Aps Unichip

[CJF077]

I noticed the Motor Magazine car had it attached to the ECU in the engine bay, this may have been for display purposes i guess...I would prefer it to be hidden

The one that I saw in Melbourne you wouldnt even notice anything had been done to the car. It is extremely "invisible" to the end user.

I believe they mounted the unichip unit behind the glovebox. It is extremely neatly done..

[aps]

I chanced then to bump into a subie mechanic who was working on his own WRX and asked his opinion on the kits.

Confucious,

From memory, Unichip was also blamed for the September 11th disaster too.

There are always many issues that can lead to engine/piston failure. Here is a list of the most common problems that we know of:

1. Fuel pump failure – lean mixtures/detonation

2. User adjustable boost controller – lean mixtures/detonation

3. Low octane fuel – detonation

4. Factory sensor failure eg. Air mass meter – lean mixtures/detonation

5. Motor racing – high engine temperature, high oil temperature, oil surge – piston/bearing failure

All of the above is completely out of the Unichip or tuner’s control. When one has tuned over 4,000 cars of a particular type I am sure there will always be a problem as no engine has an infinite life. Equally, there have been many failures of WRX engines fitted with other brands of full engine management such as Motec, Autronic, Microtech etc. etc.

Further to this, if a mechanic sees a total of 3 failures with Unichip fitted and only one of another brand of ECU, the mechanic will not be aware that over 4,000 Unichips are fitted to Subarus whereas perhaps a total of only 200 of the other brand ECU were fitted.

The point is engine management should not be blamed for every engine problem. Unfortunately most mechanics do not correctly diagnose the cause. The mixtures were lean – it has to be the fault of the engine management – when in fact the fuel pump failing caused the lean condition.

Another important point is the inherent safety features of the standard ECU. Unichip works in conjunction with these features and does not ignore warning signals. However, even the standard ECU cannot overcome inaccurate signals from a failing air mass meter, or for that matter a failing fuel pump.

At the end of the day, it comes down to the tuner’s intimate knowledge with that particular make of vehicle and its intended use. Jim Richards won 3 GTP/Nation’s Cup championships back to back with Unichip and experienced zero engine failures. That said a WRX is not a Porsche. For that matter, neither is an XR6T. Important items such as checking the fuel pump pressure are scheduled service items on a race car – and this should be embraced by anyone racing a WRX, XR6T etc. etc.

Peter

[TURBO4LT]

APS Peter

I agree with what you have said having worked in the Auto Industries for many years. I use to fit after market fuel injection to custom turbo installs , and have used various systems such as MicroTech, Wolf, Link and Haltech. Most problems came from sensors and fuel pumps rather than the ECU , another major problem came from customers turing up the boost , and causing detonation. I have never used unichip but have heard alot of good feed back , its also made it possible to retain the original ECU and all its beniffical features wich is a definate bonus on a new car.

Like the old saying goes you cant make things fool proof when your dealing with talented fools, some ppl will give any product a bad name by playing with it , not knowing fully what they are doing .

[Cobra]

thanks for the input Peter ....

checking the fuel/air system on a regular basis is my plan ....

#42 ...still interested in your mechanic's choice of engine management

[Guest ante]

:o

Just a word of warning about UniChips,

Was thinking about getting an XR6T but ended up with 03' WRX, nonetheless an adverticement caught my eye from APS that they could tune a REX to over 300kW.

I chanced then to bump into a subie mechanic who was working on his own WRX and asked his opinion on the kits. He spoke highly of APS stuff except the UniChip!!

Said that he'd seen more dead cars with them fitted than could be attributed to mere coincidence! Apparently the tend to ignore warning signals for car temp and run Very lean mixtures.

May not apply to the XR but I wouldn't bank on it.

that's a sweeping statement. I see lots of WRX's Nissans,Mazda's and old classics at Eastern Creek that race with Unichips. Im into super sprints, brick walls and torn out gear sticks cause more broblems. Anyway if Unichip was in the buisness of melting engines would they still be around?

[Venom XR6]

The management system is only as good as the person who tuned it in the first place. If you deal with an experienced tuner you shouldn't have any problems.

[Dillz]

Just get a cappa flash tuner mate, it will be allot easier and you can buy them pre tuned now.

[Ralph Wiggum]

Umm your about 4.5years late in your reply mate......

[R-SPEC]

This thread is almost 5 years old Dill... How the hell did you find it?

[Dillz]

Better late then early...