Chip on the old block Testing the Unichip

MANILA, Philippines - Whenever people want to make their car go faster with minimal investment, they’d often go for the usual over-the-counter tweaks: highest grade fuels, high-performance or racing spark plugs, and last but not least, low-restriction or free-flow air filter and exhaust systems.

But do you know that engine modifications, especially those that change the engine’s intake or exhaust characteristics, usually end up making your engine run lean? By “lean,” that means that the air-fuel mixture ratio is too biased in favor too much air and not enough fuel.

Result? Not enough power, which in turn forces the driver to step more on the accelerator to achieve the same response he or she has been enjoying before the modification. And we all know what happens when we step on the gas pedal more—higher fuel consumption.    

Unichip is a sophisticated supplemental computer piggy-backed onto a car’s engine management system, effectively putting the power of electronic engine control into the tuner’s hands instead of the car’s default mode. While most cars’ factory engine computers cannot be tweaked or modified, they can be made to work with a programmable engine computer, which Unichip is.

The power of the Unichip also means universality because its open architecture allows it to be integrated with virtually any electronic engine management system. This makes Unichip virtually compatible with any sort of vehicle—sedan, sports car, MPV, SUV, gasoline, diesel, etc.

Unichip’s Plug ‘n Play kits (which retail for P30,000, inclusive of installation and dynamometer tuning) are specifically tailored not only to a particular vehicle model, but also precisely calibrated for the most popular aftermarket bolt-on’s like cold air intakes and exhaust systems.

Manufacturers of aftermarket kits such as bolt-on turbochargers, superchargers, or even fuel-saving devices rely on Unichip’s ease of installation and level of tuner control. It took local Unichip importer/installer Speedlab (11 Pagataan St., Manresa, QC; Tel. 0917-533-6456; www.speedlab.com.ph) just a little over 30 minutes to install the Unichip and hook up the car (a Mitsubishi Lancer EX 2.0 GT-A) to a dynamometer to see the “before and after” results. It even prints out the engine’s torque-versus-rpm curve so you see exactly how much more power Unichip makes and at what rpm.

Just don’t expect to turn your car from mild-mannered sedan to fire-breathing Ferrari beater, especially with just 30 grand worth of mods. What you can expect is a 10 to 15 percent improvement in torque and horsepower, particularly in the 2,000 to 4,000 rpm range (and coupled with a drop-in K&N free-flow air filter element)—which is the rev range for everyday driving.

It’s not mind-blowing, but a sensitive driver (or wallet, in terms of fuel economy) will detect the improvement. And if you ever engage in an impromptu stoplight grand prix with another driver in an identical car, you’ll know who’ll hold the advantage.       

The Unichip is not exactly for everyone, but if you’re looking to maximize the performance and fuel economy of your car or sport utility, it’s the perfect place to start.