You seem to be the man to address this to (makes you wish you hadn't put @APR in your name, doesn't it?): Any chance you could compose an idiot's introduction to this stuff? Stage I, II, and III? Performance benefits? What you do after purchase (DIY? Professional install required?) Warranty ramifications?
Like a lot of people, I am always intrigued by the idea of having a little something extra under the hood. I just have never shaken the idea it's reserved for extreme gearheads with craploads of disposable cash who don't mind burning out their engine in a year or two (I'm not quite in my dad's mindset, but he still thinks any small motor putting out more than 200 hp is just going to eat itself... He's an old school Corvette guy, so forgive him

).
A little more to the direct topic at hand: I get that "chipping" is a term that's used, but is it a literal term? Does the Stage 1 stuff involve a new chip? flashing some ROM? loading software?
I have no idea if this section of the forums is for me, but I'd like to be informed before making a decision either way.