I wanted to post a RAW REVIEW of my thoughts and impressions with the UniChip product sold by Jack here on the FT86 forums for my 2013 Subaru BRZ Automatic.
The engine mods that I currently have installed on the car are the following:
• Accelerated Performance Cat Back Exhaust
• Perrin Pulley
• Perrin Silicone Intake Tube
• Zeta Drop-In Filter
• Stock Air Intake Box (Minus Snorkel and Sound Tube Delete)
• UniChip Q with Drop In Filter and Cat Back Exhaust Map, set to I=Aggressive.
• UniChip Q download cable
Since I’ve owned 17 cars, installation was methodical and without error. I had triple checked each plug, ran all the wiring, followed the well written instructions, and all was set.
I went to start the car and it wouldn’t turn over. I tried this a numerous times, and checked everything again. Same thing. Posted this information online here last night, PM’d jack, called UniChip, and PM’d another board member. I was slightly pissed.
Went in to calm down and drink a can of Coke and was going to call it a night last night then had an idea. Grabbed a magnifying glass as I thought I saw a little silver on the UniChip side of the harness. Sure thing, noticed that a red wire, probably power, in pin placement 1 or 24 depending on how you view the harness wasn’t quite seated. I seated the pin properly and heard a click. The car started just fine thereafter. I left the car idling and called it a night. Yes, I was excited to drive around, but I had family obligation to attend to and it was getting late.
This morning when entering the garage, a large smile was on my face. Re-inspected everything and closed the hood partially, started the car, and backed it out of the garage. I then took some pictures (see below) and then drove about 12 miles pounding on the car (what’s new) on my way to getting gas and a car wash. Note: The car was still warming up and at the time was 35 degrees out. I then did the car wash thing with the car idling quite a while before it was my turn which was only a half hour, but seemed forever. I then babied the car a bit towards getting on the highway. I proceeded onto the highway and couldn’t quite pound it because there was a bit of traffic.
When I got my chance, I was into action. I had the radio off, and used my ears as a stethoscope. I noticed how smooth the acceleration felt with a bit of improved throttle response. I noticed this in driving in daily traffic as well. What struck me odd, but good was that from around 4500 RPM all the way to redline the tachometer was a bit notchy as the RPMs rose. I mean I could accelerate smoothly but that notchiness showed a change. After doing many 3rd and 4th gear pulls and never getting into 5th gear, I noticed how easily it was to get into triple digits as well as this was the first time I consistently broke traction between 6000 and 7000 RPM (the yellow light flashed). I continued to test as much as possible with the traffic at hand without showing any dumb ass moves and then after the 7 miles or so on the highway, I had to exit. By now the car was plenty warmed up, idled for quite some time, and overall had a very good workout. I was back in daily traffic and I noticed an overall improvement than when I started my venture today. I was quite pleased, but something appeared to be lacking, that of what was unexpectent with any modification of a vehicle – no perceived loss of power and no perceived gain in power – just a very smooth, error free, driving experience. No change in sound either.
In summary, what does the results all mean? From the increased throttle response, smooth acceleration, notchy tachometer, as well as breaking traction between 6000 and 7000RPM at a high speed – the UniChip was doing its job – to provide a refined experience for the driver. I truly believe that it was money well spent. I look forward to doing further modifications and having the ability to download maps as well as choose to tune my vehicle by myself at no additional cost. I also want to add that the customer service and talk time with Jack was extremely top notch – something that I had highly desired, and was exceeded by expectations. I feel this product is an excellent alternative to that of the other ECU tuning ventures that have populated these boards for months.
Jack, thank you. UniChip, thank you. I look forward to doing a long term road review as well as provide any other feedback or experience. I also look forward to downloading some maps and doing some tweaking myself.
I do want to leave everyone with the following: I’ve purchased a myriad of intakes for this car. I’ve also built a myriad of intakes for this car. The difference in everything is the sound. The commonality of everything is the tune (i.e. to keep everything in check to allow the engine to breath as good as it did when stock). Don’t believe that you can flow more air into the engine with an air filter or intake system, unless you go forced induction. Everything that is done to a vehicle from intake and exhaust and the engine in between, requires a certain amount of optimal air flow, no more, and if less, a tune will solve it. So the idea is to pick a product that you like and get a tune so it performs as well as stock. Bottom line, find something you like regarding sound, aesthetics, etc. then tune for it. I have enough experience with intakes, sound and airflow to tell you how to spend or save your money.
I hope this helps everyone making an informed decision.
Take care,
Brian
