Bluefin Superchips alternative?

Diddums x · 27 Apr 2015 at 15:08

Before I pull the trigger on a £250 Bluefin Superchip for my R50 Mini, is there a cheaper way to do this?

I'm looking at options on eBay but that's a minefield I'm not very keen on. They go from the usual resistor trick to more sophisticated, more expensive units like this one.

I have no idea how an ECU works so any advice on this is greatly appreciated.

If not I'll just buy the Bluefin.

Dr House · 27 Apr 2015 at 15:19

Remap and cheap = Bad idea.

rodenal · 27 Apr 2015 at 15:27

£250 is very good for a switchable map

mattyfez · 27 Apr 2015 at 16:29

Bluefin is probably the best off the shelf map for a standard ish car. Plus you can reflash the stock map and back again at will.

If your modded then most enthusiast forums can give advice on slightly more customised ones, for example RICA tuning for Volvo and saab... Beyond that you want a full custom ecu/map tailored to the vehicle.

I'd go with a bluefin as a cheap easy option, I really wouldn't trust any brown box stuff from eBay.

And forget claims of peak power output, what you want is something that gives power at usable revs, that makes the car respond and feel much more sprightly.

xs2man · 27 Apr 2015 at 16:58

My bluefin (BMW 335d) was about 40 BHP down on what it claimed, but I didn't really care. It was acceptable, and cheap enough, and I could take it off when I sold the car, and sell on the unit itself.

The only similar map to that I had before was a ChippedUK ST3 (now viezu or something). It was also excellent though, and allowed me to switch between 3 different maps. Ran that for around 3 years on a A3 2.0 TDI.

To be fair though, it's a switchable, generic remap. Get one from a respected tuner, and they will all be much the same.

Howard · 27 Apr 2015 at 17:02

mattyfez said:
Bluefin is probably the best off the shelf map for a standard ish car.

...

I'd go with a bluefin as a cheap easy option, I really wouldn't trust any brown box stuff from eBay.

Agreed. Superchips are a well respected company. I Bluefin'd mine and gained 40bhp. Slightly down on their claims as seems to be most peoples' experience, but hey ho that's marketing. There's noticeably more power and it's money well spent IMHO!

mattyfez · 27 Apr 2015 at 19:22

Howard said:
Agreed. Superchips are a well respected company. I Bluefin'd mine and gained 40bhp. Slightly down on their claims as seems to be most peoples' experience, but hey ho that's marketing. There's noticeably more power and it's money well spent IMHO!

Yeh it's not peak power you notice so much, it's the better smother torque and power through the Rev range where you really notice it.