Unichip vs ECUtek?

[Hix]

Originally Posted by husker741

So I was thinking about doing the unichip. But to you guys is it worth it? I'll have a drop in filter, catback, over pipe and front pipe. Will the unichip actually alter it much or no? I don't want any chance if voiding warranty, so I wouldn't do any tuning. But if it makes a significant difference I will pay for the unichip.

With and without mods a tune will produce the most actual power of any of the mods. Yes, Unichip is worth it.

[Mr.Jay]

Originally Posted by WolfsFang

ECUtek can be detected, though its very hard and out of the way method so dealers dont do it. Also @Hix they are working on flexfuel for unichip and im sure flat foot shifting can be supported by unichip.

I'm sure anything can be detectable if you look hard enough but by your own admission dealers don't do it. I didn't know this though so thanks for the info.

BRZEdit? Works for the FRS as well I would asume? I will search

[leon78]

Originally Posted by mad_sb

It is out already.. BRZedit.

to the OP...

Ecutek (and BRZedit) has the ability to adjust the majority of the maps that control the engine. Unichip can only alter the signals received by and sent from the ecu, it does not directly alter the maps. Based on the Website, it intercepts crank sensor (so it can alter ignition timing), Maf sensor (so it can alter engine load / fueling), and the Throttle motor so it can alter the dbw output.

Take cam timing for example, you can completely remap the cam timing maps with ecutek. With unichip the only changes you can make to cam timing are indirect changes via maf signal (engine load) manipulation, which is not sufficient to actually change the cam timing at WOT by any significant margin.

Yes...but does the BRZedit come for free/cheap w/ Ecutek tune/cable/licance so I can do my own in house tuning w/o a middle man. I need to log...open log files....read data...open current map...make adj to said map....download/save....flash(prob wrong term) to ECU...and then WOT log again and repeat....all im asking for is an AP really....sry..but im butt hurt that the FA20 does not have the Cobb AP or like yet....Im learning the whole tuning thing over again with this car.

[mad_sb]

Originally Posted by leon78

Yes...but does the BRZedit come for free/cheap w/ Ecutek tune/cable/licance so I can do my own in house tuning w/o a middle man. I need to log...open log files....read data...open current map...make adj to said map....download/save....flash(prob wrong term) to ECU...and then WOT log again and repeat....all im asking for is an AP really....sry..but im butt hurt that the FA20 does not have the Cobb AP or like yet....Im learning the whole tuning thing over again with this car.

BRZedit has nothing to do with ecutek, it is a competing product. You can search for BRZedit here in this forum or on the web to find the threads about it and the website.

The personal verions is 499 and lets you tune your own car, or you can let someone else tune it so long as they use your laptop and cable. There is no license with any version, just software registered to your vin number. With any version you need a tactrix open port 2 cable to connect to the ecu, the cable reatails for 150 but you can find used ones on evolutionM or nassioc.

[bakerr6]

ys brzedit is tuneable by yourself.

I personally have been happy with unichip so far. We'll see how I like it when they bring out e85 options. The true test for me will be when I go FI and try to have it tuned with the unichip software. Otherwise I'll be running brzedit and soft tuning myself.

[Visconti]

I haven't used the unichip for the BRZ but seems like it has something to offer for those wanting to play with their car

Only EcuTek has Speed Density support , something you'll need if you want a turbo kit.

EcuTek also supports external sensors to be wired into the Ecu.

Example, flex fuel sensor, boost controller, wideband etc.

EcuTek has custom mapping allows the tuner to do very advanced calibrations.. Something I recently had to use to tune Innovate new supercharger...with out the custom maps it would have been a pity to get rid if the lean tip-in.

Another example of a useful custom map would be per gear timing control.

Having access to most the factory maps is one thing.. But when you go forced induction on an NA car the Ecu is very limiting.

Then there's support, as a tuner I need the best support possible and so does my customer. If i come across a road block and need something new or something fixed a simple email gets it done.

A good example of ecuteks commitment is when I was having a flashing issue.. Two days later they just bought a car so they could fix it and better support their dealers.

John

[Unichip Jack]

I wasn’t going to post because I think lOaded is spot on saying there’s a “unavoidable ownership bias…” it’s a lot like politics. That said, there are some simply wrong statements floating around the threads. The Unichip is at its heart custom tunable… has been for more than 15 years.

Clearly, EcuTek is well sorted, does some cool stuff, and lots of guys have a basic understanding of how it works. Unfortunately, that basic understanding doesn’t translate to a different product. A “head to head” comparison based on how many OEM tables the tuner has access to is meaningless because it’s not how Unichip works. Likewise, how the Unichip takes apart/manipulates/reintegrates an OEM signal is just as meaningless because it’s not how EcuTek works.

Does the FT86 Unichip kit manipulate the MAF to change fueling… yep. It’s clean, simple, and accomplishes what most guys want for their cars. Is that the only way Unichip can effect fueling… nope. Can you completely remove the MAF and convert the engine to speed-density… yep. Direct OEM injector control… yep. Integrate additional injectors… yep. Direct cam control… yep (has nothing to do with the MAF). Integrate a FI kit… yep. Modify tip in fueling… yep. Launch control… yep. Flat foot shifting… yep. Create a fully automatic 3D map directly controlling a nitrous solenoid while optimizing timing/fueling and automatically changing to non-nitrous values when the gas runs low… yep. Immobilize the car with a switch flip… yep. Integrate external sensors… MAP sensor… yep, flex fuel sensor… yep, closed loop waste gate solenoid, yep… additional injectors, yep… automatic 3D water spray with auto shut off and map switching… yep, etc…

Our basic kit is just that… a basic kit. It utilizes about 10% of the Unichip’s capability because that’s what 90% of the market wants… have fun with no foot print… not a footprint that’s just hard to find. How hard do you think the dealer will look at a car that cruises in with an engine problem?

If you are in the 10% and want to do more, give us a call or shoot me a pm and we’ll be happy to help.

If you’re a reflash guy, jump on EcuTek and have fun … that’s the whole idea. Don’t think, however, you can’t have just as much fun with the Unichip.

Cheers

OBTW… if anybody wants to talk customer support, call me.

[RandomHero]

Originally Posted by Unichip Jack

I wasn’t going to post because I think lOaded is spot on saying there’s a “unavoidable ownership bias…” it’s a lot like politics. That said, there are some simply wrong statements floating around the threads. The Unichip is at its heart custom tunable… has been for more than 15 years.

Clearly, EcuTek is well sorted, does some cool stuff, and lots of guys have a basic understanding of how it works. Unfortunately, that basic understanding doesn’t translate to a different product. A “head to head” comparison based on how many OEM tables the tuner has access to is meaningless because it’s not how Unichip works. Likewise, how the Unichip takes apart/manipulates/reintegrates an OEM signal is just as meaningless because it’s not how EcuTek works.

Does the FT86 Unichip kit manipulate the MAF to change fueling… yep. It’s clean, simple, and accomplishes what most guys want for their cars. Is that the only way Unichip can effect fueling… nope. Can you completely remove the MAF and convert the engine to speed-density… yep. Direct OEM injector control… yep. Integrate additional injectors… yep. Direct cam control… yep (has nothing to do with the MAF). Integrate a FI kit… yep. Modify tip in fueling… yep. Launch control… yep. Flat foot shifting… yep. Create a fully automatic 3D map directly controlling a nitrous solenoid while optimizing timing/fueling and automatically changing to non-nitrous values when the gas runs low… yep. Immobilize the car with a switch flip… yep. Integrate external sensors… MAP sensor… yep, flex fuel sensor… yep, closed loop waste gate solenoid, yep… additional injectors, yep… automatic 3D water spray with auto shut off and map switching… yep, etc…

Our basic kit is just that… a basic kit. It utilizes about 10% of the Unichip’s capability because that’s what 90% of the market wants… have fun with no foot print… not a footprint that’s just hard to find. How hard do you think the dealer will look at a car that cruises in with an engine problem?

If you are in the 10% and want to do more, give us a call or shoot me a pm and we’ll be happy to help.

If you’re a reflash guy, jump on EcuTek and have fun … that’s the whole idea. Don’t think, however, you can’t have just as much fun with the Unichip.

Cheers

OBTW… if anybody wants to talk customer support, call me.

Welp... Im impressed

[industrial]

It's hard to tell until someone does a dyno comparison of some kind. Unichip does have some great customer service though.

[Hix]

Originally Posted by industrial

It's hard to tell until someone does a dyno comparison of some kind. Unichip does have some great customer service though.

That is almost entirely why I purchased mine. Unichip_Jack is a good guy unlike some other tuners on here. I would like to see an apples to apples competition with them since I had no clue Unichip did as much as he stated.

[bakerr6]

Originally Posted by Unichip Jack

I wasn’t going to post because I think lOaded is spot on saying there’s a “unavoidable ownership bias…” it’s a lot like politics. That said, there are some simply wrong statements floating around the threads. The Unichip is at its heart custom tunable… has been for more than 15 years.

Clearly, EcuTek is well sorted, does some cool stuff, and lots of guys have a basic understanding of how it works. Unfortunately, that basic understanding doesn’t translate to a different product. A “head to head” comparison based on how many OEM tables the tuner has access to is meaningless because it’s not how Unichip works. Likewise, how the Unichip takes apart/manipulates/reintegrates an OEM signal is just as meaningless because it’s not how EcuTek works.

Does the FT86 Unichip kit manipulate the MAF to change fueling… yep. It’s clean, simple, and accomplishes what most guys want for their cars. Is that the only way Unichip can effect fueling… nope. Can you completely remove the MAF and convert the engine to speed-density… yep. Direct OEM injector control… yep. Integrate additional injectors… yep. Direct cam control… yep (has nothing to do with the MAF). Integrate a FI kit… yep. Modify tip in fueling… yep. Launch control… yep. Flat foot shifting… yep. Create a fully automatic 3D map directly controlling a nitrous solenoid while optimizing timing/fueling and automatically changing to non-nitrous values when the gas runs low… yep. Immobilize the car with a switch flip… yep. Integrate external sensors… MAP sensor… yep, flex fuel sensor… yep, closed loop waste gate solenoid, yep… additional injectors, yep… automatic 3D water spray with auto shut off and map switching… yep, etc…

Our basic kit is just that… a basic kit. It utilizes about 10% of the Unichip’s capability because that’s what 90% of the market wants… have fun with no foot print… not a footprint that’s just hard to find. How hard do you think the dealer will look at a car that cruises in with an engine problem?

If you are in the 10% and want to do more, give us a call or shoot me a pm and we’ll be happy to help.

If you’re a reflash guy, jump on EcuTek and have fun … that’s the whole idea. Don’t think, however, you can’t have just as much fun with the Unichip.

Cheers

OBTW… if anybody wants to talk customer support, call me.

Jack,

I didn't want to step on anyone's toes or pass bad info. but I knew from the start I was planning on going FI and still wanted unichip over ecutek.

If anyone is still unsure of what this system can do, just browse the forums of the other vehicles the product is used on, and you will understand why I chose it over ecutek. I would prefer to never deal with ecutek (because of past issues) but may integrate brzedit in the future.

Jack and the unichip crew are great and very knowledgeable. By comparing these two products, you are trying to compare apples to oranges (IMO), since they do separate things.

[efactor84]

So which software could I use to manipulate/edit tables however I want at my finger tips?

[Visconti]

Wow SD, pretty cool unichip

[mad_sb]

Originally Posted by Unichip Jack

... Direct cam control… yep (has nothing to do with the MAF). ...

Great list of features and good to know you have the option of expanding on the plug and play kit.

Couple of quick questions:
1. with direct cam control how do you prevent CEL's since the ecu checks requested position vs actual position? Do you have to emulate the cam position sensors signals back to the ecu?
2. Is the series Q or Q+ included with the plug and play kit for the FR-s / BRZ? ... (from looking at the site it seems the Q+ is required for many of the additional functions you listed such as boost control etc)