I have a 03 MCS with 15% pulley, free air flow intake and One-Ball Exhaust. Did these mods a couple of weeks ago (bought the Mini used a couple of weeks ago) and am truely delight with these 3 mods - which I call "maximus bangus for the bucku$".

My objective is to enhance this daily driver adding thrills for as little $ as possible.

my first question is - I was told that with the above mods a chip is totally un-necessary? will I obtain a HP benefit ?

second question - pls recommend chip ?

BahamaBart

Ps at present working on adding a boost gauge - parts should arrive this week.

 

A chip can improve your hp slightly, but where in the powerband it improves will depend on the chip itself. The best bang for your buck is the MTH, but from my understanding, it only changes the timing. I don't have any experience with it, but there are a couple of vendors on here (including Randy Webb http://www.webbmotorsports.com/) that swear by the Uni-Chip. However, there are others here who totally dispute the value of it. In my limited opinion, I think the GIAC is the way to go. This is offered through Helix http://www.helix13.com/ and I believe alters the a/f ratio as well as the timing. It is more expensive than the MTH, and about the same as the Uni-Chip, but the 3-5hp gains are all the way through the powerband. GIAC's are also made by Garrett, which has been making top-of-the-line modification products for years.

If you have a dyno at your disposal (or at least nearby), you might consider a Euro-spec Apexi-II AFC. This little guy will allow you to custom tune your a/f, and since our supercharged engines run rich by default, can give you another 10hp at the wheels (with proper mods) by leaning out the mix.

 

I would love pictures, and more info on your boost gauge!

liljack and matchbox

 

GIAC is not related to Garrett turbochargers in any way. Garrett turbochargers are now owned by Honeywell IIRC. The Garrett in GIAC is Garrett Lim.

 

You need to check your facts a bit closer - the GIAC ECU Flash from Helix is $325, and the Unichip from Webb is $735. I wouldn't classify that as "about the same".

I just pulled these prices off the respective vendor websites.

 

Keep in mind the cost for the actual GIAC ECU is ONLY $325, not the $700-800 for the Unichip. The GIAC is only a bit expensive for the 19% and it's not the software (which is still only $325), it's the larger injectors that push the package into the $600 range. But since he has a 15% pulley, he doesn't need to worry about that and can just get the GIAC ECU for $325. And forget about the horsepower numbers. It's the 8-ish lbs of torque that makes the GIAC great (and the smoothness).

 

Mth is good for the money, not near the refinement of the giac but effective.
Make sure your car has no code lights on before going for software upgrade.

 

Hmmm.....
Eric at Helix told me i would only get 5-6 ft/lbs of torque with the GIAC chip

 

My mistake on the cost.