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Letter 1
As I drive a 2.8 TD GU Patrol the article raised my interest because of the lack of grunt at low revs which is especially annoying when towing. I was sceptical of the claims and researched a number of alternative chips and other things via the internet. Some others made larger claims but they wanted to diddle up the turbo too and I wasn't going to be in that. I also spoke with Michael a number of times (he was very patient) and a young bloke up north (Pt Hedland I think) who had one fitted and was happy with it. I didn't want to spend the money and be disappointed and I wanted increased grunt not better fuel economy (although that would be a welcome side effect). Eventually I got brave enough and phoned Michael and booked in the Patrol. I picked it up after work with my colored graph of the before and after torque and power curves and headed home wondering if I would notice any difference. By the time I got from Armadale to Shelley I was blown away and the fun hadn't started yet. It was not the same thing at all. The graphs showed at 1000rpm increased torque of 22.2% and increased power of 20.6%. Peak power was up 9.3% and peak torque up 14.3%. My calculations against manufacturer's figures suggest 104 kw at the fly wheel (from 95kw) and 288nm (from 252nm). Dare I say it, its nearly a 4.2 TD Patrol. The following Saturday I gave it a belting in the Alkimos sandhills for 3 or 4 hours and the next day trotted out the camper trailer (about 11 OOkgs) for some uphill starts and tight manoeuvring. I was amazed and consider the Unichip the best $s I have spent on a vehicle. Its at least one gear better (maybe one and a half) off road in hilly sand and I went places I couldn't get before (my confidence improved too). It doesn't need gobs of revs to get off
the line anymore. It doodles away at idle revs and responds very
positively to the throttle down low. It drives like a car and when
rolling into traffic lights that have changed to green it will pull
away Turbo lag is almost gone and it is a lot smoother to drive and accelerates more quickly. When the turbo is on it really sings but its still no sports car. Towing is very good too and that additional low end grunt really makes life a lot easier getting away and passing at highway speeds is strong and smooth. Keeping up with the traffic is excellent and the worry of holding up others unnecessarily is gone. Fuel consumption was 12% better on the first tankfull after fitting. The second one was better too but not so much,1 had to go back to the Alkimos to prove I wasn't dreaming. The bride likes it too, saying it is easier to drive and park and accelerates quicker. I would suggest that for someone who cannot afford a new 4.2TO or 3.0 TO then the 2.8TD second hand at a good price plus about a grand for a Unichip will see them in a very nice vehicle. If you think I am happy, I am and thanks
for the recommendation in Western 4Wdriver.
Letter 2 Dear Michael Thank you for sending me the new power & torque graph of my 4WD van, and special thanks for getting it laminated. I am so happy with the performance of the unichip that I have shown the graph to so many, which is why the original graph became smudges and grubby. It is not easy to describe the power & torque increase of my van since the Unichip was fitted. One has to drive the vehicle and actually experience the difference to fully appreciate the gain in "brute power". Not bad for a 2.4EFI motor that has done 105,000KM. I have done some tests with regards to fuel consumption and I am confident that I can achieve a 5% to 10% fuel saving compared with the none Unichiped motor. But most of the time I enjoy the extra "grunt" and drive the van pretty hard. Fuel consumption is now like when I was driving in "fuel saving mode before the Unichip was fitted. I firmly believe that it has helped getting extractors and larger exhaust fitted before the Unichip. I have kept the original catalytic convertor as recommended by Patrick O’Grady from Quick Fit Exhaust Centre in Erindale Rd Balcatta. They fitted the exhaust and checked the cataytic convertor, telling me the converter was serviceable. The results speak for them self. The snorkel is from T.L. Engineering in Collier Rd and you fitted the air ram on the top. I also use Bosch Super 4 Spark plugs. With this combination and the expertly programmed Unichip my motor has gained a lot of power and torque. I am extremely pleased with the performance of the Unichip and my compliments on your skills to fine-tune this motor. You have done an excellent job. It is not often that I come across a product that performs better that what was initially promised , your fitting of the Unichip to my van is one such rare occasion. Dear Michael, please feel free to show this letter to any body, you may give my phone number to interested parties but please ring me first to let me know. Thank you Michael, your adding and fine tuning of the Unichip has made driving my 4WD van so much more enjoyable. See you "Off Road" King Regards
Werner Foederl. HOME Copyright 2000 Armadale 4WD Service Centre |