Unichip Box??

AU00XR8 · 27-02-2010, 09:18 AM

Hi All,
I have just started to put a new head unit in my AU2 XR8. I was getting rid of the wires that ran to the CD stacker and as i pulled the front carpet up i found in the bubble wrap a Unichip engine control unit. WTF is that doing there and was it a stock item ford??
Now as i have been having problems with my car ( It feels like there is a massive flat spot when i boot the car, its revs okay if i feather the accel. but if i boot it it dies in the *** and then will take off but sounds like it is missing ) could this have anything to do with it???

Thanks

The Monty · 27-02-2010, 09:29 AM

Unichip's are a chip used to tune the car via dyno and computer. Are there any other mods to the car?

AU00XR8 · 27-02-2010, 10:03 AM

Not that i am aware of. I did buy the car 2nd hand and not much info was supplied with the car.

AU00XR8 · 27-02-2010, 10:06 AM

So i have just contacted C&V performance and they are saying that it has lost its tune. And that is what is causing all my problems, $400 to retune it.

But just spoke to someone local who has said they are a pile of crap and i should get it taken out????

Any suggestions?

AU00XR8 · 27-02-2010, 12:02 PM

Does anyone know where i can get some info on taking the unichip out of the car?

bodes-sh · 27-02-2010, 12:16 PM

pm b2tf, he will tell you all about how "good" his unichip was in his old xr8 ute...

StealthAu · 27-02-2010, 12:49 PM

it all comes down to who's doing the tuning, there are plenty of people that have had unichips and say they are crap, others have used them and say they are great.

galaxy xr8 · 27-02-2010, 01:59 PM

I have a Unichip in mine from new vertually and havn't had a single problem what so ever, run's beautifully, idle is smooth and the economy and power has improved some what that I am happy.
I have not had any experiance's with the new Stealth edit's but from what I hear it is miles ahead of it's capabilities over the Unichip,
If you plan to mod it in the future I would look at the Stealth edit.

**Peuty** · 27-02-2010, 03:12 PM

They are crap. Pull it out and run it over.

b2tf · 27-02-2010, 03:44 PM

Bahahaha, the old Unichip. Havent seen one in ages.

Rip it out and use it as a doorstop - will give you more performance by holding a door open than it ever will in your car.They are very old tech and the ECU will eventually work around it causing all sorts of problems - near killed my ute and it succeeded in buggering up RG's XR8 meaning it needed a rebuild.

To remove it you will need to get a blanking plug as when they are installed they actually cut the main factory loom - if you unplug the chip without fixing the loom the car will not start. I know Herrods had the diagram of how to fix up the loom but a far easier way to do is to get a plug that plugs in where the Unichip usually goes that will reroute the wiring and make it all ok.

The last time I got one it was from AU1XLS but Im not sure if he has any left.

**Whoosha** · 27-02-2010, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StealthAu

iit all comes down to who's doing the tuning, there are plenty of people that have had unichips and say they are crap, others have used them and say they are great.

Listen to what the man says. if the unit is still functional , and is tuned correctly to suit your cars needs and not just to impress it will work fine, if its dead the new age tuner boxes are by far the better option.if your leaving your car stockish just get the plug for the loom and do a ECU reset and it should learn its Factory tune again .For what it's worth mine has been in for 6 years runs 13s still has only CAI & zorst mods returns 500Ks to the tank round town

AU00XR8 · 27-02-2010, 07:16 PM

Okay so what is the best thing to do? Is there a unit i can replace it with without doing more damage to the wiring loom? What do you guys use?

What about a X3 FLASH TUNER?

galaxy xr8 · 27-02-2010, 07:36 PM

It really depend's on your budget and what you have planned for the future for your vehicle.
If you have a low budget and don't plan to mod to much and the Unichip is running allright now, I would just leave it be, if it aint broken , you know the rest.
Or if you plan to mod and have the $$$$ , for sure go for the SCT Tune.

AU00XR8 · 27-02-2010, 07:45 PM

The car has been running like a load of crap for a year now. In that time it has been to many mechanics and had just about every electrical bit replaced. Plus some non electrical bits to. So at a guess it must be this Unichip? Well since the guy at C&V performance laughted after i had told him what is going on with the car and then told him it had the Unichip. All i want is my POWER back and not having to limp the thing.

So what should i do i have about a grand to play with at the moment?????

galaxy xr8 · 27-02-2010, 08:33 PM

I would go for the SCT tune for sure then and get a personal tune to suit your vehicle by someone reputable.

AU00XR8 · 27-02-2010, 08:39 PM

Has anyone had a Sniper unit?
http://www.bulletperformanceracing.c...-Hardware.html

needaXYGT · 28-02-2010, 03:17 PM

hi guys, iv decided to ditch the uni chip in my XR8 and just run the stock tune. From what i can see, the unichip just splices into the main loom, and since i cant be bothered finding one of these blank plugs i think ill just re-join the color coded wires. So all i need are the steps to reset the ECU. Are there any problems people have comea across while trying to reset the ECU's?

b2tf · 28-02-2010, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by needaXYGT

hi guys, iv decided to ditch the uni chip in my XR8 and just run the stock tune. From what i can see, the unichip just splices into the main loom, and since i cant be bothered finding one of these blank plugs i think ill just re-join the color coded wires. So all i need are the steps to reset the ECU. Are there any problems people have comea across while trying to reset the ECU's?

Since the chip is only an Interceptor (it only intercepts the signal after the ECU sends it, it doesnt actually change what is sent if that makes sense), a simple battery reset should set things right.
Best move you'll make getting rid of the thing. Whoosh I know you swear by yours but Ive seen too many cars get hobbled cos of crap Unichips.

AU00XR8 · 28-02-2010, 08:56 PM

I tracked down the wiring diagram and have got rid of the Unichip.. The car now revs just need some new sparkplugs as it has foulled up a few.

So what should i replace it with? I am looking at the Sniper unit what do people think?

needaXYGT · 28-02-2010, 09:46 PM

Just curious as to why you need the wiring diagram?

AU00XR8 · 28-02-2010, 09:53 PM

Was not sure on how they where set up. Did not want to start guessing what wire was for what and fry the ECU...

needaXYGT · 28-02-2010, 09:56 PM

ah ok fair enough. You dont happen to have a copy you could send via email do you?

AU00XR8 · 28-02-2010, 10:39 PM

This was the web site i found hope it helps.

http://2phast.com/clk32k/engine/unichip-3.jpg

It is simple as to do took me about ten min. after i found that link.

needaXYGT · 28-02-2010, 11:03 PM

thanks for that. will be done tomorrow.