CMF_micra-man
» CMF MemberI finally got the 2nd hand Unichip that I purchased from the UK, installed and tuned in my car last week.
The following is my recollection of the events that unfolded over the past few weeks.
If you just want to know the results, go to the end of this posting now.
What a drama it was getting the wiring diagram information for the Micra from APS the Australian distributor of Unichip. Their initial reply was, "we don't have any information for that car". They never offered to investigate further and get back to me. I guess, as I was not buying a new unit they were not going to make any money from me so they were not interested in helping me. Interesting way of building up favorable brand recognition.
So, I emailed the manufacturer in South Africa who replied they never had the Micra in their country so they were unable to help me. They suggested I contact the local supplier APS. I replied I had contacted APS and they were no help.
So then I contacted the UK distributor who informed me, due to licensing constraints they were unable to supply me with the information I required and suggested I contact the manufacturer in South Africa or the local distributor APS.
I replied, I had already contacted both of these businesses and they were unable to help me. Could he possibly pass on the requested information to me. I would not tell anyone where I acquired it from. I knew he had the required information as the Micra is a car I know they tune in the UK with a unichip.
He replied he had passed on the requested information to head office. Head office informed me they had passed the information on to APS. I waited and did not hear from APS. I understood APS had my contact details.
I contacted APS and gave them the contact details of my preferred unichip tuner (TM Autosports in Tuggerah. They were the only Unichip tuner who sounded interested when I rang around looking for a tuner.). Could APS please forward the wiring details on to them.
APS replied back, the preferred tuner would have to contact APS directly and formally request the information.
Understandably, by this time my forehead was bruised from bashing it on my desk out of frustration at the lack customer service I perceived APS were giving me. Perhaps it was good customer service & I just have unrealistic expectations. Perhaps it was beyond this particular sales/customer service persons comprehension to take the initiative and pass on the requested information without being asked several times? This world is an amazing place.
Fear not, dear reader! This story does eventually have a happy ending after one more small drama.
That small drama being the wiring diagram colour codes not matching several of the colours in my wiring harness.
"No worries", Adam said, "I have the positive & negative. I can work the rest out from the information I have". Well work it out he did & 30 minutes later my car was driven on to the Dyno ready to be tuned.
My car has fairly basic modifications. The exhaust is a set of 4-2-1 extractors with a high flow cat, a 15†hotdog and a Lukey muffler in a press bent 2" system. The intake is a K&N filter in the standard airbox with 80mm pipe giving ram flow cold air from my bonnet scoop/vent.
Anyway, Adam at TM Autosports in Tuggerah did a fantastic job of wiring in and tuning the Unichip.
I got an 11% increase in power. Car feels as though it accelerates smoother and harder than before.
I also got an approximate 13% increase in fuel economy. This morning I got 17.43km/l, up from 15.3km/l on my last fill. Mostly city driving between Hornsby & North Sydney.
So after all the dramas, I'm very happy with the end result.
The following is my recollection of the events that unfolded over the past few weeks.
If you just want to know the results, go to the end of this posting now.
What a drama it was getting the wiring diagram information for the Micra from APS the Australian distributor of Unichip. Their initial reply was, "we don't have any information for that car". They never offered to investigate further and get back to me. I guess, as I was not buying a new unit they were not going to make any money from me so they were not interested in helping me. Interesting way of building up favorable brand recognition.
So, I emailed the manufacturer in South Africa who replied they never had the Micra in their country so they were unable to help me. They suggested I contact the local supplier APS. I replied I had contacted APS and they were no help.
So then I contacted the UK distributor who informed me, due to licensing constraints they were unable to supply me with the information I required and suggested I contact the manufacturer in South Africa or the local distributor APS.
I replied, I had already contacted both of these businesses and they were unable to help me. Could he possibly pass on the requested information to me. I would not tell anyone where I acquired it from. I knew he had the required information as the Micra is a car I know they tune in the UK with a unichip.
He replied he had passed on the requested information to head office. Head office informed me they had passed the information on to APS. I waited and did not hear from APS. I understood APS had my contact details.
I contacted APS and gave them the contact details of my preferred unichip tuner (TM Autosports in Tuggerah. They were the only Unichip tuner who sounded interested when I rang around looking for a tuner.). Could APS please forward the wiring details on to them.
APS replied back, the preferred tuner would have to contact APS directly and formally request the information.
Understandably, by this time my forehead was bruised from bashing it on my desk out of frustration at the lack customer service I perceived APS were giving me. Perhaps it was good customer service & I just have unrealistic expectations. Perhaps it was beyond this particular sales/customer service persons comprehension to take the initiative and pass on the requested information without being asked several times? This world is an amazing place.
Fear not, dear reader! This story does eventually have a happy ending after one more small drama.
That small drama being the wiring diagram colour codes not matching several of the colours in my wiring harness.
"No worries", Adam said, "I have the positive & negative. I can work the rest out from the information I have". Well work it out he did & 30 minutes later my car was driven on to the Dyno ready to be tuned.
My car has fairly basic modifications. The exhaust is a set of 4-2-1 extractors with a high flow cat, a 15†hotdog and a Lukey muffler in a press bent 2" system. The intake is a K&N filter in the standard airbox with 80mm pipe giving ram flow cold air from my bonnet scoop/vent.
Anyway, Adam at TM Autosports in Tuggerah did a fantastic job of wiring in and tuning the Unichip.
I got an 11% increase in power. Car feels as though it accelerates smoother and harder than before.
I also got an approximate 13% increase in fuel economy. This morning I got 17.43km/l, up from 15.3km/l on my last fill. Mostly city driving between Hornsby & North Sydney.
So after all the dramas, I'm very happy with the end result.