Swift's Unichip Review

[swift996]

Background:
I ordered my unichip kit last week. I received it on Saturday and installed my unichip yesterday. Delivery was fast, quality packaging, and great instructions. It's a complete end to end kit.

Please reference my journal for some more details on my install and data logging/baseline virtual dyno runs.
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showt...t=23136&page=3

Install:
It's pretty straight forward, two of the sensors are a little pain so take your time and get it right. I ran into a small snag on my install (my error) and Jack from unichip was super helpful and I got it working right away. I had to remove my intake (AEM) from the throttle body to better access the TPS plug.

Finished Install:
The car fired right up and no CEL! I downloaded and flashed two maps on my unichip. The supplied switch makes it super easy to switch between the tunes. The software is a little dated/basic but it's super easy to use.

Disclaimer - Unichip hasn't yet made a map available for my configuration. I have an AEM intake system. They should have it finished in the next couple of weeks. I intalled the AiRaid and Injen tunes.



I have done quite a bit of driving on both tunes and got some data logging. The AiRaid tune seems to be very smooth down low but it seems to hold back up top. So I spent more time with the Injen tune. It's actually working great!

Impressions:
The car is instantly more punchy. The throttle response is improved and the car seems to want to move quicker at low RPMs. The car also feels to move between the gears smoother and also idle a little smoother. Up top is were the power comes in but I'd say it's all over the powerband as far as feeling faster. The car is feeling more like a S2000 and less like an OEM BRZ. My expectations were an additional 10HP. So essentially about 20HP over stock paired with the AEM. I think that's about where I'm at.

Dynos:
Note - This is a virtual dyno. If you refer to my journal I did a lot of work in calibrating my virtual dyno techniques and emulated the same conditions and same runs. I adjusted the weight because I had more fuel in my tank post tune. Again, take it with a grain of salt. I tried as hard as possible to reflect the very most accurate data logging.

Blue: Baseline (This is WITH the AEM Intake/no unichip)
Red: Unichip (w/ AEM) mapped to AiRaid
Green: Unichip (w/ AEM) mapped to Injen


I plan to do much more data logging and can't wait to get the AEM map when it becomes available as I think it will provide a more optimal tune and better results.

Overall, I'm very happy with the purchase. It was worth the price and will hold me over for a while until I eventually go supercharged (via Innovative Kit). This is good stuff. Top quality and easy to use. I've seen some good results from EcuTek and think this is one to consider if you're in the market for a tune/more power. I think more data and actual dyno runs will help show the difference but I don't think the margin will be that wide as far as power output. There's only so much you can do with air, fuel, timing, etc.

[industrial]

Thanks for the review man. What do you use to get your virtual dyno numbers?

[swift996]

Originally Posted by industrial

Thanks for the review man. What do you use to get your virtual dyno numbers?

I logged the data from the OBD II port via an adapter feeding the Torque App on my Android phone. I think I've been able to get as close to a chassis/wheel dyno without one. I wasn't as concerned with the absolute numbers, I really wanted to reliably see the difference in power through the different tunes and versus without. I wouldn't call it a smoking gun, but certainly adds some data points to the fold.

I plan to test some acceleration numbers tomorrow. I actually did today but accidently had the data logging off. The ironic thing was there was a cop like 500 feet away separated by a road over (where he couldn't come get me) but if he was paying attention I'm sure he noticed my launch.

I don't like to beat my drive-train up so I'll probably just get one more test in.

[Kodename47]

Does your AEM still has the MAF sensor part attached? I would see how it runs on a basic tuned map for no intake or a filter if they have one, I really don't like the spike the Injen one makes as it doesn't look healthy! Power dropping off just after 6k shouildnt be the case.

If you want to try it, keep the injen maps and log 2 or 3 runs and see what happens, but I can't help feel that you'd be better off on another map.

[swift996]

Originally Posted by Kodename47

Does your AEM still has the MAF sensor part attached? I would see how it runs on a basic tuned map for no intake or a filter if they have one, I really don't like the spike the Injen one makes as it doesn't look healthy! Power dropping off just after 6k shouildnt be the case.

If you want to try it, keep the injen maps and log 2 or 3 runs and see what happens, but I can't help feel that you'd be better off on another map.

No, I decided to plug their supplied harness plug directly into the MAF and forgo using the AEM supplied module. I might play with it both ways.

I need to get another pull in and plan to. The top of that plot doesn't seem the way it feels, so I wonder if I got some errors and the smoothing is low. The other run I had looked pretty similar though.

[industrial]

Originally Posted by swift996

I logged the data from the OBD II port via an adapter feeding the Torque App on my Android phone. I think I've been able to get as close to a chassis/wheel dyno without one. I wasn't as concerned with the absolute numbers, I really wanted to reliably see the difference in power through the different tunes and versus without. I wouldn't call it a smoking gun, but certainly adds some data points to the fold.

I plan to test some acceleration numbers tomorrow. I actually did today but accidently had the data logging off. The ironic thing was there was a cop like 500 feet away separated by a road over (where he couldn't come get me) but if he was paying attention I'm sure he noticed my launch.

I don't like to beat my drive-train up so I'll probably just get one more test in.

Man that's lucky avoiding that cop. I'll have to take a second look into that app, it sounds like a great way to keep track of mods without breaking the bank. I always thought it was just a OBD2 monitoring app. Thanks for taking the time to get some data.

[swift996]

I was able to have my daily commute back road free of traffic this morning for some spirited driving. The tune is pretty significant for the plug and play and cost. I've owned and modified several of cars. So I'm not saying this as someone who knows nothing. My expectations were pretty standard and I'd say it's met them 100% and I don't even have the AEM tune yet. Anyways, with my configuration, I'd say it feels very close to a S2000. Maybe not quite as fast, but pretty close. In my mind the intake + tune has made up a pretty significant gap.

BTW - For those underprivileged I'm running 93 octane.

[swift996]

Here is a short video of remapping the unichip:
[ame]http://youtu.be/RJapFPyTXOA[/ame]

[Innova]

Awesome thanks for the video. That looks super easy. Time to pickup a cheap network to remap. Luckily they had my tune (catless front pipe, axleback and drop in) , but when they release the e85 tune I'm going to be going nuts.

[swift996]

Quick Update:

Jack from Unichip said the AEM map should be available tomorrow. I'm hoping to get that flashed and will be getting my FA20Club header this weekend. After my install, I plan to get some virtual dyno runs.

On May 4th I have booked time on the dyno (dynojet) and will post updates. It would be awesome to put down 185-190whp on 93 octane.

[wbsrazzle]

Did you get the AEM map installed? Do you have any videos?

Currently I have the AEM intake and I am thinking about selling it actually. I had it installed for an hour and felt like the throttle response in lower idle - 3k was worse than stock, and the low end torque was a bit off. Lot more power up top though.

Curious if unichip has the aem map? Also, does this void warranty/can you make it look stock if you need warranty work done?

[Swift]

get back to us after a month or so without fiddling with the maps to see if it reverts to normal somehow

[swift996]

Dyno posted:
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showp...&postcount=144

[Xdragonxb0i]

Originally Posted by swift996

I logged the data from the OBD II port via an adapter feeding the Torque App on my Android phone. I think I've been able to get as close to a chassis/wheel dyno without one. I wasn't as concerned with the absolute numbers, I really wanted to reliably see the difference in power through the different tunes and versus without. I wouldn't call it a smoking gun, but certainly adds some data points to the fold.

I plan to test some acceleration numbers tomorrow. I actually did today but accidently had the data logging off. The ironic thing was there was a cop like 500 feet away separated by a road over (where he couldn't come get me) but if he was paying attention I'm sure he noticed my launch.

I don't like to beat my drive-train up so I'll probably just get one more test in.

i am using Torque too, how did you get the dyno graphs to be so nice?