Hey Folks, here's the link to TurboXS's new programmable engine management solution:

Click Me, you know you want to!! (http://www.turboxs.com/UTEC.htm)


Ryan

Thanks for the heads-up :)

Bill

Drool...I won't have the mods to make this worth it for a year or so...but I suspect I should get on the waiting list NOW! :D

I've learned a little bit about this board over the past few months and TurboXS has hit a major league home run.

The UTEC gets my nomination for People's Choice for Best New Product award.

Congratulations and may the fine TXS crew continue to garner the real awards (and rewards) that are your due.



Dan

good find!!

How do we get on the waiting list?

It doesn't mention price and availability. I would suppose that it will be at least a few months before I can get my hands on one. Do they offer a TurboXS unichip customer first trade in type deal. I think that is only fair! Especially since this was designed to fix the problems with the unichip.

Originally posted by TCENGEL
It doesn't mention price and availability. I would suppose that it will be at least a few months before I can get my hands on one. Do they offer a TurboXS unichip customer first trade in type deal. I think that is only fair! Especially since this was designed to fix the problems with the unichip.

It says the price and availability at the top of the page.

This was not created to fix problems with the unichip. It is in a different league then the unichip.

I don`t believe TXS owes anyone anything.

Sell the unichip. Probably the best bet.

Bill

I heard something about trade in though. And by availability I mean for myself, not when they will start selling them.

Yes it's in a league of it's own, but I think they started with the idea of fixing the unichip timing problems. I don't expect it free or anything, but a little trade in would be nice since I already paid so much for the unichip. I'd probably buy it anyways though.

I understand what you are saying about a trade in.
I still think if you act quick you can still get a decent price for your unichip.

But I even think if I was stuck with a unichip and bought the UTEC, it still would be a great deal.

I`m sure TXS is/will be flooded with phone calls and email so we need to be patient for them to respond to these questions.

Bill

I have no information about trade in, but my broker says that if you hold unichip stock, now might be the time to sell.

Unichip futures aren't looking so hot.

(Of course, these statements must be considered "forward-looking" statements and past performance is no gaurantees of future results.)

I agree. I have had nothing but great service from Turbo XS. I won't have the money to buy this for a few weeks anyways.

I'm in awe, lust or whatever! :D that's totally badass. Now, what'll happen to my Unichip's value? Wish I could front the bills for this right now.

;)

Jorge (RiftsWRX)
www.ProjectWRX.com

I called them this morning just as they opened to get my name on the "list". Sounds like I was first to call today......I've already been told I might not get one in the first batch of ~30 or so. :confused: :confused:

I have faith in them though :D

:D

Bill

Well, I had plans to get a second job so my car can get all the toys it deserves.......Guess I better start looking for a third while I'm at it.

Originally posted by TCENGEL
Do they offer a TurboXS unichip customer first trade in type deal. I think that is only fair! Especially since this was designed to fix the problems with the unichip.

There is no “trade in” deal. However, we are offering a limited time $250 discount on the UTEC to original TurboXS Unichip customers who wish to purchase a UTEC. You keep your Unichip and harness. You must be the original purchaser, present proof of purchase of the Unichip from us or one of our dealers and place your order with TurboXS by September 27, 2002 to take advantage of this offer


-Nathan

Good lord. This UTEC is everything I could possibly want and more. 40HP on a stock WRX is sweet with just an ECU, and safely I might add. What I really like is you have the ability to continue to mod without having to keep sending the damn thing back for retuning. This has to be the sweetest product for the WRX yet (well, for at least 95% of WRX owners anyway).

JC

Very interesting new product, indeed.

GoodFinder :)

That is the best thing I've ever seen.......maybe we can get a group buy??

Originally posted by nmyeti


There is no “trade in” deal. However, we are offering a limited time $250 discount on the UTEC to original TurboXS Unichip customers who wish to purchase a UTEC. You keep your Unichip and harness. You must be the original purchaser, present proof of purchase of the Unichip from us or one of our dealers and place your order with TurboXS by September 27, 2002 to take advantage of this offer


-Nathan

Oh no. You gotta give us more than 1 month. That is really upsetting!

Originally posted by WRXOwner7
That is the best thing I've ever seen.......

A WRX sliding sideways at 120 kmh is the best thing I've ever seen but this is a close second!!!! ;)

Now that the cat is out of the bag, I can share a little more info with my setup as can a few others 'round here. Here's a screenshot of the "Home" menu when you first jack in:

Originally posted by TCENGEL


Oh no. You gotta give us more than 1 month. That is really upsetting!

This is about all we can do, you have until the 27th to place the order, your credit card will not be charged until your utec is shipped, but we can't hold this deal open forever.

-Nathan

Oh no. You gotta give us more than 1 month. That is really upsetting!

Yeah, come on!! Make it like 2 or 3 months, please!

The "Map" selection menu:

Originally posted by Ryan23
Now that the cat is out of the bag, I can share a little more info with my setup as can a few others 'round here. Here's a screenshot of the "Home" menu when you first jack in:

SWEEET! Any shots of the other menus??

Originally posted by TCENGEL


Oh no. You gotta give us more than 1 month. That is really upsetting!

I agree, I need more heads up than 1 month.

-C
"Original TXS Customer" :cool:

One of the logging options:

Very sad to see it is a MAF sensor interceptor on the fuel side - - no goo for me as my giant turbo required me to delete the MAf completely - - otherwsie i would have tried it for sure

This is great news, for 1000 dollars though, it would be best to get started and then move into the big dollar range a little later.

But talk about nice, future plans include

Drag racing launch control (secondary rev limit used during launch) Hello funny car :)

Originally posted by nmyeti


This is about all we can do, you have until the 27th to place the order, your credit card will not be charged until your utec is shipped, but we can't hold this deal open forever.

-Nathan

I didn't expect forever, but at least 3 months. It takes a little time for us poor folks who are dealing with a bad economy and pay cuts and all that jazz to save up. I don't see why it matters when I buy one. If I have already invested good money in the unichip from you, why should I miss out on this. September 27 is really pushing it for me, but I guess that's the way it goes.

Originally posted by alfriedesq
Very sad to see it is a MAF sensor interceptor on the fuel side - - no goo for me as my giant turbo required me to delete the MAf completely - - otherwsie i would have tried it for sure

By the time you could actually have one in your hands there will be no need for a MAF sensor, but then again i've stated that several times already. Besides, how do you think we are going to run my "giant" turbo?

At the way they are selling, we are going to have a pretty big back-order.


-Nathan

Hey Nathan. I just got off the phone with you and I ordered the UTEC. Does this thing come with really good instructions?;)

Turboxs: How do you change the parameters like boost, timing,
etc... Via laptop? whats the requirements to run this program on
a laptop? will you provide a harness to connect to a laptop?

Or is there a controller that comes with this system? is it extra $ ?
thanks later

At the way they are selling, we are going to have a pretty big back-order.

Any idea what the wait is like right now? Like, for instance, let's say I was hoping to get one December/January...

Should I go on the list right now? Or am I already too late for that?

Also, what's involved in getting on the "list"?

I assume that you need a credit card number. Is there a deposit or something as well?

Thanks!

Originally posted by phxscooby101
Turboxs: How do you change the parameters like boost, timing,
etc... Via laptop? whats the requirements to run this program on
a laptop? will you provide a harness to connect to a laptop?

Or is there a controller that comes with this system? is it extra $ ?
thanks later

It takes a standard RS-232 serial cable.

If you run windows you can use hyperterminal, or frankly any TTY program on a Mac, Amiga, Palm, linux box, hell.... go buy a 10 doller dumb terminal off a unix box and set it up permenant style in your car ;)

Boost, timing, fueling, etc.. are done via 2 dimensional grids (load point X RPM)

Fire off any more questions.

Jorge (RiftsWRX)
www.ProjectWRX.com

I'm wondering what it looks like when you actually change values.

Can we get some more screenshots?

<--- starts looking at his Palm cradle and figuring out how to tear it apart and mount in his car...

Originally posted by phxscooby101
Turboxs: How do you change the parameters like boost, timing,
etc... Via laptop? whats the requirements to run this program on
a laptop? will you provide a harness to connect to a laptop?

Or is there a controller that comes with this system? is it extra $ ?
thanks later

Anything that will run HyperTerminal can program this ECU. HyperTerminal, IIRC, has come on every windows machine since like windows 3.1


In other words, the slowest dog of a laptop will run this just fine.

-Nathan

phxscooby101 - not to be a dick, but it's kinda listed on the site: hyperterminal via laptop, or some terminal emulation software on a palm. You can see the serial connection on the board for a regular serial cable (no "harness")

I too would like to know about the waiting list as MrAceman had stated. If I want one by xmas, does that mean I have to call up tomorrow?

If the first batch of 30 are already sold out, I don't think you unichip people should have much of a problem. It'll be $750 for the UTEC if you call on September 26th. We know the first batch is already done for. If you wait "until the last minute" you'll have your UTEC shipped out much later than everybody before you, and since TXS stated they won't charge your CC until it ships, you could be looking at quite some time (like a month or so)

This is all speculation, of course, but in all honesty, I have to hand it to TXS for giving any sort of rebate. From everything I've read, they're a good company, and a rebate is really something they don't "have" to offer. They came out with the next "latest and greatest" and to even be offered a discount is something pretty damned cool, as they have no reason other than being good people.

Companies come out with new products all the time that are better than "their" old one's. VERY rarely do they ever offer an "upgrade plan." If you don't believe me, how many of you had a (now useless) 486 or Pentum 133mhz machine. You think Dell cares if you only bought it a year ago?

Again, I don't mean to be harsh, but I think TXS has done a very nice thing by extending an offer for 1 month - and you get to keep your unichip!! You could sell that thing and make another couple of hundred bucks off of it!!

Bottom line, I think you're gettin a good deal.

Originally posted by MrAceman


Any idea what the wait is like right now? Like, for instance, let's say I was hoping to get one December/January...

Should I go on the list right now? Or am I already too late for that?

Also, what's involved in getting on the "list"?

I assume that you need a credit card number. Is there a deposit or something as well?

Thanks!

From the number of orders that i have taken today, it looks like most of the september batch are gone. We are now into October from the looks of it.

The process is simple for getting on "the list"

You call us and we take your name, address, phone number, and a credit card number to charge the Utec to when its ready.

-Nathan

Originally posted by CirrusWRX



Companies come out with new products all the time that are better than "their" old one's. VERY rarely do they ever offer an "upgrade plan." If you don't believe me, how many of you had a (now useless) 486 or Pentum 133mhz machine. You think Dell cares if you only bought it a year ago?



Great point. Couldn't have been said better...

Originally posted by Yungimoto
I'm wondering what it looks like when you actually change values.

Can we get some more screenshots?

I'll post some more screenshots later tonight. I'm at a PC with no floppy drive so I can't pull any off the laptop. I can help ease the burden with some basic Utec questions like Jorge can (who has been at this a bit longer than me). Most of the good gouge is on the link I posted to TXS's website. I imagine they are probably pretty busy at this moment.

Ryan

Jorge: When are ya going to start the next "Call to Arms" thread
:D

When can we expect dyno results from the "stage" kits using the UTEC instead of Unichip?

Just curious but why do you have to have a laptop and/or palm to program. It seems that you could take it out of the car to program on a desktop and then put it back in the car when finished. You would just utilize the data that it has already been captured to fine tune and so on.

I ask this because I've played with other types of devices that can read and write to a micro-controller and they seem to work the same way. Or am I wrong?

Can this be done?

Ah too bad I wasn't the original purchaser of my unichip. I'll proably call tommorrow and reserve one, I need to budget myself anyways and it'd be better if I didn't get one for a couple months.

Phil

Originally posted by tmarcel
Just curious but why do you have to have a laptop and/or palm to program. It seems that you could take it out of the car to program on a desktop and then put it back in the car when finished. You would just utilize the data that it has already been captured to fine tune and so on.

I ask this because I've played with other types of devices that can read and write to a micro-controller and they seem to work the same way. Or am I wrong?

Can this be done?

It's got a 12v power jack. Just a hunch, but I'm guessing that yes you can pull it from the car and hook it up to a desktop computer if you have the necessary power supply.

-Pace

Originally posted by nmyeti


By the time you could actually have one in your hands there will be no need for a MAF sensor, but then again i've stated that several times already. Besides, how do you think we are going to run my "giant" turbo?

At the way they are selling, we are going to have a pretty big back-order.


-Nathan All I care about is IF you are showing up on the 14th ???? and IF you are going to run me that day???

I'll be ready unless something blows up

On a stock WRX, power gains of 30-40 horsepower at the wheels are easily and safely obtained.

That is great.


BTW: How much boost are you using to get this HP?


Thanks.

Originally posted by alfriedesq
I'll be ready unless something blows up

same here

-Nathan

As of 12:30pm Pacific time, waiting period is First week of Oct. Get your orders in NOW!

Originally posted by alfriedesq
All I care about is IF you are showing up on the 14th ???? and IF you are going to run me that day???

I'll be ready unless something blows up

:rolleyes:

Spare us your rant in pouluting ANOTHER thread which has absolutely NOTHING to do with your ego...

Jorge (RiftsWRX)
www.ProjectWRX.com

wow he must be serious...he posted that twice

good luck to both of you on the 14th



kick his but Nate! :D

Originally posted by alfriedesq
All I care about is IF you are showing up on the 14th ???? and IF you are going to run me that day???

I'll be ready unless something blows up

Al, one of the great things about an online forum is to share information, not egos. If you really want a challange I have a 4 cylinder at the house that I'd love to run you with.

*damn that JiXer 1k is fast...*

Hey Nathan, can you post some dyno plots of the UTEC on a stock car ? I'd like to see what I'm getting as far as improvement, since I'm still stock...

Originally posted by nmyeti


same here

-Nathan GREAT news !!!!!! I predict someone will be running in the 11s that day with no NOS - - (I wonder if Imprezer gets there first the week before?)

Originally posted by alfriedesq
GREAT news !!!!!! I predict someone will be running in the 11s that day with no NOS - - (I wonder if Imprezer gets there first the week before?)

How is this relavant to the topic?? Please keep your blathering in the off-topic forum... :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

To all the people who are complaining about the discount rules:

You knew the utec was coming out!
You knew it was going to kick a$$!
You knew you were going to want one!
You knew it would cost just under a grand!

And you didn't save any money for it? :confused:


I think we are lucky to even have a discount.

Ya, what codean said. :)

Nothing is stopping you from selling it.
Potential Vishnu and Cobb customers can still use them as well as anyone who still wants the ease of a plug and forget solution.

Bill

When will the UTEC be added to the Stage packages? For example, if I want to order stage 2 or 3 in the spring, will I be able to get the package with a UTEC?

Thanks, it's a kick azz product, I'll be running a bunch of TurboXS goodies in the spring.

NAL

Originally posted by AttaQ
When will the UTEC be added to the Stage packages? For example, if I want to order stage 2 or 3 in the spring, will I be able to get the package with a UTEC?

Thanks, it's a kick azz product, I'll be running a bunch of TurboXS goodies in the spring.

NAL

We will be selling the Utec with staged packages starting now ;)

If you want a stage 1-4 with a Utec, just let us know when you order it. We'll be making the maps over the next few weeks and have them on our website soon.

-Nathan

Originally posted by nmyeti


We will be selling the Utec with staged packages starting now ;)

If you want a stage 1-4 with a Utec, just let us know when you order it. We'll be making the maps over the next few weeks and have them on our website soon.

-Nathan

I'll be stopping by tommorow around 11 or so, got some questions for you. Will Mark be in tommorow?

hi nathan..i just called you earlier....just got on the waiting list....wow...can't wait to get my UTEC....


Ray

Originally posted by S-1


I'll be stopping by tommorow around 11 or so, got some questions for you. Will Mark be in tommorow?


We should both be in the shop tommorow...

-Nathan

Originally posted by nmyeti


We will be selling the Utec with staged packages starting now ;)

If you want a stage 1-4 with a Utec, just let us know when you order it. We'll be making the maps over the next few weeks and have them on our website soon.

-Nathan

I'm so pumped about being able to download MAPs onto my laptop and taking it out to my car to upload. How cool is that?!?

Nathan, dyno plots pleeeeaaaase. :)

Originally posted by Dub you are ex


I'm so pumped about being able to download MAPs onto my laptop and taking it out to my car to upload. How cool is that?!?

Nathan, dyno plots pleeeeaaaase. :)


We will be posting dyno plots after we finish making ALL the maps, but the good news is that with the Utec we have managed to really make the cars have a much nicer powerband. Phil's stage 4 race gas map (which you can download from the website soon) had almost totally flat torque from about 3500rpms to right at 6000rpms.

That map produced 330whp on race gas...

Perhaps one of you who has the unit already could post some information about the data rates you use to connect?

I'm interested in building a GUI for this thing....

Either PowerBuilder or VB.net :D :D

Originally posted by nmyeti



We will be posting dyno plots after we finish making ALL the maps, but the good news is that with the Utec we have managed to really make the cars have a much nicer powerband. Phil's stage 4 race gas map (which you can download from the website soon) had almost totally flat torque from about 3500rpms to right at 6000rpms.

That map produced 330whp on race gas...

That's good to hear Nathan, but don't forget the little guys...;)

You told me 30-40whp over stock with just the UTEC and I'm pumped. I just want to see a graph...

Thanks!

Originally posted by ScoobieSnaX
Perhaps one of you who has the unit already could post some information about the data rates you use to connect?

I'm interested in building a GUI for this thing....

Either PowerBuilder or VB.net :D :D

<Homer voice>

Mmmmm, GUI

<Homer voice off>


Bill

Originally posted by codean
To all the people who are complaining about the discount rules:

You knew the utec was coming out!
You knew it was going to kick a$$!
You knew you were going to want one!
You knew it would cost just under a grand!

And you didn't save any money for it? :confused:


I think we are lucky to even have a discount.


Glad to hear everyones opinion besides TurboXS. :monkey:

Originally posted by TCENGEL



Glad to hear everyones opinion besides TurboXS. :monkey:

Not sure why the use of the "flip off monkey" was needed, but our opinion is pretty clear. If you want a discount, you have to order the UTEC before the 27th. We think it's fair, you however may disagree with us.



-Nathan

Nathan,

I bet if you were to offer a 100% trade in of the Unichip for a UTEC by Sept 27th, you'd still get these boneheads posting this garbage. I guess if you don't like it, don't order one!! :lol: :lol:

I Can't wait, can't wait, can't wait!!!!! :D :D :D

I think its overly neat that this product is available...but I think people are getting hyped for the wrong reasons. It is neat that you can download maps and upload them to an ecu, but you couldve done before this great txs product...

People have been running fully functional stand-alone ecu's as piggybacks to the factory ecu on cars (including the wrx) for quite some time.

But dont get me wrong...I think its really really neat to see this from turboxs! I might actually buy something from them now :lol: :lol:


unless that ecutek product is as good as im expecting it to be

Definitely looks like an exciting product. I've been WAITING for an ECU product. :devil: Humm $1K for 40+ whp ... humm I think I'm GAME. I think this WILL be by next purchase in indulge myself. :D

Nathan - thanks for the answer. I am not even to the first oil change on my WRX yet, but after we get through this winter I will be picking up a "Stage" package with this new goody. Jorge has nothing but nice things to say about TurboXS and your products and I love to buy products from people who stand by them!

Originally posted by nmyeti


Not sure why the use of the "flip off monkey" was needed, but our opinion is pretty clear. If you want a discount, you have to order the UTEC before the 27th. We think it's fair, you however may disagree with us.



-Nathan


Not using the flick off monkey towards Turbo XS. You guys have always been great to me. I just disagree thats all. I was flicking off all of the others here that I don't even know that continually throw in their opinion. Guess that's just the way people are nowadays.

I see an EGT column in one of Ryan23's posted datalog screen shots.

Is that EGT value coming from the stock EGT probe?

The stock MAP sensor has been reported to be good to 22.5psi (ish), or about 2.5 bar.

The UTEC is plug and play, so it must use the stock MAP sensor.

Are other MAP sensors (3 or 4 bar) an option now? Will other MAP sensors be an option at some future point?

From www.turboxs.com
Built in programmable solenoid controller -
Control nitrous, water injection, intercooler water spray or any other solenoid device Will there only be one output of this type?

How will this output be controlled? (ie duty cycle table based on load/rpm points, closed loop feedback, etc.)

How cool is it to be able to switch maps with a switch flick? I need to do something like that...

The www.turboxs.com website says it'll run either high or low impedance injectors, driven from it's built in injector drivers. If low impedance injectors are used, can they be fired in full sequential mode? (Can they be still be fired in peak and hold mode with one injector per driver?)

Does the UTEC ever utilize batch feed? Under what conditions?

Lots of this information is new to me. Can someone can be so kind as to give the advantages of upgrading from a unichip to a utec (Currently at stage 4 now, i'm a leave it and forget it kind o' guy). 350 or so hp is all i need, but if it can be done safer (to the motor that is), excellent!

Originally posted by SubyDoobyDoo
Lots of this information is new to me. Can someone can be so kind as to give the advantages of upgrading from a unichip to a utec (Currently at stage 4 now, i'm a leave it and forget it kind o' guy). 350 or so hp is all i need, but if it can be done safer (to the motor that is), excellent!

Let me give you a one word answer....

CONSISTENCY...

Jorge (RiftsWRX)
www.ProjectWRX.com

Originally posted by TCENGEL

I was flicking off all of the others here that I don't even know that continually throw in their opinion. Guess that's just the way people are nowadays.

Well thats not very nice..

1: you took my post very personal, why?
2: if you don't like opinions then move to cuba
3: I see that your from Arlington Heights, do you go to the meets?

I'm not trying to flame or be an ass, just saying what I belive. Am I wrong for doing this?

Originally posted by SubyDoobyDoo
Lots of this information is new to me. Can someone can be so kind as to give the advantages of upgrading from a unichip to a utec (Currently at stage 4 now, i'm a leave it and forget it kind o' guy). 350 or so hp is all i need, but if it can be done safer (to the motor that is), excellent!

the main advantages for you would be

1. you can modify the maps yourself (this can be dangerous too of course) and you can datalog

2. the boost control is slightly more advanced than the unichip, and should get you quicker spool and/or less spiking and/or less variation due to weather.

Originally posted by jmott


2. the boost control is slightly more advanced than the unichip, and should get you quicker spool and/or less spiking and/or less variation due to weather.

Having played with it.. an AVC-R, and an EVC-IV... the boost controller is VASTLY superior... but that's MO :)

Jorge (RiftsWRX)
www.ProjectWRX.com

The UTEC allow the stock ecu to maintain control over closed loop o2 feedback/EGO control, correct?

Does the UTEC allow the user to specify requirements to enter closed loop o2 feedback?

Does the UTEC allow the user to control EGO/o2 feedback parameters?

Originally posted by RiftsWRX


Having played with it.. an AVC-R, and an EVC-IV... the boost controller is VASTLY superior... but that's MO :)

Jorge (RiftsWRX)
www.ProjectWRX.com

Are you saying an aftermarket boost controller is superior?? :confused:

Originally posted by RiftsWRX


Having played with it.. an AVC-R, and an EVC-IV... the boost controller is VASTLY superior... but that's MO :)

Jorge (RiftsWRX)
www.ProjectWRX.com The UTEC is able to control *any* boost control solenoid in closed loop feedback, correct?

How big/what size is the TPS vs. RPM map which controls boost?

Originally posted by jmott


the main advantages for you would be

1. you can modify the maps yourself (this can be dangerous too of course) and you can datalog

2. the boost control is slightly more advanced than the unichip, and should get you quicker spool and/or less spiking and/or less variation due to weather.

Sounds good, looks like i'm going to have to find a buyer for my old Unichip...

I also have a Profec B, any ideas on how the utec compares with an aftermarket BC?

I'm starting to think it would be a good idea to set up a cetralized web site where people could access UTEC files (I'll volunteer). Sound like a good idea?

I think its time for an aftermarket ecu forum on i-club

Originally posted by mlambert
I think its time for an aftermarket ecu forum on i-club

It's already in the works... will be several days before it's up as I have to finish an ECU comparison FAQ/post. I have all the info needed, just have to compile it.

Originally posted by hotsam
I'm starting to think it would be a good idea to set up a cetralized web site where people could access UTEC files (I'll volunteer). Sound like a good idea?

Referencing the post above... you can attach files to posts, so I think that just about all the possible maps out there, zipped up, will be small enough to attach to posts. :)

Originally posted by RiftsWRX


Having played with it.. an AVC-R, and an EVC-IV... the boost controller is VASTLY superior... but that's MO :)

Jorge (RiftsWRX)
www.ProjectWRX.com

seeing as how the AVC-R offers functionality the UTEC (currently) does not, I dont see how.

what did you see that was superior?

However, for those who want to get everything they can out of their car but do it safely, the UTEC gives you the tools to do it. The data logging feature allows you to see air/fuel ratio from the front wide-band O2 sensor. ...

this saves me the time and money for researching and buying a wideband 02. now i just have to wait for the UTEC... hopefully the UTEC will be all that it is hyped up to be, b/c honestly, i'm about to drop 1grand on this thing.

as for datalogging and changing maps with a palm, is there a certain version of Palm OSi need (Palm 3.5 or something)? is there additional software that i need to buy/download to datalog and stuff? i don't want to go out and buy a laptop if my palm will do just fine..

thanks turboxs

dan

Does this log as good as DeltaDash (or share any other beneficial functions such as ECU reset, code puller, graphing, etc)? Perhaps some potential future GUI features :)

After I get a UTEC looks like I may be selling off the DD and UniChip. Of course I need to put my name on the list first. :(

Erik

That's a good idea w/ a separate link for aftermarket ECU tunning. It should include different maps for different combinations of mods. :devil: That would be PIMP. :cool:

will/can this little doohickie be able to do away with the TGV's? It looks like an awesome piece by the way..


Kirk <-------------- paitiently waited, waited, and waited, etc....

Originally posted by jmott


seeing as how the AVC-R offers functionality the UTEC (currently) does not, I dont see how.

what did you see that was superior?

From the stand point of the average user, resolution is the most important thing.

0-9000 RPM in 250 RPM increments with 10 TPS load sites... with the logic setup to always achieve boost as fast as possible without spiking, etc.

In the real world... that's superior then having scramble boost, monitoring, etc... bout the only thing from the AVC-R I'd like to have over... start duty cycles... but other then that... I've had much more consistency using this then the AVC-R... and that's on the factory solenoid.

But again.. as stated... having used both IRL.. it's my opinion (MO) Yours may, can, and should vary..

Jorge (RiftsWRX)
www.ProjectWRX.com

Originally posted by chuglobal
That's a good idea w/ a separate link for aftermarket ECU tunning. It should include different maps for different combinations of mods. :devil: That would be PIMP. :cool:

The only dangerous thing... is that my map will not necessarily work for you... especially maps at the ragged edge... I'll say that here and now... be careful if you decide to run someone elses map who did NOT place the best interest of others (like a staged map) in mind.

Jorge (RiftsWRX)
www.ProjectWRX.com

Jorge - Can you answer any of my questions?
----------------------------

I see an EGT column in one of Ryan23's posted datalog screen shots.

Is that EGT value coming from the stock EGT probe?

----------------------------

The stock MAP sensor has been reported to be good to 22.5psi (ish), or about 2.5 bar.

The UTEC is plug and play, so it must use the stock MAP sensor.

Are other MAP sensors (3 or 4 bar) an option now? Will other MAP sensors be an option at some future point?

----------------------------

From www.turboxs.com -
Built in programmable solenoid controller -
Control nitrous, water injection, intercooler water spray or any other solenoid device

Will there only be one output of this type?

How will this output be controlled? (ie duty cycle table based on load/rpm points, closed loop feedback, etc.)

----------------------------

The www.turboxs.com website says it'll run either high or low impedance injectors, driven from it's built in injector drivers. If low impedance injectors are used, can they be fired in full sequential mode? (Can they be still be fired in peak and hold mode with one injector per driver?)

Does the UTEC ever utilize batch feed? Under what conditions?

----------------------------

The UTEC allow the stock ecu to maintain control over closed loop o2 feedback/EGO control, correct?

Does the UTEC allow the user to specify requirements to enter closed loop o2 feedback?

Does the UTEC allow the user to control EGO/o2 feedback parameters?

----------------------------

The UTEC is able to control *any* boost control solenoid in closed loop feedback, correct?

How big/what size is the TPS vs. RPM map which controls boost?

----------------------------

Also i wanted to add...props to TurboXS for actually bringing quality products to market...unlike vishnu (downpipe anyone?)

would this new chip eliminate Partial throttle full boost conditions?

I'll chime in here, if I may:

Originally posted by Austin
Jorge - Can you answer any of my questions?
----------------------------

I see an EGT column in one of Ryan23's posted datalog screen shots.

Is that EGT value coming from the stock EGT probe?

----------------------------


Yes, this is the stock EGT reading. Mine reads 233C because....well...it's dead :)


The stock MAP sensor has been reported to be good to 22.5psi (ish), or about 2.5 bar.

The UTEC is plug and play, so it must use the stock MAP sensor.

Are other MAP sensors (3 or 4 bar) an option now? Will other MAP sensors be an option at some future point?

The stock one is good to 27 PSI, you'll have to ask one of the TXS guys if another MAP sensor will be supported. I would venture to guess, if the need arises (trust me, it WILL), there will be a way around it

----------------------------

From www.turboxs.com -
Built in programmable solenoid controller -
Control nitrous, water injection, intercooler water spray or any other solenoid device

Will there only be one output of this type?


So far, yes.


How will this output be controlled? (ie duty cycle table based on load/rpm points, closed loop feedback, etc.)

Currently it's controlled by RPM.

----------------------------

The www.turboxs.com website says it'll run either high or low impedance injectors, driven from it's built in injector drivers. If low impedance injectors are used, can they be fired in full sequential mode? (Can they be still be fired in peak and hold mode with one injector per driver?)

Does the UTEC ever utilize batch feed? Under what conditions?


Don't know an answer to that one and I don't want to speculate. However, currently the only option I know about is peak and hold.
----------------------------

The UTEC allow the stock ecu to maintain control over closed loop o2 feedback/EGO control, correct?


Yep. User selectable when you want to terminate that.



Does the UTEC allow the user to specify requirements to enter closed loop o2 feedback?



It's based on load.


Does the UTEC allow the user to control EGO/o2 feedback parameters?


No
----------------------------


The UTEC is able to control *any* boost control solenoid in closed loop feedback, correct?



I'm not sure about that, I don't see why not but don't quote me.


How big/what size is the TPS vs. RPM map which controls boost?


0-9000 RPM in 250 RPM increments with load referenced from 0% -100% in 10% increments.

Phew!

Ryan

Originally posted by Electronsmurf
would this new chip eliminate Partial throttle full boost conditions?

Yes, it will.

Ryan

Originally posted by ScoobieSnaX
Perhaps one of you who has the unit already could post some information about the data rates you use to connect?

I'm interested in building a GUI for this thing....

Either PowerBuilder or VB.net :D :D

Connection to the UTEC is done at 19200 baud 8N1. GUI would be great!


Ryan

Anyone for some consistent timing? :)

I hope it's ok to ask something more basic (I don't even understand most of the questions that Austin is asking ;) ): Is it possible to have a setup/map that maintains stock boost control? I'm curious if I could run this in an autocross class (STX) that does not allow modifications to boost control (see rule 17.10.D on this page (http://www.moutons.org/sccasolo/Rules/street_touring.html#17.10. ENGINE) for details). Being able to run more boost when desired, and then just switching to a different map that leaves boost untouched for events would be great.

You obviously couldn't have a switch for the different maps on the dashboard for this application. Just having something in the car that could potentially control boost, even if it's not active, might be borderline already...

Originally posted by Ryan23
The stock one is good to 27 PSI, you'll have to ask one of the TXS guys if another MAP sensor will be supported. I would venture to guess, if the need arises (trust me, it WILL), there will be a way around it

The stock pressure sensor is NOT good over 22.5 psi - - I've been down that road

Nathan: check PM's please

Originally posted by TheWRX
I hope it's ok to ask something more basic (I don't even understand most of the questions that Austin is asking ;) ): Is it possible to have a setup/map that maintains stock boost control? I'm curious if I could run this in an autocross class (STX) that does not allow modifications to boost control (see rule 17.10.D on this page (http://www.moutons.org/sccasolo/Rules/street_touring.html#17.10. ENGINE) for details). Being able to run more boost when desired, and then just switching to a different map that leaves boost untouched for events would be great.

You obviously couldn't have a switch for the different maps on the dashboard for this application. Just having something in the car that could potentially control boost, even if it's not active, might be borderline already...

Just having the ability to control boost (even though it's not active) is enough to get protested.

Originally posted by alfriedesq


The stock pressure sensor is NOT good over 22.5 psi - - I've been down that road

Can you elaborate? I'm with you on this one but I'd like to hear your story. I have a GM 3Bar map sensor from a Buick Grand National...which I'm using with my Link ECU...

Originally posted by CirrusWRX
I have no information about trade in, but my broker says that if you hold unichip stock, now might be the time to sell.

Unichip futures aren't looking so hot.

(Of course, these statements must be considered "forward-looking" statements and past performance is no gaurantees of future results.)

I have been buying one Unichip every week in order to use the effectiveness of cost-dollar averaging ;)

Originally posted by ScoobieSnaX
Can you elaborate? I'm with you on this one but I'd like to hear your story. I have a GM 3Bar map sensor from a Buick Grand National...which I'm using with my Link ECU... The stock map sensor reaches 5V around 22.5 psi - So there is no change in MAP sensor voltage above 22.5psi.

I'm also curious, if load is defined purely by percentages, are those percentages defined purely by MAP voltage?

If it is that way (and you agree that the stock MAP sensor is a 2.5bar sensor), then 40% load is 1 bar, or 0 manifold pressure, and 80% load is 2bar/29psia, or 14.5 psi manifold pressure.

Or are load percentages user definable?

Wow, it has everything!

I can't wait for more reviews!

ECU talk make my head hurt.:) I like pictures. They make my brain go AHHHH!!

Anyway, the UTEC sounds very promising. I hope it is released quickly to satisfied buyers w/o bugs (the ECU, not the buyers). I'm also waiting for the ECUTEK ECU to hit our shores. Can anyone compare them for us dummies? Does the UTEC have better resolution than the ECUTEK? In short, what can each one do that the other can't do?

heh.. i wonder how far out the wait is now.. i ordered mine today at 2ish MST, nathan said on the phone that he was hoping to get the batch i was in out sometime like end of september, maybe even octoberish. heh, i bet they were amazed at the amount of phone calls they got today. anyway, i cant wait for mine. btw i read the forums but now i dont know but did anyone say if you had a palm or any other pda, what kinda hardware you needed to hook it up to the UTEC, as i dont have a palm or a laptop, im looking to go the cheapest route.

Originally posted by smskier
heh.. i wonder how far out the wait is now.. i ordered mine today at 2ish MST, nathan said on the phone that he was hoping to get the batch i was in out sometime like end of september, maybe even octoberish. heh, i bet they were amazed at the amount of phone calls they got today. anyway, i cant wait for mine. btw i read the forums but now i dont know but did anyone say if you had a palm or any other pda, what kinda hardware you needed to hook it up to the UTEC, as i dont have a palm or a laptop, im looking to go the cheapest route.


Any system that has terminal emulation software and an RS-232 port. Ebay has laptops for like $100 with windows 3.1 that can control this. Get a Visor for like $30 off of ebay and download the software and buy a serial cable for it.

Correct however it would be a conceptual baseline number. If the "tuners" here on IClub would look at a specific map on their free them and decide which ones the general public would be able to use and gain ALOT of whp then post it. :D I'm too excited about the UTEC ... especially if I can gain minimum 40+ whp for $1K but more realistically 50+whp w/ the uppipe, downpipe, catback, and MBC. :devil:

Originally posted by Ryan23
Anyone for some consistent timing? :)

ryan, your timing appears consistent however, the stock ECU advances timing as RPM increases with no knock events. Why is yours decreasing? Obviously, you have overridden the stock ECU timing control and I assume that the reason is that you are running very high boost levels in the upper rpm/load areas of the map. Can you confirm?

I do like the look of the consistency however. Also, does the stock ECU use load to determine the transition from closed to open loop as well? I guess what i'm asking is if the UTEC is consistent with the stock ECU in this regard?

Thanks,
JC

PS TurboXS - Very wise move to release this before the DeltaECU arrives. I would also like to hear your opinions on the UTEC advantages over that of what the DeltaECU might provide.

Originally posted by thejean


ryan, your timing appears consistent however, the stock ECU advances timing as RPM increases with no knock events. Why is yours decreasing? Obviously, you have overridden the stock ECU timing control and I assume that the reason is that you are running very high boost levels in the upper rpm/load areas of the map. Can you confirm?

I do like the look of the consistency however. Also, does the stock ECU use load to determine the transition from closed to open loop as well? I guess what i'm asking is if the UTEC is consistent with the stock ECU in this regard?

Thanks,
JC

PS TurboXS - Very wise move to release this before the DeltaECU arrives. I would also like to hear your opinions on the UTEC advantages over that of what the DeltaECU might provide.

Actually..... if you pour over my "call to arms" thread, you'll notice a timing trend from the factory computer not unlike what you saw there. You could obviously crank your mid range timing and make GOBS of torque... but as I found out the other day... gobs of timing, gobs of boost, + race gas = blown differential from the torque! Can we say spin the tires for about 70-80 feet!

So.... high timing in the mid-range is not a good thing (not that high timing is a good thing to begin with (Shiv can tell you about that one) but conceptually his curve is a wee bit more concervative down low then mine is on the automatic, but defineately inline with the factory program.

Jorge (RiftsWRX)
www.ProjectWRX.com

Originally posted by thejean


ryan, your timing appears consistent however, the stock ECU advances timing as RPM increases with no knock events. Why is yours decreasing? Obviously, you have overridden the stock ECU timing control and I assume that the reason is that you are running very high boost levels in the upper rpm/load areas of the map. Can you confirm?

I do like the look of the consistency however. Also, does the stock ECU use load to determine the transition from closed to open loop as well? I guess what i'm asking is if the UTEC is consistent with the stock ECU in this regard?

Thanks,
JC



I'm not running the aggressive timing the stock ECU would up top because of the boost level I'm running at. If I let the computer have it's way, I would be seeing 29~32 degrees of advance up top within two weeks of an ECU reset. My ECU would drop me back down to 26 degrees after a reset (or knock). With the timing I am running, I can get away with the occasional load of bad gas (to a degree) and on normal days, regardless of heat, I won't be prone to det. Before I crank her up (throughout the range) I would like to have a spare engine/transmission standing by just in case :D When I walked in the door to TXS, I was running 30 degrees of advance up top and detting bad @ 18 PSI. By the way, I'm currently running 20 PSI with no det :D

Ryan

Originally posted by RiftsWRX


Actually..... if you pour over my "call to arms" thread, you'll notice a timing trend from the factory computer not unlike what you saw there.


I don't want to get off topic too much but I have read the DD thread and have recently been sifting through it again before bed each night to try to figure things out (very interesting reading for those of you havent taken the time to read it in detail - highly recommended - on my top 10 list).

I was actually referring to "gravel's" bone stock 1-3 gear run (see attached). Timing definitely advanced as RPM's increased in that run. The rest of your runs did indeed show similar timing trends to that of ryan's above.

But, you have answered my question as to why Ryan's timing is decreasing with RPM's. Thanks!!

JC

cool ryan. thanks for the response. thats what i thought.

Originally posted by Austin
[BOr are load percentages user definable? [/B]


Yes they are,

Ryan and Jorge are running some early software that does not let them have access to this feature, but in the end the end user will be able to define their own load rows.

As for your other questions, i'll get back to you... the phones are ringing off the hook ;)

-Nathan

Originally posted by ScoobieSnaX
Nathan,

I bet if you were to offer a 100% trade in of the Unichip for a UTEC by Sept 27th, you'd still get these boneheads posting this garbage. I guess if you don't like it, don't order one!! :lol: :lol:

I Can't wait, can't wait, can't wait!!!!! :D :D :D

Bone heads?! :mad: EXCUSE ME, but not everone has a grand laying around to blow unexpectedly. If I don't get in on the $750 price, I'd never pay the $1000 price (just because I knew I missed the deal). If you don't mind paying full price, or want to buy now go ahead, just don't get mad because other people don't.

:monkey:

Originally posted by TypeC


Bone heads?! :mad: EXCUSE ME, but not everone has a grand laying around to blow unexpectedly. If I don't get in on the $750 price, I'd never pay the $1000 price (just because I knew I missed the deal). If you don't mind paying full price, or want to buy now go ahead, just don't get mad because other people don't.

:monkey:

I didn't think I was alone on this one! Now we are boneheads because we want to save money. If I didn't already have a unichip I would not complain. The company I work for offers software and hardware controller upgrades at a discounted price. I just think it's a nice thing to do for customers that have already spent a large amount of money with you. It's not something they have to do. But since they are doing it, I would just like them to extend the offer a little bit so I can take advantage. Is that a bonehead thing to ask!

Well, seeing as i missed out on the "nice price" i better damn well get a TSX sticker when i order this thing... :/
Trent

Originally posted by WRXpkr
Well, seeing as i missed out on the "nice price" i better damn well get a TSX sticker when i order this thing... :/
Trent

Trent,
At this point no one has missed out on anything. We have given the customer a month from yesterday to place the order...

You'll get a sticker in any case ;)

-Nathan

Just wanted to say thanks to TXS for the product. I've been saving cash for 6 months now for my dyno time and utek.
It's all about to pay off :D

thanks guys (and btw hope I didn't cause any trouble/confusion with getting "my" utek)

cya next week !

Rob

This isn't my place to say... but seeing how I'm not on TXS's payroll, or an employee, I'm entitled to say just about anything I damn well please ;)

Frankly, for going on 4 months I've done nothing but tell people that something was coming that would blow away anything they had and to either sell what they had now, or hold off on buying stuff. It seems the majority of those individuals have heeded it.

If there are some people here who didn't "catch wind" of what I was talking about, didn't care, didn't believe, or flat out were paranoid and were non trusting... oh well.

IMO the fact that they have offered ANYTHING to ANYONE is a step that just doesn't happen in LOTS of industries! Go to a subaru dealer and get a return buyer discount..... the computer analogy with Dell was wonderful, hell... even go to your barber and demand x off because you have gone there for the last 26 years of your life!

Bah... damn people... no one is accusing anyone of being cheap, just like you guys aren't accusing TurboXS of being a tech whore who's raping the public with $$$...

Fact of the matter remains, I have been involved with the inner workings of this project since it was an idea tossed back and forth in jest LAST YEAR, and I know exactly what it has taken to get to where we are now.

But of course.... how would I expect you guys to know what it's taken, to be able to appreciate the sacrifice for turboxs to say "thank you" by even offering their existing customer base ANYTHING.

Fact of the matter remains.... feature vs. $$$ the UTEC is a STEAL and a half! Buy an SBC-ID and a J&S safeguard and your at the cost of the UTEC, before fueling, multi-map, timing, and all the other FREE things you'll get as the software is refined and beta-tested.

Free upgrades

Free support

Free maps and upgrade maps

First thing on the block to FINALLY give us what we need without needing a PHD or needing to screw with it every time the weather changes!

and ya'll still want more!?!?!?! :rolleyes:

FLAME SUIT ON, BRING IT!
Jorge (RiftsWRX)
www.ProjectWRX.com

What would the cost be for the Stage 1 package (minus filter since I already have one) with the UTEC instead of Unichip?

Thanks!

Originally posted by RiftsWRX
This isn't my place to say... but seeing how I'm not on TXS's payroll, or an employee, I'm entitled to say just about anything I damn well please ;)

Frankly, for going on 4 months I've done nothing but tell people that something was coming that would blow away anything they had and to either sell what they had now, or hold off on buying stuff. It seems the majority of those individuals have heeded it.

If there are some people here who didn't "catch wind" of what I was talking about, didn't care, didn't believe, or flat out were paranoid and were non trusting... oh well.

IMO the fact that they have offered ANYTHING to ANYONE is a step that just doesn't happen in LOTS of industries! Go to a subaru dealer and get a return buyer discount..... the computer analogy with Dell was wonderful, hell... even go to your barber and demand x off because you have gone there for the last 26 years of your life!

Bah... damn people... no one is accusing anyone of being cheap, just like you guys aren't accusing TurboXS of being a tech whore who's raping the public with $$$...

Fact of the matter remains, I have been involved with the inner workings of this project since it was an idea tossed back and forth in jest LAST YEAR, and I know exactly what it has taken to get to where we are now.

But of course.... how would I expect you guys to know what it's taken, to be able to appreciate the sacrifice for turboxs to say "thank you" by even offering their existing customer base ANYTHING.

Fact of the matter remains.... feature vs. $$$ the UTEC is a STEAL and a half! Buy an SBC-ID and a J&S safeguard and your at the cost of the UTEC, before fueling, multi-map, timing, and all the other FREE things you'll get as the software is refined and beta-tested.

Free upgrades

Free support

Free maps and upgrade maps

First thing on the block to FINALLY give us what we need without needing a PHD or needing to screw with it every time the weather changes!

and ya'll still want more!?!?!?! :rolleyes:

FLAME SUIT ON, BRING IT!
Jorge (RiftsWRX)
www.ProjectWRX.com

No flame suit needed. No one is blaming TurboXS or anything. The only ones being flamed are the few of us asking for an extension on the deal. I don't spend much time on I-club and I really don't spend that much time reading through the large posts. I did read that someone said there will be a $ 300 trade in for your unichip. That is what I expected, thats all. I'm sure Turbo XS has a reason for only offering a month and I will have to live with that.

I'm done with this thread. Sorry to the few guys that are in the same position as me that I was trying to help out.

What would the cost be for the Stage 1 package (minus filter since I already have one) with the UTEC instead of Unichip?

Thanks!

Edit: Curses! Double post!

Originally posted by Ryan23
Anyone for some consistent timing? :)

In the picture you posted above, the timing table is indexed via RPM and %, with the third axis being the actual timing in degrees. From what I have seen in previous posts, the second axis, the %, can the % of TPS or % of MAP? If so, obviously it would be helpful to have the display convert the % of MAP to actual map readings.

From the web page, it implies the fuel and timing maps are indexed off RPM and MAP, but there is some option to change that to RPM and TPS (not that I would want to)?

For clarity, I am not talking about the boost control, which is of course TPSvsRPM mapped.

I'm curious how well this will work with my new STI RA engine. Have you by chance tried the UTEC with the JDM GDB ECU?

-Jeff

The newest technology in Engine Management, Plug and Play install, a price cheaper then most Engine Management Systems (and certainly cheaper then the ~3 piggybacks you'd need to do the same). What is all the complaining about? :confused:

Originally posted by 8Complex
The newest technology in Engine Management, Plug and Play install, a price cheaper then most Engine Management Systems (and certainly cheaper then the ~3 piggybacks you'd need to do the same). What is all the complaining about? :confused:


GROW UP DUDES!

Life marches on!

You jump in early, you had the fun...

But you paid the price!!

Is is "fair" for people to give away their life's work because you are a cheapskate??


BD

Originally posted by sponaugle


In the picture you posted above, the timing table is indexed via RPM and %, with the third axis being the actual timing in degrees. From what I have seen in previous posts, the second axis, the %, can the % of TPS or % of MAP? If so, obviously it would be helpful to have the display convert the % of MAP to actual map readings.

From the web page, it implies the fuel and timing maps are indexed off RPM and MAP, but there is some option to change that to RPM and TPS (not that I would want to)?

For clarity, I am not talking about the boost control, which is of course TPSvsRPM mapped.

I'm curious how well this will work with my new STI RA engine. Have you by chance tried the UTEC with the JDM GDB ECU?

-Jeff

Up until about a week ago I've been the only beta tester beyond the TXS employees. AFAIK know, but that doesn't mean it can't be made to work, with full transparant valve timing control.

Jorge (RiftsWRX)
www.ProjectWRX.com

Originally posted by nmyeti


Trent,
At this point no one has missed out on anything. We have given the customer a month from yesterday to place the order...

You'll get a sticker in any case ;)

-Nathan

OH well hell! Sweeeet! :D lol
I thought that deadline was yesterday, not next month!
Wheew!
Ill be calling within the month :)
Trent

It's the price you pay for being an early adopter guys - look at PS2/XBOX. I bought mine the day they came out- 6 months later they were $100 cheaper - did I bitch and moan - nope - I'd had 6 months of enjoyment out of em before the price came down.

Game on TurboXS for even offering some form of rebate to existing Unichip customers.

Rich

Originally posted by sponaugle


In the picture you posted above, the timing table is indexed via RPM and %, with the third axis being the actual timing in degrees. From what I have seen in previous posts, the second axis, the %, can the % of TPS or % of MAP? If so, obviously it would be helpful to have the display convert the % of MAP to actual map readings.

From the web page, it implies the fuel and timing maps are indexed off RPM and MAP, but there is some option to change that to RPM and TPS (not that I would want to)?

For clarity, I am not talking about the boost control, which is of course TPSvsRPM mapped.

I'm curious how well this will work with my new STI RA engine. Have you by chance tried the UTEC with the JDM GDB ECU?

-Jeff The issue is DID THEY include all the connectors on plug B 84 - the smaller engine plug to carry over to the harness from the ecu - - THOSE are the AVCS wires - - if they did then it will be easy to run the AVCS with this

The only remaining issue is when they are releasing the upgrade to eliminate the MAF sensor and go 100% map ?

Are you loosing the LINK? They say they are releasing the new LINK fopr STI with AVCS by SEMA

Okay I'm not a former TXS customer so my opinion on this is strictly from a third party perspective.

It's my believe that by giving these guys (former TXS Unichip customers) a small extention, say by an additional month, you will be securing their future business. Why? Because it's a small price to pay for the rewards of looking after number one - your existing customer base.

Word of mouth is powerful advertising. Remember, it's human for people to complain louder than they praise a business. Any marketing course will tell you that.

It's important that you do not lose them when there are more and more Subaru/WRX/etc tuners popping up every day. Their request seems reasonable and isn't going to cost you much initially and the long term will result in additional revenue.

Originally posted by tmarcel
Okay I'm not a former TXS customer so my opinion on this is strictly from a third party perspective.

It's my believe that by giving these guys (former TXS Unichip customers) a small extention, say by an additional month, you will be securing their future business. Why? Because it's a small price to pay for the rewards of looking after number one - your existing customer base.

Word of mouth is powerful advertising. Remember, it's human for people to complain louder than they praise a business. Any marketing course will tell you that.

It's important that you do not lose them when there are more and more Subaru/WRX/etc tuners popping up every day. Their request seems reasonable and isn't going to cost you much initially and the long term will result in additional revenue.

I am also 3rd party (not a TXS user...yet...) and while this makes sense in theory, the real world is about cash flow and these guys have obviously invested some significant time and effort into getting this thing into our hands. That means money spent on their part as well as low revenues in the interim... They are no Microsoft so the next few months will be critical for them to get some cash flow going and pay off debtors... That will ultimately translate into better R&D and quicker developments across the board in the future, which will be better for everyone. IMO, if I had a unichip, I wouldn't expect anything from them. A $250 rebate in the next month is more than enough. And don't worry guys, your Unichips will sell. There are enough of us out there without anything done to our cars yet who are just starving for cheap power mods...

jc

forget about i-club for one day and see what happens. When should I order to get one bout april,may, im a poor kid:lol:
Ajay

Id just as soon be rid of ungratelful little baby customers myself


:rollseyes:


Originally posted by tmarcel
Okay I'm not a former TXS customer so my opinion on this is strictly from a third party perspective.

It's my believe that by giving these guys (former TXS Unichip customers) a small extention, say by an additional month, you will be securing their future business. Why? Because it's a small price to pay for the rewards of looking after number one - your existing customer base.

Word of mouth is powerful advertising. Remember, it's human for people to complain louder than they praise a business. Any marketing course will tell you that.

It's important that you do not lose them when there are more and more Subaru/WRX/etc tuners popping up every day. Their request seems reasonable and isn't going to cost you much initially and the long term will result in additional revenue.

Originally posted by nmyeti
Yes they are,

Ryan and Jorge are running some early software that does not let them have access to this feature, but in the end the end user will be able to define their own load rows.

As for your other questions, i'll get back to you... the phones are ringing off the hook ;)

-Nathan Thanks Nathan :)

Originally posted by sponaugle
In the picture you posted above, the timing table is indexed via RPM and %, with the third axis being the actual timing in degrees. From what I have seen in previous posts, the second axis, the %, can the % of TPS or % of MAP? If so, obviously it would be helpful to have the display convert the % of MAP to actual map readings.
-Jeff Jeff - Nathan says that the end user will be able to input specific MAP values into the ten load rows. I'd say that has to mean the the load values will be displayed in something other than %'s.

Originally posted by Austin
Jeff - Nathan says that the end user will be able to input specific MAP values into the ten load rows. I'd say that has to mean the the load values will be displayed in something other than %'s.

That is good to hear, it will make life a lot simpler. :)

I wish I could convince Subaru to give me a 25% discount on a sti because I bought a wrx last year...

They do, it's called trade in :p

VV

Originally posted by Wrxtasy
I wish I could convince Subaru to give me a 25% discount on a sti because I bought a wrx last year...

I will pick up a new WRX tomorrow. This sounds like something I am looking for. However, many brand new electronic things come out with a few bugs. I will lurk around the forums and see how things play out with the first few batches of these things before I buy....

One thing I noticed (I think) on the thing. There is a connection for 12 volts? And its the kind you see on the back of scanners, radios, etc where you can plug in a round socket type connector. I hope this is not where it gets its power. From my experience that type of connector fails easily if it is connected to something that moves around. From that point on, you have to remove the thing which is soldered to the board and replace it with another. This is for an external power source wihen it's not in the car right?

Originally posted by tolnep
This is for an external power source wihen it's not in the car right?

This is correct. That plug is there to let you play with the Utec outside of the car.

-Nathan

TXS, will you donate one of these to the needy children, at the John go Fast Foundation?
pleeeeeeeeeeaasssseeeeeee.........
:lol:

looks like an awesome product and I'm sure it will have the kind of quality that TXS always provides.

I'm a friggin idiot....

double post :(

Nathan,

Will it come with a serial cable?

Is the software currently available for download?

Will the external power supply be provided or available as an optional item?

Thanks!

Originally posted by ScoobieSnaX
Nathan,

Will it come with a serial cable?

Is the software currently available for download?

Will the external power supply be provided or available as an optional item?

Thanks!

It will NOT come with a serial cable, the software is on the board itself (thats how hyperterminal works), and the external power supply may or may not be provided by us. I've got to ask Pete about that one, as i don't actually remember at the moment.

-Nathan

I would understand not providing it. Maybe only 10-20% of customers might use it.

Please consider providing it as an option and/or including a source(s) and part number(s). Even then, some nimnulls are going to fry their boards.

i read the FAQ and i know this is FFI, but i just have to ask. Does the RS have any hope of seeing this in its future. More specifically this is exactly what i need but will i ever be able to buy it?

Nathan?

Nathan, what's the eta on dyno graphs for a stock setup with the UTEC?

* I wish the eta for those graphs were as fast as Nathans eta at the strip...*;)

Originally posted by Dub you are ex
Nathan, what's the eta on dyno graphs for a stock setup with the UTEC?

* I wish the eta for those graphs were as fast as Nathans eta at the strip...*;)


We have to put a car back to stock to do the tests, so i expect that the stage 1 maps will be made last.

-Nathan

Originally posted by nmyeti



so i expect that the stage 1 maps will be made last.

-Nathan

Nathan, please tell me you're going to run a completely stock car with the UTEC. Stage 1 includes the rear section and a K&N...

Originally posted by Dub you are ex


Nathan, please tell me you're going to run a completely stock car with the UTEC. Stage 1 includes the rear section and a K&N...

I second that. If you can provide these plots, I'm sure you'll go a long way to upping your customer base considerably.

JC

Originally posted by Dub you are ex


Nathan, please tell me you're going to run a completely stock car with the UTEC. Stage 1 includes the rear section and a K&N...

we are going to put a car totally back to stock for this...

To the budget-constrained:

1. Place Unichip on Ebay. (Mine sold a couple of weeks ago for $550).
2. Present receipt from TurboXS Unichip purchase to Nathan and obtain a UTEC for $750.

Here's the cool part: ;)

$750 - $550 = $200 net cost to you (feel free to have this calculation independently verified.)

Most of you probably blew more than that for an aftermarket bypass valve, so this should be no stretch for anyone who is serious about modding their WRX.

-Pace

Jesus, I shoulda bought a Unichip!! :(

Hey Nathan I sent you a PM. No rush I realize you are pretty busy ;)


Any chance of making the software able to be password protected? I think it would make a nice security addition. As well as maybe a setting that will disable the car.

I know you could make a map that can disable the car but I`m sure people would rather not waste a map spot.

Just a thought.

Bill <----counting the days :D

Well I just reserved mine!! I cant until it gets here. Let me just say that the customer service from TurboXS is superb!!! I got responses from my e-mails within the hour. I am definitely looking foward to trying out the UTEC and purchasing more of their products in the near future. Thanks Nathan!!

Originally posted by thejean
Jesus, I shoulda bought a Unichip!! :(

Dude, you got the wrong forum. Jesus doesn't browse FFI. He can usually be found in off-topic or the SCIC. "god", however, can be found in this forum. maybe you meant to talk to him instead?

just giving you a heads up.

Originally posted by eric m.


Dude, you got the wrong forum. Jesus doesn't browse FFI. He can usually be found in off-topic or the SCIC. "god", however, can be found in this forum. maybe you meant to talk to him instead?

just giving you a heads up.

:lol:

Originally posted by Dub you are ex


Nathan, please tell me you're going to run a completely stock car with the UTEC. Stage 1 includes the rear section and a K&N...

I doubt they will.. but if I can convince the wife I can use her car..... but there's a FAT chance of that...

Jorge (RiftsWRX)
www.ProjectWRX.com

Don't forget about the money for the original purchase of the Unichip...

Originally posted by pace
To the budget-constrained:

1. Place Unichip on Ebay. (Mine sold a couple of weeks ago for $550).
2. Present receipt from TurboXS Unichip purchase to Nathan and obtain a UTEC for $750.

Here's the cool part: ;)

$750 - $550 = $200 net cost to you (feel free to have this calculation independently verified.)

Most of you probably blew more than that for an aftermarket bypass valve, so this should be no stretch for anyone who is serious about modding their WRX.

-Pace

Originally posted by RiftsWRX


I doubt they will.. but if I can convince the wife I can use her car..... but there's a FAT chance of that...

Jorge (RiftsWRX)
www.ProjectWRX.com

Why not?!? I have a stock WRX and would like to know what I can expect from adding the UTEC alone. Is that too much to ask?

Originally posted by Dub you are ex


Is that too much to ask?

:lol:

ok... I stand corrected.... :rolleyes:

Jorge (RiftsWRX)
www.ProjectWRX.com

I'm sure someone somewhere will be able to do this - even if TXS don't have time.

I'd do it meself - but I don't have $1 large lying around at the moment ;)

Rich

"On a stock WRX, power gains of 30-40 horsepower at the wheels are easily and safely obtained "- http://www.turboxs.com/UTEC.htm

I just want to see the dyno plot that they used to make this claim.

I just spent a grand on my WRX and would like to be assured that I'm going to be able to plug and play and get 30-40whp.

Originally posted by Dub you are ex

I just want to see the dyno plot that they used to make this claim.

I just spent a grand on my WRX and would like to be assured that I'm going to be able to plug and play and get 30-40whp.

Which again, can be argued... a dyno plot in chicago isn't a dyno plot in Gaithersburg. Also... your car, is not my car, is not their car... So... if they showed you 31 and you got it and your car said 29 would you scream foul?

But then again... there's a lot more to UTEC then peak power... but if that's ALL your interested in (or grasp).. oh well, your choice.

Jorge (RiftsWRX)
www.ProjectWRX.com

True Rifts,

I'm looking at the UTEC for the potential it offers, the consistency and not having to retune the bloody thing every morning cos the weather can't make its mind up. It's the entry point to the other mods I will be adding....

If I plug it in and it develops 15 more ponies on a stock car - that's a bonus :D

Rich

Originally posted by digitaltekniq
True Rifts,

I'm looking at the UTEC for the potential it offers, the consistency and not having to retune the bloody thing every morning cos the weather can't make its mind up. It's the entry point to the other mods I will be adding....

If I plug it in and it develops 15 more ponies on a stock car - that's a bonus :D

Rich

Exactly!

Some cars may only produce 15 HP due to production tolerance differences, etc... that's just a fact of manufacturing... so leaning the car out and pushing timing to make up the other 25 HP to get to 40 could be done... but you've probobly well exceeded the safety net that was originally intended!

Jorge (RiftsWRX)
www.ProjectWRX.com

I'm just looking forward to using the factory closed-loop tuning and long-term fuel trim, while tuning the top end without my map values randomly changing on me.

dynos can be tweaked and so can ECU/piggyback units.

I plugged in my LINK and got 11hp out of a stock map (the car ran like crap). I tweaked it a bit and got another 19hp (the car ran strong and smooth). I then proceded to see how much more i could get out of the unit. I got the car an ADDITIONAL 23hp! But the car, pinged a bit too much and even knocked...doah.

Those are three completely differents run times I did all on the same dyno. There is a fairly sizable gap in hp number there. I mean I can tell someone I got 53 extra HP to the wheels using the link. It's true. But, that isn't clean reliable power.

I think this XS unit will do ok and people will get all sorts of numbers. keep in mind that what one person tells you isn't always true. yes that includes me :p

like mom always said, "Figures lie and liars figure"

happy tuning
chris

Originally posted by QA Guy
Don't forget about the money for the original purchase of the Unichip...




Ehh... the post was addressed to the people who own a Unichip and didn't think the one-month discount was sufficient.

-Pace

Originally posted by RiftsWRX


if they showed you 31 and you got it and your car said 29 would you scream foul?

www.ProjectWRX.com

Are you serious? Not hardly my man...I would be very pleased.

This is my dilemma :

I want to be able to plug and play. I don't have the time/patience to mess with map settings right now. If I can spend a thousand bucks, plug this thing in and get 30-40 at the wheels then I'm happy. Otherwise I'm taking my name off the list...

I'm not a computer programmer and I don't have time to carry my laptop around with me and try to figure out why my car isn't idling right. The more you guys talk the technical talk I'm more apt to pulling out and watching who makes this thing work right.

The key selling point for me was plug and play and 30-40whp. If I can't get near those results then someone can take my place on the list...

I really think its going to be quite easy. Being a Link owner I can tell you that getting the car to idle properly is a chore (even when you know what you're doing).

This unit, as TXS describes it on their web site, will be quite easy to tune. You won't have to worry about idle duty, AC fuel enrichment, injector pulse width modulation, etc.

Cheers! :D :D

Originally posted by Dub you are ex


Are you serious? Not hardly my man...I would be very pleased.

This is my dilemma :

I want to be able to plug and play. I don't have the time/patience to mess with map settings right now. If I can spend a thousand bucks, plug this thing in and get 30-40 at the wheels then I'm happy. Otherwise I'm taking my name off the list...

I'm not a computer programmer and I don't have time to carry my laptop around with me and try to figure out why my car isn't idling right. The more you guys talk the technical talk I'm more apt to pulling out and watching who makes this thing work right.

The key selling point for me was plug and play and 30-40whp. If I can't get near those results then someone can take my place on the list...

Fair enough... but what we're trying to tell you is that NO ONE, even them, can guarantee it. That's just a fact of life. 30-40 is a safe spread on probobly 90% of the cars out there, but the REALITY is that even my car has RADICALLY different tuning styles compared to Phil's car. As a result, what works for him is DISASTROUS for me.

Does that mean I fall into that 10%? Possibly....

But hey... you do what you need to do ;)

Jorge (RiftsWRX)
www.ProjectWRX.com

im also one of those consumers looking to get started, and figured this was the best way to begin. that way instead of feeling minimal gains until i get a chip, i will know immediately if this is actually working for me or not. plus, getting even 20-30 whp would be a nice bonus, but you cant go wrong with the fact that its a plug in play ecu that doesnt require all the crap that goes with having a replacement ecu. now all i need to invest in is a pda and serial cable and perhaps some english classes.

Originally posted by RiftsWRX


30-40 is a safe spread on probobly 90% of the cars out there,

I like those odds....;)

Thanks for the info Jorge.

I say chill on the boards for a few months and read everthing you can get your eyes and hands on. Go uppipe/donwpipe or something for your first mod, IMO. This isnt something you glue on to your car and numbers go up automatically. It has a lot of potential by controlling timing and A/F ratio, but you obviously have to be careful before you go in there screwing with them, hmmmm lets run 90 degrees advance, wonder what that does. If you want something to stick in and forget it, the unichip is still good for you. This is an awesome product because of its ability to provide a baseline tested on the WRX as opposed to the Emanage that would have been a pain. So if you want to be semi-involved, run conservative maps that are preprogrammed and read your logs everyday to gain an understanding of your engine management. Its logging + Plug and Play capability, + baseline maps makes it a much better tool than the unichip if you want to go and try to get the full potential out of your car. But it seems you dont want to be so involved, so wait till unichip prices drop and buy one of them.
Ajay

Originally posted by alfriedesq
The issue is DID THEY include all the connectors on plug B 84 - the smaller engine plug to carry over to the harness from the ecu - - THOSE are the AVCS wires - - if they did then it will be easy to run the AVCS with this
The only remaining issue is when they are releasing the upgrade to eliminate the MAF sensor and go 100% map ?
Are you loosing the LINK? They say they are releasing the new LINK fopr STI with AVCS by SEMA

So far, the link I have is working well with the GDB motor, except of course for the AVCS. I'm looking forward to the new link stuff, and will certainly talk to Link at Sema.

If the UTEC has a driver output, it might be possible to add AVCS support to the software... It would need to be able to read the Cam angle sensor and then adjust the duty cycle of the avcs valve to keep the right pressure/angle.
As soon as I get one, I'll give it a try with a GDB ECU as well.

Nathan: Could you take a look and see if you pass thru all of the pins on plug B84?

-Jeff

Originally posted by alfriedesq
The issue is DID THEY include all the connectors on plug B 84 - the smaller engine plug to carry over to the harness from the ecu - - THOSE are the AVCS wires - - if they did then it will be easy to run the AVCS with this
The only remaining issue is when they are releasing the upgrade to eliminate the MAF sensor and go 100% map ?
Are you loosing the LINK? They say they are releasing the new LINK fopr STI with AVCS by SEMA

So far, the link I have is working well with the GDB motor, except of course for the AVCS. I'm looking forward to the new link stuff, and will certainly talk to Link at Sema.

If the UTEC has a driver output, it might be possible to add AVCS support to the software... It would need to be able to read the Cam angle sensor and then adjust the duty cycle of the avcs valve to keep the right pressure/angle.
As soon as I get one, I'll give it a try with a GDB ECU as well.

Nathan: Could you take a look and see if you pass thru all of the pins on plug B84?

-Jeff

Originally posted by sponaugle


So far, the link I have is working well with the GDB motor, except of course for the AVCS. I'm looking forward to the new link stuff, and will certainly talk to Link at Sema.

If the UTEC has a driver output, it might be possible to add AVCS support to the software... It would need to be able to read the Cam angle sensor and then adjust the duty cycle of the avcs valve to keep the right pressure/angle.
As soon as I get one, I'll give it a try with a GDB ECU as well.

Nathan: Could you take a look and see if you pass thru all of the pins on plug B84?

-Jeff If the wires all pass through plug B84 - then all you have to do it use the STI V 8 ecu with this Utec and you'll be all set

If they don't all pass through - - then you could hard wire up plug B-84 and just run the MAF signal through the UTEC - again ecu sti V8

My plan is to wait to see whichever is released first - STI LINK or MAp based UTEC and try whichever

In the meantime - I don't know what all the hype about this UTEC is about - - no one knows really how well it works and it basically does the same thing the LINK does at a bit cheaper price

It's funny because when Mark tell's us we need to put one of our cars back to stock, Nathan and I start running:lol:

Don't worry we will have all of our current kits redone with the UTEC, even a bone stock car. How else would we be able to create a map?

Now that i think about it does anyone have a bone stock WRX who is local and would be kind enough to leave it with us for a couple of days for a nice discount on a UTEC? I really, really, really don't want to put a stock uppipe back on my car!

Send Nathan an email because if you send it to me, well if you've emailed me before, you know why. We need your car next week! I can only answer about 60 a day, sorry!

Thanks,
Phil
TurboXS

People do know how it works, Al. 11.96 with a VF30 and a 12.45 on a STG4 with the UTEC . Be honest Al, that is a wicked fast time with a VF30 and full interior.

We don't want to side track our guys in Australia but if they decide to release the STI here we'll be all over it. There is a chance but a slim one that we'll have someone in Australia test it on an STI

Thanks,
Phil
TurboXS

I have read thru most of the 8 pages and there is one thing that has not been said yet... And that is that you CAN BLOW your motor.

This is a fact that happens when you get this ability to tune your car that much.

Also the UTEC is just a piggyback system. I have used piggyback systems on DSM's, hondas and miatas. They work well for a street car, but for the ulitmate in power you need to have a standalone unit like a Link unit. These units are usally more accurate then the stock units.


What make the UTEC so easy to use and tuning is what limits itself. The UTEC still has to use the stock ecu. It said that it modified the MAF signal for A/F adjustments. That means that it is lying to the ECU to try and make it do what you want.

All in all. I say for the ultimate you need a stand alone. The UTEC is still great in the sense that it is not very expensive and allows more tuning than a Unichip

Just my $.02

LAter

Originally posted by IPT
I have read thru most of the 8 pages and there is one thing that has not been said yet... And that is that you CAN BLOW your motor.

It may not have been said on this board but it is very clearly written on the turboXS website.

I couldn't have said it better myself.

Ryan

Originally posted by desiwrx02
I say chill on the boards for a few months and read everthing you can get your eyes and hands on. Go uppipe/donwpipe or something for your first mod, IMO. This isnt something you glue on to your car and numbers go up automatically. It has a lot of potential by controlling timing and A/F ratio, but you obviously have to be careful before you go in there screwing with them, hmmmm lets run 90 degrees advance, wonder what that does. If you want something to stick in and forget it, the unichip is still good for you. This is an awesome product because of its ability to provide a baseline tested on the WRX as opposed to the Emanage that would have been a pain. So if you want to be semi-involved, run conservative maps that are preprogrammed and read your logs everyday to gain an understanding of your engine management. Its logging + Plug and Play capability, + baseline maps makes it a much better tool than the unichip if you want to go and try to get the full potential out of your car. But it seems you dont want to be so involved, so wait till unichip prices drop and buy one of them.
Ajay

Originally posted by IPT

All in all. I say for the ultimate you need a stand alone. The UTEC is still great in the sense that it is not very expensive and allows more tuning than a Unichip

Just my $.02

LAter

and unless i read wrong, it will function just fine as a standalone as well...i think you missed that part :p

I think the point your missing is that you CAN blow your motor on a stock ECU. Have you looked at how much advance the stock ECU adds? Have you looked at the fact that this timing is NEVER consistent? Have you perhaps noticed that the stock WRX ECU tends to IGNORE the knock sensor in the upper RPM band? Mucho timing + high boost = Lean = Blown motor. Look around on the board, people have been blowing up basically stock WRX's with just a MBC. If anything, the Utec can add a measure of safety with fixed timing and programmable knock threshold/retard.

Just my $.02,

Ryan

Originally posted by IPT
I have read thru most of the 8 pages and there is one thing that has not been said yet... And that is that you CAN BLOW your motor.

This is a fact that happens when you get this ability to tune your car that much.

Also the UTEC is just a piggyback system. I have used piggyback systems on DSM's, hondas and miatas. They work well for a street car, but for the ulitmate in power you need to have a standalone unit like a Link unit. These units are usally more accurate then the stock units.


What make the UTEC so easy to use and tuning is what limits itself. The UTEC still has to use the stock ecu. It said that it modified the MAF signal for A/F adjustments. That means that it is lying to the ECU to try and make it do what you want.

All in all. I say for the ultimate you need a stand alone. The UTEC is still great in the sense that it is not very expensive and allows more tuning than a Unichip

Just my $.02

LAter

Originally posted by IPT
Also the UTEC is just a piggyback system. I have used piggyback systems on DSM's, hondas and miatas. They work well for a street car, but for the ulitmate in power you need to have a standalone unit like a Link unit. These units are usally more accurate then the stock units.The UTEC is definitely *not* just a piggyback. Granted, at this point, fuel delivery is controlled in a piggyback fashion... not for long, though.

Control of the ignition advance curve is complete standalone... with one cool feature - you can still allow the stock ecu to control ignition timing _where you want it to_. So if you don't think you're ready to start playing with the timing curve yet, you don't have to. How awesome is that? All in one unit.

And as far as accuracy, the UTEC is every bit as accurate as the stock ecu or the LINK ecu - they all rely on the stock crank sensor to determine engine position.

I just ordered my new stage 2 today. I should get the UTEC in a month and the exhaust within a week. From what I understand CELs are a thing of the past.

I can't wait!

Originally posted by Austin
The UTEC is definitely *not* just a piggyback. Granted, at this point, fuel delivery is controlled in a piggyback fashion... not for long, though.

Control of the ignition advance curve is complete standalone... with one cool feature - you can still allow the stock ecu to control ignition timing _where you want it to_. So if you don't think you're ready to start playing with the timing curve yet, you don't have to. How awesome is that? All in one unit.

And as far as accuracy, the UTEC is every bit as accurate as the stock ecu or the LINK ecu - they all rely on the stock crank sensor to determine engine position. Realy - I have no clue just what the UTEC really is or how it works

Piggy back - stand alone - both - - who knows

It seems the guys at TXs have created something very new and unique in that I have never seen before something like this available for our cars

I'm looking forward till the first one shows up at my favorite dyno facility so we can find out how it really works and if it works well

I have no doubt its probably a great unit because Tx's only sells good stuff - - - but I'm kind of sad that the inital version will require a MAF sensor - - if I could run a MAF sensor with my turbo I would get one of these for sure

I've been saying that the unichip sucks for almost a year now - warning everyone that engines are blowing up with the unichip and watching as person after person who shows up to dyno with a unichip gets bad results - - - it was high time for something better

I loved the unichip - until the weather started to change and my timing started to move all over the place

I'd hate to be one of those "other" vendors wtill trying to hawk the unichips and trying to compete with this unit for a few hundred more which obviously does a LOT more and it MUCH better than the unichip

For Rifts or one of the TurboXS guys who've been testing this -

I'm taking my unichip and ABC out to install the UTEC -> should I replace the ABC in the line with the stock 1/8" connector or use the 'wonder' 3/16" mod everyone else is talking about here on the board? I need to purchase one or the other, as my stock 1/8" was mangled in removal....

Thanks

Someone said:

"I've learned a little bit about this board over the past few months and TurboXS has hit a major league home run.

The UTEC gets my nomination for People's Choice for Best New Product award.

Congratulations and may the fine TXS crew continue to garner the real awards (and rewards) that are your due."

****************

Lets not get ahead of ourselves. ;) The AEM EMS was also considered the best god damn thing since sliced break about a year ago. It was hyped up, it could do everything but frappe mochachinos, but look where it is right now.

I just think it is wrong to judge the new product simply by its specs and "It can do..." factors. Until you see some # of WRX's running this ECU with various mods variations, while kicking major butt, I, personally, wouldn't say anything.

But, you all are right, it does seem to be a nice system. We'll just have to wait and see how it performs.

-Alex

Questions, questions questions..................

I've been given "day release" from my TXS cell to answer some of your questions regarding the UTEC.

Serial Data and Hyperterminal
We designed the UTEC to work with any "VT100" terminal emulator program such as Hyperterminal. It has been tested on a few other “VT100” terminal emulator programs for the PC and the Palm. The UTEC serial port can be set at a baud rate of either 4800 or 19200. The lower baud rate may be necessary for the Palm and or old PC, if your serial port can handle 19200 then you will be fine. The data and commands to and from the UTEC are in normal text characters with a few control and escape sequences thrown in. We will release the actual data formats and commands so that people can write their own GUIs.

Palm
The Palm we used for our tests was a Palm M100 (OS 3.5), which is the cheapest Palm we could buy ($49US clear out sale), but it does come with a serial cable rather than the cradle. It does work but it is a bit limiting due to the screen size and the stylus. Downloading a map, datalogging into the UTEC with the Palm is also limited by the Palm programs you use.

Spare Solenoid Output
There is 1 spare output available on the UTEC. This output is a high current pull down, that will ground your device based on RPM, Coolant Temperature Voltage, TPS, Air Temperature Voltage, and MAP. The output is either ON or OFF. This has been provided to allow you to use NOS, water spray, radiator fans, etc. This comes off the white accessory plug.

Low Impedance Drivers
Low impedance injectors can be run by the UTEC. These are run sequentially. However the fully featured low impedance drivers and software will be released in the future revision of the UTEC. Contact us if you have a special requirement for this.

Cables and Bits
The UTEC will come with a serial cable, a connector and cable for the spare solenoid output, and a cable to allow you to connect a 9V battery to the UTEC. The 9V battery and cable will allow you to power up the UTEC away from the car or to work as a backup battery to the UTEC when tuning in the car. The 12VDC input is only used for these functions. Normally the UTEC draws its power from the car's harness.

Other MAP Sensors
Currently the UTEC uses the stock MAP sensor. If you replace the factory MAP sensor you can recalibrate the UTEC to operate with the new sensor, however the recalibration does not apply to the factory ECU.

Boost Control Map
If you type in "E" or "0" in the boost map the UTEC will then copy the factory ECU boost signal. i.e. factory boost setting

MAPS
The minimum (10%) and maximum (100%) load points on the maps is adjustable by the user. e.g The minimum load point could be set at 0 psi and the maximum could be set at 18 psi. 0% load has a special function.

A single Map file is about 13kb in size, plus you will also need a Parameters file, about 2kb, so they should be easy to email, post etc. (The Parameters map holds all the calibration, knock settings, spare solenoid settings etc)

CEL
The UTEC controls the CEL and adds these features.
When you first start up it will flash the CEL to indicate which map it is set to.

If the UTEC detects knock it will flash the CEL to warn you! Provided you DON'T detune the knock detection.

You can also turn the CEL off if you have a constantly ON CEL. THIS DOES NOT CLEAR THE FAULT!! In this mode when you start up the car and if there is a CEL, the CEL will remain on for about 5 seconds and then go off. If you have no CEL at start up, the CEL will go off as normal. If a fault occurs when driving the CEL WILL NOT GO ON!! Use this function carefully.

Screen Shots
The screen shots shown on this thread are from development software and have changed. A number of the sensor readings were shown as either a digital number or a voltage.

Warning
You CAN blow up your engine with the UTEC.

Other Stuff
The UTEC is designed and manufactured by TurboXS.
The Warden is back wants to put me back into my cell.
More questions? Mark, Nathan and Phil will answer them for you or send them onto me.

Disclaimer and other stuff
These answers are based on the current software and may change! (But they do all currently exist!)
Hyperterminal and Palm are trademarks of Higraeve and Palm

If I have to have access to the UTEC to re-program, then I have to continually remove the carpets, flooring, etc. Can a cable be left attached to the UTEC at all times, and then routed up under the dash? Can this potentially cause problems having a cable attached on a continuous basis?

Also, what is the method of switching between downloaded maps? Do you have some sort of remote switch, or must you have hands-on access to the UTEC?

Is the switching of maps password protected? So if you were to install a "do-not-run" map, would it be "locked" so a thief could not just play with some buttons/switches until he gets the car running?

Is there some way of locking out Service Techs from playing with your maps? Can you effectively make a map for "Valet" mode, when you must leave your car with someone at a restaurant for example?

Thanx,

Andy

Originally posted by eric m.


Dude, you got the wrong forum. Jesus doesn't browse FFI. He can usually be found in off-topic or the SCIC. "god", however, can be found in this forum. maybe you meant to talk to him instead?

just giving you a heads up.

Maybe he does... my initials are "JC" after all... ;)

Originally posted by TurboXS (Pete)
Spare Solenoid Output
There is 1 spare output available on the UTEC. This output is a high current pull down, that will ground your device based on RPM, Coolant Temperature Voltage, TPS, Air Temperature Voltage, and MAP. The output is either ON or OFF. This has been provided to allow you to use NOS, water spray, radiator fans, etc. This comes off the white accessory plug.
What is the current limitation of this output?

Thanks for the answers!

Originally posted by andygold
If I have to have access to the UTEC to re-program, then I have to continually remove the carpets, flooring, etc. Can a cable be left attached to the UTEC at all times, and then routed up under the dash? Can this potentially cause problems having a cable attached on a continuous basis?

You can leave a cable attached to the Utec at all times.

Originally posted by andygold
Also, what is the method of switching between downloaded maps? Do you have some sort of remote switch, or must you have hands-on access to the UTEC?

There is a switch on the back of the board, but in the near future there will be a remote mounted switch you can purchase.

Originally posted by andygold

Is the switching of maps password protected? So if you were to install a "do-not-run" map, would it be "locked" so a thief could not just play with some buttons/switches until he gets the car running?

There is no "password" protection on the switch, but i would doubt that any thief would have a clue as to how a UTEC actually works. If you wanted to make it so that the car will not start with a UTEC hooked up, its as simple as flipping one of the dip switches on the board. Just remember what they should look like or you'll have a hard time getting your car started.



Originally posted by andygold
Is there some way of locking out Service Techs from playing with your maps? Can you effectively make a map for "Valet" mode, when you must leave your car with someone at a restaurant for example?

Thanx,

Andy

I doubt service techs would ever mess with your maps, and unless they have reason to pull up your carpet they would never know it was there. Of course you can remove it without a trace if you wanted to be sure they didn't play around with your settings.

-Nathan

Originally posted by TurboXS (Pete)
If you type in "E" or "0" in the boost map the UTEC will then copy the factory ECU boost signal. i.e. factory boost setting
Cool, thanks for answering my (and all other) questions! I won't be the first in line to buy it, but once I'm ready for an engine management upgrade, this looks like exactly the product I would want. The autocross rule implications are still unclear, but this isn't the right forum to discuss them.

Originally posted by IPT
I have read thru most of the 8 pages and there is one thing that has not been said yet... And that is that you CAN BLOW your motor.

This is a fact that happens when you get this ability to tune your car that much.

Also the UTEC is just a piggyback system. I have used piggyback systems on DSM's, hondas and miatas. They work well for a street car, but for the ulitmate in power you need to have a standalone unit like a Link unit. These units are usally more accurate then the stock units.


What make the UTEC so easy to use and tuning is what limits itself. The UTEC still has to use the stock ecu. It said that it modified the MAF signal for A/F adjustments. That means that it is lying to the ECU to try and make it do what you want.

All in all. I say for the ultimate you need a stand alone. The UTEC is still great in the sense that it is not very expensive and allows more tuning than a Unichip

Just my $.02

LAter

OK.... someone has obviously NOT read through all 8 pages....

:lol:

Jorge (RiftsWRX)
www.ProjectWRX.com

Did I miss the other three pages. ;)

Bill

Originally posted by Imprezer

Lets not get ahead of ourselves. ;) The AEM EMS was also considered the best god damn thing since sliced break about a year ago. It was hyped up, it could do everything but frappe mochachinos, but look where it is right now.

I just think it is wrong to judge the new product simply by its specs and "It can do..." factors. Until you see some # of WRX's running this ECU with various mods variations, while kicking major butt, I, personally, wouldn't say anything.

But, you all are right, it does seem to be a nice system. We'll just have to wait and see how it performs.

-Alex

Alex,

A key difference between us and AEM is that while AEM announced their ECU months BEFORE they even began working on their product, we announced the UTEC months AFTER we had working prototypes on several WRXs and only ~3 weeks before we start shipping them in quantity.

We never have and never will sell "vaporware".

Mark
TurboXS

Originally posted by motoxphil
[B]It's funny because when Mark tell's us we need to put one of our cars back to stock, Nathan and I start running:lol:



LOL I wonder why.. :P C'mon, you know you want to mess with the uppipe gaskets :lol:


Don't worry we will have all of our current kits redone with the UTEC, even a bone stock car. How else would we be able to create a map?

Now that i think about it does anyone have a bone stock WRX who is local and would be kind enough to leave it with us for a couple of days for a nice discount on a UTEC? I really, really, really don't want to put a stock uppipe back on my car!


How bout this, ask for someone with a stock rex and a leaking uppipe to donate his car.... I'm sure there are MANY of us poor saps with leaking uppipes that'll make a fine map. :mad: :D :p

Something else though, if the first releases will not have a remote switch to change maps, the only method would be to hook up a TTY device or unblolt the ECU cover & reach in and flick the PCB switch. Right?

I just wanna thank Mark, Phil, ... and everyone else involved with bringing this to market!
I just got off the phone with mark, and it was a pleasure as usual to do biz!
and just an fyi to thoes that are still on the fence, thier now shipping around the 2nd week in October! and i thought that i had a long wait for my morettes!
:D Its going to feel like ive waited longer i imagine...

Rock!
Trent

Originally posted by WRXpkr
I just wanna thank Mark, Phil, ... and everyone else involved with bringing this to market!
I just got off the phone with mark, and it was a pleasure as usual to do biz!
and just an fyi to thoes that are still on the fence, thier now shipping around the 2nd week in October! and i thought that i had a long wait for my morettes!
:D Its going to feel like ive waited longer i imagine...

Rock!
Trent

Agreed about the pleasure to do biz with, I've exhanged email with them before...very professional and answered all my questions.

I like the idea of the UTEC, seems like a great product.

I'm one of those that will stay on the other side of the fence for now, looking through the knot-holes and cracks to see how this works on everyones' cars. Looking forward to reading the comments posted here in September/October :)

-=Bigmike

Originally posted by WRXpkr
I just wanna thank Mark, Phil, ... and everyone else involved with bringing this to market!
I just got off the phone with mark, and it was a pleasure as usual to do biz!
and just an fyi to thoes that are still on the fence, thier now shipping around the 2nd week in October! and i thought that i had a long wait for my morettes!
:D Its going to feel like ive waited longer i imagine...

Rock!
Trent

You should really be thanking Pete and Russ and the other "invisible and anonymous" guys in our factory in Australia as they have really been the ones doing all the hard work.

Nathan, Phil and I just tell them things like "and it needs to have closed loop boost control, and it needs to run low impedance injectors, and it's needs an awesome knock correction system and it needs to have yada yada yada". Then they are the ones who actually have to figure out to make our endless list of "requests" happen.

Thanks guys!

Mark
TurboXS

This would be a little side project for me - and I'd have to get a UTEC to try it out on eventually, but I'd like to start writing a GUI for it asap - when would the interface definitions be available to look at?

Annnnnnnnnd - what sort of features would people like to see?

Cheers

Rich

Originally posted by digitaltekniq
Annnnnnnnnd - what sort of features would people like to see?


I'd like it to run under QNX6. After all, this is a real-time project, right?

P.S. I'm biased. I was one of the designers of QNX4 way back when. I'm no longer involved with QNX except as a customer for my own real-time projects.

P.P.S. QNX6 development systems are free for downloading for individual use.

--
Bill

Stupid windows system didn't respond resulting in double post. Even people need realtime response! ;)

--
Bill

It'd be real time - I could look into QNX6 - although, I will admit complete and utter ignorance about it (been a while since I played with embedded systems :D).

Cheers

Rich

so is there going to be a fix for the unichip for the timing issue or are we going to have to purchase the utec or other stand-alone to combat this issue...and now that everyone knows about the problem with the unichip, there is not going to be anybody out there who will want to buy our unichip from us...i kind of wish i had known about the problem with the unichip before i spent my money on it...in the end i will have paid $1400 on engine management. =(

My only questions are;

Is it a safe upgrade?

Can you ruin your car using it?

What harm can you do to your car by using it?

~~MikE--

I doubt there will be a timing fix for the unichip because it's not really a unichip problem. The ecu is the problem child here. Have you had your unichip dyno tuned? Do you know for a fact that you have a timing problem?

As for the utec being a safe upgrade.......did you not read what was posted on the other 8 pages? All of your questions were answered many times over.

The problem really isn't with the Unichip, it's with the ECU itself. Timing runs amuck without a unichip, all the chip itself does is apply a static curve to whatever timing/fuel is already there. I don't think the Unichip by itself is dangerous, I just don't think the unichip is the best solution at higher HP levels. That's my opinion, take it for whatever it's worth to ya.

Ryan

Originally posted by methadon
so is there going to be a fix for the unichip for the timing issue or are we going to have to purchase the utec or other stand-alone to combat this issue...and now that everyone knows about the problem with the unichip, there is not going to be anybody out there who will want to buy our unichip from us...i kind of wish i had known about the problem with the unichip before i spent my money on it...in the end i will have paid $1400 on engine management. =(

so in theory we should be ok with the unichip alone if its already been tuned to our liking and not have a problem with timing from the factory ecu jumping around? i currently have an afc along with my stage 4 unichip and was told that if i bump fuel settings with the afc i am going to have timing problems...did i just misunderstand?


Originally posted by Ryan23
The problem really isn't with the Unichip, it's with the ECU itself. Timing runs amuck without a unichip, all the chip itself does is apply a static curve to whatever timing/fuel is already there. I don't think the Unichip by itself is dangerous, I just don't think the unichip is the best solution at higher HP levels. That's my opinion, take it for whatever it's worth to ya.

Ryan

This question is directed at anyone not necessarily to TXS:

Is there a faq on tuning our cars?

I understand the basics and suppose this will be a good crash course. But is there some detailed info?

question #2

Will we still need an obd scanner to "clear" the cel codes. I know Pete mentioned you can turn the cel off but it didn`t clear the fault.


Thanks,
Bill <---------patiently waiting for his UTEC

Originally posted by methadon
so in theory we should be ok with the unichip alone if its already been tuned to our liking and not have a problem with timing from the factory ecu jumping around? i currently have an afc along with my stage 4 unichip and was told that if i bump fuel settings with the afc i am going to have timing problems...did i just misunderstand?


What you should have been told is that if you modify fuel settings with the afc you MAY have timing problems.

However, in any case, your base timing curve is still being determined by the factory ECU. Your actual timing curve is simply your base curve +/- whatever is programmed into your Unichip timing map. For example, if the ECU runs 33 degrees of advance at 6500 rpm/WOT (it can) and we want to run a max of 25 degrees at that point, we put in 8 degrees of retard at that point. However, the WRX's factory ECU has a large amount of latitude when it comes to determining ignition timing and therefore your actual timing curve will vary. Is this a bad thing? For a car that never goes to the track, no. But if you are trying to get consistent results on the track, this ignition timing "latitude" makes it difficult. When we tune Unichips we have to assume the ECU will run the most aggressive timing curve we have seen and than program our offsets from there. A good deal of our Unichip tuning time is spent making the factory ECU "happy" so that it will run good, consistent timing.

One of our design criteria for the UTEC was to give the tuner absolute control over the timing curve in order to greatly simplify the tuning process and to get more consistent performance. If we program it to run 25 degrees of advance at 6500rpm and full boost, it will run 25 degrees every time.

Hope that helps you to understand the difference between the Unichip and UTEC timing control. Let me know if you have any more Q's.

Mark
TurboXS

Any idea what map I can use? I will have a 2.2 liter stroker and a VF30 (essentially stage IV) on my WRX. How can I get an inital map that won't blow up?

I also have another question: I notice the "knock" display is a bunch of zeroes - what is displayed when you have knock?

Thanks

Originally posted by gossamer_monster
This question is directed at anyone not necessarily to TXS:

Is there a faq on tuning our cars?

I understand the basics and suppose this will be a good crash course. But is there some detailed info?

question #2

Will we still need an obd scanner to "clear" the cel codes. I know Pete mentioned you can turn the cel off but it didn`t clear the fault.


Thanks,
Bill <---------patiently waiting for his UTEC

Bill,

We are writing a WRX Tuning Guide as we speak. It will be ready in some form and on the website before we begin shipping UTECs.

Although the UTEC will allow you to turn the MIL off, codes will still be stored on the ECU and you will still need an OBD2 scan tool to pull them and clear them.

Mark
TurboXS

I'll admit I was tad bit hyperbolic, but I my opinion is not as premature as you might think.

I've been aware of the development and trials process for many months. I have seen and heard results long before this release.

Of course its too early to make Russ King, but from what I have seen it isn't too early to Knight him.

Originally posted by Imprezer
Someone said:

"I've learned a little bit about this board over the past few months and TurboXS has hit a major league home run.

The UTEC gets my nomination for People's Choice for Best New Product award.

Congratulations and may the fine TXS crew continue to garner the real awards (and rewards) that are your due."

****************

Lets not get ahead of ourselves. ;) The AEM EMS was also considered the best god damn thing since sliced break about a year ago. It was hyped up, it could do everything but frappe mochachinos, but look where it is right now.

I just think it is wrong to judge the new product simply by its specs and "It can do..." factors. Until you see some # of WRX's running this ECU with various mods variations, while kicking major butt, I, personally, wouldn't say anything.

But, you all are right, it does seem to be a nice system. We'll just have to wait and see how it performs.

-Alex

Any idea what map I can use? I will have a 2.2 liter stroker and a VF30 (essentially stage IV) on my WRX. How can I get an inital map that won't blow up?

what kind of A/F ratio should I be running?

I also have another question: I notice the "knock" display is a bunch of zeroes - what is displayed when you have knock?

Thanks

Originally posted by TurboXS
We are writing a WRX Tuning Guide as we speak. It will be ready in some form and on the website before we begin shipping UTECs.

That is fantastic news. Good job guys. Just make sure its on the website for downloading. It will make any of us who don't have a UTEC drool like saint bernards...

Thanks Mark.

Sounds great.

I know I`m going to take is slow until I get the hang of tuning.


Oh and holy double, double posts batman!!! :eek:


Bill

Originally posted by MightyWRX02
My only questions are;

Is it a safe upgrade?

Can you ruin your car using it?

What harm can you do to your car by using it?

~~MikE--

Mike,

This is taken directly off our UTEC FAQ here: http://www.turboxs.com/UTEC.htm (http://)

Can I blow up my engine with the UTEC?

Absolutely! If improperly tuned, the UTEC will give you the ability to destroy your engine in short order. However, our pre-programmed maps offer a good, safe starting point. Some people may even choose to leave the programs unchanged given the phenomenal improvements they will see with these maps.

However, for those who want to get everything they can out of their car but do it safely, the UTEC gives you the tools to do it. The data logging feature allows you to see air/fuel ratio from the front wide-band O2 sensor. It also logs injector duty cycle, knock count, boost pressure and other key parameters so that you can tune with knowledge and data, not gut feel. Lastly, the UTEC includes programmable knock control that will retard ignition timing when detonation is detected making it easier for you tune for power, while keeping you on the safe side.

Although it may not be the answer you were hoping for, I think that it answers your questions.

Mark
TurboXS

for someone daily driving, going to the track maybe once in a blue moon, sticking with the unichip and an afc is fine? no need to go with a more finely tuned setup?

i am kind of thinking that i am in a safe zone as far as i know i am dumping tonsss of fuel and egts are low, and in the process im not making as much horsepower as what could be made, but i think thats just fine for me!

methadon


Originally posted by TurboXS


What you should have been told is that if you modify fuel settings with the afc you MAY have timing problems.

However, in any case, your base timing curve is still being determined by the factory ECU. Your actual timing curve is simply your base curve +/- whatever is programmed into your Unichip timing map. For example, if the ECU runs 33 degrees of advance at 6500 rpm/WOT (it can) and we want to run a max of 25 degrees at that point, we put in 8 degrees of retard at that point. However, the WRX's factory ECU has a large amount of latitude when it comes to determining ignition timing and therefore your actual timing curve will vary. Is this a bad thing? For a car that never goes to the track, no. But if you are trying to get consistent results on the track, this ignition timing "latitude" makes it difficult. When we tune Unichips we have to assume the ECU will run the most aggressive timing curve we have seen and than program our offsets from there. A good deal of our Unichip tuning time is spent making the factory ECU "happy" so that it will run good, consistent timing.

One of our design criteria for the UTEC was to give the tuner absolute control over the timing curve in order to greatly simplify the tuning process and to get more consistent performance. If we program it to run 25 degrees of advance at 6500rpm and full boost, it will run 25 degrees every time.

Hope that helps you to understand the difference between the Unichip and UTEC timing control. Let me know if you have any more Q's.

Mark
TurboXS

Sounds like a great product. You'll be getting my money very soon.
Boost Controller = $400
Ignition Controller = $350
Fuel Controller = $400
All this in one package while not having to obey the stock computer unless you want to....priceless!:p

So I'm curious....

It must have been insanely difficult to build Unichip maps that would work properly on any WRX with the stock ECU's timing being so messed up!!

TurboXS, RiftsWRX posted:

Originally posted by RiftsWRX


snip!...the REALITY is that even my car has RADICALLY different tuning styles compared to Phil's car. As a result, what works for him is DISASTROUS for me.



...so with the fact that the factory ECU can advance timing into the danger zone, and the Unichip is being programmed with that in mind, are you not leaving quite a bit of HP on the table??

Also, I'm assuming these UTEC maps will have a margin of "safety" in them as well so as to compensate for differences in cars like RiftsWRX said...???

Originally posted by methadon
for someone daily driving, going to the track maybe once in a blue moon, sticking with the unichip and an afc is fine? no need to go with a more finely tuned setup?

i am kind of thinking that i am in a safe zone as far as i know i am dumping tonsss of fuel and egts are low, and in the process im not making as much horsepower as what could be made, but i think thats just fine for me!

methadon





I think I talked to you this morning... The bottom line is that we can't say it is safe or unsafe without knowing exactly how your car is running.

You added parts to a stage 4, and then added 10% fuel to compensate for it, but have no idea what sort of timing you are actually running. As a result we can't say say how safe your car is running.

On the same note, i think everyone should re-read this statement that i made a few days ago on a different topic about the UTEC

"This product is not for everyone, and although we are going to be providing some very good base maps, anytime you take tuning into your own hands things can go wrong. If someone is not ready to deal with that they should not be modifying their cars."

-Nathan
www.turboxs.com

Originally posted by ScoobieSnaX
...so with the fact that the factory ECU can advance timing into the danger zone, and the Unichip is being programmed with that in mind, are you not leaving quite a bit of HP on the table??

Also, I'm assuming these UTEC maps will have a margin of "safety" in them as well so as to compensate for differences in cars like RiftsWRX said...???

Yes that was a major problem with unichip maps, we had to retard as much as 8 degrees of timing at redline on our stage4 setup because some cars might decide to really advance timing.

The Utec will be safer for 2 reasons;

1. We will have better control of the way the car actually runs

2. We have a very nice knock control system built in to the board.

-Nathan

will it fit as good as the unichip below our the carpet and metal panel?!

Could you elaborate on how the knock control picks up "real" detonation?

My Link ECU had knock control as well but the values obtained from the stock knock sensor were sometimes erroneous resulting in timing being pulled. Other times I could litterally HEAR the pinging and a knock event would not have been registered.

Does the UTEC use the stock knock sensor in the same way? If issues with this sensor exist, can we opt for an external sensor and use it with the UTEC?

This may be all too premature to answer but I thought I'd ask anyway ;) ;)

The UTEC is sure a blessing to me as I am looking to buy a used Txs stage 2 unichip in a couple of weeks (some of us do not need to go as fast as others). Guess I need to keep an eye on the "for sale" forum now!

Thanks TurboXS:D

IIRC, when they were testing the utec for knock control, they would actually make the test car knock and learned off of those sounds. So I guess the utec listens for the sounds it was programmed to listen for and when it hears it, cuts timing.

If I’m wrong, please correct me.

Whatever it is, it works! Jorge said that his knock link would just start flashing the first green light and the utec would already be at work.

Originally posted by ScoobieSnaX
Could you elaborate on how the knock control picks up "real" detonation?

My Link ECU had knock control as well but the values obtained from the stock knock sensor were sometimes erroneous resulting in timing being pulled. Other times I could litterally HEAR the pinging and a knock event would not have been registered.

Does the UTEC use the stock knock sensor in the same way? If issues with this sensor exist, can we opt for an external sensor and use it with the UTEC?

This may be all too premature to answer but I thought I'd ask anyway ;) ;)

Not to speak for TurboXS, but all knock sensors are just microphones. I doubt that buying another sensor would solve the problem. It's really the logic that's on the other end that makes or breaks the knock control. That's why the J&S can use the stock sensor and achieve such impressive results. It sounds like the UTEC should be fairly competetent keeping knock to a minumum.

Mike

Knock
The UTEC knock control uses the factory knock sensor, as the UTEC taps onto this sensor, fitting another sensor is not possible without modify the UTEC.

The knock detection section of the UTEC allows you to set a knock threshold at 6 preset rpm intervals, <2000rpm, 2000 to 3000rpm, 3000 to 4000rpm, 4000 to 5000rpm, 5000 to 6000rpm and 6000 and above. This allows the user to adjust the sensitivity according to engine modifications and engine speed.

If a knock occurs and the level of the knock exceeds the threshold then the number of times it exceeds the threshold is counted and this is what is shown on the dashboard as "knock count". A knock count greater than 1 will always trigger the CEL.

The UTEC will retard timing once the number of knock counts exceeds the user programmed knock count threshold.

The amount of retard is user adjustable and the number of engine revolutions it holds this retard is also user adjustable. The UTEC will then return to the original timing but of course it will listen for more knock.

The UTEC will have preset values for these and I strongly recommend you do not change them without consulting with the guys at TurboXS first!!!

Remember that the knock control is a backup feature and does not replace safe tuning values!

Packaging
The UTEC is designed to fit under the kickplate in a similiar manner to the TurboXS harness and Unichip. The various hardware parts to raise the kickplate will be supplied.


Pete (TurboXS)

I just want to give a big thumbs up to Pete and crew.

Nice work.

Bill

Do you have an Australian distributor for this product and around what sort of price should I be expecting?

i thought some of txs is down under
Ajay

Here's what I am hearing

1. UNICHIP : Some ECU had crazy timing that UNICHIP had difficult time getting tuned <--- Can I interprete this as if the stock Knock Sensor caused timing to be inconsistant (Stock Knock Sensor gone bad ?)

2. UTEC: Use Stock Knock Sensor and will provide user with option to adjust sensitivity and when to pull the time based on the number of knock....... Other than that it will use fixed map..

How can I tell if stock Knock Sensor is bad (defect)?

It seems to me that TIMING is still heavily depend upon the stock KNOCK SENSOR on both systems? I do see that UTEC can be set to be less sensitive so that it is provided with consistant TIMING. But, is it safe? Is it really the stock knock sensor that is behaving crazy?

Your input is greatly appreciated.....

Dan from PA.



Originally posted by TurboXS (Pete)
Knock
The UTEC knock control uses the factory knock sensor, as the UTEC taps onto this sensor, fitting another sensor is not possible without modify the UTEC.

The knock detection section of the UTEC allows you to set a knock threshold at 6 preset rpm intervals, <2000rpm, 2000 to 3000rpm, 3000 to 4000rpm, 4000 to 5000rpm, 5000 to 6000rpm and 6000 and above. This allows the user to adjust the sensitivity according to engine modifications and engine speed.

If a knock occurs and the level of the knock exceeds the threshold then the number of times it exceeds the threshold is counted and this is what is shown on the dashboard as "knock count". A knock count greater than 1 will always trigger the CEL.

The UTEC will retard timing once the number of knock counts exceeds the user programmed knock count threshold.

The amount of retard is user adjustable and the number of engine revolutions it holds this retard is also user adjustable. The UTEC will then return to the original timing but of course it will listen for more knock.

The UTEC will have preset values for these and I strongly recommend you do not change them without consulting with the guys at TurboXS first!!!

Remember that the knock control is a backup feature and does not replace safe tuning values!

Packaging
The UTEC is designed to fit under the kickplate in a similiar manner to the TurboXS harness and Unichip. The various hardware parts to raise the kickplate will be supplied.


Pete (TurboXS)