Unichip - Worth the money?
 

Hi Guys,

I live in Phuket, Thailand (still alive!) :D and I just got my babe last Wed. after waiting for over 5 months (due to the Mazda plant fire last Dec.) So nice to know there's a lot of 8s in SG (I go there quite often) but I never really get to see you guys on the road!

Ok, 'nuff intro, now the Q: Have anyone fitted your (auto) 8s with a unichip? I would really appreciate it if you could give me some comments.

Not sure if any bros fitted Unichip on their auto 8s. As far as I know, those that have fitted the Unichip are driving manual 8s. From what I know the auto 8 was derated to properly match the auto gearbox, so don't know how the Unichip will work on auto 8s. Anyone has more info to share?

my guess would be that if it works on the RX8 manual it should work on the auto.

However, from what i have observed, unichip may cause idling problem (esply engine dying when stationary with gear at "D") for auto car, which can be resolved only by a good tuner.

what do you mean by Unichip,is it a speed cut?

It's an add-on programming cpu that overrides the original, claiming to add a few more horses, and if you don't like it, you can just uninstall it and your ride's back to its original condition. Retails here in Thailand for about Bht 20,000 (roughly RM 2,000) for the new 32-bit cpu., including unlimited fine tunings.

Unichip is a piggyback ECU, meaning it rides on your existing ECU and manages the engine from there. As far as I know, it can't remove the speed cut if your 8 is a JDM spec.

what do you mean by JDM spec? my friend bought a unit that can remove the speed cut, unfortunately it's work on M/T only

If you bought your 8 from a PI, then it is JDM spec. If you bought from MM, then it is Euro spec. JDM cars have a speed cut at abt 180km/h due to their domestic restrictions. As far as I know the Unichip can't remove the speed cut, but I could be wrong. Any bros tried? If your 8 is an auto, then it's definitely a JDM since MM doesn't bring in auto 8s. In any case, don't know anyone that tried a unichip on an auto, not sure if the torque converters on the auto will be happy with the extra power.

This the reply I just got....Sigh


The Automatic car is 30 HP less we have just not captured one and tuned it, we do not plan on producing a Unichip for the Automatic transmission car at this time.


Regards,

Joe Pucciarelli

National Sales Manager
Unichip of North America
2615 SE 39 Loop
Hillsboro OR 97123
joe@unichip.us
P 503 640 7465
F 503 214 6444

Awwww............
But thanks, lohsk, for the clear answer.