Unichip on Base w/CAI Question

DiveNut · Post by **DiveNut** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 12:10 pm

My wife has finally caved in on my constant whining about our econo car needing a bit more pep...The CAI we installed last year is great and we love it...Buuuutt, the bug for more has bitten again! Got the OK to purchase another toy and thought I'd try the Unichip. I have searched the forum regarding the Unichip (likes/dislikes etc), and most members seem to be pretty pleased with it. However, it seems that most of the posts pertain to the GT's and not the Base model. Anyone install the Unichip on their Base? If so, are you pleased with it? Thanks in advance for your help...

Raven · Post by **Raven** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 8:39 pm

You should probably install a Magnaflow exhaust system before spending $700.00 on a Unichip. Most people report only small gains with the Unichip without at least CAI and exhaust. The best gains are with Unichip installed on Turbo or supercharged engines.

drunkenmaxx · Post by **drunkenmaxx** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 11:36 pm

keep in mind, it's $700 for a relatively small gain.

AKLGT · Post by **AKLGT** » Fri Mar 24, 2006 12:51 am

the unichip isn't cheap. for a base with just a cai, you would experience some gains all the way up the rpm band, but not enough to warrant spending the $$$ imo. as others have said, the cai, exhaust, AND chip combo is your best bet with very decent performance gains especially on the low end torque that's needed. we'll be doing this very very soon on Mav's base vibe hopefully in April. if you ask him, he'll tell you how a base XR matrix with the above combined mods left his cai'd base vibe like it was sitting parked! you may only SEE the #'s as being small, but you will really FEEL the difference!i had the unichip on my 03 VGT during the original group buy. I only had a CAI but what a difference that chip made for power all the way up the band! I would say I probably wouldn't pay the full price they ask for the chip, but then again, i have an ECU chip coming for the new Legacy GT so..... it's amazing how the difference is with or without the chip.most people with them will tell you sure it was expensive for the gains, but they probably wouldn't want to give them up either. so it's your decision on what you think is worth the money.

DiveNut · Post by **DiveNut** » Fri Mar 24, 2006 8:30 am

Thanks all for the input...as always the quick responses to questions here is awesome. I was led to believe that, for a fee, the Unichip could be remapped for addition mods , i.e. Exhaust etc., and as much as I'd like to, I have a hard time swapping the exhaust with only 26K miles on it. So, I think I will order one this weekend mapped for just the CAI. install it and post my results. To Trdvibe's point, if I get moderate gains through most of the RPM band, I'll be happy Again, thanks for the insight guys (and girls).

DiveNut · Post by **DiveNut** » Fri Mar 24, 2006 10:23 pm

Well, just ordered it from SFX Performance, $589 + $11.42 delivery Total $600.42. Seems to be the best price out there, appearently there is a factory rebate that the other retailers are keeping for themselves, SFX is passing them on to their customers. Standard delivery will take about a week (which is fine since I will be in Ft. Lauderdale FL for the remainder of the month- Unfortunately on business ). Will post a follow-up ASAP.

Dezz1 · Post by **Dezz1** » Sat Mar 25, 2006 1:45 am

I agree, the power gains are small for the money, however, the gains are across the entire power band and it is adequate. I guess you can say it does not spend all of its power in one place. If you couple the chip with a CAI, cat back, and a high flow CC, a grin will remain on your face at all times.

AKLGT · Post by **AKLGT** » Sat Mar 25, 2006 2:07 am

wow. that's a very very good price! seems odd that it's less than what the original group buy was. and factory rebate?? doubtful that unichip would offer that. but who knows, maybe they made too many and wanted to surplus sell them. i just received my cobb ecu chip that i'll work on installing just the stage 1 maps tomorrow. i paid about the same for mine including shipping, saved about $80 with another groupbuy. the unichip for my LGT is just under $1000 and the gains aren't that great to spend $400 MORE!

DiveNut · Post by **DiveNut** » Sat Mar 25, 2006 2:21 am

Yes Trdvibe, I was skeptical myself too. But they seem to have some type of arrangement Unichip or something. Their prices for other makes and models all seem to get this "rebate". I wouldn't put it past retailers/distributers to keep that profit, gravy for them I guess. In any case, seeing is believing right!? Hope it's not a bunch of BS. Also, good luck with your new chip....hope it really kicks tail. Enjoy the weekend.

DiveNut · Post by **DiveNut** » Sat Mar 25, 2006 2:27 am

"If you couple the chip with a CAI, cat back, and a high flow CC, a grin will remain on your face at all times. "That's the plan man! All in due time...these mods are now only an annual thing for me. Seems raising my twin daughters (5 yrs old) takes a few bucks . Checked out you link, nice ride

goodvibe · Post by **goodvibe** » Sat Mar 25, 2006 3:42 am

Don't forget that you'll now be running Premium gas.

DiveNut · Post by **DiveNut** » Sat Mar 25, 2006 4:49 am

Didn't know that. I was told that it will be tuned for whatever the fuel car uses. Said something about an A-B selector switch that switches to a more aggressive (higher octane) map for folks that race, while the "A" setting is more day to day use. However, I am new to this ECU modding stuff so don't quote me. Thanks for the heads up though, I will be sure to veryify the appropriate grade fuel before using it.

Dezz1 · Post by **Dezz1** » Sat Mar 25, 2006 1:16 pm

Thanks for the complement on my ride man. Yeah modding does become expensive, and I am sure raising your princess isn't small change. I recently changed jobs and it doesn't pay as much as my old on , therefore I have to cut back on spending. I am really reconsidering another job change that pays more money so I can buy some more toys (mods). I can only do one more mod for the year, and that will be either a cat back with a high flow CC, or a front and back wireless camera system with night vision.

Dezz1 · Post by **Dezz1** » Sat Mar 25, 2006 1:20 pm

You know something, I never touched the A-B switch, but I always kept the toggle switch up (light on). I will try the A-B tomorrow and see what happens.

goodvibe · Post by **goodvibe** » Sat Mar 25, 2006 3:51 pm

The switch takes away most of the timimg advance. The fuel curve stays the same. As much as I liked the chip, it was unimpressive in the light off position. Don't bother if your not going to run premium.

DiveNut · Post by **DiveNut** » Sat Mar 25, 2006 11:19 pm

Thanks again for the scoop goodvibe.

DiveNut · Post by **DiveNut** » Fri Apr 07, 2006 9:17 am

Well, just returned from my trip to FL and I received the Unichip! Will be installing it this weekend, put a few miles on it, and share the results. On a side note, SFX Performance was top rate to deal with, said it would be 7-10days before I received it, got it in 8. They responded promptly to my questions via email w/in 24 hours. Dealt with a guy there named Glen.

Mavrik · Post by **Mavrik** » Fri Apr 07, 2006 9:48 am

So are you switching to premium fuel when you have this all installed? I'm asking because I have a chip to install also but already have an intake and exhaust installed. Wondering if I should use 90 octane now...

DiveNut · Post by **DiveNut** » Fri Apr 07, 2006 12:51 pm

I was lead to believe that it is not necessary to go to high octane with the A Map. May need to do it with the B Map to avoid detonation due to the more aggressive timing advance. If the ecu is sensing the need, it will retard the timing resulting in a loss of power. Since the instructions don't really specify, I will try both grades of fuel. I'm new to the whole ECU mod thing and am learning as I go. Some of the more serious, and heavily modified car owners can appearantly request the B map to be set up for high octane/racing fuel for race day while relying on the more docile A map (an lower octane fuel) for day to day use. In any case, I look forward to comparing notes with you Maverik.

AKLGT · Post by **AKLGT** » Sat Apr 08, 2006 3:48 am

Quote, originally posted by Mavrik Â»So are you switching to premium fuel when you have this all installed? I'm asking because I have a chip to install also but already have an intake and exhaust installed. Wondering if I should use 90 octane now...i'm sorry, but maybe you were out last week when i told you this at home? if you're going to run the unichip, you should switch to higher octane fuel for the best results.... thus the whole conversation of why i'm going with Torco and stage 2 93 maps vs 91 maps?? glad you listen when other people tell you the exact same thing. *roll eyes*

AKLGT · Post by **AKLGT** » Sat Apr 08, 2006 3:59 am

Quote, originally posted by DiveNut Â»I was lead to believe that it is not necessary to go to high octane with the A Map. May need to do it with the B Map to avoid detonation due to the more aggressive timing advance. If the ecu is sensing the need, it will retard the timing resulting in a loss of power. Since the instructions don't really specify, I will try both grades of fuel. I'm new to the whole ECU mod thing and am learning as I go. Some of the more serious, and heavily modified car owners can appearantly request the B map to be set up for high octane/racing fuel for race day while relying on the more docile A map (an lower octane fuel) for day to day use. In any case, I look forward to comparing notes with you Maverik.if you are going to spend the money on the chip, then i strongly recommend (as goodvibe has done already) to also increase the octane. after sitting down with our evo owner friend, sam, last week for 2 hours discussing how better octane will improve response, performance, handling, etc especially when it comes to engine management, i purchased a 32 oz bottle of torco, race fuel. i added it to a tank of gas (about 1/4-1/3 of the bottle) and 2/3 of regular gas, i noticed an IMMEDIATE difference in the car's response when i put my foot down on the pedal. since I'll soon be going to stage 2 in the LGT, I've decided to go ahead and go with the 93 octane maps vs the 91 due to the noticeable performance differences and encouragment from other stage 2-ers. plus, unless you are doing an actual pro-tune of your unichip, their base maps are rather conservative. i doubt you would need to worry to much about detonation on either map A or map B. they are pretty safe and afaik, i've not heard of anyone blowing out their engine, transmission or otherwise due to agressive mapping on their unichip (not the factory maps for sure). honestly, i never even noticed a difference b/w the 2 maps when i had the chip in my VGT for about 14 mos. good luck! it'll be interesting to hear how you fair out. of course, i'm sure your octane is much better than ours. best we can get here is 90 (which is why i have to go with octane boosters).

DiveNut · Post by **DiveNut** » Sat Apr 08, 2006 9:47 am

Based on your, and the other Gen Viber's recommendations, I am going to filler er up with the good stuff after I use up the regular -87 octane- gas I have now ( Of course I have 3/4 of a tank!). Premium fuel here is 92 Octane so I am looking forward to checking out the difference. Will have the Unichip installed after breakfast tomorrow, shouldn't take long to use up the cheap gas !

DiveNut · Post by **DiveNut** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 12:47 pm

Got the chip installed Sunday morning. Really easy mod, took total of 20 minutes. Noticed immediate improvments across the entire rpm range, even on regular fuel. Feels to improve as time goes on, I guess the ECU's still learning. Find myself using less throttle to pass and merge (When I don't have it floored! ) . Will fill up with premium fuel in a couple days and hope to see even more gains. While my Base is by no stretch fast, the driving experience has improved tremendously, IMO this is the way the base should have come from the factory. Thanks again to all for the great feedback and suggestions.P.S. Even "the Boss" agrees it is a worthwhile mod

Unichip on Base w/CAI Question

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