Drivetrain GIAC chip, where is it, i'm want it but can't stand to wait
1st Gear
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, Canada
>>I wonder what GIAC's development cycle is like for other products.
>>
>>Why are they delaying the release of the 91 octane program?!
The wait for the chip has been so intense, they probably don't want to **** people off by releasing it on the west coast first, and leave the east coasters waiting in limbo.
Imagine a mass influx of east coast MCS's going westbound to get the program first. That would be funny...like birds flying south for winter. It makes good business sense to release them all at the same time.
>>
>>Why are they delaying the release of the 91 octane program?!
The wait for the chip has been so intense, they probably don't want to **** people off by releasing it on the west coast first, and leave the east coasters waiting in limbo.
Imagine a mass influx of east coast MCS's going westbound to get the program first. That would be funny...like birds flying south for winter. It makes good business sense to release them all at the same time.
3rd Gear
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 240
Likes: 0
as discodan pointed out, GIAC makes chips for G60 corrados, which use a G-lader supercharger.
2nd, GIAC i would trust MORESO than EVO, AmD, Powerchips, etc.... why? b/c i've had several GIAC chips, and can vouch for them. (in NON-turbo applications). Combine that with the fact that Garrett has more experience with chips than most those other people do. What other chipmakers do it just take an existing map and change one or two things on it, charge you seven hundred dollars, and are done with it. Garrett actually tears the whole map down and rebuilds it. That is why it takes so long. And by some contradiction in economics, charges you LESS for his work.
on a side note - anyone notice how many ex-VW guys are over here? seems a lot of us know each other too.... looks like VW is losing a lot of business to mini.... maybe if they brought the damn lupo over here already and threw a 1.8T in it.....
and to whoever said tuning 1.8T's is easy: you are sorely mistaken. the 1.8T map was one of the hardest to break - it took them over a year to figure it out. it "seems" like it would be an easy tune b/c the boost is controlled by the ECU, but this actually makes it harder to tune. Now, after the motor has been out for 6+ years, it is easy to sit back and say "its easy to tune" due to the plethora of tuners out there with programs.
The fact that you have dozens of ex-VW guys over here telling you their opinions about GIAC should be confidence-inspiring, not questionable. Similar to the "attack WebbMotorsports thread".... when dozens of mini owners came in to support Randy and say how reliable and how good he is. That is what we, the ex-VW owners, are saying for Garrett.... (and TechTonics when there was rumored to be a TT exhaust/header coming out for the mini- turns out it wasn't true, but it would have been nice to have some TT stuff for the mini - guaranteed it would beat all the systems out there now).
We give GIAC our 100% support!
-ABT-
2nd, GIAC i would trust MORESO than EVO, AmD, Powerchips, etc.... why? b/c i've had several GIAC chips, and can vouch for them. (in NON-turbo applications). Combine that with the fact that Garrett has more experience with chips than most those other people do. What other chipmakers do it just take an existing map and change one or two things on it, charge you seven hundred dollars, and are done with it. Garrett actually tears the whole map down and rebuilds it. That is why it takes so long. And by some contradiction in economics, charges you LESS for his work.
on a side note - anyone notice how many ex-VW guys are over here? seems a lot of us know each other too.... looks like VW is losing a lot of business to mini.... maybe if they brought the damn lupo over here already and threw a 1.8T in it.....
and to whoever said tuning 1.8T's is easy: you are sorely mistaken. the 1.8T map was one of the hardest to break - it took them over a year to figure it out. it "seems" like it would be an easy tune b/c the boost is controlled by the ECU, but this actually makes it harder to tune. Now, after the motor has been out for 6+ years, it is easy to sit back and say "its easy to tune" due to the plethora of tuners out there with programs.
The fact that you have dozens of ex-VW guys over here telling you their opinions about GIAC should be confidence-inspiring, not questionable. Similar to the "attack WebbMotorsports thread".... when dozens of mini owners came in to support Randy and say how reliable and how good he is. That is what we, the ex-VW owners, are saying for Garrett.... (and TechTonics when there was rumored to be a TT exhaust/header coming out for the mini- turns out it wasn't true, but it would have been nice to have some TT stuff for the mini - guaranteed it would beat all the systems out there now).
We give GIAC our 100% support!
-ABT-
2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: California
GIAC is a real brick and mortar business, not just an internet thing. I can say this for certain because they hae used my car several times to work on developing the software for the Mini.
I wish I could give everybody the scoop on when it was coming out and how well it works, but I don't know. I'll leave that to Eric at Helix and Garret himself. I can tell you they are very experienced tuner's and Garret is extremely knowledgable. This is a full time business for him. It's true that he went to med school and has finished his residency, but is focusing his efforts on tuning.
If you want to see some of their previous results just pick up the newest European Car mag with the Porsche contest or some of the older Audi shootouts. Guess who's making the biggest #'s.
In the meantime I'm just like you guys and waiting to run this software myself.
Motor on
I wish I could give everybody the scoop on when it was coming out and how well it works, but I don't know. I'll leave that to Eric at Helix and Garret himself. I can tell you they are very experienced tuner's and Garret is extremely knowledgable. This is a full time business for him. It's true that he went to med school and has finished his residency, but is focusing his efforts on tuning.
If you want to see some of their previous results just pick up the newest European Car mag with the Porsche contest or some of the older Audi shootouts. Guess who's making the biggest #'s.
In the meantime I'm just like you guys and waiting to run this software myself.
Motor on
1st Gear
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
>>Billy, are you still blowing people's doors off in the VW scene?
Any chance of you getting into the MINI's?
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,469
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta/Amsterdam
Aren't we the most impatient group of people ever! On January 23rd, Helix stated that the GIAC was just about completed. No news since then. Forty two days, and nothing.
Boy has this been a long haul. About 20 months of development. This had better produce 70hp and 60lb/ft of torque to live up to it's expectations. :smile:
Boy has this been a long haul. About 20 months of development. This had better produce 70hp and 60lb/ft of torque to live up to it's expectations. :smile:
5th Gear
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 799
Likes: 0
From: La Jolla, CA
>>does the chip change more then the A/F ratio? also is it possible to mess up my engine with a S-AFC by tuning it wrong or somthing?
If you're asking this question, you shouldn't be messing with any S-AFC or fuel tuning device. And the answer is yes, you can ruin your engine by leaning out the mixture and detonating it, do so at your own risk.
If you're asking this question, you shouldn't be messing with any S-AFC or fuel tuning device. And the answer is yes, you can ruin your engine by leaning out the mixture and detonating it, do so at your own risk.
4th Gear
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 447
Likes: 0
>>>>does the chip change more then the A/F ratio? also is it possible to mess up my engine with a S-AFC by tuning it wrong or somthing?
>>
>>If you're asking this question, you shouldn't be messing with any S-AFC or fuel tuning device. And the answer is yes, you can ruin your engine by leaning out the mixture and detonating it, do so at your own risk.
>>
(edit: Caps deleted)
That is what I thought. I was just checking. I'm tired. Sorry
_________________
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>>
>>If you're asking this question, you shouldn't be messing with any S-AFC or fuel tuning device. And the answer is yes, you can ruin your engine by leaning out the mixture and detonating it, do so at your own risk.
>>
(edit: Caps deleted)
That is what I thought. I was just checking. I'm tired. Sorry
_________________
Motoring is a way of life, be true to your life - TeamMINI
<a href="http://www.teammini.net">www.teammin....net</a> Or Play
<a href="http://teammini.proboards26.com/inde...">Name That Part!</a>
OVERDRIVE - Racing Champion
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 15,262
Likes: 72
From: Mililani, Hawaii
GIAC should be a very complete ECU upgrade for the MCS.
Garrett is very capable and has done great ECU upgrades for many other sports cars.
I don't think he is leaving much out, hence it takes time.
Personally I would install the GIAC and see how everything works first.
I think the results will speak for itself.
Garrett is very capable and has done great ECU upgrades for many other sports cars.
I don't think he is leaving much out, hence it takes time.
Personally I would install the GIAC and see how everything works first.
I think the results will speak for itself.
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,469
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta/Amsterdam
This question is for Helix:
Normally GIAC chips can be obtained from there approved tuning shops. There happens to be one not to far from me. Will the Mini chip be released to all these shops at the same time? or will this be sold only through Helix? Will Helix receive it first and then the other sites will receive it? Will the cost be the same at every site? I would much prefer to have it done near my house instead of shipping the ECU out or waiting for cables to be shipped around. I am asking this question because Helix keeps saying it is right around the corner, so I am assuming that they have already discussed these issues. Thanks.
Normally GIAC chips can be obtained from there approved tuning shops. There happens to be one not to far from me. Will the Mini chip be released to all these shops at the same time? or will this be sold only through Helix? Will Helix receive it first and then the other sites will receive it? Will the cost be the same at every site? I would much prefer to have it done near my house instead of shipping the ECU out or waiting for cables to be shipped around. I am asking this question because Helix keeps saying it is right around the corner, so I am assuming that they have already discussed these issues. Thanks.
With all of the time and effort that Helix has put into this software, I'm sure that Eric has some kind of exclusivity deal. He deserves it.
>>This question is for Helix:
>>
>>Normally GIAC chips can be obtained from there approved tuning shops. There happens to be one not to far from me. Will the Mini chip be released to all these shops at the same time? or will this be sold only through Helix? Will Helix receive it first and then the other sites will receive it? Will the cost be the same at every site? I would much prefer to have it done near my house instead of shipping the ECU out or waiting for cables to be shipped around. I am asking this question because Helix keeps saying it is right around the corner, so I am assuming that they have already discussed these issues. Thanks.
>>This question is for Helix:
>>
>>Normally GIAC chips can be obtained from there approved tuning shops. There happens to be one not to far from me. Will the Mini chip be released to all these shops at the same time? or will this be sold only through Helix? Will Helix receive it first and then the other sites will receive it? Will the cost be the same at every site? I would much prefer to have it done near my house instead of shipping the ECU out or waiting for cables to be shipped around. I am asking this question because Helix keeps saying it is right around the corner, so I am assuming that they have already discussed these issues. Thanks.
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,469
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta/Amsterdam
>>With all of the time and effort that Helix has put into this software, I'm sure that Eric has some kind of exclusivity deal. He deserves it.
>>
>>
>>>>This question is for Helix:
>>>>
>>>>Normally GIAC chips can be obtained from there approved tuning shops. There happens to be one not to far from me. Will the Mini chip be released to all these shops at the same time? or will this be sold only through Helix? Will Helix receive it first and then the other sites will receive it? Will the cost be the same at every site? I would much prefer to have it done near my house instead of shipping the ECU out or waiting for cables to be shipped around. I am asking this question because Helix keeps saying it is right around the corner, so I am assuming that they have already discussed these issues. Thanks.
>>
I hope it doesn't go like this. I think that Helix should get some of the money. That is something that should be worked out between Helix and GIAC. But how it was explained before is that either you will need to go to Helix or ship the ECU. Both are nearly impossible for most people who use there car as a daily driver. But a lot more people live near a GIAC approve shop than live near Helix. If we have to do one of these two scenarios it will significantly impact the purchase and use of this chip.
I am editing this post. I think I found my answer in one of their previous posts. It appears that we can go to an authorized dealer for this install: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...mp;topic=22710
>>
>>
>>>>This question is for Helix:
>>>>
>>>>Normally GIAC chips can be obtained from there approved tuning shops. There happens to be one not to far from me. Will the Mini chip be released to all these shops at the same time? or will this be sold only through Helix? Will Helix receive it first and then the other sites will receive it? Will the cost be the same at every site? I would much prefer to have it done near my house instead of shipping the ECU out or waiting for cables to be shipped around. I am asking this question because Helix keeps saying it is right around the corner, so I am assuming that they have already discussed these issues. Thanks.
>>
I hope it doesn't go like this. I think that Helix should get some of the money. That is something that should be worked out between Helix and GIAC. But how it was explained before is that either you will need to go to Helix or ship the ECU. Both are nearly impossible for most people who use there car as a daily driver. But a lot more people live near a GIAC approve shop than live near Helix. If we have to do one of these two scenarios it will significantly impact the purchase and use of this chip.
I am editing this post. I think I found my answer in one of their previous posts. It appears that we can go to an authorized dealer for this install: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...mp;topic=22710
1st Gear
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Jersey City, NJ
AmD can provide OneClick programs for pulley reduction sizes starting at 15% all the way to 19%:
AmD Mini Cooper S web page
We also cater for the normally aspirated vehicles:
AmD Mini Cooper web page
AmD Mini One web page
We favour the 15% for day to day use, but the 19% is very useful for sprinting and the like.
You can even have differing programs on the OneClick:
Stock program
Fast Road/Street program
Race program (Hi Octane)
Pulley specific (15% to 19%)
Customised to match your specific mods - CAI, Throttle Body, Exhausts etc...
and many other combinations!
All at $449.00 plus shipping - whatever combination you choose to create!
Best wishes,
Ram
AmD Mini Cooper S web page
We also cater for the normally aspirated vehicles:
AmD Mini Cooper web page
AmD Mini One web page
We favour the 15% for day to day use, but the 19% is very useful for sprinting and the like.
You can even have differing programs on the OneClick:
Stock program
Fast Road/Street program
Race program (Hi Octane)
Pulley specific (15% to 19%)
Customised to match your specific mods - CAI, Throttle Body, Exhausts etc...
and many other combinations!
All at $449.00 plus shipping - whatever combination you choose to create!
Best wishes,
Ram
>>man, what a hijack.
i AGREE.
Went over to the GIAC web site to see results of other cars that he has done software for. I'm waiting for GIAC without a doubt.
i AGREE.
Went over to the GIAC web site to see results of other cars that he has done software for. I'm waiting for GIAC without a doubt.
4th Gear
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 321
Likes: 0
From: Melbourne, FL
Definitely impatiently awaiting the GIAC chip.
Also definitely wondering what the hell is up with the blatant hijacking of this thread by AmD. Are vendors allowed to post whatever they wish to pimp their products?
Also definitely wondering what the hell is up with the blatant hijacking of this thread by AmD. Are vendors allowed to post whatever they wish to pimp their products?
3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 278
Likes: 0
From: Miami
I really want the GIAC chip, I think that b/c of Garret's reputation it is probably the only program I want to put in my car. Eric if you are out there some give us a little bit of info, and if there is any expected time for release?