PE Phase 1 Conversion
27 October 1999, 07:10 PM
#31
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Stef,
Cheers for that, don't know him. But I'll be looking out for him.... (Yikes).
R19KET (Mark),
Think you are confusing the Unichip for the Superchip/Starchip solution.
All,
Rich Benton (Powerstation) has put up a scan of the Unichip flyer on his site for you all to have a look at. See:
Cheers for that, don't know him. But I'll be looking out for him.... (Yikes).
R19KET (Mark),
Think you are confusing the Unichip for the Superchip/Starchip solution.
All,
Rich Benton (Powerstation) has put up a scan of the Unichip flyer on his site for you all to have a look at. See:
27 October 1999, 07:42 PM
#32
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I notice that once set-up, any further modifications done to the car (exhaust, air filter, etc) only require a rolling road run to adjust the settings, ie, it's programmable.
Is this the same as PE's Phase 1?
Stef.
Is this the same as PE's Phase 1?
Stef.
27 October 1999, 08:06 PM
#33
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This is my interpretation of how the unichip differs from PE..
Unichip
=======
Uses a manual method to up boost, but since the unit plugs into the ECU loom, provides correct fuelling/ignition based on RPM.
Two snags that I can see..
1) If the bleed valve was inadvertently adjusted then the unichip won't (can't) take this into account..remember the ECU is still "seeing" standard boost.
2) The problem with a bleed valve is that boost is different in each gear. My car is set up with a bleed valve such that I get 16/17psi max in 4th gear. If I floor it in 5th it goes to 18psi and the ECU cuts the fuel. So I have to feather the throttle a bit! In the same situation the unichip will allow the extra boost. However with the unichip the boost will still differ between gears. This is the problem with a bleed valve. In 1st I cannot get above 13psi max.
Would be better if the unichip had a boost (pressure) sensor and controlled a solenoid similar to the elec boost controllers. Then it could control the boost as well as get a proper reading on it.
PE "Chip"
=========
PE Take the standard ECU, and change the software inside, such that boost, ignition, timing etc are all separately controllable. The ECU is fed the correct inputs and directly controls boost etc.
Great ! Except not available for a MY99 since this has no external socket
In all honesty the unichip does not sound any better than the home-spun DIY controller that Colin Pearce built. Maybe a bit harsh, but then the quality of Colin's unit is unbelievable for a DIY effort !
I would prefer to wait for Dastek to produce a unit that can see and control all inputs/outputs.
Unichip
=======
Uses a manual method to up boost, but since the unit plugs into the ECU loom, provides correct fuelling/ignition based on RPM.
Two snags that I can see..
1) If the bleed valve was inadvertently adjusted then the unichip won't (can't) take this into account..remember the ECU is still "seeing" standard boost.
2) The problem with a bleed valve is that boost is different in each gear. My car is set up with a bleed valve such that I get 16/17psi max in 4th gear. If I floor it in 5th it goes to 18psi and the ECU cuts the fuel. So I have to feather the throttle a bit! In the same situation the unichip will allow the extra boost. However with the unichip the boost will still differ between gears. This is the problem with a bleed valve. In 1st I cannot get above 13psi max.
Would be better if the unichip had a boost (pressure) sensor and controlled a solenoid similar to the elec boost controllers. Then it could control the boost as well as get a proper reading on it.
PE "Chip"
=========
PE Take the standard ECU, and change the software inside, such that boost, ignition, timing etc are all separately controllable. The ECU is fed the correct inputs and directly controls boost etc.
Great ! Except not available for a MY99 since this has no external socket
In all honesty the unichip does not sound any better than the home-spun DIY controller that Colin Pearce built. Maybe a bit harsh, but then the quality of Colin's unit is unbelievable for a DIY effort !
I would prefer to wait for Dastek to produce a unit that can see and control all inputs/outputs.
27 October 1999, 08:36 PM
#34
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Just had a look at the site.I'm wrong !!!.
I'm still very concerned about using a bleed valve,it's cheap, and crude, and I'm not certain why the Unichip can't control boost, given that it controls so many other things.
By the time you've bought an electronic boost controller, it's going to cost alot more than a Phase1, or a Possum.
Mark.
I'm still very concerned about using a bleed valve,it's cheap, and crude, and I'm not certain why the Unichip can't control boost, given that it controls so many other things.
By the time you've bought an electronic boost controller, it's going to cost alot more than a Phase1, or a Possum.
Mark.
28 October 1999, 08:42 AM
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Can I just say that a bleed valve IS cheap, but I would argue on the crudeness.
What does the wastegate solenoid do ? Well it controls boost by bleeding away air from the wastegate actuator. Although electronically controlled it is a manual process. By using a valve in addition to the solenoid you can adjust the amount of air bled away and thus the boost created.
On my site
What does the wastegate solenoid do ? Well it controls boost by bleeding away air from the wastegate actuator. Although electronically controlled it is a manual process. By using a valve in addition to the solenoid you can adjust the amount of air bled away and thus the boost created.
On my site
28 October 1999, 09:35 AM
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Hi guys
The Unichip does not currently control the boost when fitted to turbo cars. Gerry at Storm Engineering (the importer of the Unichip) tells us that a boost control module is currently being developed and will be released in the next month or so. This will be driven by programing a boost map into the unichip. The beauty of this system is that it does not interfere with any of the normal functions of the ECU- cold start,off boost drivability etc. The extra cost of the boost controler will be about £50.00+VAT over the £500.00 for the Unichip
I still reckon this will become "The" performance upgrade for the Impreza as it has done on the GT4 and the Sunny GTiR
I hope this helps
RichiB
The Unichip does not currently control the boost when fitted to turbo cars. Gerry at Storm Engineering (the importer of the Unichip) tells us that a boost control module is currently being developed and will be released in the next month or so. This will be driven by programing a boost map into the unichip. The beauty of this system is that it does not interfere with any of the normal functions of the ECU- cold start,off boost drivability etc. The extra cost of the boost controler will be about £50.00+VAT over the £500.00 for the Unichip
I still reckon this will become "The" performance upgrade for the Impreza as it has done on the GT4 and the Sunny GTiR
I hope this helps
RichiB
28 October 1999, 02:50 PM
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Noe come on guys. I'm having a sloooow day, and I'm falling asleep here. Will someone please explain in straight-forward ingerlish what the actual figures are between the Unichip and the PE Phase 1? My cars sad, and I need as much of a power increase as possible, and £200 difference in cost is naff all. I want to see the bhp and torque (I still don't understand torque...) figures.
pilch (falling asleep again...)
pilch (falling asleep again...)
28 October 1999, 02:54 PM
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Rich B
Would I be right in thinking that currently "The" performance mod for the Impreza is the PE Phase One?
I don't understand why the spliced in unichip is so much better than the phase one. Is it really all down to the price difference?
Why are we supposed to follow the generic upgrade that fits GTI-Rs and GT4s route? Why not just follow the general japanese tuners and simply use boost controllers, fuel cut defencers and air-fuel ratio gizmos?
The UNIchip sits in the loom and changes the control signals sent from the ecu, why is this much different to the hks kit?
With any product that allows a genuine remapping of the cars ecu, the most important variable has to be the expierience and expertise of the person who sets it up. How many "tuners" are going to appear and claim to have all this expertise ready to map your Impreza?
I have a friend who had his MR2 fitted with a UNIchip, the "tuner" (based just a few miles from the M4/M5 interchange north west of Bristol) left him to get home in a car that was so badly mapped that wouldn't even hold it's idle. I am only saying that you need to be sure the people who map your car know what they are doing, and will be around and liable (not bankrupt) if/when something goes wrong.
Moray
Would I be right in thinking that currently "The" performance mod for the Impreza is the PE Phase One?
I don't understand why the spliced in unichip is so much better than the phase one. Is it really all down to the price difference?
Why are we supposed to follow the generic upgrade that fits GTI-Rs and GT4s route? Why not just follow the general japanese tuners and simply use boost controllers, fuel cut defencers and air-fuel ratio gizmos?
The UNIchip sits in the loom and changes the control signals sent from the ecu, why is this much different to the hks kit?
With any product that allows a genuine remapping of the cars ecu, the most important variable has to be the expierience and expertise of the person who sets it up. How many "tuners" are going to appear and claim to have all this expertise ready to map your Impreza?
I have a friend who had his MR2 fitted with a UNIchip, the "tuner" (based just a few miles from the M4/M5 interchange north west of Bristol) left him to get home in a car that was so badly mapped that wouldn't even hold it's idle. I am only saying that you need to be sure the people who map your car know what they are doing, and will be around and liable (not bankrupt) if/when something goes wrong.
Moray
28 October 1999, 04:20 PM
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Moray
You raised a couple of good points. Power wise there is no differance between either chip option, as you quite rightly point out it is more to do with the guy (or girl)who is doing the programing. Both systems are capable of producing the same fueling and ignition advance and so the same performance is availableto both.
The unichips strength is not only the price but also the fact that it is easier to program than the PE system. We set up the car on the dyno, for a given RPM and Boost level we dial in the fuel and ignition using a pot box. When its correct the figures are sent to the map -Easy Peasy. This is then repeated for the rest of the map (every 400rpm and every 0.1bar)
I know the company in Bristol you refer to. if your mate still has problems tell him to pop up thje M5 to Cheltenham and I will sort his car out for him.
Rich
You raised a couple of good points. Power wise there is no differance between either chip option, as you quite rightly point out it is more to do with the guy (or girl)who is doing the programing. Both systems are capable of producing the same fueling and ignition advance and so the same performance is availableto both.
The unichips strength is not only the price but also the fact that it is easier to program than the PE system. We set up the car on the dyno, for a given RPM and Boost level we dial in the fuel and ignition using a pot box. When its correct the figures are sent to the map -Easy Peasy. This is then repeated for the rest of the map (every 400rpm and every 0.1bar)
I know the company in Bristol you refer to. if your mate still has problems tell him to pop up thje M5 to Cheltenham and I will sort his car out for him.
Rich
29 October 1999, 12:14 AM
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RichB,
I assume you are talking about the "coming soon" boost control version of the unichip?
Why is the programming interface provided for the tuner by the chip company an advantage to the customer? Slightly shorter setup time, I suppose.
Personaly, I would put more trust in someone who has the expertise to program the map in situ using a laptop interface to the actual numeric values stored in the ecu as this individual is likely to know a lot more about that specific ecu. I would also have greater confidence in the abilities of a software engineer who is able to program in assembly-language, "c" and other low level languages as well as the much simpler higher level languages, such as BASIC and any 4GLs.
Moray
I assume you are talking about the "coming soon" boost control version of the unichip?
Why is the programming interface provided for the tuner by the chip company an advantage to the customer? Slightly shorter setup time, I suppose.
Personaly, I would put more trust in someone who has the expertise to program the map in situ using a laptop interface to the actual numeric values stored in the ecu as this individual is likely to know a lot more about that specific ecu. I would also have greater confidence in the abilities of a software engineer who is able to program in assembly-language, "c" and other low level languages as well as the much simpler higher level languages, such as BASIC and any 4GLs.
Moray
29 October 1999, 03:17 PM
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Errr Yeh!!
Trouble is who would want a software engineer to program their car. Surely they are the guys who make the software. Giving us,the engine tuners,the ability to set the engines up.
Rich
Trouble is who would want a software engineer to program their car. Surely they are the guys who make the software. Giving us,the engine tuners,the ability to set the engines up.
Rich
30 October 1999, 12:28 AM
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Moray
In the days before I new about IWOC, SIDC, BBS and such like. I went to this company in the Bristol area
(Thornbury) for info on the superchip. Thought it was the biz so ordered a superchip for my new Impresa (MY98)
After a month or two I visited them again and was given a story about the amount of people having the chip they had
a job to get hold of them. So I phoned up superchip No problems their but they would not supply this company with
the superchip. Returned to the company and was given another story. Wanted a power run but was told I could not
use any of my credit cards as they had problems with the phones. Within the next week they changed the name of the
company very slightly and were now promoting the Unichip. Made enquires about the Unichip with them and it
looked very promising but they could not do Impreza’s at the time. Something to do with the fuelling and revs..
Reverted back to standard at about 6000 revs.
Asked them to inform me when they had perfected the chip but never heard from them again .
Found out about the different clubs on the net and went the PE way. Glad I did, I was the first MY98 to be remaped
and have had no problems. The car is still going like a bomb and brilliant of fuel.
Bob
In the days before I new about IWOC, SIDC, BBS and such like. I went to this company in the Bristol area
(Thornbury) for info on the superchip. Thought it was the biz so ordered a superchip for my new Impresa (MY98)
After a month or two I visited them again and was given a story about the amount of people having the chip they had
a job to get hold of them. So I phoned up superchip No problems their but they would not supply this company with
the superchip. Returned to the company and was given another story. Wanted a power run but was told I could not
use any of my credit cards as they had problems with the phones. Within the next week they changed the name of the
company very slightly and were now promoting the Unichip. Made enquires about the Unichip with them and it
looked very promising but they could not do Impreza’s at the time. Something to do with the fuelling and revs..
Reverted back to standard at about 6000 revs.
Asked them to inform me when they had perfected the chip but never heard from them again .
Found out about the different clubs on the net and went the PE way. Glad I did, I was the first MY98 to be remaped
and have had no problems. The car is still going like a bomb and brilliant of fuel.
Bob
30 October 1999, 01:47 PM
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Rich B,
I believe David Power is an engine tuner, not a software engineer, and he uses a laptop interface to access the ecu mapping values along with some other smart hardware to monitor the vehicle's resposes.
My point is that I would trust an engine tuner who knew enough about the specific ecu in question to remap the engine at this fundamental level more than one who uses a generic piggyback unit with a simple "pot box" interface, hence my analogy. The former tuner will require a greater understanding of the ecu being dealt with, which, in my opinion, would make him better qualified to deal with that ecu.
Just my opinion, no offence intended.
Paul Wilson,
Well, if you will use Microsoft software...
bob,
Now what was the company that went under called again, was it INTERPRO ENGINEERING, of is that what the company based at the old address is now called? Better be careful not to mention the companies name, just in case it isn't the same INTERPRO we (at least 3 of my friends) have had problems with in the past.
Moray
I believe David Power is an engine tuner, not a software engineer, and he uses a laptop interface to access the ecu mapping values along with some other smart hardware to monitor the vehicle's resposes.
My point is that I would trust an engine tuner who knew enough about the specific ecu in question to remap the engine at this fundamental level more than one who uses a generic piggyback unit with a simple "pot box" interface, hence my analogy. The former tuner will require a greater understanding of the ecu being dealt with, which, in my opinion, would make him better qualified to deal with that ecu.
Just my opinion, no offence intended.
Paul Wilson,
Well, if you will use Microsoft software...
bob,
Now what was the company that went under called again, was it INTERPRO ENGINEERING, of is that what the company based at the old address is now called? Better be careful not to mention the companies name, just in case it isn't the same INTERPRO we (at least 3 of my friends) have had problems with in the past.
Moray
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