Just wondering what people's experiences with MTH and GIAC software mods for the MCS are.

I've heard good things here about the MTH, but have good VW friends who swear by GIAC, and there's a local dealer near where I live.

Thoughts?

 

I tried GIAC and it did not work well with my mods..... On a pulley,exhaust,intake car it is supposed to be pretty good.... the local guy does mostly VW and I think GIAC has that more dialed in (turbo cars) check with Eric at Helix, he has been doing it since the GIAC Mini program was introduced and he will give you an honest appraisal ......I heard a lot more about MTH when it was less than $100 now that the price is more than triple the postings have gone way down....not sure if that is the reason....there was some rumblings that MTH has gotten too big.....that being said i have ridden in a few MTH cars and they ran smooth and strong......there is a rumor that M7 is coming with another piggy back user tuneable (know what your doing before you attempt this) alternative but the details are sketchy......and the new Unichip has far more resolution in its mapping so I may upgrade......

 

Is the new uni chip available now?

 

I like my GIAC. It is much smoother than the stock program, and the power is linear. It is not a dramatic difference, but it is noticable. I drove a car with similar mods(it had a Miltek, i dont) and it wasnt as smooth, and I didnt notice any more power over my car.

 

I had the GIAC done at the same time as the CAI and 15% pulley. I remember my initial impression when I drove the car for the first time was the smoothness.

 

I can't really comment on the GIAC as I have never used it. A friend of mine is a GIAC Dealer and he swears by it. I'm sure he's read this post and may comment.
My experience with MTH. Good product. Takes some time to wait for new files but that's understandable. You do need a Lap-top and cable to go from the computer to the car. I have found the tunes to be helpfull!
However I can say MTH ranks in my top 5 of worst customer service on the planet. Not returing phone calls, emails, asking for a specific race tune ect...When you purchace MTH there is a option to have 12 months worth of free tunes. Great idea, good for people who keep adding mods.
I have a friend of mine that is currently in the military and has a mini with MTH. He asked them if they could suspend his account on the tunes as he was getting deployed. He even offered to send them a copy of official orders. They replied and said sorry we can't do that. -- Johan

 

my personal experience on the ride home from Helix tonight...
GIAC = SmOOth

 

Like I said, "check with Eric" I will say that the customer service of the dealer and GIAC was very good......when they decided not to custom tune (understandable) they gave me my money back very graciously..... GIAC does a lot of custom tunes on the exotics (for bigger $ than I wanted to spend) and the reputation for results is excellent.....We just have not heard much from them on this board lately......

I'm glad the car is running so well....we need to keep the interest of people like Garret (sp?) in our cars.....so they will continue to develop mo better stuff

 

I've driven cars now with both the GIAC and the MTH software.
Both provide smoothness and noticeable power gains...
My personal MCS has a ,...
Helix 19% pulley
Helix cold air intake
Borla street exhaust
JCW injectors
MTH software.

I choose the MTH over GIAC for (2) reasons.
1. When I initially wanted the GIAC it was not availbale for an 06 MCS.
2. The MTH software affords you the ability to flash your MCS by yourself w/ a laptop... as opposed to GIAC... that must be done by a dealer. (Like Eric @ Helix who is a terrific guy )

Just my 2 cents
Peace,
D

 

On my '02 I had GIAC tuning and a 15% pulley done at Helix.....more power was evident, but I agree that the increased SMOOTHNESS of the engine was the most noticable outcome. I recently had it re-flashed on my '06 at no additional cost, this time with a 17% pulley......even better. I don't know much about MTH, but do know you can't go wrong with GIAC.

 

What map did eric use with the 17?