Ordered Unichip + Review for SFX Performance

[CasopoliS]

OK great news Unichip is mailing me the solenoid / valve today and should be here in a couple of days. They didn't ask any questions, just asked for address and apologized.
I talked with the original Unihcip programmer of the Mazdaspeed. This is what he said:

Runs a little lean at no-load / low-RPM conditions in closed loop (14:1 maybe)
Runs low 11's (11:1) AFR throughout the powerband.
Enters open loop at any load condition (high MAF reading / high boost reading)
On A setting:
pulls about 1deg @ 2k RPM and continues to pull - pulls max of 3deg at redline
does not give power to boost controller (lets stock boost control kick in)
On B Setting:
counter-acts A setting with +1deg timing so instead of 3deg pull at redline its 4deg added
needs 93 octane at least

I forgot to confirm the boost levels in Setting B.

 

[UnNaturalinc]

The car was tuned on 92 octane fuel, not sure why they would say 93. 92 is all we have here in Oregon on the pump.

Upgraded boost is 10-12psi.

Good info though... I was unaware of some of those specifics.

 

[CasopoliS]

The car was tuned on 92 octane fuel, not sure why they would say 93. 92 is all we have here in Oregon on the pump.

Upgraded boost is 10-12psi.

Good info though... I was unaware of some of those specifics.

Yea I told him we had 91 and 93 here and I told him I usually go to the gas stations with the 93.... he said yea just stick with the 93 on setting B. I am sure 92 would work, and even 91 under low load / roat trips.
He told be I can actually run 87 unleaded for road trips on setting A, and said not to get into boost. I don't really feel safe doing this, but its what he said.

In addition:
Problem initiated Friday evening - problem fixed early Monday morning. Communication with SFX continued over the weekend, and was completed with the call to Unichip right when they opened today. So far, very impressed with how the issue was handled - I honestly have not had great service like this in a while. I am filing a claim with UPS and its like pulling teeth - after 2 weeks its not resolved.

 

[UnNaturalinc]

Yeah, that's what that "de-tune" switch is for... I was tempted to switch to that, but gas never got that crazy high here and now it's going back down.

I'm paying $2.97 for 92. The highest it got was $2.99 Which is a lot, but much cheaper thana lot of places were paying.

 

[ChopstickHero]

So would it be wise to get retune if the highest grade was 91?

i will be getting this sometime in the future, and all we have here is crappy 91 octane.

 

[Tito1]

^^California's gas Sucks!

 

[UnNaturalinc]

So would it be wise to get retune if the highest grade was 91?

i will be getting this sometime in the future, and all we have here is crappy 91 octane.

I really doubt that'll matter a whole lot.

 

[dirtysouth_msp]

Yeah, that's what that "de-tune" switch is for... I was tempted to switch to that, but gas never got that crazy high here and now it's going back down.

What de-tune switch are you refering to? Map A/B switch?

 

[CasopoliS]

Yeah, that's what that "de-tune" switch is for... I was tempted to switch to that, but gas never got that crazy high here and now it's going back down.

What de-tune switch are you refering to? Map A/B switch?

yes - he is talking about A setting

 

[CasopoliS]

Installed Unichip. It would have been a breeze but I had to uninstall DSM AFC and re-connect 2 wires. Then the wire loom was too big and I could not bend it. I had so many other wires tapped in and extra wire spooled up that it would not bend (wraped in elec tape). So after a bit of work I got it to jam behind the kick plate.

Car pulls quite well... better. Power band is really smooth and I get a 'kick' in power from like 3k-5k RPM. So far I have no partial throttle issues like I had before. Daily driving might actually be fun! I have not driven a ton on setting A and B, but it pulled very well on setting A. Is setting A safer because it pulls timing rather than advances it? I do not know much about timing changes and their effect. Right now I am letting my HKS EVC II control the boost. It is at 9psi now and I tested it at 10psi. I had my new neighbor in the car and he about s*** himself.

I think I can run map A at 10psi because there are 2 switches. We will have to see when I get their valve installed.

Yes this means my HKS EVC II screen, controller, and solenoid will be for sale.

 

[mazdaowner123]

If I were you I'd keep the HKS EBC, but anyway, you can run map A at 10psi. One of the switches is for the timing map (light on means it's on the aggressive map) and another is for boost control (light on means it's at high boost). The third is for resetting the ecu.

 

[tsunami]

that valve and seloniod combination is a very simple (yet reliable) "mac" valve set up. i use thousands of these at work. if you ever need a replacement or have issues with it, i am sure if you write down the part number and go to any industrial automation supply store or online store you could buy 5 of them at once and never have to worry about it again. prob for not much more then you would pay through unichip... just thought inquiring minds would like to know....

 

[CasopoliS]

that valve and seloniod combination is a very simple (yet reliable) "mac" valve set up. i use thousands of these at work. if you ever need a replacement or have issues with it, i am sure if you write down the part number and go to any industrial automation supply store or online store you could buy 5 of them at once and never have to worry about it again. prob for not much more then you would pay through unichip... just thought inquiring minds would like to know....

cool
I am not paying anything for mine.... but if it ever breaks thanks for the info.

The Unichip EBC controls boost as a function of RPM and will give you a little more boost during mid-range.... at least that is what I have heard. Plus selling the AFC and HKS EVC will help pay for the Unichip.

 

[mazdaowner123]

Are you sure it controls boost as a function of RPM? I think it just has a spike by accident. It seems like people keep giving the unichip too much credit. I remember someone said that Jack at unichip said that the spike was not intentional, but that for it to be tuned out the boost would not come on as quickly. Now everyone says it's "programmed" to spike to 13psi, but I really don't think that's the case.

~brian

 

[CasopoliS]

Are you sure it controls boost as a function of RPM? I think it just has a spike by accident. It seems like people keep giving the unichip too much credit. I remember someone said that Jack at unichip said that the spike was not intentional, but that for it to be tuned out the boost would not come on as quickly. Now everyone says it's "programmed" to spike to 13psi, but I really don't think that's the case.

~brian

hmm, I will call the MSP programmer tomorrow to find the real answer.... thanks for the info. I just love Unichip's service and ease of install. I am not going to build up the engine or anything. Just bolt-ons with stock injectors. Unichip will work just fine for me. In fact, the car has never run better.

 

[CasopoliS]

some initial results for those interested....
http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=122535

 

[mazdaowner123]

I definitely agree, I have a unichip and I love it. The car is a ton faster and smoother. I'm definitely not knocking on the product.

hmm, I will call the MSP programmer tomorrow to find the real answer.... thanks for the info. I just love Unichip's service and ease of install. I am not going to build up the engine or anything. Just bolt-ons with stock injectors. Unichip will work just fine for me. In fact, the car has never run better.

 

[UnNaturalinc]

Are you sure it controls boost as a function of RPM? I think it just has a spike by accident. It seems like people keep giving the unichip too much credit. I remember someone said that Jack at unichip said that the spike was not intentional, but that for it to be tuned out the boost would not come on as quickly. Now everyone says it's "programmed" to spike to 13psi, but I really don't think that's the case.

~brian

It's been programmed to go up to 12/13psi from the very beginning. It is not a malfunction or a spike or accidental. This information is nothing new. That is the information provided since these systems originally came out. And just for humor sake I just got off the phone with Jack to be 100% verified.

The spike that was not intentional is when some cars were jumping up to like 19. But this was believed to be a result of the actuator with increased boost, NOT the Unichip malfunctioning.

 

[CasopoliS]

It's been programmed to go up to 12/13psi from the very beginning. It is not a malfunction or a spike or accidental. This information is nothing new. That is the information provided since these systems originally came out. And just for humor sake I just got off the phone with Jack to be 100% verified.

The spike that was not intentional is when some cars were jumping up to like 19. But this was believed to be a result of the actuator with increased boost, NOT the Unichip malfunctioning.

I have been speaking with Josh, who also knows a lot about the MSP Unihcip programming. One great selling point Unichip always uses is "safe power" and this is an example of that.

 

[UnNaturalinc]

I have been speaking with Josh, who also knows a lot about the MSP Unihcip programming. One great selling point Unichip always uses is "safe power" and this is an example of that.

I believe Josh is the younger guy there. But yes, he did a lot of work on these boxes also and would be able to answer most anything that Jack could.

When these were originally designed, I told them I wanted to be as safe as possible. They wanted to get a bigger turbo and injectors to see what the motor could actually handle. I wasn't down with that though.