Unichip experiences

[GSB]

For quite a while I've been toying with the idea of putting a unichip on my car, as it seems to be a very effective and sensible way to to extract a few extra bhp. The upsides to fitting one are quite clear, but I'd like to know if anyone who has had one, particularly on the MR2 (that'll be you Martin!) has had any real problems with them. In particular, do you have to have it recalibrated periodically? Does it have the potential to ruin your engine if some muppet fills it with supermarket fuel, and does the Toyota ECU "fight" with the Unichip in order to bring the air/fuel ratio back to where it thinks it should be? Oh and how much did you have to pay to have it installed and set up?  Errr. I think thats it for now.

Cheers!

[mph]

I guess that would be me!

The Unichip - IMO it's the best 'bhp per £' modification you can purchase. I paid £400+VAT (==£470) fitted and tuned @ Millway Garage, Andover.

It does not need to be recalibrated and does not 'fight' with the ECU (unless you have a muppet for an installer whom attempts to change the fueling while under closed loop).

In theory if you tuned to the very limit on super-super-UL then threw in some cheap UL, you'd get knock. Given we have a knock sensor, the primary ECU would retard the timing back to safe levels, and you'd be back to probably where you started. Best not to try though, eh?

The thing that most people are concerned about is the requirement to cut and splice ECU wires. You'll never perfectly hide that you ever had one in, but in practise, unless MR T actually took your luggage bins apart, they'd never know it was fitted - it won't even show via the OBDII port.

Note that ideally you should retune the chip everything you make an engine change (about 2-3 hrs) to get the best out of it, but isn't strictly necessarily. On our cars, virtually all the gains are in advancing the timing - and this is done best if you run super-UL permanently.

[Anonymous]

For the benefit of "the archive", can you remind us what gains you saw, pref with dyno plots?

I know what they were, but many here won't (esp. in future  s:) s:)  )

[Anonymous]

Note that ideally you should retune the chip everything you make an engine change (about 2-3 hrs) to get the best out of it, but isn't strictly necessarily.

Martin,

Can you explain to us dumbos what you mean? Its a bit of a pain having to get the car re-tuned ever 2-3 hrs   s:? :? s:?   or is this some automatic thing? If so, is it triggered automatically?
  s:? :? s:?

[GSB]

I think what Martin is trying to say here is that if you were to make a change to your engine, (lets say for instance a new air intake, or an exhaust system) then you should really return to your Unichip dealer to have the chip re-tuned to account for the changes you have made. This would normally take 2 to 3 hours of rolling road time. However this is not strictly nessesary, and only done if you want the optimum performance from the chip, and the greatest gains from the changes you have made.

I think I'm going to have to get myself one of these little beauty's, the more I read about them the more I want one...

[Anonymous]

Something I've always wondered about 'chipping'...  Why wouldn't the manufacturer set-up the OEM ECU for optimum performance?  I guess what I'm asking is what is the downside of 'chipping'?  Increased engine wear, poorer fuel consumption?  Etc etc...

--H--

[Anonymous]

Why wouldn't the manufacturer set-up the OEM ECU for optimum performance?

To meet strict emissions regulations usually.

I guess what I'm asking is what is the downside of 'chipping'?  Increased engine wear, poorer fuel consumption?

Many of those things (certainly fuel consumption) can actually improve with chipping I believe.

[Anonymous]

Why wouldn't the manufacturer set-up the OEM ECU for optimum performance?

To meet strict emissions regulations usually.

Aaah ok.  In that case might chipping lead to your car not meeting emmissions regulations, or do these only apply at time of manufacture.

Don't you have to pass an emmissions test for your MOT these days?

--H--

[Anonymous]

To meet strict emissions regulations usually.

Aaah ok.  In that case might chipping lead to your car not meeting emmissions regulations, or do these only apply at time of manufacture.

I think the type-approval tests at design stage are much stricter, particularly to meet European regs.

Don't you have to pass an emmissions test for your MOT these days?

Yes, but that's a much looser test I think. Anything that fails that deserves too, usually because it's belching out all sorts of obnoxious stuff.

[Sam]

Hi all - first post on the site, and a very slick site it is.  s8) s8)  

I'd be interested if anyone (Martin?) could confirm the power gains from the unichip. Funnily enough I was down at TDI Barking yesterday enquiring about it, but they were talking about 600GBP and upwards for installation and mapping! - Seems expensive.
I take it that as the garage installing it are adjusting the mapping themselves it pays to go to a decent garage? Any suggestions?

Cheers,

[SteveJ]

Hi all - first post on the site, and a very slick site it is.  s8) s8)  

I'd be interested if anyone (Martin?) could confirm the power gains from the unichip. Funnily enough I was down at TDI Barking yesterday enquiring about it, but they were talking about 600GBP and upwards for installation and mapping! - Seems expensive.
I take it that as the garage installing it are adjusting the mapping themselves it pays to go to a decent garage? Any suggestions?

Having just spent 2 days at Millway in Andover http://www.millwayvehiclespecialists.co.uk/ (top secret project - I've been sworn to secrecy  s:? :? s:?  ), their Unichip guy - Hedley - is the best - he even let me have a free go on the Dyno while we working on the other (top-secret) car!

SteveJ[/url]

[mph]

EDIT: changed location of image.

[Anonymous]

 s:shock: :shock: s:shock:    s:shock: :shock: s:shock:    s:shock: :shock: s:shock:    s:shock: :shock: s:shock:  

An increase to just under 160!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

that seams to be very high but must be well worth it !! where's the nearest dealer around essex(chelmsford)

[mph]

A chip is only as good as the tuner.

I'd recommend only using a well established and recognised Unichip dealer with known extensive MR2 knowledge to fit one.

The two on the list down south include url=http://www.owendevelopments.co.uk/]Owen Developments[/url] which is slightly closer to you. I've never used them, but I've talked with Dino there who's always extremely helpful.

Of course, I'd suggest that you used Millway as they have more experience dealing with our Roadsters - Hedley there really knows his stuff. As a plus, Hedley doesn't mind you watching, asking questions or even helping out, while he's working on your car - it's all nice, friendly & relaxed environment   s:) s:)   (and no, I'm not on commission - but do mention me if you talk with them!)

Don't forget, all the bhp improvement was doing through timing, so to maximize the available advance, I'd suggest a week before-hand, switching to super unleaded and doing an ECU reset. I didn't (and was tuned with 50% supermarket SUL & 50% Optimax).

[Anonymous]

how do you reset the ECU??? + i will go to where you went then whast prices like???

[mph]

how do you reset the ECU??? + i will go to where you went then whast prices like???

Two ways: either pull the ECU fuse (sorry can't remember which one it is OTTOMH) or take the -ve lead off the battery; leave for a minute or so, then plug back on/in again.

Prices - (*cough* as stated above) call to confirm - I paid £400+VAT (=£470) to fit & tune. bhp figures are never guaranteed, so don't get upset if you get less than I did: it's all engine specific. You never know, with what he learnt doing mine, he might be able to squeeze a little more out of yours!

[Anonymous]

yeah i supose so, it helps tho if you have an air filter and an exuhast first tho!! or dose it not matter? is yours standard apart from the chip!

[mph]

I have an A'PEXi Power Intake, though I don't honestly believe that it effects bhp - it just sounds nice   s8) s8)

[Anonymous]

who stocks the A'PEXI in england i have been looking for ages  s:roll: :roll: s:roll:

[Tem]

Why wouldn't the manufacturer set-up the OEM ECU for optimum performance?

Like someone said, emissions is one reason.

Other major reasons are that every engine is an individual. Maybe 95% of stock engines would be just fine with some general "chipped" values, but the 5% would have serious problems. Not worth it for a manufacturer. And I guess I don't have to say, that every engine can't be tuned individually for maximum power from factory.

And the stock values will also have to work without even being close to knocking with 95 octane. Even from some crappy station, whose "95" is actually 93 or so. If you tune the chip with 99 (or whatever you have), you will get more power than if you tuned it for 95 or 93.

[Sam]

MPH wote:

Of course, I'd suggest that you used Millway as they have more experience dealing with our Roadsters - Hedley there really knows his stuff.

**
Thanks for the info Martin, power gains were pretty impressive. I think I will pay Millway a visit next month after I have got the HKS Racing Suction Kit fitted.

[Anonymous]

Hi does anyone know a good Unichip dealer in the Nottingham area?

Also I'm a novice to modifications so is this a good idea or should I be looking at other ways to improve bhp?

Cheers!   s:D s:D

[Liz]

Depends on whether you want to go for performance or appearance, normally say that the first two mods are lowering springs and a Corky plate - you have a pm re searches - having had a unichip I would highly recommend them, but you can't get the plug and play over here now unless one comes up 2nd hand...I think that there might be one for sale in the private sales section - if it is still available I would grab it as they don't come up that often.  Welcome to the club BTW!   s:) s:)

Here it is - doesn't say sold:  m http://www.mr2roc.org/phpBB2/viewtopic. ... 544#118544 m

[kanujunkie]

Here it is - doesn't say sold:  m http://www.mr2roc.org/phpBB2/viewtopic. ... 544#118544 m

although Jim hasn't been on here since posting that one  s:roll: :roll: s:roll:  

mines for going to be for sale, same price and description and includes the harness

[edward.carter]

how come ?