On air filters, headers and the Unichip

By Ferman Lao — 29 Mar 2011

Hi, Ferman!

I'm an owner of a Subaru Impreza 2.0 RS MT and I would like to ask your advice about the modifications I'm planning to do.

I have read forum posts saying it's not advisable because they are oiled, which will be� bad for the MAF, particularly in Subaru vehicles. Some forumers say this will eventually make the "Check engine" signal light up on my dashboard. Is this true?

I'm also planning to install Speedlab headers on my car. And I'm thinking about the Unichip.

With these plans, how my car benefit in terms of power? How will it affect fuel consumption? Will the car make more noise? And would you advise me to go for these mods?

Thank you sir and more power!

Onin�

Hi, Onin!

For the sake of full disclosure, and in case you don't know yet, I'm a part of Speedlab. That being said, my answer to your question will be the same if I were with a different company.

The issue about oil-bath-type air filters like K&N causing MAF failures have been around for quite some time and will probably keep popping up every so often. The issue can best be answered by this link found on K&N's website.

The short version though is you've don't have much to worry about when it comes to K&N. I've been using it for close to 20 years and will continue doing so until something better comes along. I won't hold my breathe waiting for that time to come though.

SpeedLab is perhaps the only local shop that develops, dyno tests and markets a comprehensive line of affordable aftermarket goodies that truly work for the local car enthusiast; and publish results online. I can't think of any other local tuning shop that does the same. That alone speaks tons and sets it apart from the rest of the local tuning shops.

A drop in K&N filter won't increase induction noise. An open-type filter, be it K&N or some other brand, will. This is so because you’re removing the air box that muffles the noise. It's not annoying to most people.

The headers will increase noise because of the difference in the material used when compared to the factory header. If it's a concern perhaps you can listen to someone who's had the mod done to theirs before you decide if it's for you or not.

A Unichip doesn't directly increase noise and is used for optimizing the tuning of the vehicles they are installed on.

Fuel consumption will always depend on how you drive and when a vehicle is optimized for efficiency, it will usually result in better fuel economy if the driver is capable of driving it in a manner that takes advantage of such.

Modifications are a personal choice as only you can decide for yourself if the money you paid is worth the satisfaction you get.

Best regards,
Ferman Lao

Tags: Subaru, air filter

worriedaboutit Mar 29 2011 @ 09:42pm

Mods on cars stress the original design unless the design was faulty from the start. It might seem to run better with more power but remember the other components were designed for another power range. There will be compromise somewhere. The upgrades will work but is it worth it? Maybe if you have lots of money to burn.

dtkiko Apr 22 2011 @ 03:00pm

The Unichip for 3-litre diesel-CRDi engines is worth it!

Stress vis-a-vis strain on other components like the transmission won't be that much for this 1st-stage mod just adds up 25 hp more and about 50 Nm more on torque....

GTi Apr 26 2011 @ 09:22pm

Sir Ferman! Do you think its OK to install the Unichip on the Trooper? Considering its injector problems?

athron Apr 28 2011 @ 09:31am

i also own a impreza 2.0 and im planning to install
1. headers
2. k&n short ram intake
3. unichip .

i cant speak for someone else but , for me stock is boring..

more power to speedlab

Ferman Lao May 03 2011 @ 08:59pm

GTi,
It should be ok as long as the problem with the injectors has been addressed.
Before any vehicle is modified it should be in proper working order otherwise there isn't any sense to doing the mod.

@athron,
That's the spirit! As long as you do your mods properly and have a target result in mind you'll be fine.
Don't forget brakes and tires too. A fast car that can't stop is far worst than a car that's slow.
Thanks for the kind words.

Last modified May 03 2011 @ 09:25pm

Ferman Lao May 03 2011 @ 09:03pm

@worriedaboutit,
It all depends on your satisfaction level, how you go about it, what your willing to compromise and how much you want to spend for it.

Ferman Lao May 03 2011 @ 09:23pm

Double post. Please ignore or delete.

Last modified May 03 2011 @ 09:27pm

dtkiko May 14 2011 @ 11:16am

@Ferman: Sir, good day!

i'm heading for the Unichip mod this time around (on my next fieldbreak).... Appreciate the small gains i'm having with my "3.0 Ddi-iTEQ" DMax after installing the K&N air filter i bought from your Speedlab office. Thanks also for having a short chat with you that time, it was even at lunch time haha! Now, i want the Unichip hehe....

You told me that the gains for a typical 3-litre diesel is around plus 25 bhp more at the rear wheel and around 40 to 50 Nm more torque. And looking at the 3-litre Toyota Hilux posted under your Unichip link at Speedlab's website, i was tremendously surprised to see the sizeable gains of plus 70 Nm more for the Hilux, from a stock-reading of 380 Nm to 450 Nm ---- that is almost comparable to the 470 Nm torque of the stock-trim all-new 2012 3.2-litre 5-cylinder Ford Ranger TDCi!

Any discounts sir on the Unichip intallation and dyno-tuning haha!

Kind regards.

jbedpan May 29 2011 @ 02:09pm

Hi boss Ferman,

I want to dyno test my car before adding any mods to it so i would have a base line. How much would speedlab charge for it? thanks. my email is jbedpan@yahoo.com

baker69 Jun 05 2011 @ 09:22am

i'm currently drive a gen 1 honda crv. but upon checking on the jazz on display we were amazed by the specs. very roomy just like the crv. we are now planning to sell it so we can acquire the 1.5 jazz variant.