Unichip map downloads and tuning

[ScionFrsFan]

hell its 505 for kit and to get the usb cable. Maybe I just pull the trigger tom haha Should the video be up by then? lol

[seven]

Originally Posted by bakerr6

Hmm I was unaware of that. I thought every ECU had to have a license in oredr to have ECUtek tunes applied to the car. This makes ECUtek a lot more affordable. One question though, if you have to take your car in for warranty work, what do you do? I'm not trying to be an A hole or anything of this matter, I'm just wondering if you can send it back in to FT-86speedfactory and have them return it to stock, ship it back, then ship it back out to them to have them retune it.

This wouldn't be a bad option though if you have a master tuner close to your house if they do offer this.

No offense taken man, I know you (and many many others) are just exploring options.

Yeah, unless you go to a mod-friendly dealer you're SOL.

However Drift-Factory (which is local to me) does tuning... And more importantly the dealer I deal with (specifically the service adviser) is mod-friendly. So I personally won't have issues, others might not be so lucky, but I understand it's the nature of the business of modifying a car (hence why I asked about the dealer first, sought out a local tuner, etc) - Hopefully others do their due diligence before buying also.

But yeah, $225 keeps it cheap for sure... it does have its limitations like you said.



In a perfect world, something like HPTuners for GM vehicles would exist for this car... You buy a cable and software for $600ish and it comes with so many "credits" to license that cable you have to ECUs (usually its 2 credits per ECU unless its a super new motor) and you can tune 2-3 cars off the bat right from the factory sensors/ECU.

The closest solution to this right now is open source stuff in development. ECUtek allows you to do it as well but its almost double the price.
A slap-dash way of doing it, is getting an ECUTek tune for the basics for $225 (honestly you could probably have them just turn off the rear O2 and apply the idle fix and that's call, and the dealer might never know), and then using the UNICHIP kit for $450 to tune it.

[ScionFrsFan]

Originally Posted by seven

No offense taken man, I know you (and many many others) are just exploring options.

Yeah, unless you go to a mod-friendly dealer you're SOL.

However Drift-Factory (which is local to me) does tuning... And more importantly the dealer I deal with (specifically the service adviser) is mod-friendly.

But yeah, $225 keeps it cheap for sure... it does have its limitations like you said.



In a perfect world, something like HPTuners for GM vehicles would exist for this car... You buy a cable and software for $600ish and it comes with so many "credits" to license that cable you have to ECUs (usually its 2 credits per ECU unless its a super new motor) and you can tune 2-3 cars off the bat right from the factory sensors/ECU.

The closest solution to this right now is open source stuff in development. ECUtek allows you to do it as well but its almost double the price.

That's what I been wanting. Do you think this will ever happen? lol

[seven]

Originally Posted by ScionFrsFan

That's what I been wanting. Do you think this will ever happen? lol

Updated the post you quoted.


Eventually yes. However the downside of getting the latest and greatest car is that you spend extra money as better aftermarket options for tuning, or engine mods, etc become available.

I see 1 of 2 things happening...

1- open source comes out, and as a result ECUtek drops pricing to stay competitive - ECUtek will have the edge as it will have company backed support and company-backed updates. Open source will be user-based and therefore will only be as good as the user-base knowledge to add features

2- A competitor of ECUTek comes out and prices slightly lower than ECUTek (to earn business away from ECUTek) and prices fall slightly, but only 10-15%


I hope for #1 *edit again* - However I only plan on keeping the car til late 2013/early 2014 so I'm not necessarily inclined to wait for anything. I'll keep it for 1.5-2 years (which is average for me) and then either sell it as a well-thought-out mildly modded car (intake/exhaust/tune/coilovers/pads/tires/wheels), or part it out and sell it stock... I've been wanting a 996 turbo for years, I'll finally be in a position for one in about 12-18 months.

*edit* at the expense of possibly sounding shameless, if you like the info/opinions I'm adding, feel free to "thank" the posts

[bakerr6]

Originally Posted by ScionFrsFan

So If I just buy the cable for 35 I can install and tune they have. The adv of the flux2 you can download more then one and be able to switch on the fly? without the flux how many tunes does it hold?

Flux2 does a lot more than just store tunes (it does give you the option to switch between 5). You can monitor so many other parameters.

The regular version without the flux2 allows you to have 2 different tunes at a time, so you could have a 93 octane and an e85 tune.

I would highly reccomend taking a look at some of the info. in the vendor section also. I know Jack has some great info. in there that I'm probably missing haha.

[bakerr6]

Originally Posted by seven

No offense taken man, I know you (and many many others) are just exploring options.

Yeah, unless you go to a mod-friendly dealer you're SOL.

However Drift-Factory (which is local to me) does tuning... And more importantly the dealer I deal with (specifically the service adviser) is mod-friendly. So I personally won't have issues, others might not be so lucky, but I understand it's the nature of the business of modifying a car (hence why I asked about the dealer first, sought out a local tuner, etc) - Hopefully others do their due diligence before buying also.

But yeah, $225 keeps it cheap for sure... it does have its limitations like you said.



In a perfect world, something like HPTuners for GM vehicles would exist for this car... You buy a cable and software for $600ish and it comes with so many "credits" to license that cable you have to ECUs (usually its 2 credits per ECU unless its a super new motor) and you can tune 2-3 cars off the bat right from the factory sensors/ECU.

The closest solution to this right now is open source stuff in development. ECUtek allows you to do it as well but its almost double the price.
A slap-dash way of doing it, is getting an ECUTek tune for the basics for $225 (honestly you could probably have them just turn off the rear O2 and apply the idle fix and that's call, and the dealer might never know), and then using the UNICHIP kit for $450 to tune it.

Yea I love hptuners (had it for my fbody, tuned a few other cars with it).

If you plan on going that route, see if they can strike some type of deal so taht if new features are added (which looks to be the case a lot lately) or if you add new parts, that either you can get a discount, or they can just charge you a set price now to receive free updates.

[bakerr6]

Originally Posted by ScionFrsFan

hell its 505 for kit and to get the usb cable. Maybe I just pull the trigger tom haha Should the video be up by then? lol

I can provide you with any info. you need on the install, along with my phone number. I imagine if you order it, i'll probably have some type of instructional video up by that time. It's really very simple.

[Sportsguy83]

Originally Posted by seven

IIRC you don't need to buy a license unless you wish to tune it yourself or if you wish to have a non-master tuner do it.

IE I can send in my ECU to FT86 Speedfactory (as they're a master tuner so they don't need me to buy a license), pay for the reflash I want, and then they send me my ECU back. However I cannot change or edit the tune at all... but that would be ok with me.

Every ECU that is to get an ECUTek flash, requires a license to be purchased.

ECUTek goes as follows:

ECUTek license ~$250 (one time charge)
ECUTek tune ~$350 (you pay for every time you get a new tune, updates to one same flash are usually free from the tuner)
ECUTek cable (optional) ~$300

[Sportsguy83]

Originally Posted by bakerr6

Hmm I was unaware of that. I thought every ECU had to have a license in oredr to have ECUtek tunes applied to the car. This makes ECUtek a lot more affordable. One question though, if you have to take your car in for warranty work, what do you do? I'm not trying to be an A hole or anything of this matter, I'm just wondering if you can send it back in to FT-86speedfactory and have them return it to stock, ship it back, then ship it back out to them to have them retune it.

This wouldn't be a bad option though if you have a master tuner close to your house if they do offer this.

Every ECU has to have a license, you are right (see above post).

On the back to stock issue, yes the tuner will be able to take it back to stock. But, as soon as I flash my car, I consider warranty related to the ECU is done.

And also remember, dealers are not out there looking for ECU's flashed. It is very rare that a dealer needs to flash an ECU so they wouldn't even look at that if say you needed a taillight to be replaced.

[Unichip Jack]

Great discussion and questions... some questions have been answered pretty accurately and completely by posts, but here’s a little additional information. Everything in red is a question or paraphrased question… I don’t want to get any deductions for plagiarism if there are any English teachers out there…

How often do you add maps for new parts? That depends upon how often new parts requiring a new tune come out. We’re currently working on our E85 maps and will add maps as new parts requiring remapping come out for the car.

It’s worth noting lots of bolt-on parts don’t change the calibration… even though they may make a power difference. A typical example are throttle bodies… although they frequently make the engine “feel” stronger because they rescale the accelerator pedal/throttle plate relationship, they have no effect at all on the calibration. They also generally don’t make more power...

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? The Unichip can certainly control VVTi but the basic kit isn’t wired to do so for a couple of reasons… (1) installation simplicity, (2) selling price, and (3) bang for the buck. Moving cam timing can produce gains in specific portions of the rpm band but that creates corresponding power loss elsewhere in the rpm band. Altering cam timing doesn’t generally “create” power it just shifts where the existing power is produced. It’s all about the engine’s volumetric efficiency and while that can be altered with internal engine work, a “net” gain across the rpm band generally takes more than just a VVTi change. With new values, flowed heads, and changes in the cam grind for lift and duration, you can make meaningful power and will need to change cam timing to maximize that power, but the overall benefit with stock heads and cams is generally a push at best.

If changing VVTi is an important feature to anybody, modifying a kit is easy as is building the maps with the UniTune software.

As a side note, every Unichip computer is capable of doing a lot of things, even if the basic kit doesn’t utilize those capabilities. For example, every Unichip can run a shift light, but the basic kit isn’t set up to do that, again to keep down costs and make for an easy installation for the “average” user. Unlike other options, customizing the Unichip kit is something easily done by a shop or at home.

So if I plug this in my car "stock" would I get anything out of it? If you install a Unichip mapped for an otherwise “stock” FR-S, you get at least 80% of the gains of the car with bolt-on intake and exhaust modifications.

I agree, seeing some screen shots (I'm sure they exist, just need a link to them probably) of the GUI would be nice. Reposted for convenience…http://www.unichip.us/260-faq-end-user-tuning

Can this turn off a CEL for no cat? The Unichip doesn’t “turn off” fault lights because it doesn’t reflash the OE ECU. A reflash tells the ECU that something the OE programming says is a fault isn’t a fault; the condition (like removing the cats) still exists, but ECU just doesn’t thinks it’s a problem.

The Unichip creates a simulated condition to make the OE ECU believe everything is “normal” which means OE ECU never turns on the light in the first place… as with most things, you can get to the desired solution with either tuning approach. Perhaps the difference seems unimportant but it’s fundamental to the difference between the two approaches.

That said, “defeating” emissions system controls or cautions is a huge Federal legal issue with very steep penalties (like $100k for each violation) and banning the parts from future sale. That get’s our attention even if it doesn’t concern somebody else.

Do you have E85 already? The E85 maps will be finished shortly after the holiday break. As soon as they’re finished, they’ll be posted to the maps library which makes them available to anybody with a download cable or tuning software.

How many maps do they have on their site? We currently have 17 maps covering the AiRaid CAI, the Injen CAI, the Takeda CAI, drop in panel filters, and a stock airbox. In each instance, there are maps for each intake alone, each intake with a CatB, and each intake with headers and a CatB. All of those combinations have low octane, midgrade, and premium fuel maps. We also have a valet map in which the engine won’t accelerate above ~ 3500 rpm and an immobilizer map in which the engine won’t start.

Do you just connect your Unichip to your computer and pick the map you want and connect it back to your car and that it? Yes, that’s it… as often as you want. It takes less than a minute for the download.

So If I just buy the cable for $35 I can install the tunes they have? Yes.

The advantage of the Flux2 Display is you can download more than one and switch on the fly? Without the Flux2 Display, how many tunes does it hold? All maps actually live in the Unichip computer and the Flux2 Display switches them. There are five map positions in the Unichip and you can populate any number you desire. With the basic kit, you get a mechanical 2-position switch to change between Map 1 and Map 2. Remember if you have a download cable, you can put any map in those positions and can change what map is in either position any time you want.

Dealer’s looking for “flashed”ECU’s…” While its true dealers probably don’t spend a lot of time looking for flashed ECU’s, every time your car goes in for service, the dealer downloads data from the ECU.

While they’re just looking for fault codes, fuel trims, when service was performed, and other diagnostic data, there is a wealth of data spit out for them and all of it ends up in your vehicles history in their records.

Although I’m sure there are minor variances in procedures and data between OE’s, as a minimum, they all download the “current” ECU program ID and when that program was loaded. Their data base already tells them when they programmed or reprogrammed your ECU… if the latest service download doesn’t match what’s in the data base… well, it’s probably not a good call to assume the OE is stupid.

Does anything on your desktop ever really go away? Why would you think your car’s ECU is any different? There’s way too much information in there about your vehicle’s history for them to just ignore… especially if the car comes in for some warranty work…

We have dealerships that are very good customers and pretty open about things. There is data available to you with your scan tool’s “keys,” data available with a dealer key, data available with a national key, and data available to the factory only. On most ECU’s these days, nothing is ever removed or lost… regardless of what’s cleared or reprogrammed and the factory sees all of it.

Whether they say anything or not, they have the data… whether you care or not is certainly your choice.

Did we mention there's no “footprint” in the OE ECU from the Unichip because we don’t reflash it?

[ScionFrsFan]

If I understand correctly. If I plug this in and leave it alone when I get it and I install a intake I will get 80% of the extra gains from it? Compared to if I unplug my unichip and got a tune for the intake to get the full boost?

[ScionFrsFan]

AND E85?! lol

[ScionFrsFan]

Lol Any deals for guys willing to be one of the first ones to by?

[Unichip Jack]

If you add an intake, you reprogram the Unichip for the intake… that’s why we make maps for different intakes and bolt-on configurations.

The question was what gains will a “stock” vehicle see… and the answer was a stock vehicle + Unichip mapped for the stock vehicle will get 80% of the gains that a CAI vehicle + Unichip programmed for that CAI will see.

Note that a “stock” calibration doesn’t mean the performance is “stock” it means the calibration was built for a vehicle with a “stock” configuration.

Most CAI's significantly change the calibration so the calibration you use should be for that intake… in that regard it doesn’t matter if it’s a Unichip or a reflash… the calibration is specific to the vehicle configuration. A “stock” vehicle map looks completely different than one for CAI Brand X which looks completely different from one for CAI Brand Y, etc….

With the correct tune, they can all make good power but if you actually bolt up CAI Brand X to the car but load the Unichip with a map for CAI Brand Y, you’ll probably end up with flat spots, fuel trims, and poor performance.

You should use a map built for the configuration and if you change the configuration, you can (and should) easily change the map. That’s why we make the maps and offer a simple home download program for them.

An E85 map for any configuration (stock, CAI, whatever… ) looks completely different from the low octane map for that configuration, which looks different from a premium fuel map for that configuration, etc… that's why we offer different maps for each of the fuel grades and are making seperate maps for E85.