I've been looking into investing in a unichip.
I'm just curious about why one would chose the unichip as apposed to getting the ECU Flashed.
Performance wise what are the differences.
I know the nice thing about the unichip is that it can be removed if you have to go in for service so that it dosen't get re-flashed by the dealer.
What are the differences between the two options?

 

With MTH you can reload the original file as well.

The difference is that really with MTH you are going to get a file based off of your ECU tuned to your specs. Unichip is more of a one file fits all type setup I believe.

I suggest you contact Don (www.dmhmotorsports.net) to get information from him. He won't BS you.

 

Cool man thanks for the follow up!

 

Hey Midnite, the Unichip has more than 1 size fits all. Look here http://www.unichip.us/ . It can be sent to you setup for your mild mods ( key word mild ). With the right shop you can have it dyno tuned. The latest "Q" model is muched improved over the previous model.

Daflake is right about DMH. Don is a no BS shop & worth your while contacting him. MTH may be the best flash available for the Mini other than a dyno setup. GIAC is another good option, however I have no experience with it.

Best of for what ever you do......

 

I ran the GIAC and felt it improved my car in the sense that it smoothed everything out and seemed to tie in my mods getting the most out of them. However far from the custom tune LDG did. The key word being custom.

Whether its MTH, GIAC or Unichip - they all have file libraries (some more than others) of tunes developed based on different mods / combo mods. Often referred to as generic tunes. These tunes can and many do - improve the car. Primarily from a smoothness perspective and yes, potentially gains in TQ/HP. What you have to appreciate is that these tunes are developed on someone elses car/mods as well as place (altitude, humidity and even fuel). So while it can improve your car it may not be exactly what your car wants/needs. That is not to say you will not gain a benefit.

If there is a custom tuner near by - I would go that route. If not then a generic tune should be considered. I would encourage you to dyno after the generic tune is installed to confirm that the car is happy w/ it.

There are allot of threads discussing ecu flash as opposed to piggy back (Unichip). For heavily modded cars it seems that the piggyback falls short but for mildly mod cars people have obtained satisfactory results. On thing the piggy can't do is modify your redline.

There is a thread I did a while back GIAC ECU UPGRADE which attempts to layout pros and cons on the main ecu packages available.

 

I think you would be surprised to find that MTH does not do the file library like you think, otherwise what would be the purpose of getting your original file? They tune according to what they get from the customer. I consider it more of a semi-custom tune like GIAC. Obviously LDG style tune or track tune would be the best for the money. I would stick with somthing that at least leans a bit more towards custom.

 

No - they need / take your original file because it has critical unique coding to your car. Each ECU is coded for 1 car, you cannot take an ecu from 1 car and plug it into another - it won't run. MTH (like others) then modifies the ecu program modifying different tables but not touching the critical unique data.

Giac and MTH are generic tunes - MTH has a larger library since GIAC only has three - stock, 15 and 19 pullies. This is not to say that you can't get good results and more importantly improved daily driving. I do believe from experience that a tune does smooth things out and helps maximize you mods.
I started with GIAC and was pleased, I then had an opportunity to get a LDG tune and was more pleased.

 

The unique data is the VIN.
MTH is not a generic tune but rather a custom tune based on specific engine modifications. And MTH has tuned more cars than all the other options combined (times a multiple).

 

We differ here Don, unless something has changed.

For me a custom tune is done on A CAR. A custom tune to your engine mods is not the same as a custom tune for your car. As even you have pointed out no two cars are alike, as well as not all parts are created equal.

Will this tune be far off the mark - proabably not but there is a difference between the two.

PS - no dis on MTH or GIAC for that matter. I am merely suggesting that the first option should be a custiom tune - an LDG type, if accessability to the tuner and $$ permit.

 

Rather than waste your money on a UseLessChip, buy lighter wheels and maybe upgrade brakes. You will get much more benefit in your cars performance. Or sign up for a track day and really put that $ to good use! UseLessChip was to date my most expensive waste of money with no return on my car. Your ECU is smarter than the UseLessChip and will override it in a matter of a month or so. Not to mention the code reader you will need to buy to reset all of the error codes it throws. Do a search of threads and make your own choice. No experiance with MTH or other file changes so can't help you there. Can attest to the worst customer service and product ever experianced with UseLessChip though.

Good luck,
Tim

Re read your specs so I guess it's a track day for you!!

 

Hi, Im not that experienced in this area, but I put the Unichip Q in my car and i did notice a difference in the way the car ran and performed, Ive had the Unichip in for about 3 months now and havent noticed any drop off in terms of the ECU taking control back. Truth be told, Im considering a LDG tune instead of the Unichip. Not to say the Unichip is bad, I think its a good option for mildly tuned cars and its an easy install. But Im ready to take it to the next level with a head, cam, and such, I feel like ill need a much deeper tune at this point.

Charlie

 

Couldn't say it better.
And they couldn't care less about their reputation here on NAM.

 

It's not likely that the ECU will overide the piggy. If it does you have a bad unit. There are parts of the OE ECU that are segregated out by the piggy. There is no path that the ECU OS can read. Some piggy backs are better than others. The asian market has much more choice & tuneing capability than the european market.
The Unichip is a pretty good unit for the mods you have. The "Q" has some capability at shops that can dyno the car. If there is no dyno available, MTH may be a very good solution.