Unichip map downloads and tuning
 

So is the unichip a piggyback that is "tricking" the stock ECU, or does it actually have direct control over the injectors, timing, etc?

Can Unichip control both sets of injectors?

Well I feel like it's Christmas once again! Thanks Jack for getting this out to me so quickly!

http://imageshack.us/a/img138/5995/imag0087i.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img5/2480/imag0088hq.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img685/2667/imag0089ds.jpg

I'm going to try and create a video as I log the install, but it's going to be a slow one today. This is what I have to combat today:

http://imageshack.us/a/img69/3725/imag0085wh.jpg

i wanna see a before and after dyno with one of this on..wheres ft86speedfactory when u need them lol...Jp..just curious to what the gains are with this on.

As one of the few AT's out there I will still be waiting for them to get a car to test on before I have shiny packages showing up. Sad Day :(

ECU tuning options
 

Yes, the Unichip is a piggyback, yes it “tricks” the OE ECU, and yes it controls both sets of injectors.

There’s a perception piggybacking is somehow less sophisticated or less technical than other tuning options… that’s hardly the case with the Unichip. Let’s boil engine management way, way down and look at tuning options.

To accomplish any of its tasks, the OE ECU uses programming code to look at input signals (what’s happening in the engine), refer to stored data, and send commands to the engine (what should be happening in the engine). Let’s look at injector control for a practical example.

For simplicity, think of the OE ECU’s fuel map as an Excel spreadsheet. The horizontal axis is engine speed (rpm) which is the input from the crank sensor. The vertical axis is engine load (airflow) which is the input from the MAF. Each spreadsheet data point is an injector command fueling value; each data point is unique from every other data point and they range from small values (~ 0%) at low speed/low load to big numbers (~ 90%) at high speed/high load.

When it’s time to fire an injector, the ECU looks at the engine speed input to go to the correct column and the load input for the correct cell containing the appropriate injector command data point. To “tune” the engine, you want it to "find" a different value. To do that, you can…
… change the data in the cells – with a reflash.
… change the inputs to find different data – with a piggyback.
… replace the spreadsheet with new one you build from scratch – with a standalone.

As long as the device is capable of doing its job, from a functional perspective at least, there’s absolutely no difference between the three… as long as the tuner creates a good map, the engine will function exactly the same way. That’s not to say there aren’t major differences between the options, but each can produce the same results from the same engine. In practice, there’s a lot more to the fueling solution than that but each of the individual calculations happening in the ECU can be similarly broken down and changed.

Can the Unichip computer correctly process all of the inputs… absolutely yes. Does it “actually” control both sets of injectors, absolutely yes... with more than 90,000 individual fuel data points and 90,000 ignition timing points… in 5 maps you can change at the flip of a switch… in a computer you can reprogram at home in less than a minute… that you can custom program on your own... without leaving any footprint for the OE dealership to see you’ve been messing around with the car…

Part of me wants to buy NOW but I have a AT and just waiting for the videos on everything. Make a LONG video no joke.

Thank you for helping us out!

Can you edit the unichip tables live? If so that's a big selling point over the other options, like ecutek.

curious to see the install on this...
i am not a big fan of adding wiring mess to the car.

After reading up on the site this seems exactly what I need on my ZC6. I'll more than likely order one.

Me too!

has anyone dyno'd thier car with just the tune? Or even with any aftermarket bolt-ons? Whats this flash capable of for increase?

I finished the install earlier today, I just have to iron out a few things. I did make a video (not a good one, but it shows how simple everything is to install). I will also be making another one this summer, that I plan on spending 3-4 hours to make/edit, so that it would be a professional shot.

I will be editng the footage this week to see how it turned out. I only had my gopro, so it's a shot in the dark haha.

If anyone has any questions about the install, please feel free to message me. It was extremely easy ( I did it in the snow while it was snowing out)

Unichip EMS Q&A
 

AT guys… as I said in the Vendor forum, I’m confident our MT maps will perfectly fit but we’re getting an AT car in the next two weeks to confirm that with testing. One of the strengths of the Unichip, and the way it works, is the changes we need to make tend to be identical regardless of the transmission bolted up behind the flywheel.

I’ve received several questions/comments about the installation’s (1) complexity and (2) “wiring mess…” and I certainly understand both concerns.

Installation complexity… it’s just not… truly. The basic kit installs with 3 plugs, one bolt, and the Unichip… everything is right on top of the engine and it won’t take ten minutes. You can easily see for yourself… print out the instructions (http://www.unichip.us/system/uploads/assets/Scion%20FR-S%20Installation%20Instructions.pdf or just take your notebook/tablet out to your car, open the hood, and find the connectors the kit plugs into… there’s one on the intake tube, one on the throttle body, and one at the back side of the engine. You can even disconnect and reconnect the plugs… that’s all you’ll do to install the kit.

Installation video… as soon as everybody’s back from the holiday next week, we’ll get the installation video out of editing and posted… but it’s really a simple task. bakerr6 says he’ll also do a “member’s version…” as soon as he can mush through the snow to his car! :D

Messy looking installation fears… the kit is one three-ish foot harness that’s completely finished and enclosed in the same convoluted tubing you find in most engine compartments. You’re not cutting, splicing, soldering, or anything else… plug in the plugs, remove/reinstall one bolt, close the hood, and enjoy.

Editing the Unichip tables “live…” if I understand the question, yes you can absolutely edit live. Remember we have options to (1) change maps loaded in the Unichip, (2) download new maps to the Unichip, and (3) edit the values in maps.

The Unichip has up to 5 maps loaded into it and you switch between them with the flip of a switch… there is no “download” or editing… it’s like changing a TV channel.

I outlined downloading in the first post in this thread and there’s a overview of it here http://www.unichip.us/267-faq-can-i-reprogram-my-unichip

I think ft sjo is asking is can you “tune” live and the answer is yes. I didn’t get into it previously but there are actually two different tuning interface options for the Unichip.

In the first, you make keyboard changes in a table and download the updated map when you’re finished… that download takes ~ 10 seconds.

In the second, you can use “tuning pots;” with the tuning pots “enabled” in the software, you can literally turn a knob and change the AFR as you're driving without doing a download. Once the AFR is what you want, you hit an enter button and that value is stored in the Unichip. I think that’s about as “on the fly” it gets.

Thanks for all the questions and enjoy the weekend.

How does the car feel now?

How often do you add new parts for the maps?

This may not be a good question to ask you but I know very little about tuning. I just want to know if it is possible to import tunes from other tuners that use ecutek like visconti?

I haven't had the chance to drive it yet(buried in snow, have to clean the driveway. I can tell you it's eliminated my idle issues I was having though. I'm taking it out tomorrow morning and will update you. He's included 5 different maps, so I'll try 3 out of the 5.

That is a great question! You can use tunes started from other tuners, but trying to incorporate a tune that's meant to alter the ecu vs. a tune that is used on a piggyback should be different

Is there a listing of maps available?

Im interested in videos on how to tune the unichip!

While this looks a like a decent solution, much rather just get an ECU tune. No mess, wires and everything works as it should.

OK everyone, so I've logged about 180 miles on it and I can tell you there's a night and day difference! I am no longer feeling the TQ dip (definately a more linear curve in all gears), along with the car feeling much more responsive. When I'm cruising at 66, my mpg is on average about 3 mpg more. When cruising at 70, it's about 2 mpg more. I also am no longer having idle issues, which is a big gain in my book, as i've had the car bog down in the past while sitting idle.

Overall, I'm very satisfied with the system, and would highly reccomend it to anyone looking to increase their performance safely and easily.

I also have the flux2 system, which is really nice,a s it can read multiple items at one time (eventually I plan on running just a flux2 and a wideband with my turbo), such as EGT, Coolant temp, boost, IATs, timing advance, etc.

Another nice feature of this is the fact that it can do a 0-60 and a 0-100 (haven't confirmed the accuracy of these though, as it's been too cold to try).

Overall, definately a great tool to have for your car, whether you are going to stay NA or go FI.

At this point, I'm toying with the idea of trying to run a few bottles of nitrous, just to see how it reacts with the system.

Yes and no, I agree it is easier to install, but you lose out on some of the features I was looking for in a tune (remember, I was waiting on the hydra ems to get finished for this reason also).

I would say either are really a great solution, but both do have sacrifices that would be made in order to run each other. Overall, I'm extremely happy with the package I'm running at this time.

Big plus with unichip is at least you can sell it when your done. The way ecutek just locks onto your ecu is really stupid. Locked maps is bad enough if you have to switch tuners or your shop closes on you. To pay all that money for a one time use software license seems nuts to me but eh, to each their own.

what features do you miss out on with a reflash, exactly?

Is your car stock?

You cannot run progressive boost or nitrous. Also, when running meth (I do not plan on doing this), as a fail safe, you can have the tune update you as you reach a certain threshold to recalibrate to a safer tune, in order to avoid any internal damage.

The main feature I'm excited about is the fact that I can utilize the software to alter the duty cycle on the progressive boost rates, sot hat I can just mash the pedal, shift and go and not ahve to worry about spinning the tires, etc.

I plan on using a few maps, one for dd driving, one for HPDE and one for autox once I figure out which kit I want to use.

The only feature I really wish I had was launch control

I have an airaid intake, axleback, lightweight pulley. I will be installing coil overs, new wheels, front adn rear sways and a turbo hopefully all before next june

I might have misunderstood so don't quote me on this, but I believe ECUTek can do progressive boost.

shouldn't be possible for a couple reasons which I wont get into, but they can control the boost levels, but I do not believe they can change the duty cycles on running closed loop boost. If they can, please by all means let me know. The last thing I want to do is misinform anyone. Both options are great, and I am just here to try and inform people of all options, as I think either product would be a great performance addition to any fr-s or brz.

Ecutek has support for fairly robust boost control. I don't know the hardware setup but I'm assuming they are controlling a solenoid with the upgraded MAP sensors people are running. The Crawford BRZ uses the built-in boost control. The Ecutek boost control for factory FI cars is very good and has per-gear boost control, etc. and they can apply the same logic to the BRZ, but it would require some kind of ouput and I don't know how that is accomplished.

I read through the Unichip install docs and it intercepts the MAF, Crank Position Sensor, and Throttle Position Sensor. There have been good gains to be had from controlling the VVTi system which I don't know how the Unichip might accomplish?


I would agree with this. Even though I have an Ecutek tune, I'm not a fan at all of the way it all works. Even though your ECU is no longer "locked" like it once was, a license is still tied to an ECU forever. I can sell my dongle and cable to someone so they could use my tune but they still need to shell out $200 for a license.

For any piggyback naysayers, I can attest that I ran a piggyback on my 335d (JB Tuning) and the performance difference was insanely noticeable. There were no ill effects either, and I removed the chip when visiting the dealer and never worried about a thing.

Will you be posting that video? I don't mind if its long lol

How do you buy the cable to tune the car yourself? Is it hard?

Not to be rude but if you're asking "is tuning a car yourself hard?" - Unless you specifically mean "if the GUI of the interface difficult to navigate?" You shouldn't tune the car yourself.

Tuning is something you can definitely learn, but I wouldn't start to learn on your own brand new $25k+ car.

I'll be posting a few videos, one being a basic install. I have to find the chord to my gopro to take a look at the install video I had taken. I may end up just going back out to the car and removing everything and plugging it back in to show everyone. I can guarantee though, that my 10 year old cousin could do this by reading the directions (it's extremely simple).

I agree with the post under you, that tuning a car is not something you should take lightly. It is a great idea to find a tuner that you trust that is local to at least provide a base map for you, and then when you fully understand how certain parameteres will change the performance of your vehicle should you start to tweak the tune yourself.

The nice thing is that our cars do have high variance in some of the parameters (thank you toyota for utilizing JIT manufacturing on all of your cars haha), which can make up for the difference in some early tuning mistakes. Each car has different variances in the mechanical parts being utilized, which is why our ECUs "learn" the configuration from each canned tune provided at the factory.

lol that's what I meant.

So if I plug this in my car "stock" would I get anything out of it. No tune what so ever.