Unichip Or Chiptorque

poolkeeper · 26-09-2006, 09:56 PM

Time to get a chip, lot of hype around unichip but is the Chiptorque chip as good or better? I can get either for quite a good price used. Any help would be great, thanks. My ute is a au xr6

Done mods:
Zorst.
Intake.

Planned Mods:
Cam.
Whatever mods G&D come out with :sm_headba

Casper · 26-09-2006, 10:09 PM

Edit, the unichip and chiptorque J3 chips are so out of date on AU's its irrelevant. Just get the edit and it will do it all.

XRCIST · 26-09-2006, 10:09 PM

None. Go for a Capa flash tuner, you wont be disappointed. The amount of parameters that can be changed and what it can do is mind boggling compared to the chiptorque or unichip.

XRCIST · 26-09-2006, 10:09 PM

Dammit shane you beat me to it

:

loxxr6 · 26-09-2006, 11:18 PM

Even with a second hand purchase, by the time you factor tuning in, you're pretty close to the price of an edit.

I'd do your cam next, then focus on the edit or chip (whichever you go with).

BFD83 · 26-09-2006, 11:34 PM

i got told that with a flash tuner if your car's not a turbo you wont notice that much power increase?

**Stav** · 27-09-2006, 08:13 AM

I have had the unichip and currently have the edit. I am kicking myself for simply not getting a full ecu like autronic. You can tune your own car while you drive ,have full data logging ,speed achieved ,times to 100 kmph ,to 60,air fuel ratios via a wideband sensor.If you have aptitude for cars do it yourself. While I am very happy with my tuner..they are top people it would have been much easier and cheaper to do it myself.

The edit is terrific.However they originally advertised easy tune software in the beginning and then pulled it off the market from us.We can now buy the shop software for 2500 dollars and still not have the capabilities of the stand alone ecu.

The problem is that you think your car is ready for a tune then the results arent reaaly as good so you mod more then pay another 550 dollars for a retune.Why?

The other side of the coin is that these tuners generally have enough knowledge to make it run well without damaging the car.

Casper · 27-09-2006, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brent83

i got told that with a flash tuner if your car's not a turbo you wont notice that much power increase?

Not true. I went from a Chiptorque that was tuned for my car to an edit and the difference was remarkable. The fact that a number of AU's with stock heads/cams are now outrunning cammed I6's at the drags can be certainly patially attributed to the edit. If the car is an auto the difference is even more pronounced too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by useless

I have had the unichip and currently have the edit. I am kicking myself for simply not getting a full ecu like autronic. You can tune your own car while you drive ,have full data logging ,speed achieved ,times to 100 kmph ,to 60,air fuel ratios via a wideband sensor.If you have aptitude for cars do it yourself. While I am very happy with my tuner..they are top people it would have been much easier and cheaper to do it myself.

The edit is terrific.However they originally advertised easy tune software in the beginning and then pulled it off the market from us.We can now buy the shop software for 2500 dollars and still not have the capabilities of the stand alone ecu.

The problem is that you think your car is ready for a tune then the results arent reaaly as good so you mod more then pay another 550 dollars for a retune.Why?

The other side of the coin is that these tuners generally have enough knowledge to make it run well without damaging the car.

Sorry Useless but I disagree. The LAST thing I wanted was a stand alone unit. Attempting to tune my own car with minimal knowledge, no dyno, no idea what is going to work and all at the risk of munching an engine does not appeal to me. Neither does having to sweat bullets if the EPA ever come knocking. At least I know that, for EPA, all I need to do is add an extra muffler and I will pass with flying colours at the moment. Ripping out an entire computer would not be fun, nor would paying $3000 pass or fail for the EPA test.
Overall the edit is by far the least invasive, most effective method out there for the majority who choose not to tune themselves.

Mr Hardware · 27-09-2006, 09:57 AM

What is the cost of an edit?

loxxr6 · 27-09-2006, 10:06 AM

Quote:

I have had the unichip and currently have the edit. I am kicking myself for simply not getting a full ecu like autronic. You can tune your own car while you drive ,have full data logging ,speed achieved ,times to 100 kmph ,to 60,air fuel ratios via a wideband sensor.If you have aptitude for cars do it yourself. While I am very happy with my tuner..they are top people it would have been much easier and cheaper to do it myself.

I'm fairly keen on getting the Stinger in my car (finances not there) but I'll be getting a pro to do it. Like Shane says, if you don't have the know how, you're likely to cause more harm than good. From all reports tho, the standalone ecu's do wonders.

jonbays · 27-09-2006, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D1XR2C

Time to get a chip, lot of hype around unichip but is the Chiptorque chip as good or better? I can get either for quite a good price used. Any help would be great, thanks. My ute is a au xr6

Done mods:
Zorst.
Intake.

Planned Mods:
Cam.
Whatever mods G&D come out with :sm_headba

A Unichip would do and secondhand easily available. fit it yourself and get it tuned for $200 a time. Chiptorque is OK but expensive for a custom tune. Edit is the best before you go for a full repalcement ECU like Motec etc

If you are doing the cam do that first though or lots of money wasted in tunes.

cArSiK · 27-09-2006, 11:58 AM

I had a Unichip in my AU VCT and was nothing but extreemly happy with it. Purchasing the unit (second hand) , installing and tuning cost me $800 for a 13rwkw peak increase and even more down the rev range. It made the car feel alive.

I cant comment on the others performance wise however i doubt you can get the others anywhere as cheap as the Unichip.

Sleeperau · 28-09-2006, 09:39 PM

I am going to change the diff & with the added benefit of adjustment for auto shift changes, I bought a chiptorque chip. I live close to their outlet so I will get it tuned by Lachan.

I bought it secondhand, $117. I believe from what has been discussed an edit is the way to go, I sold my unichip & was going to buy an edit but couldn't resist the chiptorque at that price. It depends on how much you want to spend. It is going to cost $400 to get it tuned via dyno & shift points adjusted. It comes down to to how long you are going to keep the vehicle & your budget.

poolkeeper · 28-09-2006, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sleeperau

I am going to change the diff & with the added benefit of adjustment for auto shift changes, I bought a chiptorque chip. I live close to their outlet so I will get it tuned by Lachan.

I bought it secondhand, $117. I believe from what has been discussed an edit is the way to go, I sold my unichip & was going to buy an edit but couldn't resist the chiptorque at that price. It depends on how much you want to spend. It is going to cost $400 to get it tuned via dyno & shift points adjusted. It comes down to to how long you are going to keep the vehicle & your budget.

About 2.5k, for cam and tune.
Im going to keep it forever

So best thing is flash tuner?

**Stav** · 28-09-2006, 09:54 PM

Casper ..the edit is awesome for sure.I have had 3 tunes from 3 tuners and they all felt different. However I don't think all tunable variables are tuned when it is done.It is these items I would like to play with.Also whatever most say..an optimal tune done in summer is not optimal in winter.Achieving similar consistent power requires adjustments.

Casper · 29-09-2006, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by useless

Casper ..the edit is awesome for sure.I have had 3 tunes from 3 tuners and they all felt different. However I don't think all tunable variables are tuned when it is done.It is these items I would like to play with.Also whatever most say..an optimal tune done in summer is not optimal in winter.Achieving similar consistent power requires adjustments.

I gues it comes down to how much you want to do yourself. I agree that, as far as DIY, the edit isnt going to offer as muchas say a Wolf setup. If you are keen on tuning it yourself (and the gains and risks involved) then a standalone is certainly the better buy. Personally I'm not comfortable with learning how to tune and the risks involved so to me the edit it the best solution.. but yes, you are right, its not for everyone.

blueoval · 29-09-2006, 10:34 AM

Does the edit work well on a stock VCT engine and driveline or do you need an exhaust to best results?

loxxr6 · 29-09-2006, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueoval

Does the edit work well on a stock VCT engine and driveline or do you need an exhaust to best results?

You'll see gains but I reckon you're best to save edits/chips for once you've gotten a few more mods done (then get a custom tune).

blueoval · 29-09-2006, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loxxr6

You'll see gains but I reckon you're best to save edits/chips for once you've gotten a few more mods done (then get a custom tune).

Ok fair enough. Just thought I'd ask out of curiosity. Cheers for that

rob82 · 07-10-2006, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Casper

Edit, the unichip and chiptorque J3 chips are so out of date on AU's its irrelevant. Just get the edit and it will do it all.

Both the edit and the chiptorque chip edit the factory managment so essentially they will deliver the same tune if tuned correctly however at chiptorque we can real time tune unlike the edit which generally makes the tune twice as good in half the time - hence the cost. This is very important when tuning volumetric efficiency tables in the 6 cylinders or TPS based MAFLESS tunes on the V8

We have also just released the MAFLESS tunes on all EA-AU v8. To our surprise there are no negative tradeoffs associated with this type of tuning which is testimate to the power of the ECC managment. Good gains in fuel consuption, throttle response and all out power when the AFM becomes a restriction.

Casper · 07-10-2006, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rob82

Both the edit and the chiptorque chip edit the factory managment so essentially they will deliver the same tune if tuned correctly however at chiptorque we can real time tune unlike the edit which generally makes the tune twice as good in half the time - hence the cost. This is very important when tuning volumetric efficiency tables in the 6 cylinders or TPS based MAFLESS tunes on the V8

We have also just relesed the MAFLESS tunes on all EA-AU v8. To our surprise there are no negative tradeoffs associated with this type of tuning which is testimate to the power of the ECC managment. Good gains in fuel consuption, throttle response and all out power when the AFM becomes a restriction.

The chiptorque is an excellent product and was my personal choice over the unichip until the edit came along.
The main.. and it is a big one... problem with the chiptorque is that Lachlan is the only person in Aust who can effectively live tune the chiptorque and he is in Qld.
I personally tried for over a year to organise a retune in Vic but never managed to get my schedule and his together.
The edit has tuners in most if not all states and the list is growing.

the black pig · 07-10-2006, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Casper

The chiptorque is an excellent product and was my personal choice over the unichip until the edit came along.
The main.. and it is a big one... problem with the chiptorque is that Lachlan is the only person in Aust who can effectively live tune the chiptorque and he is in Qld.
I personally tried for over a year to organise a retune in Vic but never managed to get my schedule and his together.
The edit has tuners in most if not all states and the list is growing.

Hi Casper. Just a update on the Chiptorque tuning situation. In Sydney, Silverwater Automotive Services (www.dynotuning.com.au) has been doing awesome real time tunes on AUs with the Chiptorque chip for a couple of years now.

Casper · 07-10-2006, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the black pig

Hi Casper. Just a update on the Chiptorque tuning situation. In Sydney, Silverwater Automotive Services (www.dynotuning.com.au) has been doing awesome real time tunes on AUs with the Chiptorque chip for a couple of years now.

Its still a pretty big limitation to only have 2 tuners.. and none in Vic. Was my only problem with the chip. If it were not for the edit I would have stuck with it.

the black pig · 07-10-2006, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Casper

Its still a pretty big limitation to only have 2 tuners.. and none in Vic. Was my only problem with the chip. If it were not for the edit I would have stuck with it.

yeah. they have a great product, but were never able to get the critical mass of a national network. I see on their website they're about to launch an 'edit' type product. Maybe this time. Shouldn't you be watching the football?

xr8ute · 07-10-2006, 08:54 PM

rob82, do you guys do the MAFless tune using a MAP sensor or Alpha N?

Casper · 07-10-2006, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the black pig

yeah. they have a great product, but were never able to get the critical mass of a national network. I see on their website they're about to launch an 'edit' type product. Maybe this time. Shouldn't you be watching the football?

Football? Last time I wastch a game of football was about 20 years ago!

rob82 · 07-10-2006, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xr8ute

rob82, do you guys do the MAFless tune using a MAP sensor or Alpha N?

Its actually TPS based.