ECU Remap - WTH is this?

Alty · 6 May 2007 at 20:42

Heya peeps,

I have been offered the following for my lil Pug 306 HDi and would like some thoughts on it.

"Gains on a remap will be around 36hp and 70nm torque, and the custom mapping will give better midrange as we iron out flat spots as well."

Does anyone know what really is involved in the ECU remap process? Would the boost pressure be increased at all or are these gains simply through the changing of ECU settings? Is the turbo controlled electronically on the HDi models or are they like the older D Turbo models that can be manually changed with a screw?

Teknobry · 7 May 2007 at 10:07

If its done properly, the remap will be done on a rolling road. Fuel and boost values will be adjusted to provide more performance (and normally less economy)
Boost will be increased in order to provide the extra power.

I don't know that TD model, but I'd fairly sure that boost can be adjusted both ways - via the ECU and by winding out the actuator.

fonzee · 7 May 2007 at 10:55

from 90bhp to 126bhp.... hmmm its possible but this sounds like the map that smokes a lot and generally isnt seen as the one to go for. theres another map (forgotten name, check out pug306 forum) which should take you to 115bhp comfortably, less smokey and a nice improved economy.

remember to get it RR after however, to find out just how much you have gained, as 9 times out of 10 it will be less than what is claimed.

and no, theres no screw mod on the turbos of the HDIs.

Teknobry · 7 May 2007 at 12:18

This sounds more like an 'off the shelf' ECU chip than a remap...

Fantom · 7 May 2007 at 12:34

fonzee said:
from 90bhp to 126bhp.... hmmm its possible but this sounds like the map that smokes a lot and generally isnt seen as the one to go for. theres another map (forgotten name, check out pug306 forum) which should take you to 115bhp comfortably, less smokey and a nice improved economy.

remember to get it RR after however, to find out just how much you have gained, as 9 times out of 10 it will be less than what is claimed.

and no, theres no screw mod on the turbos of the HDIs.

The tuners you mention are "SPTune "

Getting mine done in July

dalin80 · 7 May 2007 at 13:46

remapping shouldnt require any mechanicals to be fiddled with otherwise that's more then a remap.

the ecu essentially uses a 3d grid to decide fuelling and burn durations, remapping alters the map persuading the ecu to give a bit more performance instead of worrying about emissions and other running attributes.

http://www.mathworks.com/cmsimages/mb_main_wl_3226.jpg

you tell the ecu that then engine is under a bit more load then it is and it will give you a bit more to play with.

Alty · 8 May 2007 at 13:04

It's quite interesting, I have spoken to 3 places re: costs and what is involved and they said....

Dervdoctor - ECU remap £300 +vat no mention of dyno ~30bhp & 65nm torque

SP-Tuning - £189 straight remap and no dyno ~30bhp & 65nm torque

chippedUK - £275 custom remap on dyno ~36bhp & 70nm torque

So I decided to go with chippedUK as at least they include the dyno and as previously mentioned, will iron out the flat spots mid-range plus the cost is competetive.

What's also interesting is that all 3 companies mentioned improved MPG even tho there is the increase in performance/power. I shall take that with a bucket of salt tho and since I'm getting easily over 45mpg atm anyways a lil loss wont hurt the pocket too much.

needmorespeed · 8 May 2007 at 15:05

Alty said:
It's quite interesting, I have spoken to 3 places re: costs and what is involved and they said....

Dervdoctor - ECU remap £300 +vat no mention of dyno ~30bhp & 65nm torque

SP-Tuning - £189 straight remap and no dyno ~30bhp & 65nm torque

chippedUK - £275 custom remap on dyno ~36bhp & 70nm torque

So I decided to go with chippedUK as at least they include the dyno and as previously mentioned, will iron out the flat spots mid-range plus the cost is competetive.

What's also interesting is that all 3 companies mentioned improved MPG even tho there is the increase in performance/power. I shall take that with a bucket of salt tho and since I'm getting easily over 45mpg atm anyways a lil loss wont hurt the pocket too much.

There is some truth in that, they can tune for economy at partial throttle or light loads and then tune for for max performance at full throttle or heavy loads. Plus the fact that you have more power means you won't have to put your foot down as much to get the same performance

Bobbler · 8 May 2007 at 15:12

Interesting thread. Wondered how they made the claims of increased MPG, cheers needmorespeed.

Custom remap always sounds like the best deal to me. At least that way it can be tweaked to your driving style and parts that you may already have on your car (not to mention the fuel you use). Maybe tease a few extra ponies for your money too perhaps.

triggerthat · 8 May 2007 at 16:24

Make sure chippedUK do a custom map as from what I gathered, despite saying custom map, I think I got a generic map myself.

You will get an increase in MPG. However, I'd highly recommend you make sure your clutch can handle that power. Make sure you go for a test drive and boot it from 1500 RPM (in all gears!) to ensure your clutch can handle peak torque.

IceAx · 8 May 2007 at 16:31

My car has been remapped.

Mapped to benefit other mods (filter and air intake)

Pushes 61 bhp - 76/8 bhp

Andy

Alty · 23 May 2007 at 23:02

triggerthat said:
Make sure chippedUK do a custom map as from what I gathered, despite saying custom map, I think I got a generic map myself.

You will get an increase in MPG. However, I'd highly recommend you make sure your clutch can handle that power. Make sure you go for a test drive and boot it from 1500 RPM (in all gears!) to ensure your clutch can handle peak torque.

I know this may sound stupid but what should you be looking/hearing/feeling for to see if the clutch can handle it?

triggerthat · 23 May 2007 at 23:41

Its quite easy to spot. At first you'll probably find the clutch just manging to cope with the power. The engine gearbox will shake and you can feel a judder after a second after you boot it. If the clutch is worn, then the revs which just jump high and come back down.

A standard clutch won't last long anyway.

s0ck · 24 May 2007 at 01:18

Teknobry said:
If its done properly, the remap will be done on a rolling road. Fuel and boost values will be adjusted to provide more performance (and normally less economy)
Boost will be increased in order to provide the extra power.

I don't know that TD model, but I'd fairly sure that boost can be adjusted both ways - via the ECU and by winding out the actuator.

It's the diesel that creates the power (and heat). The boost has to be adjusted manually too, the ECU does not control it; only the fuelling. In fact, the HDi90 has no intercooler anyway, so I imagine the boost will be left well alone.