Difference btw - MBC set at 15psi and TurboXS Unichip?

[hp12c]

Dumb question I know and maybe somewhat obvious...just wondering if someone can list out the major differences between the two setups.

From my limited knowledge about turbos, it seems that the major difference between the two is that with the Unichip, fuel can be leaned out safely to produce a bit more HP with the same boost level....while a MBC setup with stock ECU will run rich- but still safe.

I guess what I am trying to understand is...what are the major advantages in getting a Unichip over a MBC set at a safe boost level.

What's also interesting to me are the different "stage 1" packages that different vendors offer...for example:

1) TurboXS Stage 1 includes: Unichip and Catback
2) M2 performance Stage 1: 3" turboback and MBC
M2 performance Stage 2: 3" turboback, MBC, and intercooler

I also had an interesting chat with Brett from M2 - He said that the stock WRX's ECU is quite good and they don't believe that an ECU upgrade is needed untill you want to go pass 350hp. They don't even offer the ECU upgrade until stage 3 when they upgrade the turbo as well.

So what can you guys recommend if all I want is a safe 260-280hp car with great drivability?

Thanks

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[nmyeti]

Originally posted by hp12c
Dumb question I know and maybe somewhat obvious...just wondering if someone can list out the major differences between the two setups.

From my limited knowledge about turbos, it seems that the major difference between the two is that with the Unichip, fuel can be leaned out safely to produce a bit more HP with the same boost level....while a MBC setup with stock ECU will run rich- but still safe.

I guess what I am trying to understand is...what are the major advantages in getting a Unichip over a MBC set at a safe boost level.

What's also interesting to me are the different "stage 1" packages that different vendors offer...for example:

1) TurboXS Stage 1 includes: Unichip and Catback
2) M2 performance Stage 1: 3" turboback and MBC
M2 performance Stage 2: 3" turboback, MBC, and intercooler

I also had an interesting chat with Brett from M2 - He said that the stock WRX's ECU is quite good and they don't believe that an ECU upgrade is needed untill you want to go pass 350hp. They don't even offer the ECU upgrade until stage 3 when they upgrade the turbo as well.

So what can you guys recommend if all I want is a safe 260-280hp car with great drivability?

Thanks

I have exactly what your talking about.

I ran with the turboxs MBC on my wrx for a bit. I set it at like 15-16 psi.

It was a huge improvement over stock

I then added an up-pipe, downpipe and full exhaust.
Huge improvement over the MBC. In fact more of a jump in power than just the MBC was from stock

Now i have added a turboxs unichip... This was the biggest gain so far.

The WRX runs pig rich stock, and tends to pull all the timing out when you run with a MBC. This = a serious loss in torque. With the turboxs unichip i managed to get this torque back and then some. I have (because it is so easy to do with the turboxs harness) gone back to stock with the same boost level as the unichip, and then put the unichip back in (takes like 15seconds to do now) and the difference is just HUGE. With the unichip in the car, it gets that blurry fast feeling... very nice! When its just the MBC, it really does not feel fast after the unichip.

My EGT's stay pretty much the same (a tiny bit higher with the turboxs kit) at around 800 stock and about 820 with the unichip. The MBC feels like power is on its way down near redline (remember i am at 5200+ feet above sea level, so my turbo does not hold boost as well as yours) but with the unichip it just pulls so hard to redline.

Its worth the investment

-Nathan

[hp12c]

nmyeti:

Thanks for the response. What you said made a lot of sense...however, TurboXS's Unichip is set at 18psi max boost. I think that was what Mark said the last time I talked to him. So a comparison with a MBC set at 15-16psi might not be fair.

BTW: I seem to remember from previous posts that you have installed the Subaru column mounted single boost guage...is that correct? How do you like it now that you have had some time with it? Was the install difficult? I am thinking of going with that setup even tho. it's in bars.

Thanks

[gossamer_monster]

The basic Stage 1 maps are not set at 18 psi.

How do I know? Because I`m running it.

Check out:
http://www.i-club.com/forums/showthr...threadid=78542

I`m running about 16 psi.

Bill

[nmyeti]

Originally posted by hp12c
nmyeti:

Thanks for the response. What you said made a lot of sense...however, TurboXS's Unichip is set at 18psi max boost. I think that was what Mark said the last time I talked to him. So a comparison with a MBC set at 15-16psi might not be fair.

BTW: I seem to remember from previous posts that you have installed the Subaru column mounted single boost guage...is that correct? How do you like it now that you have had some time with it? Was the install difficult? I am thinking of going with that setup even tho. it's in bars.

Thanks

The actual PSI of the turboxs maps is more like 16 psi... marks first map the gauge read a bit high... his map sensor confirms 16psi. Also when i switched the stuff around... i was using an MBC to keep boost the same for testing reasons.

So the boost was the same on the stock ECU vs the Turboxs ecu

-Nathan

[hp12c]

Cool...thanks for the responses and clarifications.

I'll most likely go for the 3" turboback coupled with TurboXS's unichip.