takahashi

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APS Engineering
73 Merringdale Drive
South Croydon
Victoria 3136

From Taka

Dear APS engineering,

I had an experience of not able to start my car on the 27th Dec 2006. My 2003 model Mazda RX-8 was towed to the Penfold Mazda.

Mazda concluded that the crank angle sensor was out of range and the Unichip was faulty. See attached copy.

I would like you check if the unit is faulty (which are going to send over) and why it is so. Please give me an explanation in writing.

I also attached a copy of the initial invoice for your reference.

High regards,

Stephen Chan

PS. I have doubt of what Unichip had offered for my Mazda RX-8. In fact, I just did my best lap in Winton on Australia day. 1”43.146. I doubt there is any NA RX-8 faster at Winton at the moment.

Let me explain a little here. I don't think there is any addition power on the track although I feel some increase responsiveness on acceleration. I now wonder if they have just advance my throttle position??? (*although unproven)

PPS. My ownership experience will be reported to rx8club.com forum.

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I am going sent the unit back on Monday, and interested to see their response.

I am thrilled about my best lap time though



http://www.mylaps.com/live/showLapti...sponder=780605

DavidM

just did my best lap in Winton on Australia day. 1”43.146

Congrats on the time Taka. Interesting thing to see that your best lap was over 1sec quicker than the next quickest lap you managed. Any idea what you did different to go (over) 1sec quicker that on the other laps where you were trying?

auzoom

Hey David, how have you been?

I think you will find that it was mostly to do with a lack of traffic on that lap. From what I heard it was busy (60 entrants) that day on a basically open track.

Keep your eyes peeled for our next Winton day

takahashi

Such an understatement.
It is very hard to pick the rhythm when you picking some slower traffic. It is frustrating that you can catch them on your cool down lap.

Having said that, I do observe that:

• [*]
• [*]

May I suggest Dave, your next holiday should be at NE Victoria

It is about 0.3 better than last time I was out with you. But I did 3 PB in the last 3 outlings and I am sure there are rooms to improve. 42 here I come!

DavidM

Hey David, how have you been?

Not too bad Andrew ... just enjoying the summer at the moment (that is when I'm not working).

I think you will find that it was mostly to do with a lack of traffic on that lap. From what I heard it was busy (60 entrants) that day on a basically open track. ... It is very hard to pick the rhythm when you picking some slower traffic. It is frustrating that you can catch them on your cool down lap.

Yeah, that's how those days are. Though, generally speaking, you only need 1 clear lap to get a good time. So you'd think that each time you have a clear lap, you'd be within 1sec of your PB (that is if you're trying). That's what I find myself, but it may very well work differently for others.

It is about 0.3 better than last time I was out with you.

Yep, I remember, you were driving well then. What caught my attention was that this was the only lap in 1:43s (and low 1:43s at that) ... just a bit unusual, that's all.

But I did 3 PB in the last 3 outlings and I am sure there are rooms to improve. 42 here I come!

You're less than 0.2sec away, so I'm sure you can do it. Gives you somehting to aim for ;-)

When are you planning to head to the track again? Same with you Andrew?

takahashi

It'd depends how aggressively you are passing someone. If you traveling in a 2 min lap traffic, they bound to slow you down.

There were open wheelers and bikes. So all the cars bunched together. There were 3 times of much people then normally.

auzoom

I have to put up the thread (soon as I get some work out the way) but we have a day booked at Winton for the 11th March.

Cheers

Andrew

glenn

Congratulations on finally beating my time Taka

I would throw that Unichip out the window. You would be better off getting a Microtech (or Interceptor X)

I cant wait until we have another track day at Winton

takahashi

Waiting another show down of Taka vs glenn.

Remember last year we traded best lap until the end. Was that fun.

auzoom

Glenn,

Keep the 11th March free.

Cheers

Andrew

EZZY

how did you go with mr. unichip?

takahashi

Today is Wednesday. The unit should be there by now. I offered my mobile number to them but they have not called yet.

takahashi

I receive something from Mr. Unichip, confirming the unit is failed. And asking what I want to do with it ("and you are prob well aware that the unit is over 2 years old and well and truly out of warranty")

I subsequently replied that I don't want a replacement but asking for possible recent of failure. So I have told them that I clean the battery head just before the Unichip died.

Here is their reply (direct quote from letter).

Dear Sir,

We have no way of knowing of your design and/or manufacturing experience of electronic components. However, within the industry, random failure of random components is essentially regarded as a fact of life.

We have identical models to your unit which have been in the field, without problem, for 10 years. Occasionally, very occasionally, (as in around 1 in 3,000), we have 1 fail at just over 2 years, as yours did.

The actual electronic component which failed is not important; snce the one which may fail 3000 units from now, will almost certainly be a different component.

We have no reason to believe that at this time that your actions (my cleaning of battery dust) in any way contributed to the failure

Yours failthfully...




Now the take home message to me is, from the letter that present.

Yes it will fail.
More than one component can fail.
It is a 10 year old technology.
and
They don't give a damn to safeguard when it happens and certainly don't think they will be claiming liablility.

Cromax

If they're knowingly selling something like that, wouldn't that make them liable?

EZZY

thats why they gave warranty in the first place... and alot of times items fails after the warranty expires..
at least the "faulty" unichip did not cause further engine/electronic failures.
is this a piggy back system or a stand alone item?

astro

Just like some TVs/plasma/LCD... some last a very very very very long time, while the unlucky ones fail after a short time.

I've used Unichip products in the past and I was fortunate to have a reliable unit. Oh well, there's nothing wrong with the way Mazda has programmed the engine map. I think a fast car is all about being a fast driver eh?.

takahashi

piggyback

The fact that it dies and does not have a bypass switch to keep the car running is a very bad move.

EZZY

so whats the next move?

takahashi

I use the money to order a stiggy racesuit instead

EZZY

that'd go nicely with the stiggy head... oops i mean helmet.

/i'd like to know what watch he wears (sometime you can see his watch between the racesuit and raceglove)

takahashi

That is the rich stiggy mate. Not the poor one like me. I have to pay for my racesuit?

Did you went to the US lately Eric. I thought you appear on Top Gear recently.

(we are offtopic but this thread is as good as dead)

EZZY

im sure he/she gets paid sqillion and gets to drive cars howeve he/she wants it. just like Borat says... "I like it. Its very nice!"

no, the furest i have been away recently was Sydney. there must be a look-alike over there.

nothing wrong by going off-topic in your own thread

and since we on the the subject of going off-topic.... my heart skipped when i saw a white 997 GT3 on St Kilda road this morning.... that thing sounded & looked awesome!