceries was designed for the kind of performance that we are searching for, or will perform both equally well. I'm getting kind of off topic, but I'm trying to make the point that it's the intention Honda had for the car that is causing a bottleneck. I think the Honda community has mostly ignored the transmission in favor of engine modifications and aesthetics.