personally, the unichip and the m2 chip are probly good for a couple hp's. however, for the haltech and the sds $2000 would be good for a budget price on buying, installing, and tuning. so that, plus all the n/a stuff to bolt around and in your engine would give you less than a properly tuned turbo would give you, for a little more green.

 

could someone give some more infor on the UNICHIP? a website?

 

Really the best way to turbocharge and get the most out of the car would be to get a stand alone anyway. Everything else is just a band aid. You end up tuning around the ECU instead of tuning with it. The maximum gains aren't going to be realized until you can control everything and set up your fuel and ignition curves to optimize everything. You can band aid it with FMU's and additional injectors to run up to about 8 psi. To get more you really need to have better control. I've talked to a guy here in town that sets up FI cars for a living. Right now they are running a VW GTI with the 1.8 and getting 350 HP @22 psi on a stock bottom end. This would not be possible without the stand alone they are using. The car runs 11.90's and it was running out of gear 60-70 ft. before the end of the track. He was supposed to run it last weekend at the import drags with the new tranny (better gearing) and they were expecting 11.60's. I haven't spoken with him this week, but they probably made it.

Proper engine management is the key to good tuning. Bad tuning results in blown motors. I think it's great that everyone is starting to have fun with their turbo cars but don't get crazy and start turning the boost up without the proper control. Also, I'm curious to see what the longevity is going to be like since no one has been running their turbos very long.

 

www.superchips.com/imports That's one of the installers and tuners. You'll need to call the main office to ask for a distributor in your area. 707-935-3999 is the main number. They'll be able to direct you to an authorized installer/tuner.

 

i just read this entire thread and nobody mentioned nitrous! 50hp for about $550 is by far the best bang for the book. the zex kit is controlled by a module that will only release n20 at wot so i HEAR it is very safe. personally my plans are as follows. with these i figure i should be around the 200 crank horse power which i thnk will make the p5 a great ride.
1. exaust manifold
2. intake and exaust cams
3. cam gears when they come out
4. zex kit (easy 50 shot)

 

But to come back to the topic, Alex is right, there ain't no such thing as a free lunch.... errr I mean horsepower