takahashi

Yes sir Hymee. Well, This is my review... :D

Unichip from Air Power System


At the launch of our Mazda RX-8, Mazda Australia claimed that the Oz spec RENESIS produces 177kW at 8200 rpm at the flywheel. The reason for the 7kW loss from JDM spec is the ECU retuning to suit the required European engine emission standard. This standard is much tougher than the Australian standard currently in place. Then why not getting the Jap spec 184kW into Australia? :o We will never know. The game now is to bring it back where it is suppose to be. :p

Hence, piggyback is the go? :o I have done some background research. ECU tuning in Japan has begun since the first RX-8 came out in April 2003. Knight Sports, being one of the well known rotary tuners, was interviewed by the RX-8 magazine earlier this year and in that they mentioned they have tuned in a way of traditional piggyback does. And they can only reliably gain 6ps at the flywheel with stock setups.

With the full intention of at least getting back to 184 kW, I seek advice from the most reputable tuner in Melbourne – Unichip at Air Power System (APS). What is Unichip? Rainer, the customer relation manager of APS explains, “Unichip doesn't actually change anything within the factory EFI computer. It simply intercepts the signals it receives from the air flow meter to allow us to optimize the fuelling, and the crank angle sensor to optimize the ignition timing. Say the air flow meter is sending signal = X, the Unichip takes X and applies a correction factor, say X x 0.97. The factory computer therefore changes its output to the injectors as a result. Of course this is a dynamic equation with the Unichip supporting 204 points of adjustment for fuel and timing, over 17 rpm and 12 load sites, thus creating 3D fuel and ignition correction maps.”

The car was tuned at a warm and damp day on a real dyno roller. My stupidity guided me to have the tyres pumped up to 40psi, simulating track condition. I was skeptical when I received the pre and post dynograph. It was only 7kW gain at the wheel, or about 6.5% gain. But the gain is there from 4500 rpm and shifting the peak power to from 7400 to 8500 rpm. Thinking of it, in perfect theory (and I know it is wishful thinking) 6.5% gain from 177kW is 188.7kW (or 256.56ps). This is exactly what Knight Sports have! What a coincidence?!

Now, how does all this translate to the sensation to my right foot and my gluteal skin pressure receptor (aka butt dyno)?
From just 100m from the APS garage, I noticed the improved smoothness of the engine. Renesis is already silky smooth, but the tuning makes the rotor feel like skate on ice. It is like the chamber has been hand polished. The acceleration is now a true linear progression – in ALL throttle levels! There is nothing new or improvement I can see or feel below 3000rpm - to be honest. It still cannot pull well at 2500 rpm on 6th gear up the hill. However, the major difference is at mid throttle around the 4000-6500 rpm. Even my passenger can feel the difference immediately pre and post tuning. It is so drivable now and yet still keeps the characteristics of the Renesis. Tuning just flattens the few minor weak points of the engine. I like the feel of this “new engine” even more. :D

Is Taka happy enough to put the Unichip sticker on his car?…. Hmm may be not. You see, the engine feel better but it has 2 problems. The first is when I first got the car back it was idling rough. This issue is generally resolving itself. But the second problem is the slight sluggishness when starting the motor. That is currently under investigation. Fuel consumption is still under testing. Fuel economy I think it will be similar. My first half tank involves 50% fanging around and testing the tuning and setting my newly purchased shift light and 50% steady highway. Normally it will be a 15.0L/100km run, I have 14.4L/100km. I will test a few more tanks.

So what does it do to your hip pocket? Is it worth it or not? It really depends how you see it. Unichip perfects the engine but not as much of a real power gain as the turbo cars. The price is justify depends on how much you want to improve the drivability of the car.

To translate to track language, it may be just up to a second better a lap. It is because of the better half to full throttle at mid range, and this makes powering out to back straight better. :D

ypwpat

great review. but aren't the Japanese ECU will Suit Australian RX8?

rotarygod

Wow Taka, your avatar looks just like you!!!

sco

C'mon, spill the beans on the price.

Did they look at impact the changes have made to the cat temperature at high RPMs?

Did you have any issues with the PCM going in to safe mode?

Hymee

iTrader: (1)

Taka,

I cannot believe that after all the edumacation you have received here, you went out and did that!

So you are quite happy for the unichip to tell you cars computer a lie in what amount of air is coming in? Dear, oh dear. I am really flabergasted. That is exactly the way the Canzoomer/eManage and all the other piggy backs work, with the exception of the TSI unit.

Ah well, I have 2 questions...

1. How much did it cost you ??
2. How much will it cost you to get re-runed when Mazda reflash your ECU at future service?

Thanks for being a very brave man. I wish I had the sales skills of the unichip people. But then again, I can sleep at night

Cheers,
Hymee.

Hymee

iTrader: (1)

BTW,

I should drag out one of my dyno charts for comparitve purposes... and a bit of nostalgia.




That is about 12HP between the "worst" before chart, and the "best" after chart.

(see https://www.rx8club.com/australia-new-zealand-forum-37/review-ric-shaw-controller-fitted-22633/page5/ for the full thread)

I think the biggest dicrepency between your results and mine is how your "before" dyno run really flattens out then loses power dramatically at around 7,500 RPM. But in my dyno runs, they all keep making power right up to just about redline. I admit, my graphs don't have RPM on them, but you can calculate it from the roadspeed.

So all I am saying is that I don't think your before run is all that fair-dinkum. And that is not a critism of you.

Cheers,
Hymee.

takahashi

How much of a flash can Mazda can have on the setting of the fuel map. Are they most likely affect the close loop. I thought they are just changing different thing. Anyhow... I was brave wasn't I? I will check with Rainer, he owed me an explanation and I guess he will like to see what the flash changes to his tuning - won't he?

I cost $795 plus tuning cost.

I know I know. I know that Unichip = canzoomer. I know dyno can tell lie. I simply trust the tuner. Peroid.
The result is there but not great. We ALL know that.

Re: your chart = the shape is the same, hence varible in condition. My dyno is different, hence tuning.

I know it is not as powerful as your supercharger but I am after the "feel"

8A8Y 8

thank for the review
how much did it set you back?

Hymee

iTrader: (1)

So how much for the tune?

PS - When I'm getting the Supercharger done on the Engine Dyno, there will be an even better tuner in sunny Melbourne hehehehe.

Cheers,
Hymee.

takahashi

Well only you have no dip at 7500. I have seen other dyno has that. May be it is some of the cars do that way.

Everycar is different. I think my car need to be tuned. Maybe be your car is tune perfect delievered

takahashi

Tuning is negotiable - put it that way. Normal price is $450.

What do you mean in your PS ?

sco

One would hope the impact of each subsequent flash on tune should get smaller as there is typically a diminishing return on the tweaking that they'll do. But who knows.

Mine's off for a service tomorrow. Will be checking the Cal ID post service.

RXE16T

Taka..... what can I say?

Good on you for "experimenting".

takahashi

This is a great way to increase of your post count agrue :D Just kiddin mate.
I have prepare the dyno chart before going in for tuning - including yours.

Just a random search --- that is devious' dyno chart btw - hope he does not mind me stealing it :p


A dip at 7500 rpm! :D

I am waiting for the ECU all together and get someone tuned. Getting the unit is easy, but getting someone to tune it! Longer than waiting Hymee to produce a Supercharger.

I will continue searching, expect my Unichip on the market when that happens. I will most likely sell it to my friend for his 200SX :D. It is only about $300 tuning. I can sell my Unichip to any Ford or Nissan owner anytime. Good to experiment right?

RXE16T

If you don't give it a try, you'll never know will you Taka?

ypwpat

so Taka you saying the Unichip model in your car is the same unit with Ford and Nissan? Which nissan is it the same as the 350z?

Lock & Load

Taka

Must commend you for braving the upgrade chip torque were prepared to experiment on my car , but i changed my mind as Hymee and others on the forum made me realise that there are no real good piggyback tuners for the RX8 .

I have kept my Canzoomer piggyback unit but i am not running it presently until a remapped version comes out that has all the bugs ironed out of the unit .
Heck if you want the" FEEL " as u stated in your previous tread come to the Goldcoast for less than $795.00 i know plenty of ladies who will take you higher :D

cheers
michael

takahashi

Nojooc it is a big gamble. Same as my friend have a 128kW at the wheel run of his Honda DC5R. He has no base run and tune by a guy who is a part time tuner and need to borrow STi's dyno to tune it... guess what he charges $2500! But talking to him - he seems to be knowing what he is doing.

Yes YPWPAT, it should be the same.

L&L, the tune is only as good as the tuner. You can buy the best piggyback in the world. You cannot tune it to the max unless you are tuned by Hymee.

I was not the first RX-8 tuned there! They have tune one before me.

RXE16T

Taka is willing to "experiment" on the car, but I don't think he has the testicular fortitude to do the same on himself. :D :D :D

takahashi

Hmm... $795 for the ladies hehe

I think it is $1200 all up is ok. I am just going for the tuner who is recommended by a friend. I am sure I will ask them to tune a Jap market ECU, once I found out more about them. I am sure I will find a better thing later on. I can sell my Unichip to anyone, for sure. Ypmfat, Richard is getting rid of his.

As I said it is bloody easy to get an aftermarket ECU, but I need someone to tune it. That is why I am pressuring EZZY to chase up Power FC, coz I know the tuner may want to have a go at it.

L&L, there is no real RX-8 tuner out there... coz it is hard to tune. I need to find a good tuner and have a good relation with. Hymee is the one to go. But he is not patient enough to play with it right?

hymee, if I can find an aftermarket ECU replacement and a program in Japanese (I can translate)... will you tune it for me on a dyno?

RXE16T

Then who's this bloke in Sydney who calls himself Ric Shaw?

takahashi

I think he races an RX-7 not an RX-8. hehe

out there I mean here - the Smelly Melbourne.

I could have put the Unichip in Box Hill - but I chose the tuner - does it said it all. I am still not 100% happy.

The hunt is still going....

Wildcard

Hats off for putting your money where your mouth is Taka. Thanks for the review. As long as you feel like you got your money's worth, I'd say it was a worthwhile mod.

Hymee

iTrader: (1)

Well said Wildcard. I'd have to agree. Thanks for putting a +ve angle to this.

Cheers,
Hymee.

Hymee

iTrader: (1)

I thought he was a racing car driver? :duck:

And a very good one at that. I was amazed at how well he guided the car around Wakefield, with me as passenger.

Cheers,
Hymee.