4x4 Action Group

So at the moment there are 3 options out there:
1. Unichip
2. Other Chips
3. Remap

Which one would you choose and why?

Which one to select seems to be a very debatable topic.

Then you can through hardware into the mix as well -
performance exhaust,
bigger intercooler etc.

Why do we do it? Mostly for performance improvements. Why don't we look at it differently? How can we get safe power from an engine and even protect the engine?

This is what I set out to do. I have shared the process in the following video.

https://youtu.be/QhhREmzGrUE

Remap.

I'd be VERY wary of a piggyback chip of any type.

jakeslouw wrote: ↑

Fri Jul 18, 2025 1:33 pm

Remap.

I'd be VERY wary of a piggyback chip of any type.

Yes, indeed, al lot of them just add some gain to the output from the ECU. The Unichip links to the Canbus (basically the network of your vehicle).

Remap can also be dangerous if just a generic map is loaded and cannot be easily undone. It also has to be done on a Dyno (like with the Unichip).

Had a Unichip fitted by Steves Auto Clinic to my Pajero Sport long time ago. The Paj just cut out on long downhills, as in ignition off stuff. I got quite good at switch off and on again at 120kph!

Went back to SAC 3 times, no change. Eventually told them to remove it and give my bucks back.

My current Paj has been remapped, cat removed and egr blanked. Power up by 10%, torque up by 25%.

Very happy thank you.

So we learn. Amazing how some companies make hoards of money doing crap workmanship

Ok, I went down this road 3 days ago.
My car was feeling sluggish and I attribute it to wear. 500kkm.

First option, build a proper downpipe. It is in, but no real difference.
Next option, mapping. Guys that know, say they can't map the Troopie.
Final option, UNICHIP.
Definitely feels better. A lot better.
2 maps loaded. A very mild "limp" profile in my opinion.
And nice awake map. If the fuel consumption behaves, I will leave it there.
But I want to do a couple more things.
Make the exhaust 76 all the way to the back. Also have a different route in mind. (I want to fit another diesel tank)
Also change the intercooler for something more modern tech. This is more a glorified oil cooler.
Also want to up the boost to the 1.1 that it was. Now on 0,8bar.

Going on a 2700km recovery trip tomorrow, so that will be a good indicator.

henris wrote: ↑

Sun Jul 20, 2025 9:14 am

Going on a 2700km recovery trip tomorrow, so that will be a good indicator.

Let's just hope the trip ends properly. You can't recover yourself............

Mad Manny wrote: ↑

Sat Jul 19, 2025 7:51 am

The only thing worse than a Unichip is a Unichip fitted by SAC....

Must be the reason why I had to fix my gearbox twice, my thrice and my prop 4 times.

Silly question what is the difference between a chip and a map with altered parameters ?

Layman's terms:

A chip is a pre-programmed unit (sort of mini ecu) they plug into your vans ecu to make the ecu think it has to do other things, mostly squirt more fuel.

Remapping is when they plug a pc which contains performance program compatible to most car ecu's, into the diagnostic plug of your van's. They are then able to access your van's ecu and alter the fuel delivery parameters to improve the performance. This is normally done whilst you van is on a dynamometer, and thus they alter the vans ecu to achieve better performance "live".

Some claims of lower fuel consumption are made, but rarely occur because you will enjoy the extra oomph more!

Hope this explains it simply enough.

Henri I completely understand their workings, also the way they enhance performance. I have spend many hours with TechStream and my Labtop on the 1VD V8.
On a map they change things like boost and rail pressure settings and can play around with injector timing. Manufacturer OEM settings are thus change.

Chips do basically the same only difference is that it alters in and out puts to the ECU. In the end you up boost pressure on the map say to 1.2 Bar.
The chip intercept the signal from the boost sensor alter the input and the ECU ups the pressure to 1.2 Bar. OEM parameters are altered in both cases.

I am convinced that the so called map is nothing other than changing boost and rail pressure.

Something I have noticed on the 1VD V8 that once you up boost pressure the ECU automatically adjust rail pressure accordingly.

Yet the most important setting AFR is ignored by most tuners. On a turbo diesel keeping AFR within OEM spec are critical. Out of spec AFR leads to uncontrolled EGT. If any tuner cannot read AFR while setting up an Engine on a dyno he won`t see my money.
Then I have yet to find a tuner that can read AFR

There you have answered you question 10 x better than I could ever Christo!

The way I see it, chips cannot be varied whilst in the car. Remapping you can play all day to get the most suitable setting. Finding the right tuner is obviously the trick.

You have played and had much more fun than I ever will!

Ok, so I took some of the questions raised and I went back to Dastek and had a discussion with Cornel. Here is that discussion:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQrp8XQtVgE

I have received some questions after the recording, so if you do have more questions post them here and we can look at a follow up video.

Just in general, this is they type of videos I want to put out. It will not be possible for everyone to agree on everything, but instead of just posting a pretty picture of a product and telling people how wonderful it it, I prefer to rather dig a bit deeper. Why would you fit such a product, what does it do? How should you use etc.

For example everyone is fitting suspension and telling people how great it is, but nobody tells you why the fitted it?