I need opinions on the unichip.

[kevman_101]

There is a counter in the ECU to tell you how many times it`s been flashed. Reflashing to stock adds 1 to that counter. It doesn`t go back to 0.

[mad_sb]

Originally Posted by kevman_101

There is a counter in the ECU to tell you how many times it`s been flashed. Reflashing to stock adds 1 to that counter. It doesn`t go back to 0.

Can you prove that? I'm not talking about speculation, i'm talking about proof.

[IceFyre13th]

Frankly I don't care anymore, specifically after just getting my 7500 mile service done Friday, with UniChip still in the car, the service manager and tech saw the mods done to my car.......and could care less....but I also know that they do not have to cover any repairs that are caused by my mods.

But I asked them about using a tune instead of the UniChip anyway, I was told that they can tell when the last flash was done as the ROM flash will have the date it was flashed, even if you put the stock ROM flash back in.....forget the counter that can be set back to 0.....its the date that it was flashed that tells them.....

Realize that not all dealers are equal, mine is very mod friendly (heck the parts department sells the stuff there).....

....the rest of our conversation was about what else I thought about doing to the FR-S.....and that Subaru has a supercharger for the BRZ that Scion / Toyota will not have for the GT-86 / FR-S

[Boofneenee]

But I asked them about using a tune instead of the UniChip anyway, I was told that they can tell when the last flash was done as the ROM flash will have the date it was flashed, even if you put the stock ROM flash back in.....forget the counter that can be set back to 0.....its the date that it was flashed that tells them.....

that is scary as shit... I was honestly thinking about the openflash because I didnt think that at the dealer level he could figure it out. Is this true??

damn.. I have been reading up a ton on the open flash

[Ocean-Grown 86]

Unichip is great for entry level engine modifications due to its low price and easy reversibility. With nothing but a high flow intake filter, there is a noticeable gain. I'll be sticking with my Unichip for a while.

If you have the money and aren't worried about leaving a footprint, then there are greater gains to be made with a reflash.

If you do decide to go unichip, look for deals in the classified section!

[Books]

Seems like all Unichip threads end up like this...

It's cheap, easy to install, and really works... well, at least that's why I got it. The torque dip is much less noticeable and my butt dyno tells me there's definitely more oomph. Sure, it's a piggyback so it has it's limitations but for bolt ons, it's definitely the best bang for your buck.

However, when I get headers I'll probably be moving up to ecutek or openflash.

Originally Posted by Td-d

I'll add my voice to the choir - if you have a choice, and the means, avoid Unichip. Piggyback systems all work by altering signals from the various inputs to the ECU, as opposed to being able to actually change the calibrations and thresholds native to the ECU. Basically, you are adding an extra layer of complexity to the process (through mechanical and electrical manipulation of the signals). Added complexity equals added opportunity for failure.

The stock ECU has it's thresholds, which the piggyback exploits, so it can't push the ECUs past its limits. A flash however, has direct control of the engine so I do not understand how "Added opportunity for failure" makes a tune better than unichip in this regard.

As for the "basically adding an extra layer" of complexity? The difference in reaction times between the computer chip and tune are minimal. It's 2013, computer chips are fast these days. (And also, there are no mechanical signal manipulations with the unichip)

A tune and a piggyback have the same end result (but the piggback is only limited by the ECUs thresholds)

Originally Posted by Td-d

Piggybacks are antiquated, and a relic from the days before OEM ecus could be accessed and re-calibrated. Cheap and cheerful.

Agreed, maybe that's why it's so cheap.

[jeebus]

Originally Posted by IceFyre13th

Frankly I don't care anymore, specifically after just getting my 7500 mile service done Friday, with UniChip still in the car, the service manager and tech saw the mods done to my car.......and could care less....but I also know that they do not have to cover any repairs that are caused by my mods.

But I asked them about using a tune instead of the UniChip anyway, I was told that they can tell when the last flash was done as the ROM flash will have the date it was flashed, even if you put the stock ROM flash back in.....forget the counter that can be set back to 0.....its the date that it was flashed that tells them.....

Realize that not all dealers are equal, mine is very mod friendly (heck the parts department sells the stuff there).....

....the rest of our conversation was about what else I thought about doing to the FR-S.....and that Subaru has a supercharger for the BRZ that Scion / Toyota will not have for the GT-86 / FR-S

1. The folks at the dealer you speak with don't know a damn thing about the ECU inside your car. They know what their system tells them to do and that's about it.
2. They don't care about your mods while they do your 7,500 mile service but they'll have no issue using them against you if you have a catastrophic failure.

[Td-d]

Originally Posted by Books

It's cheap, easy to install, and really works... well, at least that's why I got it. The torque dip is much less noticeable and my butt dyno tells me there's definitely more oomph. Sure, it's a piggyback so it has it's limitations but for bolt ons, it's definitely the best bang for your buck.

Sure - it's doing what it needs to do - ultimately changing the way in which the ECU is handling the inputs.

Originally Posted by Books

The stock ECU has it's thresholds, which the piggyback exploits, so it can't push the ECUs past its limits. A flash however, has direct control of the engine so I do not understand how "Added opportunity for failure" makes a tune better than unichip in this regard.

I guess its a matter of what functionality you are looking for - stock ecu logic can be fundamentally altered for added functionality (e.g. FFS, LC, map switching, etc.). If it's basics - i.e. bumping up timing, boost, fueling - a piggyback will do.

Originally Posted by Books

As for the "basically adding an extra layer" of complexity? The difference in reaction times between the computer chip and tune are minimal. It's 2013, computer chips are fast these days. (And also, there are no mechanical signal manipulations with the unichip)

Sure - it's no longer the days where you have to solder resistors in to deal with rear O2 issues and the such - but - you are adding an extra layer in to the functioning of the vehicle. I'm not talking about the chip frequency - I'm talking about physical alteration (and yes, I know it's merely plugged in to the harness). An example for me would be meth injection (granted, more complex) - theoretically, as workable as E85, but more parts to fail. If I had the choice of E85 locally, it would be a no brainer.

Originally Posted by Books

Agreed, maybe that's why it's so cheap.

Once again, personal choice - personally, if I'm dropping that kind of cash on a vehicle, I'm willing to spend a little more on a tuning solution - and one where I know, and educate myself as to what is actually being altered.

[Td-d]

I must say, looking at the Unichip site, $445 is hardly cheap! And once the Ecuflash option is open, which is imminent, it will be less than half the cost - even if you throw in a tune, which would be better than an OTS map, it would be comparable.

[jordanrw260]

Originally Posted by IceFyre13th

Frankly I don't care anymore, specifically after just getting my 7500 mile service done Friday, with UniChip still in the car, the service manager and tech saw the mods done to my car.......and could care less....but I also know that they do not have to cover any repairs that are caused by my mods.

But I asked them about using a tune instead of the UniChip anyway, I was told that they can tell when the last flash was done as the ROM flash will have the date it was flashed, even if you put the stock ROM flash back in.....forget the counter that can be set back to 0.....its the date that it was flashed that tells them.....

Realize that not all dealers are equal, mine is very mod friendly (heck the parts department sells the stuff there).....

....the rest of our conversation was about what else I thought about doing to the FR-S.....and that Subaru has a supercharger for the BRZ that Scion / Toyota will not have for the GT-86 / FR-S

I also took my car in for a check at 10k and left my unichip plugged in under the hood. They didn't care.

[qoncept]

Originally Posted by jordanrw260

I also took my car in for a check at 10k and left my unichip plugged in under the hood. They didn't care.

They're never going to care unless you're there because you broke something and want it repaired under warranty.