Who's ditched Unichip or APS boost controllers?
 

Just wondering how many APS owners have replaced the Unichip with Emange Ultimate or something else as well as how many have just replaced the boost control solenoid? I've heard a couple comments and would like to hear from the experienced....

I'm still in the process of raising the boost and tuning.

Thanks,

Bruce

i ditched the electronic boost solenoid and installed a hallman manual boost controller in its place. i also removed the small restrictor tab in the vacuum line, so far it has worked great.

Hey Bruce,

I'm working towards that right now...

I've already wired the EU into a harness, I'm really just waiting for Greddy to come out with the E0-1 replacement for the EU.

I have no idea where it will fit! It was tight when I put the Uni in there, and the Greddy, because it is self wired, is a lot messier.

My brother runs the EU in his boosted 240. (Not a Z, but as far as a computer, I've now messed with the Emanage-Blue, the EU, and the Unichip... I like the EU the best of those..)

spdkils

Why do you want to replace the Unichip? Did you not know their is a unichip installer/tuner in the Bay Area, Bruce? They can do it right on the load based dyno they have and, well, that's the only way to really tune one. I was thinking you could save a lot of money that way, that's all.

spdkils-
Got the smoke issue solved yet? Sorry I wasn't any help. We could drive your car to San Jose, have Rob fix it, and caravan back. Mine is getting close to being finished. October 5th they have the drags at Infineon and October 8th is the Hot Imports show.

By the way, I'm selling my coilovers and short-shifter if anybody is interested.
Bruce

throbbing Zon-
It's at ZCG for tuning as we speak. I'm just looking down the road and wondering about controlling bigger injectors, knock sensing, etc. I've also read that the boost control solenoid that APS used looks like some cheap, made in China piece that is slooow.... I'm just asking questions at this point.

I am going the opposite direction from you guys. I ditched my Greddy E-Manage for the Unichip for my Greddy TT. Works so much better. Runs much smoother as well.

Oh okay.........eh, but i wasn't talking about ZCG. They can't do it, period. They can install the kit just fine but can't do the custom tune. Their is a shop, I'm sure you no of them, that has installed and tuned 10 APS's 350Z's already. You know of Marin's Z, don't you?

throbbing Zon,
Yes, I actually like Ted and have talked to him a number of times. He came to town for a tuning class at UniChip N.A. HQ a couple of months ago. Is Marins' screen-name Bigbri, or something like that? You're talking about the car with the custom cams and the center-exit exhaust, right?

Bruce

Why? Was it the Ultimate or the Blue?

I personaly feel that a talented tuner could get the Unichip or EU to make the car run rock solid.

My reasoning for pulling the unichip are as follows.

1) Very few tuning options local. (TQ freaks hooked me up with a guy, and he was VERY helpful, and tuned a LOT of subies, but has only my Z for exp on this platform.)
2) Its 1980's, The maps arn't *that big*, it is DOS, doesn't easily allow for knock, water injection, or any other advanced inputs/outputs. (I said easy.)
3) I'm a do it yourself kind of guy. I'd much prefer to SEE my timing, maps, etc, and know what everything is set at. The unichip is a black box setup... Without the software, and dongle, you're sunk.

spdkils

Here we go,,, Look at my sig. You should really get your facts straight and quit f'ing with peoples business. Rob can and does Tune the Unichip. I have a custome Tune that is saved for future use. If you like the tune you can get it installed on your car as well, .......eh if you have an APS kit of course.

I wish you would quit playing these games, and especially mentioning Marin's name. He is a cool guy and always seems to get dragged into these debates. Its funny ever since I've been on this site you or someone from SP seems to be bashing Zcargarage. No one has said anything but now I am. Why is that? Does he rant to customers about SP, NO! Does he pass out his business cards to SP customers NO! Does he jump in and c0ck block when someone is asking about SP special cams or exhaust NO! I don't know if Ted lets you or encourages you to talk about his business and/or competitors but I bet you hurt his business a whole lot more than help it. Its sad cuz Rob always has good things to say. I guess it shows where your attention is focused. For the love or money of it.

So heres my bit of slander, when was their dyno calibrated, I'd like to see one of those cars dyno'd on another dyno. Has their even been a dyno presented. Im cool with a few SP guys and I don't want to ruin that for someone that likes to bad mouth a lot.

You want to know about Scotts?
https://my350z.com/forum/forced-induction/143173-very-unhappy-with-scotts-performance-long-rant.html
If you like to hear a lot of BS and drama then go through Scotts. I should have known when I first called there and Ted the owner went on a big bash trip about Z car and Rob. I was looking for someone to do my work and calling the two shops. When I called Ted @ Scotts and told him Z cars price he went OFF about Rob @ Z car. I then called Rob and told him Ted's price @ Scotts. Rob told me that was a great price and let him know if I needed any help with my APS install. Told me to call him if I ran into any problems. He didnt talk any sh!t about Scotts. I should have known right then about Ted and Scotts! BUT I wanted these so called Custom cams. In the end I got screwed. Ill now stay with someone that is staright up. Also a FYI Z car has a Dyno going in as I type this.

I didn't want to say anything but see, thats what im referring too.

No Brian (Bigbri) is not Marin. Marin has the 550 whp TT. But you are right about Brian's TT.

But cool it just seemed you did not know about that. If Rob has access to the tools needed to get in the Unichip and tune it on a load dyno then that is good. I didn't know he had done any training to get the expertise either.

And I'm not even going to respond to the other Bruce.

Peace out man!

Guys you all need to understand something about Scott's and ZCR. Rob left Scotts, and now they are rival and bitter competitors. It wouldn't suprise if if the Scott's advocates talk trash about ZCR, and vice versa. :D They are both OUTSTANDING shops, and both know how to tune the Unichip and EManage. Both are extremely talented and capable....I know this for a FACT.

Regarding the boost controller, it is the cheapest POS I have ever seen included with the APS kit, and is probably partly to blame for the erratic and decreasing boost behavior on the APS kit. The boost control solenoid with the APS kit looks like it costs $15.

Each tuner will have their preference. Some like the Unichip, others will like the EU. You can get a great tune out of BOTH units if you know what you are doing with it. Shops that talk trash about one method of another simply dont undertand the other unit. They are both great. Me personally, I like the EU, mostly because I dont need a $5000 software package to tune them, and I prefer the graphical style interface of the EU better, and it has a great datalogger as well. That is my PERSONAL preference. The Unichip will also have issues controlling a set of large primary injectors....so for big boosters, I would suggest the EU.

What benefit do you see in chosing a manual boost controller over an electrical? Less dollars? Less complexity at a cost of less performance?

haha, not having one, and my best friend did. thats about it, im still looking for one to buy. although the hallman is probably the best manual out there. plus im not gonna be changing the boost pressure anyway, once its set its set.

That's the beauty of having two very knowledgeable, Z-friendly shops in your area. You guys are very fortunate. I hope to get a chance to see Marins and Brians and some of the other cars I've heard so many good things about in the near future. Will there be a big turnout on October 8th for the Hot Imports show?

I haven't heard anybody say the Unichip has a limit at a certain horsepower level. If Bruce is getting 462hp and Marin is at 550hp and they've both been tuned with the Unichip, it apparently works. Right?
Let's talk about the boost controller: If it's slow, cheap, and may not be holding boost, as has been suggested, it looks like it's going to have to go away. Anybody got a Greddy Profec B for sale?

tig488 wrote:
haha, not having one, and my best friend did. thats about it, im still looking for one to buy. although the hallman is probably the best manual out there. plus im not gonna be changing the boost pressure anyway, once its set its set.

Cool,

The main benefit I see to electronic boost controllers, is not their ability to change boost in cabin, but their ability to reach maximum boost eariler in the rev range and hold max boost steadier once its reached.

Well honestly for the high boost you are going for the Greddy may not be what you are looking for either. The Profec e-01 has given people problems at higher boost and it is their "top of the line" model. I would look at something more like the HKS EVC5 or Blitz SBC-iD