UNICHIP worth it???

[yanyan]

Sup guys, haven't been on here for a while, but decided to keep modding the speed. I now have, 3in dp, exhaust, fmic, bov, boost controller at 10 psi, and cold air intake. If i throw in the unichip, what else will i be needing to modify???

Will i have to take off my boost controller?

Does the unichip actually help that much?

Will i feel a difference???

Where can i get a UNICHIP and pricing??

Thanks in advance.

[Paul]

u can get it from corksport.com

[yanyan]

Ok, thats one question answered, any help from for th rest???

[ChopstickHero]

From all the research i've done:

Will i have to take off my boost controller?
NO, you can keep your current boost controller. You don't have to connect the Unichip boost controller.

Does the unichip actually help that much?
Yes, it controls both timing and a/f, leaning out the rich stock maps, increasing and smoothing power, getting rid of any hesitation...

Will i feel a difference???
Yes

Where can i get a UNICHIP and pricing??
Contact HorsepowerFreak who is on this board.



do a 'search in titles only' for Unichip and you will see alot of good threads on forum members who have installed it and given reviews.

[Paul]

does it matter if your ecu is flahsed or not?

[yanyan]

Thanks a bunch chopstick, i've done searches and read up on it, i just wanted to read more on peoples opinions before i dish out the 900 bux or so.

[Paul]

i think horsepower freaks might have them on sale

[mspeed555]

Sup guys, haven't been on here for a while, but decided to keep modding the speed. I now have, 3in dp, exhaust, fmic, bov, boost controller at 10 psi, and cold air intake. If i throw in the unichip, what else will i be needing to modify???

Will i have to take off my boost controller?

Does the unichip actually help that much?

Will i feel a difference???

Where can i get a UNICHIP and pricing??

Thanks in advance.

Why dont you get dsmconverts afc.?

[ChopstickHero]

Thanks a bunch chopstick, i've done searches and read up on it, i just wanted to read more on peoples opinions before i dish out the 900 bux or so.

lol... i'm in the same boat... lol... all the benefits are there... just gotta find a somewhat good deal and i'd jump all over it.

note that the high boost setting spikes to 13psi and settles back down to 10 or 11psi. i know with the added timing and a/f control, it's safer to do this than without any EMS at all. if you already have a boost controller, then i guess you can control it so it doesn't spike as high and have it hold at 9 or 10psi only.

i'm unsure if there is a difference between flashed and non-flashed cars.

[yanyan]

Gotcha.

[yanyan]

One more question, if i use the unichip, should i get bigger injectors also??? or will i not have to.

[CChris704]

no bigger injectors but they're making a map for the future that will control bigger injectors. no need now.

There is a sale going on by ben at horsepower freaks. which is selling the unichip for 800 shipped which is a great deal.

Taking off the boost controller would be a good idea because the unichip one is made for it and pretty accurate, I don't even know if you can use your own to be honest.

Yes you will feel a difference with the unichip because it cleans out your timing and air/fuel ratios which will help you drive a much safer car at 10psi. the 10psi you're at now isn't all too safe since you have to worry about blown engines and whatnot.

-Chris

p.s. i'm sure ben will be on tomorrow and able to chime in with more info.

[yanyan]

Thanks chris, yeah let me know how things go with the chat. I would like to know a bit more if i should keep my turboxs mbc, or use the unichip one, thanks man.

[poboxjosh]

Sup guys, haven't been on here for a while, but decided to keep modding the speed. I now have, 3in dp, exhaust, fmic, bov, boost controller at 10 psi, and cold air intake. If i throw in the unichip, what else will i be needing to modify???

Will i have to take off my boost controller?

Does the unichip actually help that much?

Will i feel a difference???

Where can i get a UNICHIP and pricing??

Thanks in advance.




Im selling mine for 650.

[TurfBurn]

Thanks a bunch chopstick, i've done searches and read up on it, i just wanted to read more on peoples opinions before i dish out the 900 bux or so.

900 bucks??? You can get a standalone for just over 1000 and tune it yourself for whatever you want whenever you want.

[gboromsp]

Go full standalone, you will be much happier in the end.

[poboxjosh]

From all the research i've done:

Will i have to take off my boost controller?
NO, you can keep your current boost controller. You don't have to connect the Unichip boost controller.

Does the unichip actually help that much?
Yes, it controls both timing and a/f, leaning out the rich stock maps, increasing and smoothing power, getting rid of any hesitation...

Will i feel a difference???
Yes

Where can i get a UNICHIP and pricing??
Contact HorsepowerFreak who is on this board.



do a 'search in titles only' for Unichip and you will see alot of good threads on forum members who have installed it and given reviews.



You can leave your boost controller on but its probably not a good i dea this boost controller was designed for the unichip and "spikes" at the appropriate time. There are threads out there about this. You should do more research before deciding on keeping your current boost controller

[TurfBurn]

Go full standalone, you will be much happier in the end.

:D

[yanyan]

If i decide to go full standalone, can i trust a local shop to actually tune it correctly? compared to a plug and play unit. The local shop has a good REP. but ionno, still sketchy on letting them tune my ecu and all. Why are u selling urs poboxjosh???

[poboxjosh]

If i decide to go full standalone, can i trust a local shop to actually tune it correctly? compared to a plug and play unit. The local shop has a good REP. but ionno, still sketchy on letting them tune my ecu and all. Why are u selling urs poboxjosh???


Going back to stock. Don't buy a standalone unless you know somebody to tune for you or you have alot of money.


Im not saying to buy unichip but there are other options too. Like MPI or haltec. If you want simplicity with the ability to be more complex with money. I would say unichip is the way to go.

Don't take my word for it there is alot of info on these boards.

[TurfBurn]

If i decide to go full standalone, can i trust a local shop to actually tune it correctly? compared to a plug and play unit. The local shop has a good REP. but ionno, still sketchy on letting them tune my ecu and all. Why are u selling urs poboxjosh???

Screw having the local shop do it.. YOU can do it. and I can teach you in less than 2 hours.. you only need to have a wideband.

[TurfBurn]

Going back to stock. Don't buy a standalone unless you know somebody to tune for you or you have alot of money.


Im not saying to buy unichip but there are other options too. Like MPI or haltec. If you want simplicity with the ability to be more complex with money. I would say unichip is the way to go.

Don't take my word for it there is alot of info on these boards.

With the unichip you are locked into what they give you... and you have to take it to a unichip capable location to get it redone if you make any major mods... so everytime you change something... be it injectors or exhaust or boost... you need to re-do it... costs a fair amount of money when it is worked like that.

The MPI is a good option to consider, and cheaper as well. The Haltech is a nice unit... and you can see what is in my sig... and we are rapidly growing in number... there are 5 of us on the board that will be running Microtech within the next 2 months... and by the end of the year should be around 8-10 people on Microtech's if not more.

But the simple fact is with a Microtech YOU can do all your own tuning and make whatever adjustments you need whenever you need them. NO trips to the dyno, NO extra cash when you make mods, and you know EXACTLY what your car is or isn't doing.

And you can wire a unit in or out of the car in under 2 hours. It's as simple as installing a new head unit for your stereo. Match up colors per the instructions and you are good to go.

[tricky]

does it matter if your ecu is flahsed or not?
Does any one know the answer to this ?

[Paul]

Going back to stock. Don't buy a standalone unless you know somebody to tune for you or you have alot of money.


Im not saying to buy unichip but there are other options too. Like MPI or haltec. If you want simplicity with the ability to be more complex with money. I would say unichip is the way to go.

Don't take my word for it there is alot of info on these boards.

did u get my pm?

[Professor MSP]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul
does it matter if your ecu is flahsed or not?


Does any one know the answer to this ?

I had my PCM flashed before I installed the Unichip. Others are running the Unichip on a flashed PCM too. To the best of my knowledge, the Unichip was tuned on the original and flashed PCM. I have yet to have a single problem with the Unichip, and am throroughly pleased with it.

You might wish to go to

http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=100130&highlight=unichip+meets

to see my experience at a dynamometer. You will see that my AFRs are essentially on the mark (according to the local tuner and a Unichip technician). This is some empirical evidence that the Unichip works properly for a flashed PCM.

[TurfBurn]

The unichip is a good unit and does its job. You shouldn't find anybody contest that. the decision you have to make is what you want as far as cost, tunability, and overall intent. If you want something you just drop in and go with DSMConvert has an AFC and an FTC that are both drop in, don't even need a dyno tune... They run around 300 bucks I think... and they have several maps available for various setups. The MPI runs in the 600 range I believe and you can tune fuel and timing yourself with it... pretty easy to use. Then there is the Unichip at the 700-900 range which you can drop in directly but need a dyno tune to get it fine tuned for your car, and any time you make a modification to the car of any sbustance you need to get it retuned. Then there is the Microtech which is full standalone, easy to wire in, and easy to tune by yourself and runs about 1100.. Then there is the Haltech which also wires in pretty easy, with a few sensor switches etc I believe.. and is reasonably easy to tune and runs about 1500... then there is the big dog with the AEM which is loaded with features and power but is also possibly beyond the average guy to tune themselves... but is an AWESOME unit to have... and runs around 1800 or so....

So depending on what you want to do those are the highest profile options you have.

[atticus1398]

I am flashed and have been running unichip for a while now. With my mods, i spike at 13psi and settle at 11psi. Flashed makes no difference as Unichip takes over timing.

On a side note, hey Steve...
Ive been resaearching stand alones. Once my longblock goes in I will need more fuel. Im really looking at the microtech. is it open or closed loop at all times?

thanks,
shane

also, the unichip is pre set for basic mods with a little bit of leeway. I have full bolt ons but have been running the chip since my first mod-exhaust. You can dyno tune it at a unichip tuner to "fine tune" but after speaking with Jack at Unichip, it isnt totally neccesary.


Aside from that, the Unichip is totally worth it if you dont ever plan on upgrading the turbo and motor. I have some nice kills under my belt with the Unichip. You will pull on stock Evos. lol

[TurfBurn]

On a side note, hey Steve...
Ive been resaearching stand alones. Once my longblock goes in I will need more fuel. Im really looking at the microtech. is it open or closed loop at all times?

thanks,
shane

also, the unichip is pre set for basic mods with a little bit of leeway. I have full bolt ons but have been running the chip since my first mod-exhaust. You can dyno tune it at a unichip tuner to "fine tune" but after speaking with Jack at Unichip, it isnt totally neccesary.


The fine tuning can probably net you 10-15 horse or a little more... depends... but if you are running 250.. do you need 265??? probably not :) LOL.

Anyway.. Microtech runs open loop all the time. That is the biggest difference between it and the Haltech (and the AEM too). It is however very easy to tune it accurately with the modifiers and the like such that regardless of temp, engine warm, etc, that it will run within roughly .2 AFR points of where you want it... you can tighten it down more, but that starts to get anal and difficult and doesn't give you any kind of noticeable improvement... so it is an open loop only system which is part of why it is a fair bit cheaper... But it's a tradeoff.. you don't replace any sensors with the Microtech... so wiring and so forth are that much easier and cheaper.

[yanyan]

THanks for all the info guys, hey TURFBURN. what is the price of ur stand alone unit?? and pm with more info please, and how i can tune and work with this, thanks man.

[JBreed]

So which is best?

[ChopstickHero]

So which is best?

after all the great posts in this thread, you still have to ask? it's up to you and how and what you want to do with a specific EMS that suits your needs.

[yanyan]

I think i might go with the MICROTECH, but we'll see what happens, its quiet a bit more spendy, but hopefully i'll get it tuned better. One thing is, i'm just scared of blowing something up, i dont have a wideband gauge either...

[JBreed]

after all the great posts in this thread, you still have to ask? it's up to you and how and what you want to do with a specific EMS that suits your needs.

yeah, maybe I am a lil Lazy. My needs are safety, 1st and foremost. I need my car as a daily driver. I suppose I am gathering information by opinion, which in and of itself is really not too valuable. thanks anyway.

[poboxjosh]

yeah, maybe I am a lil Lazy. My needs are safety, 1st and foremost. I need my car as a daily driver. I suppose I am gathering information by opinion, which in and of itself is really not too valuable. thanks anyway.


if safety is biggest concern choose unichip. Its the most foolproof.

[TurfBurn]

I think i might go with the MICROTECH, but we'll see what happens, its quiet a bit more spendy, but hopefully i'll get it tuned better. One thing is, i'm just scared of blowing something up, i dont have a wideband gauge either...

The base timing maps we give you make sure that you can't pop the motor.... you can run awfully lean and still be detonation free... a wideband however is a must... and you can get one for about 300 bucks.

[TurfBurn]

if safety is biggest concern choose unichip. Its the most foolproof.

Only because someone else tuned it... it's no more dangerous than a standalone as long as you follow certain guidelines.. but either way I set up the systems so that you can screw yourself unless you really botch the deal.

[tricky]

I think i might go with the MICROTECH, but we'll see what happens, its quiet a bit more spendy, but hopefully i'll get it tuned better. One thing is, i'm just scared of blowing something up, i dont have a wideband gauge either...
hey man, please let me know what you decide. I know I'm not the only one in MN that wants an EMS. We could pool our ideas/tuning maps ya know.

[WillisW555]

I have the Unichip and I like it. It's hard to say if it's worth $800. The car is quite a bit smoother than it used to be, but it still bucks every once in a while.

I chose the Unichip because I wanted something to just plug in. If I keep the car down the road, maybe a standalone will be in order, but I wanted something easily removable in case I get rid of the car.

[Delivery_Guy]

hey man, please let me know what you decide. I know I'm not the only one in MN that wants an EMS. We could pool our ideas/tuning maps ya know.

I third this idea. Only sad thing is, DSM's AFC is the only thing I have the money for right now. Do we even have a local UniChip dealer?

[livelyjay]

My opinion, if you don't want to go full standalone, I would just go with DSMConvert's AFC. Why go with something inbetween AFC and stand alone when the AFC is just over $300, in-between is $800 on sale, and standalone is just over $1000. Makes more sense to just go with AFC, then when you want to play with the big dogs, get a full standalone.

[Autox MSP]

yeh hacking up the stock harness means pain in the ass down the road. I hacked up my harness to install a greddy blue box on my civic. When the wires were soldered back on again sensors never got the right voltage and the car was shot.

[Captain KRM P5]

i am currently offering a sale on the unichip, PM or email me if interested (see link in my sig)

[goku4658]

My opinion, if you don't want to go full standalone, I would just go with DSMConvert's AFC. Why go with something inbetween AFC and stand alone when the AFC is just over $300, in-between is $800 on sale, and standalone is just over $1000. Makes more sense to just go with AFC, then when you want to play with the big dogs, get a full standalone.

well if you figure that the cost of the unichip also includes an ebc, its a pretty good price considering the ease of plug and play!

[ChopstickHero]

well if you figure that the cost of the unichip also includes an ebc, its a pretty good price considering the ease of plug and play!

also the ability to control timing. DSM's AFC only does that... control the AF. the unichip can control AF, timing and boost. and it's plug and play, no splicing, no dicing.