GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Unichip = $492 + shipping (still available thru Unichip as of 2/26/10)/Easy install/comes pretuned for your mods http://www.unichip.usThie is the easiest but more expensive route and it is plug and play. Super easy installation. Can be used with pretune and will see mild improvement throughout the entire rpm range.Custom tuning is highly recommended to take full advantage of your mods and to get the most our of the Unichip. Can be used with Forced Induction but will require an additional harness from Unichip($225). Dynotuning must be done by a Unichip trained shop to be under warranty. Expect 1-2 hours of dyno tuning($150-$300).Unichip Install Instructions PDF: See Attached File belowGReddy e-Manage = $395(MWR)/very difficult install/Comes pretuned for I/E and 92 octane http://www.greddy.comThis is the most difficult to install but has the most potential for gains. Can be used with pretune and you will see a mild improvement throughout the entire rpm range. Custom tuning it highly recommended to take full advantage of your mods and to get the most out of your e-Manage. Installation is best done by a tuning shop as it needs to be hard wired into the stock main computer harness.I would highly recommend getting a ecu patch harness($265) from http://www.autosportwiring.com so it can be plug and play. You will have to e-mail them to get it.The e-Manage will still need to be hardwired into the patch harness. With this you can tune A/F, ignition timing and Injectors.This is the best option if you plan to add Forced Induction in the future.Also, should be custom tuned to your mods for best results. Expect 2-3hrs for dyno tuning($300-$450). Professional installation($150-$250)NOTE: There is now a prewired PnP harness for the e-manage available from: http://www.boomslang.usPower Enterprise Camcon = $380/Semi-difficult install/Needs custom tune http://www.powerenterpriseusa.net/This is a fairly new product that just came out this year. With Camcon you can tune A/F ratio and Cam timing settings. Also nees to be hardwired into your stock harness. Much easier to install tha e-Manage but not plug and play. Can also be used with the Ecu Patch Harness($265) from http://www.Autosportwiring.com to have plug and play.This is not recommended for use with Forced Induction only because there is no way to control an additional injector that most FI systems require. You could use it with Nitrous though. Expect 3-4 hours for dyno tuning($450-$600). Professional installation($100-$150)NOTE: There is now a prewired PnP harness for the Camcon available from: http://www.boomslang.us

Attached files 1020011.0Installationinstructions.pdf (524.5 KB) 

Quote, originally posted by BlueCrush »New thread post per Millster's request to be stickied.Awesome idea, you rock too, Millster!

It's really a shame that all these systems are so expensive and yield such a small gain in power. Also two out of three are very hard to install. I can get a custom tuned PCM for my GMC from three or four places for under $450.00. These yield up to 30 HP gain. You can tune for shift point, redline, top speed, 87-89, 89-91, 91- 93 octane, tire size, remove torque management, supercharger, turbo, CAI, headers, exhaust, electric cooling fans and just about anything else you can think of. Install time, 10 minutes tops. They are even cheaper if you send in your own PCM, with a turn around time of about 4 days. I know a 1.8 L engine leaves a lot less room for potential power but come on. You're looking at $1000.00 plus with install for maybe 10-15 HP.

Nice write up. I don't know about the other prices, but I've never seen a Camcon cost that much before.

Quote, originally posted by Mase »Nice write up. I don't know about the other prices, but I've never seen a Camcon cost that much before.Thanks!Camcon Pricing I found:$377+ shipping @ Edo Performance:http://www.edoperformance.com/...16dfd$365+$20 S&H @ eBay:http://www.edoperformance.com/...16dfd$383 + shipping @ Street Rays:http://www.streetrays.com/cata...2_600$375 Shipped @ Hopup Racing:http://shop.store.yahoo.com/hopup1/poencforvv.html$398 Shipped @ Intense Motorsports:http://www.i-m-racing.com/poencavvivvt.html$399 + shipping @ MWR:http://monkeywrenchracing.com/....htmlThere was a group buy on NewCelica.org a while back for $350.Look on http://www.Matrixowners.com or http://www.Newcelica.org for group buys.

Quote, originally posted by Sunny »It's really a shame that all these systems are so expensive and yield such a small gain in power. Also two out of three are very hard to install. I can get a custom tuned PCM for my GMC from three or four places for under $450.00. These yield up to 30 HP gain. You can tune for shift point, redline, top speed, 87-89, 89-91, 91- 93 octane, tire size, remove torque management, supercharger, turbo, CAI, headers, exhaust, electric cooling fans and just about anything else you can think of. Install time, 10 minutes tops. They are even cheaper if you send in your own PCM, with a turn around time of about 4 days. I know a 1.8 L engine leaves a lot less room for potential power but come on. You're looking at $1000.00 plus with install for maybe 10-15 HP. I know how you feel as I had an '02 S-10 Xtreme with a 4.3 V6 that I bought a Hypertech Programmer for for like $350 and you could do all that too. I raised my top speed limiter from 97mph tp 135mph, changed my shift points, my fuel from 87 to 91, and a bunch of other stuff and it just plugged into the harness under the dash and you adjusted it all in like 5min! Then you removed it like it was never there! Nothing like that for these, though.

Quote, originally posted by damronjr »I know how you feel as I had an '02 S-10 Xtreme with a 4.3 V6 that I bought a Hypertech Programmer for for like $350 and you could do all that too. I raised my top speed limiter from 97mph tp 135mph, changed my shift points, my fuel from 87 to 91, and a bunch of other stuff and it just plugged into the harness under the dash and you adjusted it all in like 5min! Then you removed it like it was never there! Nothing like that for these, though. Yeah but the percentage increase is still the same. We are dealing with a much smaller engine than the S-10 or the GMC. A 1.8L 4cyl. vs. 4.3L V6? You cant' expect to get the same hp gains out of a smaller engine. Especially when our little engines are pushing out close to their max as is with out FI. But every little bit counts.

Quote, originally posted by BlueCrush »Yeah but the percentage increase is still the same. We are dealing with a much smaller engine than the S-10 or the GMC. A 1.8L 4cyl. vs. 4.3L V6? You cant' expect to get the same hp gains out of a smaller engine. Especially when our little engines are pushing out close to their max as is with out FI. But every little bit counts. More than anything I was just remarking on the ability to get a piece of equipment that can be used to tune so many different things AS WELL AS give some gains for such a reasonable price and the ease at which pretty much anyone could hook up and use it and then just put it back in the box, and, if need be, uninstall all the settings back to stock and sell the part to be used in another similar vehicle with no problems at all, and all in a few minutes time. Sure, you can't expect huge gains with such small and underpowered engine like our Vibes, but just the cost and difficulty it takes just to get a few ponies is pretty ridiculous. I even remember when I hooked up the S/C and Andre was telling me how everyone is getting bored with them b/c they were expecting their grocery-getter to turn into a rocket-ship just from the s/c, and it doesn't happen. Even I was somewhat disappointed with the gains I got from it, but really, what can you expect. You're not going to go from 130chp to 350whp by just adding a s/c! I didn't buy the Vibe for it power or performance, but later decided I wanted to modify it to get that and am finally beginning to reallize it just won't happen, so I will be content with what I have, add stuff here and there for barely noticeable gains, but I bet if you went from stock straight to suped and only drove it before and after, I'm sure you would notice it a lot more than adding things here and there like I have. Sorry, end rant!

^ Well stated! I completely agree!

I'm still going to mod the '06 as much as I can, maybe turbo or supercharge if it becomes possible.

Custom turbo is always possible if you have the $$$.

I think you could use a camcon with forced injection. There's a limit that the fuel rail can supply but if you install larger injectors, you should be able to tune for moderate boost, say up to 6 or 7 lbs. Unichip could go this route also. The Unichip did enough to my car below lift that a freind who didn't know it was in asked why the car was stronger when he drove it. This guy drove my car casually once a month or so and knows cars. Races his stripped Prelude but never drives fast on the street.

With a Supercharger you would need the additional injector harness from Unichip. Camcon doesn't have that ability to control an additional injector. But, I guess you might be able to use the Camcon with a Turbo set-up. But since the unit is easily able to be turned off and the a/f tuning limitations are unknown. I wouldn't recommend it. All it would take is one time for it to be accidentally be turned off and BOOM! Camcon is geared more towards N/A engines with the ability to easily turn it on and off.

It wasn't a recommendation but either could do a supercharger without the extra injector if larger injectors were used in the first place. The key is to get enough fuel into the cylinders and it can be done without an extra injector in any moderate boost system. Fuel could be better regulated without the upstrem single enrichment injector. It's a technical issue and may be of little benefit but defenitely do-able.

Well here you go BlueCrush one more to possibly add to the list. The Hydra Nemesis. Take a look at it sounds pretty nice.http://www.hydraems.com/ EMS System Toyota $1500Hydra Nemesis 2.5 Application List December 2005 89-95 Celica All-Trac90-95 MR-2 Turbo02-04 Matrix XRS/XR and Corolla S (closed loop VVTi and VVTL)93-95 Supra TT89-91 Supra Turbo With the advancement of Today’s OEM engine management systems, it is not uncommon to have newer cars with functions such as closed loop / adaptive wideband air-fuel control, closed loop adaptive ignition control to provide the highest level of performance and reliability for the consumer. Because of these advancements in technology, consumers have been limited to the availability and choices of Piggy-back engine management systems that actually work; or “Plug and Play” engine managements systems that retain these newer OEM Engine management Refinements.The Hydra Nemesis 2.1 offers the user with all the ease of “Plug and Play” Technology without losing any of the performance enhancing capability and safety net offered in the newer OEM engine management systems. Because Hydra Engine Management systems come with *Road tuned Factory base maps and utilizes all factory sensors, it offers the user a true “Plug and Play” engine management system.*Due to various setups and quality of gas, we decided to use Road tuned maps for Safety and drivability instead of previous Dyno Tuned Maps.

Through the evolution of technology I am sure that the little 1.8 could possibly push out 300 hp at some time or another. I still remember the Quad 4 engine from GM that produced 180 hp. At that time no one believed that a mass produced little 4 bangger could produce that much power. With all of that said modifying the 1.8 in one way or another can produce power that threatens an EVO, however it will cost.

Holy hell! 1500 bones! Does sound pretty sweet though. Would be perfect with a turbocharged 2ZZ engine!

uh geez more reason to win the lotto. If i had the money I would invest in one.

bluecrush sent me to matrix owners for a ground wire thread and i found this while over theregroup buy onthe camcon.http://matrixowners.com/forums....html

I do agree the Unichip is expensive, and yes the horse power gains are lower than the rest, but you have to understand that the Uni is safer on the entire system than the other chips because it does not completly change the computer. It only enhances the current settings on your original ECU. Basicly the unichip is a piggyback system. This is good because it enhances every mod as an individual, and reduces the complication of trying to make everything work together as a single unit, which produces more power, but if one part of the system fails you end up with a massive problem.

does anyone know where to get the Power Force Commandr for 1zz??

PFC is for a manual transmission only at this time.An auto tranny version is due out this spring/summer.

oh ok cool do you know are we still gonna lose the OBDII capabilities or are they going to fix that also?

I haven't heard. None of the current piggyback have ODBII capabilities, including the new E-manage Ultimate. The PFC however is an ECU replacement similar to the Hydra EMS, and the Hydra is not OBDII compatible. So I'm assuming at this point that the PFC will not either.I think the only change will be to make it A/T compatible.

damn that would suck but oh well you win some you lose some

so the unichip is good .. i need some places to look for all this suff..i want to make my vibe faster

i hear that neverenuff.com has the unichip for like $520! that's an AWESOME deal!!!

thank for that ..thats a good web site..

BlueCrush (or someone) - can you add links to the manufacturer's websites for each of the ECU upgrades? Thanx.

Quote, originally posted by GMJAP »BlueCrush (or someone) - can you add links to the manufacturer's websites for each of the ECU upgrades? Thanx.Done!

just to add to this convo this is the piggy I'm using the XFC- Xtended Fuel Controller from Powertrain Control Solutions..has the ability to control the following:Product Specifications: · Engine RPM Input· Frequency MAF/Vehicle Speed Input· 2 Narrow Band O2 Inputs· 2 Wide Band (from WBO2 controller) Inputs· 2 MAF Sensor Inputs· 1 MAP Sensor Input· 1 TPS Sensor Input· 1 Fuel Pressure Sensor Input· 2 MAF Output Skews based on 3D 16x16 tables· 1 Frequency MAF Output Skew based on 3D 16x16 tables· 2 O2 Output Skews based on 3D 16x16 tables· 2 Programmable PWM Output Skews based on 3D 16x16 tables· High Power Direct Fuel Pump Control· Future Ignition Control Capability· In-Field Flash Upgradable· RS 232, CAN (2.0b) communications· Durable weather sealed connectors built into case.· All components specified for automotive conditions. · Easy to use windows software interface· Realtime Datalogging & Monitor ScreensPricing: Retail Price is $495.check the site for those interested in a alternative than the masses...http://www.powertraincontrolsolutions.c ... nt-22.html

God will be killing a kitten before the weekend is over. I got a call yesterday from UNICHIP saying my chip was retuned and they were ready to send it back. I had them overnight it and to my surprise it was waiting for me at my doorstep when I got home from lunch today. So either tonight or tomorrow I'll get it installed. Next week perhaps I'll do a couple test n tune runs at the drag.

Ours were tuned at the same time. Isn't that cute! Ha, Ha! I got the call today that mine was done being retuned and I will be receiving it via 2 Day shipping. LOL! We'll have to compare our results. I'll be going to a dyno somtime in September to compare with my base dyno I did in July. I hope you see some good results.

haha cool Well I don't have a dyno run from before but I do have data logged G-Tech information which showed I have 110 WHP and 127 torque. Tonight I want to install the unichip after I get off work and to a couple drag runs next week and see what the G-Tech shows then. Hopefully an improvement.

the gtech shows NET hp, not WHP ratings. it's kinda a cross between at the crank and at the wheels. it's more of the USEABLE hp and tq. but it's a good base line to see if/how much the unichip is actually doing. is it really worth that $800+ that i spent on it so long ago??? LOLmy cobb accessport (sorta similar) made a HUGE difference on my LGT. going from different maps and stages certainly make a difference. my g-tech runs showed about 238 net awhp and about 256 net tq. still gotta figure out what the heck and how the heck to get the best results. the times were off just a tad, so hard to say on the actual results. my buddy with his LGT wagon and STI swap is netting about 280 net awhp (that should be about right) and some 320 net tq.

Guess we'll see what it shows then. if the track is closed... might need to find a deserted highway somewhere outside the city limits lol

there are cities in Alaska?

yeah we got cities. I live in the main one lol But London Ontario is bigger.

hmm.... it's throwing a CEL on the vibe. wonder if there's a problem. mine got rid of my CEL, so not sure what the issue is.

Hmmm...have you tried both maps A & B? Do you have a code reader so you know why it it throwing it?You should be able to go to a local auto parts store to get it read.If mine does that, I have a code reader so I will be able to find out why. Hopefully, I won't throw one on mine. (Mine will be arriving on Monday afternoon, BTW)

I don't know what the problem is with the CEL and won't get a chance to get it checked until tuesday. I'll find out today if we have a code reader at work that will fit to the Vibe. If not then I'll stop by an auto parts store. I don't know if the light is on for a code stored in memory or if its going to be a hard code for a constant issue. The car seems to be running fine, engine sounds fine. The unichip gains are noticable but its not a difference that slaps you in the face. Accelleration is smoother and faster, more torque in the low end expecially in lower gears. For example I notice I can get to 40mph at roughly 3000rpm in second gear. I don't remember being able to do that before.But the damn cel is annoying. Thats the only time I ever get a cel... when I ad a mod.

Sounds like there is a increase in performance, that's good!Hopefully the code is nothing serious, I wonder if it is going to bethe P0420 code which has to do with the 1st O2 sensor, If so there are O2 sensor simulators under Toyota Matrix on Ebay for $15.25 shipped.I'm guessing that is the code you are getting. Did it come on right away or was it after you drove it around for a little bit.?

It was present immediatly upon start up and stayed on ever since. It would seem logical for it to be a rich fuel code or something of that sort because there was a strong fuel smell on the first start up but I did not notice it afterwards. We'll see though when I can get it scanned.

ya, it's odd it threw a CEL immediately. one of the main reasons I got the unichip was to get rid of my CEL the TRD CAI was throwing. now, it's the opposite in Mav's vibe. no CEL from the CAI but he's getting one from the chip.

Well now it cycled off so it was a code for a failure that came and went. Cool... hope it stays off and now I need to find a place to test out the car.

yes, you can tell a difference. it's so much more smoother when you shift gears and the power is more available on the lower end. i only drove it from the house to the office this morning, but could still tell a difference, especially with the smoother shifting. of course, romping on the gas to shift gears at 5500 rpms, then i look over and there's a cop there... OOPS. LOL oh well.

Glad to hear it cycled off. Maybe the car just needed to get use to the new parameters. Hopefully it will stay off now. I would still get the code checked to see what it was. It should be stored in memory until you clear it or you disconnet the battery. Good luck, let me know if it comes back. I'll have mine tomorrow, Woohoo!!!!

i want a unichip...but i think i'm gonna get some more power mods done first....sounds like it makes a big enough difference if you can feel it just in town driving.

the unichip isn't going to make your 1zz or even a 2zz engine feel like it has a turbo. LOL. it's more for everyday driving, a nice overall power and torque increase all through the power and RPM bands. it's a steady increase, not just a power increase once you hit a high RPM. so, for everyday driving, it's a nice way to add some much needed power in the low end on the vibe without spending the $2K+ for a s/c. but don't expect it to give you gains like a s/c either. LOL