Does anyone know anything new about the Garrett chip, and when its going to come out.

I know that they are expecting the price to be in the $500.00s. Iam groing tired of the wait for it.

 

THread ONe

Thread 2

Both these threads discuss this and give some insight onto the expected timeline

 

When I last spoke to Eric at www.Helix13.com he was still working on it with Garret. They are doing extensive dyno testing and have uncovered some issues that need to be taken care of before they came bring the software to market .

"Good things come to those who wait" Hienz Ketch"

 

I talk to Eric @ Helix weekly. Several weeks ago he thought they'd be done by last week. But as stated they are looking at everything and also rewriting the WHOLE portion of the performance part of the ECU. In other words from what I hear, it takes over 30 minutes to download the GIAC while chips like the powerchip only takes 5 minutes or so. Part of the challenge has been to create the readers and uploaders/downloaders to process all of this info more efficiently.

I know, I hate waiting and am not very patient. I'm sure Eric is getting tired of my calls!

 

I'm not sure what the time means other than the interface software takes longer...

You can rewrite the entire performance part of the ECU in 5-10 minutes using the current interfaces out there.

Randy

 

Randy,

How large are your Powerchip/Evo/etc. files? 60 kb?

How large is the chip itself? AM29F400BB are 512 kb. Unless the chip file you are putting on is 512 kb, you aren't rewriting the whole chip, only 11%.

 

I see no point in needing to rewrite many parts of the code. Stating that rewriting the entire code as an implication of software superiority is a logical fallacy, of course.

In what ways will the G.I.A.C. software modify the running order of the ECU?

 

Why not? Which specific addresses in the Flash ROM would you suggest modifying? 02F3? A601?

 

Forgive if this sounds snippy of short, but most people don't know what your talking about or care. We want more horsepower (20 to 30) and for the car to be more throttle responsive (quicker key up and down on the throttle). We want this in a nice affordable package around the 4 to 5 hundred range. We don't care if you write the performace sector of the chip or if you write the whole thing. Those with stumble definitely want that to go away. In short, make it happen. The different chips on the market make their claims and back those claims with dyno charts. Do the same and the consumer will make the choice. If your mod is superior it will sell.

I do have one request, I have read about the shark module, would it be possible to have your upgrade in a doit yourself module, or would you be open to selling or renting connector cables for a laptop and allowing the customer to install the software in that fashion, allowing for a more specific tune to individual hardware setups?

Don't mean to sound rude or anything.

And before anyone has a smart comment, the "WE" i refer to is myself and my other personalities, I would never assume to speak for anyone else.

_________________
Some people are like slinkies, not really good for anything but they're funny when they fall down the stairs.

 

>>I'm not sure what the time means other than the interface software takes longer...
>>
>>You can rewrite the entire performance part of the ECU in 5-10 minutes using the current interfaces out there.
>>
>>Randy


With computer processing speeds of 1-2 gigs in modern laptops, any good interface is not the limiting factor for time of install. The MINI ECU computer port communicates at 9600 baud. The installation time difference is in the amount of information that is being transferred. Unlike all of the other guys (EVO, Superchips, MTH), who are writing only the maps, GIAC reads and writes the complete file. This allows GIAC to make changes way beyond what the others do, as well as add conveniences like some of the following: It will put a complete backup of the stock ECU file in the hands of the car owner; It will allow for immediate (five seconds, not five minutes) updates to performance characteristics, like 100 octane fuel settings, valet mode, etc.; and will generally stabilize the power consistency because all of the OBD2 stuff will be controlled as well.

All of these features, as well as the tuning take big gobs of time to finish. We will be doing a dyno marathon on Wednesday, and hopefully have much of the tuning aspect finished. We have already done one slew of tuning and have seen some very tasty dyno numbers. Some of the other features are done and some are still in the works.

Hope that helps. -Eric

 

thanks for update, looking forward to final product

 

>>This allows GIAC to make changes way beyond what the others do, as well as add conveniences like some of the following: It will put a complete backup of the stock ECU file in the hands of the car owner; It will allow for immediate (five seconds, not five minutes) updates to performance characteristics, like 100 octane fuel settings, valet mode, etc.; and will generally stabilize the power consistency because all of the OBD2 stuff will be controlled as well.


Hey Eric, I am looking forward to this new GIAC/Helix13 Chip very much and want to know what kind of extra values are being manipulated in the software that the others haven't touched. I see the added conveniences for writing the entire file but what about the actual changes in the software? I don't think I have seen anything but vagueness in this area so far; I have seen words thrown out like a/f and timing changes with other chips, but nothing else.

 

The following is a quote from Josh@Eurosporthighperformance.com. http://www.sharked.com .He is also selling the shark injector for the MCS at $399 and user can switch back to stock at will. He has dyno charts based on the shark injector, pulley, and air intake. I have a copy of the dyno chart PDF file but haven't figured out how to attach it yet. No shark injector is available for the MC non-S.

"Jim doesn't have dyno charts on the website, but I have them in my computer. Here ya go.

BTW we also sell the injector and we manufacture the pulley that is designed for the software. The pulley is $149 and the Injector is $399. We also have a Carbon Fiber intake system coming out that was also used in the production of the dyno results. If you are interested in the parts let me know. We have the best pulley, software, and intake on the market.

Best Regards,"

 

>>The MINI ECU computer port communicates at 9600 baud

Ya know eric, the funny thing is we'll look back & think how primitive things were in the old days!

I can't wait to hear of the outcome. Having made feeble attempts to reverse-engineer software from assembler (and not even real-time systems at that) I can appreciate the effort it takes.

Jeff

 

-Can't wait to see the final outcome, Eric, keep us posted!

 

>>
>>... We have already done one slew of tuning and have seen some very tasty dyno numbers. Some of the other features are done and some are still in the works.
>>
>>Hope that helps. -Eric

Eric, c'mon give us a life-line: what kind of increases might we expect?? 10 HP? 20HP? pick a number, no one will hold you to it at this stage...

 

I have been waiting for some time for the GIAC chip also. Like some others, having done some programming of my own in the past I can appreciate the time it takes to trouble shoot and get things right. The last thing you want to do it release a rushed version of a product and batter a previously well respected name in Chip Software.

Eric, as a former Philly area resident I be glad to take a road-trip back and be the first guy in line when the MC version is available. Don't really care if it takes 30 minutes to upload personally. Is that micro-brewery still open near your shop? If so then there's your answer of "what to do while it's uploading?"

Take your time my friend and get it as best as you can. The public will love you for it.

Peace out. Motor On!

 

Hey! Get in line! I'll be first in line (for the MCS one that is) and yes, the brewery is still there!

C'mon Eric - give us something!

 

Bringing this back to the top. Does anyone have anymore information on the chip? This has been on Helix's website for over a year. Is there still a lot more to do with the upgrade before release? Any info would be great.

 

Eric has been pulling hairs out of his head getting this thing right and trying to run his shop at the same time. hang in there.

In the meantime, I'm trying to get him up to Englishtown for some drag racing!

 

Last I heard there really is much work still left to do. Garrett from GIAC is rewriting ALL of the performance section of the ECU. Garrett and Helix are doing massive amounts of testing - Garrett is constantly rewriting the software and Helix is testing it to understand every nook and cranny of our engines! It stinks that we have to wait but i have EVERY ounce of confidence that it will be both well worth it and the best chip on the market. I'll be talking to Eric form Helix today and will post any additional info I hear.

 

tell eric us boys are calling him out. drags on friday, autox on sunday!

 

I am sure it is worth it. The question will be whether Minis will even be around by the time it is released. I realize that these things take time. But I hate teasers that come out a year in advance of the product and no product. I guess I will wait longer. What are the issues running a 15% reduction pulley without an ECU upgrade?

 

There aren't any issues with doing the pulley and not upgrading the software.

 

I wouldn't say it's a teaser, having spoken to Eric recently - he really wants this to be done right, and to give his customers the best product he can. I'm willing to wait for whatever he comes up with, and I know as a Cooper owner, my options are more limited than the MCS guys...