Hello,

I would like to hear what people have to say about the GIAC update.

I've seen a bunch of threads where people threw on a pulley, injectors, and GIAC all at the same time. Makes it kind of hard to differentiate what part has accomplish what.

Anyone out there that has done just a GIAC upgrade by itself after other mods?

I have the following relevant (?) mods and am thinking about it:

15% Helix Pulley
Coilpack (Screamin' Demon)
Plugs (Denso IK22)
MyMiniParts CAI
UUC catback

Likes/dislikes? Installer feedback? Issues with dealer software updates? Reflashes necessary? Custom mappage?

Shoe

 

When I get the GIAC flash, I'll let you know. Seems like I'm one of the few who has done the 19%/JCW 380 with no ECU upgrade. I purposely wanted to see what each mod did separately.

 

Nice. That's what I'm talking about.

I've had my mods for quite a long time now (40K) so I think it's about time I took the plunge and did an ECU mod.

I wonder if it's really worth it...but unless someone has done it just by itself, it's kind of hard for someone to give a good impression...

 

Bahamabart added the GIAC to his 15% + etc and seemed to be very happy with his results. I believe he did a nice write up of his results, if you do a quick search it shouldn't be hard to find.

 

I had the 15%, Alta intake and GIAC. The car was much smoother! I was able to modulate the throttle. All was great until the dealer flashed over it. Hope to get it reflashed soon, but my local dealer is having issues.

 

see - "ecu giac upgrade" and in the middle of the thread I try to lay out my percieved pros and cons of GIAC, MTH and Unichip.

And yes, I am happy that I did the GIAC - I felt the car runs stronger and SMOOTHER. A factor was install (GIAC was easy) - drive to GIAC dist., pay, they install and you drive off. If the dealer flashed over 25 bucks to reinstall. If you upgrade 25.00 bucks. They offered me a 30 day return policy - hard not to try

DarkMiniS - is someone to talk to - he was a long time MTH user and upgraded to GIAC 15% and then went for the 19% file, new pulley and injectors. His car runs really strong as the recent MyMini dyno day confirmed.

While we all seek the best - the only way to get it is to have a true custom tune for your car. What you get for 300-500 range is a tweaked sports tune.

 

Would you say that the injectors were necessary for the 19% pulley?

 

If you are getting GIAC they are, the program is designed around them. Call and talk to Eric at Helix, he is very knowledgeable.

 

ok, I don't think I plan on getting the GIAC soon. But I do want the 19% upgrade sometime this summer.

 

You don't need larger injectors for a 19 pulley HOWEVER the GIAC's 19% pulley files require larger injectors.

 

If you're not flashing / piggybacking ECU then injectors won't do much. (ie. nuttin)

 

Thats what I was going to say.

 

I recently got my car flashed with GIAC (15% file) as well and so far I love it! Like others have said, the car pulls a little bit stronger, and the car seems smoother as well. I think I am done with all the engine mods I want to do so the ECU flash really helped tie everything together.

 

for those running GIAC - please go to "REVIEWS - under bonnet - ECU" and post a product review.

The section is helpful and if more would post, it would be used more.

 

i have 19% pulley, jcw injectors, HAI, GIAC, Quiksilver exhaust.... i got the injectors and GIAC at the same time. I felt the car was smoother and above 5rpms the car had more power. I also love reving it out to 7200rpms....

Other than custom tuning... this is a pretty good direction to go... good luck with your ECU upgrades...

 

I live in Queens NY if you would like a test drive let me know
I have 17% pulley injectors and the giac

 

i did full exhaust ,intake , pulley , oilcooler, 16" light wheels, coil and wires, then the giac. giac added 4 h.p. plus 12lbs. torque. was at 172 at wheels at 6000 rpm then went to 176 at 6000 . torque much better gain . it felt more muscular after. the lighter wheels want to spin always. yeah dsc!!

 

I'm guessing the answer to my question is no, but is there a way for the GIAC dealer to make small, custom changes to the program? I'd really like to know how to get some more rumbling and crackling on decel.

 

GIAC offers 3 files BUT do you really want to approach a tuner requesting more snap crackle and pop?

I can't see your mods - do you have a catback? header?

 

no they down load just two maps . one for 15% and one for 19% . 17% falls under the 15% map i think . the rumbling is cam timing. it's got only one cam so adjustment ain't happnen' but a different cam and or head work and or an aftermarket exhaust could help.

 

Stock right now, but won't be by the time I get this. I plan to have 19%, intake, and exhaust by the summer. GIAC is somewhere after that, pending money situation.

 

As BahamaBart said, I've had MTH for a very long time. I tried every version available, from the first version when Franz was doing all the work, to the latest MTH Tuner version 7.

I got GIAC about 1 month ago because I wanted to try it and with the GIAC 30-day money back policy, I had nothing to lose. At that time, I had a 15% pulley. Well, guess what, I decided to keep it because it is so smooth and yet delivers power through the entire RPM range. I am not saying it is a lot more powerful than my previous MTH Tuner file, but it is definitely smoother and feels a little faster.

Then, I got JCW injectors and 19% pulley from Helix, with the GIAC software update. It really made a huge difference! It pulls stronger, and torque comes at low-RPM range. On the dyno, the air-fuel was perfect. I sent the dyno sheet to Helix and they comfirm it.

Bigger injectors are not "necessary" with 19% pulley, but it helps making more power by reducing the cylinders' temperature.

Bottom line: GIAC makes great softwares, and Helix did an amazing job at putting a nice kit (19%-380cc injectors-GIAC) together.

 

Thanks for all the responses guys. I think I'll get the GIAC. Will post my impressions afterwards.

Ducho99, thanks for the offer! Maybe I'll take you up on it if the temperature around here ever gets above 5 degrees!

 

I am most likely going to go with the GIAC and injectors soon, but for now with all I have the 19% pulley is AMAZING!!! I just try not to let the bad boy rev to much cause I worry about my water pump over-spinning.

but correct me if im wrong, but isnt the GIAC software just a look up table? That being a better lookup table then the stock software, but it cant ever be as good as a custom tune for the mods you have on your car.

I would LOVE to get a custom tune for my mods but im pretty sure its a lot more expensive.

 

It's funny - I was hanging out at Tyrolsport a few weeks ago and was chatting with the VW guys. Seems that the FIRST mod they all do is the chip...and then they tackle the bolt ons! They thought it was strange that I had a zillion bolt ons but no software yet.