ECU remap?

Mart2912 · 18 May 2016 at 13:13

Gibbo said:
Also on many cars now they put the same engine in several models, if you have the lesser model then the remap can literally upgrade you to the next model or two up in the range and unlock the potential disable at the factory on your

That's where I'm at. My golf came in 2 variations. 140BHP and 170BHP. I have the 140 and I'm looking at around 60 BHP gain, maybe a little more with a new exhaust system and induction kit.

pugheaven · 18 May 2016 at 13:18

Gibbo said:
Hi there

On modern cars, even NA remaps make quite a nice change as the most noticeable changes come from more relaxed torque management.

All modern cars with drive by wire ECU's have torque management which can limit throttle opening when required, feels like TC kicking in or not getting full throttle sometimes. If you car has such symptoms than a remap can certainly help a lot to improve drive ability.

Then of course improvements of more power, torque, throttle sensitivity are all additional bonuses. Turbo cars tend to see even great gains due to being able to add a little extra boost.

On the whole on more modern cars it works well, on the older NA cars it is more hit and miss, my 911 the remap alone made little to no difference, yet on my even older M3 the remap added welcomed additional power in the 6000-8000rpm range.

Also on many cars now they put the same engine in several models, if you have the lesser model then the remap can literally upgrade you to the next model or two up in the range and unlock the potential disable at the factory on your model.

On the whole a remap can work well, but always, ALWAYS get it done by a company that has experience and a great reputation, don't try to do it yourself and don't take it to some guy down the road who reckons he knows what he is doing, because it is also just as easy to mess it up and kill the engine.

I'd also say bespoke to your car if possible? there are obviously standard generic maps, however the one I had on the RX8 is specific to my engine with tweaks here and there, it shad around 8-10 runs on a dyno with the engineer messing around to max it out and smooth power/torque (what there is of it with a rotary lol). I've found since I've had the new engine, there's a slight dip around 7600rpm that wasn't there on the old engine... so I probably need to reteak the setup now.

The one on the Saab was BSR standard map and I installed that myself, was actually quite easy. However, I'm sure someone with a laptop could have got more out of the engine.

kaku · 18 May 2016 at 13:24

rodenal said:
They would then have to prove it had a fundamental part to play in the accident.

This isn't true. They will simply cancel your policy and then you have all the aggro of trying to get insurance whilst having been declined.

Jamesyboyjim · 18 May 2016 at 15:27

I cant imagine for the sake of any typical shunts and bangs, your insurance will want to check the car, it would only be in the case of a write off when the car becomes their possession that they might inspect it for modifications.

Pretty sure even then they'd only know the car was mapped was if they decided to plug a diagnostic into the ecu to check specifically for one, which, in fairness is something they'd probably do.

Six6siX · 18 May 2016 at 16:24

kaku said:
This isn't true. They will simply cancel your policy and then you have all the aggro of trying to get insurance whilst having been declined.

Umm...

Stormster · 18 May 2016 at 17:05

Just had a custom map done on mine today, transformed the car, very pleased. Had a few cars mapped now and it does make a good difference if done by a reputable tuner! Had no longevity issues, we'll see how my BMW copes though with today's map

rodenal · 18 May 2016 at 17:25

kaku said:
This isn't true. They will simply cancel your policy and then you have all the aggro of trying to get insurance whilst having been declined.

If you take any such case to the arbitrator they will have to prove it was a fundamental part of the accident and that there was an intent to deceive - so yes, it is true. Knowing this is the case your insurance company are really quite unlikely to attempt to impose a blanket cancellation in advance

You also won't have a policy declined, though potentially showing as cancelled for a period of time

Scania · 18 May 2016 at 20:06

Haze said:
The thing with remaps is, the insurance company proving that you had it mapped, otherwise you can just play stupid and say it must have been done by the last owner

Years back a mate bought a turbo technics converted Sierra XR4x4, he insured it as standard as the premium was already horrific for the standard car, he got rear ended and had to have it looked at by the insurance companies assessor, they spotted the rather obvious badge on the bootlid (!) and refused payout and cancelled his policy, he suffered years of increased premiums because of this.

Whilst his case was his fault and a stupidly obvious thing to do I really wouldn't run the risk of the insurer finding out and having to declare you've had a policy cancelled, it's not worth the risk.

Nasher · 18 May 2016 at 20:44

Most insurance companies will have written off cars checked over.

If their terms say NO modifications, they can refuse to pay out if they find something you didn't declare. Some ECUs store a log of changes and also when they have been reset AFAIK. So don't risk it.

Teknobry · 19 May 2016 at 08:37

if he got rear ended and the accident wasn't his fault then it would be the other persons insurance paying out, they would pay for the damage regardless of mods declared/not declared.

Armageus · 19 May 2016 at 08:55

Haze said:
The thing with remaps is, the insurance company proving that you had it mapped, otherwise you can just play stupid and say it must have been done by the last owner

Kenai said:
I would suspect the whole 'ignorance is not a defence' argument would be trotted out. If it was as simple as feigning ignorance, no one would declare any mods.

kaku said:
This isn't true. They will simply cancel your policy and then you have all the aggro of trying to get insurance whilst having been declined.

Nasher said:
If their terms say NO modifications, they can refuse to pay out if they find something you didn't declare. Some ECUs store a log of changes and also when they have been reset AFAIK. So don't risk it.

Spin it around the other way though with regards to an undeclared remap: If you bought a car that was unknowingly mapped but lets say it was only say +20 bhp more than standard, if you hadn't driven a standard car, then how would you know it was more powerful and should be declared?

Things like bright yellow uprated shocks, aftermarket wheels, K&N air filters etc are all obvious and you have no excuse for not declaring.

Jamesyboyjim · 19 May 2016 at 09:54

Armageus said:
Spin it around the other way though with regards to an undeclared remap: If you bought a car that was unknowingly mapped but lets say it was only say +20 bhp more than standard, if you hadn't driven a standard car, then how would you know it was more powerful and should be declared?

Things like bright yellow uprated shocks, aftermarket wheels, K&N air filters etc are all obvious and you have no excuse for not declaring.

Well, you wouldn't know, but as we all know, insurance companies aren't fair and will simply argue that you should have known when you purchased the car, it'll be your responsibility to know everything about the car in their eyes.

petertr2000 · 24 May 2016 at 11:15

Armageus said:
Things like bright yellow uprated shocks, aftermarket wheels, K&N air filters etc are all obvious and you have no excuse for not declaring.

Apparently I have an K&N. I have absolutely no idea what it looks like compared to the stock one. Not a clue. I only know it has it as it was in the advert for the car when I bought it.

Swifty55 · 24 May 2016 at 11:32

Different coloured air filter.