Unichip installed... performance review.

[Mavrik]

Well it has been a week now since the unichip was installed in my car and for those lurking at the fence wondering if its worth it. Let me tell you it is.My 2004 base Vibe 5spd has a Injen Cold Air Intake and a catback Magnaflow exhaust. With those mods I've run the 1/4 in 16.8 seconds. Not a mind blowing run but still good all the same. But the icing on the cake is the unichip. After it was installed I got a cel which cycled off and never returned and since then I have been testing a few things out. Here is what I have noticed.1. A lot more low end torque. Sure your not thrown in your seat but the difference is felt.2. Acceleration is smoother and faster, making shifting gears a lot smoother as a result.3. When shifting, the car stays in the powerband and doesn't drop much in RPM.4. The unichip was installed when my tank was full on 87 octane. I just switched to a full tank of 88.5 and wow... More power and more torque.5. Consumes fuel only when you romp on it. I got 500km to 3.4 a tank with a heavy foot. all week. Thats good in my book.Once this tank of fuel is gone, I'll try a tank of 90 and see if I feel any difference. Otherwise I'll just keep running 88.5 octane.Money well spent.

[northvibe]

GAH you and your metric km's!! its to late for me to convert that...wait.. hahha im on a mac it does it for me with a widget hang on....you got 310miles ? nice, what the heck is 3.4 a tank?

[Lancer]

Now aren't you glad that you waited so long to install it?The more mods you do to your car the better the Unichip makes them all work together. Now try freeing up some hp with a lighter flywheel and pulleys. Then a header. You'll be amazed at the differance! I bet you'll be in the upper 15's at the track then.

[AKLGT]

(removed). the magnaflow and intake have both been on since May.

[Mavrik]

Quote, originally posted by northvibe »GAH you and your metric km's!! its to late for me to convert that...wait.. hahha im on a mac it does it for me with a widget hang on....you got 310miles ? nice, what the heck is 3.4 a tank?I was rushing when I typed that up... it was quitin time at work. I ment 3/4 tank.

[Jahntassa]

Stupid metric!Hahaha.. I really need to get the modding bug, but first I need a raise. :/

[tcam]

Quote, originally posted by Lancer »I bet you'll be in the upper 15's at the track then.wow, that'd be a very impressing time for a base vibe. very cool Mavrik:thumbup: are u planning on doing anything more, such as the header or lightweight flywheel that Lancer mentioned?

[AKLGT]

well he was running high 16's with just the intake and exhaust. he probably could have gotten less times even if he pushed his launch and shifting more.... this was him driving fairly conservative. hopefully he can break into the 15's with the unichip.

[Mavrik]

I looked into headers but according to the research I came across... the gains were minimal for the price. I'm probably going to keep the car the way it is for now... save my pennies for the STi and then when its my daily driver, maybe turn the Vibe into a project car. A 15 second Vibe would be nice. I'm already in the 16 seconds without the chip.

[Lancer]

Your right about the headers giving only minimal gains, by itself. But with your cai, exhaust, and Unichip, the gains all together will be very impressive, for a vibe. You can't look at one mod and expect miracle improvments. You have to take them as a whole.Not to mention how nice a good header sounds with the other mods! Have you seen the 'new' limited edition STi's? Toned down a bit, looks wise, but now they come with black leather seats. I still like the '06's the best.

[AKLGT]

yes, the headers would be helpful in addition to everything. but why spend more money when we are going to be buying an STi just around the corner. our buddy with an 05 totally stock STI just ran a 13.11 sec 1/4 ET 2 wks ago. we had the chip from my vibe gt and we already agreed on the exhaust over a year ago.now, he wants to put all his money aside for the STI for obvious reasons.

[Mavrik]

Quote, originally posted by Lancer »Your right about the headers giving only minimal gains, by itself. But with your cai, exhaust, and Unichip, the gains all together will be very impressive, for a vibe. You can't look at one mod and expect miracle improvments. You have to take them as a whole.Not to mention how nice a good header sounds with the other mods! Have you seen the 'new' limited edition STi's? Toned down a bit, looks wise, but now they come with black leather seats. I still like the '06's the best. headers later perhaps but not right now. I also don't want to do anything else to my car that could throw me out of STS class in SCCA Solo II events. The chip doesn't throw me out of that class which is good because I'm barely keeping up with those in my class, I don't want to be going against even faster cars.I have nothing against and would happily own a regular looking STi. But the limited looks even better but probably won't be available when Hope and I round the next corner and am able to get one.

[BlueCrush]

Would a header really bump you up enough to be in the next class? Is it based on HP or track times?PS-Your lucky you have an aftermarket header as an option for you. I am having a header custom made for my AWD this fall. It will run about $500 But it should make a big difference since the AWD headers are so restrictive.

[AKLGT]

it's based on the modifications on your vehicle and how it operates to give you an advantage over the next guy. in certain classes, you're allowed to do specific mods. for STS, he's limited in what he can do. because the unichip doesn't actually change his shifting or boost levels (since he's not F/I) then he's fine. however, in my class, because I have ECM that changes my boost levels and points, I am for the most part in the Street Modified class. this class allows me to do a bigger turbo swap or change a lot of the parts, but not the engine itself I believe. They have so many rules and regulations, it's hard to keep up! LOL

[Lancer]

You both make good points. Wish I could save money like that so I could get my dream car. I also understand if you want to stay in your current racing class. Don't listen to me then. Stay focused on the goal! Umm, 13 sec. stock awd! Finally having a faster car then the wife! Unliminited upgrades!

[tcam]

Quote, originally posted by Lancer »Finally having a faster car then the wife! haha This seems like a bit of dumb question and it's abit off topic, but I was challenged on it the other day. Headers and exhaust manifolds are the same, right?

[ColonelPanic]

What the hell is 88.5 octane? Was 88 not good enough but 89 was too much? (removed)! The petrol they give youse guys up there trips me out man, that's just weird!

[AKLGT]

Quote, originally posted by Lancer »You both make good points. Wish I could save money like that so I could get my dream car. I also understand if you want to stay in your current racing class. Don't listen to me then. Stay focused on the goal! Umm, 13 sec. stock awd! Finally having a faster car then the wife! Unliminited upgrades! only temporarily. once I do my turbo/TMIC upgrade (shortly there after or will be at the same time since he won't let me until he gets his STI), i should be pushing about 330+ awhp/tq. but Phil doesn't care... he's going from a stock 130 hp FWD to a stock 300 hp AWD. I think he's gonna have a nice grin on his face regardless!

[AKLGT]

Quote, originally posted by tcam »haha This seems like a bit of dumb question and it's abit off topic, but I was challenged on it the other day. Headers and exhaust manifolds are the same, right?no, i believe they are different. or atleast I think they are. If i do an STI swap on my LGT, i have to get the STI manifold, turbo, and intercooler, but the LGT headers will be fine (would be a good time to upgrade those too though). so i'll assume they are NOT the same.

[Mavrik]

Quote, originally posted by ColonelPanic »What the hell is 88.5 octane? Was 88 not good enough but 89 was too much? (removed)! The petrol they give youse guys up there trips me out man, that's just weird! Yeah its weird... at some pumps its 87, 88 and 90 while at others they do the whole 88.5 and what not. Yup she is not making her car any faster until I'm driving something faster.

[satur9]

actually the term headers and exhaust manifolds are commonly used interchangebly. both refering the the runner(pipes) coming off the exhaust ports and connecting it to the rest of the exhaust. if youn wanna get technical some people refer to turbo cars as having manifolds because they have the turbo flange and all, and regular cars as having headers. and overseas they are called extractors(learned that yesterday)!

[tcam]

Quote, originally posted by satur9 »actually the term headers and exhaust manifolds are commonly used interchangebly. both refering the the runner(pipes) coming off the exhaust ports and connecting it to the rest of the exhaust. if youn wanna get technical some people refer to turbo cars as having manifolds because they have the turbo flange and all, and regular cars as having headers. and overseas they are called extractors(learned that yesterday)! ohhh, alright. thanks for the clarification.

[AKLGT]

Quote, originally posted by Mavrik »Yup she is not making her car any faster until I'm driving something faster.ya ya ya... *rolleyes* i have to wait...

[DiveNut]

Glad to hear you got your chip installed Mavrik. The longer I've had mine the more I have grown to love it! And as you noted, the overall driving experience is enhanced across the board. In addition to smoother idling and acceleration, my mileage has increased by 2mpg around town. Got 34 MPG on my last trip to Michigan, loaded with my wife, two kids and our gear. Perhaps because I don't have to keep my foot it it as long as I use to when passing and merging. Been on a steady diet of 93 Octane for two months now and for only $.10 per gallon more than the mid grade 89 Octane I had been using, the car seems to really respond to it. Use the B map.... Look forward to hearing about your next trip to the strip.

[Mavrik]

If the weather holds then this sunday will be when I do some runs.Of course I've noticed a decrease in fuel mileage... funny how my foot gets heavier with each mod.

[DiveNut]

Of course I've noticed a decrease in fuel mileage... funny how my foot gets heavier with each mod.[/QUOTE]Funny how that works

[Mavrik]

usually I get 150km before my needle even moves... Now I'm lucky to get 90 before the needle moves.

[DopeVibeGT]

So, if ya put this Unichip thing in and have a CAI and cat back on a 03 GT, you should be in low 14's. LOL

[Mavrik]

Not sure about a low 14 because its a struggle for 230HP cars. But I'd say a decent low 15 to high to mid 14 second run.I tried a tank of 90 octane since the price went down. I don't notice a difference between it and 89 octane...

[savedbyzero]

A 1 sec drop from just the Unichip? Doubtful. But hey, ya never know.Glad your enjoying your new mod. Keep pushing it!

[Mavrik]

a GT with intake, exhaust mods and a unichip should be at least a second faster then a stock GT.

[AKLGT]

exactly. not JUST the unichip alone, but additional mods to tie it all together, should be able to take a GT to 14's imo. car is light weight. even with torque steer, should be able to get it flying....

[DopeVibeGT]

Well, a stock '03 GT is 0-60 in 7.3 seconds and 1/4 in 15.7 car. I dont think I've gotten into the 14's yet, and I have a CAI and cat back installed. Maybe low 15's.

[AKLGT]

is that with a unichip? still low 15's is good. those car and driver mags are pro drivers. what they can do in a 1/4 mile is usually much better than your average joe commuter. they say my car is supposed to run 14.2 STOCK in 1/4 but i ran a 15.03 stock (didn't know what i was doing so if i had, i MAYBE coulda got 14.9). not even CLOSE to what the mags said. however, w/ my adds and bolt ons i am now running 13.6. there is a guy who has basicly the same mods as myself, but a 5 spd and he ran a freaking 12.8!!!!! holy crap! that's the fastest time anyone had posted for his list of mods! so, i think it really depends on the driver, the track, weather, altitude, etc on your times. some tracks seem to run fast while others run slow.

[goodvibe]

http://www.newcelica.org/other...t=xrs The only XRS or GT's I've seen below 15 weren't naturally aspirated. I'm a big fan of the unichip but it doesn't make that much more peak power in an intake equipped car. Drives much better when your not racing with lots more torque below lift but that's less than 1 sec of the entire 1/4 mile run. It's probably worth a tenth or so in a straight line in a CAI car and a bit more in a naturally aspirated one. Here's some unichip curves. Red is with chip.stock w/CAI w/exhaust w/ CAI and exhaustDon't take these #s literally as they're 'corrected' but they can be compared to each other for relative effcts. All the mods together may get you 10% more power but not with the TRD bits. The only one I saw that topped 200hp had an injen, magnaflow and a custom unichip tune that took more than one try. You may also notice that after the chip and without an exhaust, the stock intake looks better than a CAI but not nearly as good with the catback.

[Legros]

Hi.Well got the unichip installed yesterday. Installation pretty straight foward... Good instruction and we do love the plug and play . A bit more than 20 min but hey... Didnt had the time to make alot of run but seems good. Have to agree with most of the things Mavrik wrote... You do feel the some gain in the 4500rpm and up range...For now i'm with the map A so not the aggressive setting. I made one 1/4 not the perfect run with my friend onboard.. was in the high 15... Wich would give me about half second gain. That certainly is more gain than the magnaflow and the short ram gave me I'll try to get a chance to do a run or two in the next day... After that will switch to the map B and see if things gets even better.

[goodvibe]

B map is great.

[Legros]

I have to agree that the map B seems good. But weather here turns to the winter side so i didnt had the chance to make a clean gtech run. it's weird because it does feel that the care has more juice.. (alot more than the stock or mapA) but wasnt able to beat my mapA time... But i think cold weather is to blame... Does someone knows for sure what are the difference with the map a/b.. for exemple.. more power at lower rpm for the map B and more lift power for the map A ...? For now... i'll have to put on the winter tire ... so next test will be in couple month...

[goodvibe]

The B map has the same fuel curve as A but adds a few degrees more advance. It's the 'higher octane ' map. Works great with 91 octane and just feels more responsive. The chip cost me about 5% in gas mileage and it shouldn't have much to do with hot footing it. B map wont get you anything if the octane isn't there as the standard ECU will still compensate the timing back for knock.

[AKLGT]

thanks for the explanation, goodvibe. I've wondered what, if anything, map B did. When i had it in my VGT the CEL came back on w/ map B vs map A. wierd. of course i had the CEL w/o the chip from the TRD CAI all along. I will try and do a map change this season when we take the cars back to the track. I want to see if i can get a little better time than Phil's 16.85 ET. I know the car is fully capable of it if you're not afraid to drive it.

[goodvibe]

You mean those clutch shaving shifts to keep it in lift? It was probably getting too much knock and retarding the timing back. The map wasn't rich enough for Bs advance setting. In your situation using A was cool because it let you use the mods but in my car, I didn't feel the chip was worth it on A and felt a big jump in B. Very happy at that point.

[AKLGT]

ya, i couldn't tell a difference in map A or B. so I just left it on A. you don't have a CAI do you? still, i found it odd why my CEL would come on w/ map B when it was tuned for it? oh well.... mute point now. no CEL's or probs w/ Mav's since we installed it.

[goodvibe]

I think that the stock curves were all done on an 04. The 03s would get lean under load between 6k an 6.7k especially with mods. My 03 ran fine but with air and a few pwople I could tell that the timing would back off at lift in B.

[BlueCrush]

I have a Unichip again. It just arrived today. I traded a new Camcon for it. It was a good deal. I will be installing it this weekend and will give another review of the Unichip. This Unichip is an older version of the one for our cars. This one is the silver, gree nand black with Dastek & Unichip on the front. The newer ones are red & black and silver and have Unichip in the front. We'll see if there is any difference between the two. Probably not though. I'll be trying out map A for a couple tankfuls then switch to map B and report the difference I feel.I can't wait! Woot!

[BlueCrush]

I installed my Unichip in Sunday. 10 Minutes for the install. Can't beat that! I am using Map A for my first couple tankfuls(87 octane first, then 89 octane)), then will be switching to Map B(w/89 octane first and then with 91 octane). My first impressions are that the shifting is smoother when downshifting to a lower gear when passing, it is not jerky as before. I have lost a small amount of power on the low end (under 3000rpm) but gained power in the mid and upper rpm.