I just installed the unichip from ALTA in my wifes R56 S. I can honestly say that i do not really notice the gains that has been announced, in either map setting. I was wondering if anyone was having the same problems? Also, does anyone know if the power gain were with the sport button or without?

 

you shouldn't post such opinions...everyone here is wrapped on the Alta unichip even though they won't warrant any problems arising from their product and practically advise removing it before going in for any warranty work...

 

The sport button shouldn't have anything to do with any power gains. It just adjust the throttle response.
It may take a couple hundred miles for the piggy back to get full adaptation. It's recommend to drive it hard so the DME will adapt faster. You will need to really get on the gas to feel a difference with any tune.

 

I was just curious to see other opinions on this. I have had nothing but good luck with any other parts purchased with ALTA. We put on 325 miles since the install and i did attempt to use it to its full advantage.

 

Hello,

the modifications section might be better for this discussion, that aside.

There are many people who have installed the UniChip, the satisfaction expressed by them is pretty universally good. The level of performance is dependent upon modifications. I would imagine with no mods the difference would be a little subtle. I would find it very difficult to believe the impact would be unnoticeable on an engine with intercooler, intake, exhaust, etc.

Have you modified the engine in any other manner?

 

There have been reports that the piggyback ecu's after some use has become less efficient and the ECU has figured out how to work around it. Of course the only way to verify is to put the car on a dyno and see what horsepower and torque numbers you're gettting.

 

Dyno wouldn't show much, unless we have a series, from before install, post install, and at some point in time...


Is there a place you can point me to see these reports?

Is there a specific point in time when the 'puter learns to work around? Is there a pattern?

 

A little more information like - how long has it been installed, how long did you drive the car stock, do you have other mods like an intake etc.. would be helpful for this thread.

Also, each tuner is different so I don't have as much experience with Alta, however, in general from what I've seen with piggyback ECUs they tend not to be as reliable as an ECU flash.

From the conversations I've had with Helix, they started down the piggyback ECU and they could not get reliable power from the piggyback ECU. They have enlisted GIAC, who has managed to crack the ECU and flash the ECU with their firmware - that has proven reliable.

Also, pre-modding, it's always a good idea to get a baseline dyno of your engine and then post mods - then you can say X Mod provided X number of hp and torque.

 

Yes, comments are just comments until there is hard data.

I have had good experiences with both piggy back and flash.
I prefer piggy back because of the ability to hide it from dealer, the flexibility in updates, as well as more positive experience.
One caution on the word reliable, I have seen no data, and they have just started flashing a little while ago. UniChip has been playing with the R56 for several months, and there is alot of hard data posted around the net. Another footnote, you yourself claim that shortly into life this product is showing reports of the ECU out smarting it, at what point will the flash showup trouble?
Oh yes! Data, data, and solid data. or you are just blowing smoke up my keister.

 

On a side note...

anyone from Helix or Alta want join in here?

 

WHAT? If you have no CEL's then you should be seeing significant gains. If not give us a ring. There is a HUGE seat of the pants change.

ALSO, be sure the car is FULLY warmed up before expecting the change. The water temp must be in excess of 165 before the addl. boost is allowed in.

Let me know!

 

We stand 100% behind the product for any reason. But with that being said, the dealer COULD give you an issue for having it installed, since it is SO easy to remove, why tempt fate?

 

Also, true!

 

NOT POSSIBLE! The way the system works, the OEM ECU has no idea that the ALTa ECU is interfering, hence, no way to work around it. (Have heard that before as a rumor, but it is false!)

 

OUT TO LUNCH! Be back soon!

 

You guys crack me up. I was one of the first to have it installed and the ECU did not learn anything, just as fast and as much boost today as it was when I put it on last NOVEMBER!

I must say that it is fun to read everyones speculation. Especially those of you who have NO idea what you are talking about.

 

Key word is "reports". Not all piggybacks are created the same, or for that matter are programed the same. So saying that it un-tunes itself may be true for some car, with some chip, programmed a certain way. Our Unichip programming is only changing parts of the map where the car is in open loop control. This means the ECU is not looking at AFR's to tune the car, like it does at idle and cruise. If someone doesn't know what they are doing, they surely could program it wrong and make the car untune it self. Or for that matter tune its self to the point of blowing up.

 

Which is why it's important to benchmark before install, post install and then after you've put on new mods. :-)

 

Good point!

 

I also had one of the first units, no loss of power over time I took many a road trip in the R56.

My final dyno numbers showed about 33whp over stock, 25wtq on a dynojet, this is w/ an intake, fmic, turboback exhaust, & unichip.

It's a noticeable mod, I'd call Alta up, just the change in boost mapping would be highly noticeable.


FYI - I saw 20whp & 18wtq w/ the Unichip & FMIC over just the TBE & Intake.

Can BUS ECUs are smart, and modern ECUs can learn around a piggyback, but I think the new Unichip Q units are designed to accomodate this and prevent it from happening by changing things like short term fuel trims to prevent the learn around.

 

You have to have the SPORT button on and DCS off to feel the full effects

 

+1
I have only 1 problem....... torque steer in 4th gear between 4000 and 4500 rpm..... with the LSD.... ...... oh, well..... I guess I'll have to send it back.....it's only making 21 psig......

 

Drop your suspension and torque steer goes away! :-)

 

21psi with 10.5:1 compression ratio....

Theres a reason why the engineers had to lower the compression ratio on the factory JCW car. And thats only making 18ish psi in overboost!