Any unichip to OFT converts?

[tracerit]

I've been driving with my Unichip for over a year now and it's been nice. However I'm itching for a bit more power. Seeing how the OFT can use E85 without a flex fuel kit, I figured maybe get the OFT now and play with it for a year and wait to see if there are any E85 wear reports to running E85 without a flex fuel kit.

Just wondering if there's a big difference between the Unichip and OFT to justify getting it now. Otherwise I may just wait a year and consider a Flexfuel kit + EcuTek tune.

My current mods are 2.5" Perrin catback exhaust and a Perrin inlet hose.

[DJCarbine]

There is a huge difference between the unichip and the OFT. I would not hesitate to spring for the OFT.


Ecutek does not require a flexfuel kit, you can run e85 just like the OFT by using e85 maps.


Either way you go, the unichip just does not compare to OFT, Ecutek, or getting a tactrix cable and using romraider

[Wyattkb]

I switched from Unichip to OFT 1 month ago.

I feel the OFT is tuned better than the Unichip. Also the support for OFT is 100x better than Unichip. The OFT overall is better platform with more capabilities and ease of use.

The Unichip still was worth it for the boost in power. But I would have done OFT from the start if I could go back.

[phrosty]

In terms of performance, OFT's stage 1 does a better job of reducing the torque dip. That was really the only performance benefit over Unichip that I can objectively say I noticed without a dyno. I'm sure it was insignificantly better in other ways, but at stage 1 how much can you really feel?

The main benefit to me was dramatically increased tunability as well as better support both from the company and the community. Being able to easily fine-tune my ROM for how I use my car made a world of difference.

Like Wyatt says -- Unichip was nice, for a time, but I'd not get it today if the choice was between it and a flash. Its usefulness is greatly diminished.

[l0aded]

To be absolutely honest I was extremely underwhelmed by the Unichip when I had it. Then I got the OFT and again I was extremely underwhelmed. Tunes don't do much for our cars.. UNLESS you go FI or e85. If you are going for e85 then yes I would recommend going OFT since Unichip doesn't have that option. One thing you have to watch out for with the OFT is yes it dimishes the dip a little but it also makes your car sound like shit as you pass from 3.5k-4k, at least for the off the shelf tune.

Maybe I was just expecting more but I couldn't tell if the intake exhaust tune mods actually did anything or if it was placebo.

[tracerit]

Originally Posted by l0aded

To be absolutely honest I was extremely underwhelmed by the Unichip when I had it. Then I got the OFT and again I was extremely underwhelmed. Tunes don't do much for our cars.. UNLESS you go FI or e85. If you are going for e85 then yes I would recommend going OFT since Unichip doesn't have that option. One thing you have to watch out for with the OFT is yes it dimishes the dip a little but it also makes your car sound like shit as you pass from 3.5k-4k, at least for the off the shelf tune.

Maybe I was just expecting more but I couldn't tell if the intake exhaust tune mods actually did anything or if it was placebo.

This is what I'm worried about. I don't drive my car hard enough to appreciate its handling abilities and I'm carrying this attitude into changing tunes. Although everything I"ve read about E85 has been 100% positive so it seems if I do go with the OFT, and the experience isn't that great, I'll switch to the E85 a lot sooner. Support for the Unichip seems to have all but vanished but it still does what it does with the basic mods.

[Boofneenee]

Originally Posted by tracerit

This is what I'm worried about. I don't drive my car hard enough to appreciate its handling abilities and I'm carrying this attitude into changing tunes. Although everything I"ve read about E85 has been 100% positive so it seems if I do go with the OFT, and the experience isn't that great, I'll switch to the E85 a lot sooner. Support for the Unichip seems to have all but vanished but it still does what it does with the basic mods.

I converted and felt like a dumbass for not doing it sooner.

If you search my profile you will see I wrote up an extensive and overwhelmingly happy review of the unichip. I even defended the unichip to those arguing a real tune (like the off) was better and safer (wrong, unichip is not safer).

In any event I ended switching out. Yes, with the oft their is the feeling of more power everywhere. From low in the rpms all the way up to 7500. E85 is a good time too. But, where I noticed the largest improvement was throttle\pedal feel. Car is much MUCH more responsive with a proper tune. I still remember to this day the very next day I flashed the car sitting in traffic. I was giggling to myself in histerics rolling in traffic at just how accurate and snappy my car felt off the line. Something about the unichip left me with a muddy sensation.

Sell the unichip, buy the off and you won't look back

[l0aded]

Originally Posted by tracerit

This is what I'm worried about. I don't drive my car hard enough to appreciate its handling abilities and I'm carrying this attitude into changing tunes. Although everything I"ve read about E85 has been 100% positive so it seems if I do go with the OFT, and the experience isn't that great, I'll switch to the E85 a lot sooner. Support for the Unichip seems to have all but vanished but it still does what it does with the basic mods.

It's definitely worth the switch in terms of support and future proofing. Shiv does a great job of adding tunes for so many platforms and continueing support for regular 91/e85 tunes as well. I say go for it but have your expectations in line as it won't make it feel like a v6 off the 91 octane. e85 is substantially different in a good way though.

[tracerit]

Got my OFT maybe a week ago. The OFT and Unichip are similar in performance, I would say the Unichip is 80% of the OFT. The OFT does stand out in that it minimizies the torque dip quite well. But then now I have to contend with this raspy metallic noise at 4k :/ Searching through the forums, it seems to be normal with the OFT (and one report of EcuTek tune as well). So I guess I'll have to get used to it. Someone mentioned that E85 may minimize the noise but it's still there just as raspy.

As for the E85 tune performance, I'm a bit disappointed however I'm still only 30 miles in with my first tank of E85. First to third gear feels the same, fourth gear around 3k does have some punch. On the freeway it doesn't really feel too different. I'll give the E85 a few more refills and go back to 91. It looks like it may be one of those things that I won't appreciate it until it's gone.

[veck]

Originally Posted by tracerit

Got my OFT maybe a week ago. The OFT and Unichip are similar in performance, I would say the Unichip is 80% of the OFT. The OFT does stand out in that it minimizies the torque dip quite well. But then now I have to contend with this raspy metallic noise at 4k :/ Searching through the forums, it seems to be normal with the OFT (and one report of EcuTek tune as well). So I guess I'll have to get used to it. Someone mentioned that E85 may minimize the noise but it's still there just as raspy.

As for the E85 tune performance, I'm a bit disappointed however I'm still only 30 miles in with my first tank of E85. First to third gear feels the same, fourth gear around 3k does have some punch. On the freeway it doesn't really feel too different. I'll give the E85 a few more refills and go back to 91. It looks like it may be one of those things that I won't appreciate it until it's gone.

I got rid of the rasp by getting open flash headers.

[tracerit]

Originally Posted by veck

I got rid of the rasp by getting open flash headers.

nice! I really would want to get new tires/wheels before I would consider a header though. At this point in time with my mods, I just feel like I need something with (higher) tangible benefits.