Remaps/tuning - what's the catch?

Quite a few cars also share the same engine and transmission setups but with different power outputs, so that manufactures can offer a bigger range of cars without having different engines and the cost of developing further hardware.

My wifes C-Max for example has the 1.6 ecoboost engine, that comes from the factory with 180bhp in the more sporty cars and remaps to close to 200bhp as standard. It's been detuned to put out 150bhp in her C-Max. I believe BMW have done this in the past too with the 325d which has the same engine etc as the 330d (though i believe injectors are different it will still remap to 330d power and torque output).

As noted previously you shouldn't have too many issues with a stage 1 remap on a health car provided you go to a well known tuner. Torque output is the killer of transmission parts and this is usually the figure that increases the most on a remap.

Does the C-max even have an intercooler though? If not that would be stage 2 and quite a bit of work to get it to 200hp reliably. 200hp (and quite a lot of torque) is what the Fiesta ST runs with that engine, I very much doubt it's exactly the same. Then there is the question of the gearbox and clutch in a family bus being able to handle the power. There's more to it than just being the same basic block.

A Golf R runs almost 300hp and has the "same" 2.0 engine found in many VAG cars. But if you mapped a base spec 2.0 to 300hp it would explode :D
 
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Interesting subject :)

Some of the more modern stock ECUs are actually very capable and even have some features such as multimap switching etc which can be unlocked with a remap, I would rather have a limited remap on a stock unit than a use a piggyback, these essentially trick the stock ECU into doing something it shouldn't, I know they work but some ECUs also have trim tables that they update over time, these play havoc with piggybacks.

Obviously the best option is a full replacement, but compared to a remap or piggyback they are also the most expensive :D
 
I dont understand how it can improve mpg tho, surely thats what the manufacturers would have wanted to start with?

MPG/emissions are assessed by using standardised tests. The manufacturers map is optimised to get the best results using the official test.

This is not necessarily the best map for real word driving.

A remapped car may well do better in the real world but worse on the official test.
 
A Golf R runs almost 300hp and has the "same" 2.0 engine found in many VAG cars. But if you mapped a base spec 2.0 to 300hp it would explode :D
You say that but I think Revo offer a 300bhp ish Stage 1 remap for the 220bhp version of the 2.0tsi found in the latest cars :p
 
I dont understand how it can improve mpg tho, surely thats what the manufacturers would have wanted to start with?

There's also a very fine line between emissions and economy. For example on a petrol engine the manufacturer may need to operate an engine with 28* total ignition timing at part throttle cruise to maintain exhaust gas temperature high enough to keep a catalytic convertor hot enough to work optimally where's 30* timing at the same load site may increase torque output 2% (which uses less fuel) but reduced EGTs increase emissions.

They also have to be sure that engines are going to operate for at least the warraty period whether you live somewhere that regularly see -20c or +40c
 
A friend of mine has recently had his brand new S3 'chipped' to about 370bhp. He says there are no downsides to it, I don't know much about tuning and remaps really, but there must be a catch somewhere?
It's great when you see a boy racer with his decades old heap of a Scooby / Lancer / BMW 3 series etc, making an absolute racket with an aftermarket exhaust, ridiculously loud dump valve noise and absolutely stinking of petrol where it's tuned to the knackers. It's so woeful it's embarrassing.
 
Only worry for me would be loss of warranty.

Providing the "remap" is well tested and widely used. I would do it if the price is right as my cars are old.
 
I've always been against them. But when you remove primary cats on the S65 engine and remap according it goes to 450hp. But that's not the full picture as it also gives 10% torque across the whole range. Massively increasing performance by taking advantage of removing emissions stuff.

Turbo engines I'm a bit more wary of. Especially on diesels when you start going out of the design limits of the engine.
 
I have a 1999 Volvo V70 tdi which is remapped from~140 bhp to ~170 bhp, it's been faultlessly reliable despite its age, returns 40mpg without thinking about it and is - for what it is - a hoot to boot around, it's got a surprising turn of speed.

I don't cane it when cold and I'm mindful of letting it labour in gear and generally only give it some once above 2k where the turbo is on song as such.

Remapping is great so long as you appreciate your in the territory the manufacturer tries to keep you out of, treat a remapped car with respect and I doubt it would bite you any more than a standard one.

Case in point,a work mate with a Y plate 330d, its remapped and goes like the proverbial from a shovel, it's done nigh on 300k now and has covered its last 100k miles under the same ownership by a driver who's sympathetic toward it...,
 
You say that but I think Revo offer a 300bhp ish Stage 1 remap for the 220bhp version of the 2.0tsi found in the latest cars :p

Yep, I looked into getting my 2.0TSI Octavia VRS estate mapped but decided against it after seeing the gains. Don't think I could have sneaked that past my fiancee without her knowing seeing as its her daily :p
 
Does the C-max even have an intercooler though? If not that would be stage 2 and quite a bit of work to get it to 200hp reliably. 200hp (and quite a lot of torque) is what the Fiesta ST runs with that engine, I very much doubt it's exactly the same. Then there is the question of the gearbox and clutch in a family bus being able to handle the power. There's more to it than just being the same basic block.

A Golf R runs almost 300hp and has the "same" 2.0 engine found in many VAG cars. But if you mapped a base spec 2.0 to 300hp it would explode :D

A lot of BS in there. Be careful what you read on the internet. Below included.

I have had many a remapped car. And fully intend to remap my Edition 30 once I've finished all the basic stuff I want to do before mapping it (mostly brakes, bushes and suspension). But for most cars, if I were to map them, I would just do the stage 1 map and no more. And, depending on the age / health of the car, budget for a clutch / flywheel at some point (this is one of the things I probably plan on doing before mapping the ED30).

I have mapped a few cars, a few 1.8T mk4 Golfs, my old Passat 1.9 TDI, an Audi A3 2.0 TDI, my Alhambra 2.0 TDI and my 335d. The 335d, being an auto, didn't need a clutch change. Everything else, being 8+ years old at the time, and 80k+ miles (most over 100k when mapped), all required a clutch change shortly after mapping them. Only one of the 1.8T's got an uprated clutch after mapping, but there was a significant increase in torque on that one due to the extent of the modifications.

But, in every single case, the fuel economy remained the same, or improved slightly, but there was obvious, distinct increases in performance. Night and day increases. And in every case it was well worth the cost of map + clutch. Assuming you keep the car long enough afterwards.

Supporting modifications can be nice, but are really not required with generic stage one maps. They are designed for stock cars. More "hardcore" maps may require other parts fitted, such as intakes, exhausts, intercoolers etc... but in general, it is rarely worth going beyong the sufficient gains that can be had from a stage one map. For example, on my Edition 30, a stage one map takes the stock car from 230 BHP to 300 BHP for the cost of a £350 map (roughly). However, if I uprate the exhaust, intake, intercooler, high pressure fuel pump and pressure release valve, then remap, the car can then be mapped to around 340-360 BHP. Whilst this might be worth it, there is significant investment required to gather and fit all these extras. Somewhere around £2500, plus the map. So there is less to gain for MUCH more money. Of course, the car will be a total weapon after. I am not taking my ED30 that far. But it does already have intake, intercooler and cat back exhaust (mostly fitted before I bought it), so it would be rude not to at least put a decat on before mapping it up.
 
It's great when you see a boy racer with his decades old heap of a Scooby / Lancer / BMW 3 series etc, making an absolute racket with an aftermarket exhaust, ridiculously loud dump valve noise and absolutely stinking of petrol where it's tuned to the knackers. It's so woeful it's embarrassing.
Essex.....Enough said lol.
 
Remapping mine was the best £350 I've spent. Easy 40bhp and 45 ft-lb and a noticeable increase in grunt.

The facelift model has the same amount of extra power with exactly the same engine, and the gearbox max torque rating is well in excess of what my engine produces, so it was a bit of a no-brainer.

I'd always consider remapping a turbocharged car, after being careful to research and ensure the drivetrain won't explode a month later. I can live with a clutch lasting 10k miles less, although I can't imagine a basic remap will be a hugely noticeable issue for a healthy clutch unless you enjoy full-bore starts and accelerating hard from low engine speeds in high gears.
 
Just slapping on more peak power with a remap and nothing else isn't doing things properly. It increases load on the existing parts while generating more heat. So they often can't sustain the expected power output (because as it starts to get too hot the engine will loose power), it's also not good for the engine in the long run. You should at least upgrade the intake, intercooler etc as well to improve airflow.

Unless there are known to be higher powered versions using the exact same setup. In which case it's just been de-tuned to meet local regulations etc. But most aren't like that.

But the German brands are pretty strict with modifications and warranty, so it's risky. The Japanese ones are a lot more open to it, as are Ford.

To be fair I think it's quite rare they actually check/notice, .. there's a few guys over on Bimmerpost who have had warranty work done on cars with remaps and BMW haven't said anything to them or haven't checked/noticed it's remapped.

Of course it is a risk though if the cars still under warranty and it needs a repair done somewhere on the drivetrain side of things
 
I got my modest Fabia 1.9 TDI re-mapped. At the time I was told it would increase BHP from 100 to about 120. I was told there was a second stage I could opt for but that would require a new exhaust so I went with the first option. The re-mapper told me that there would be no effect on fuel economy or engine wear etc. so I went for it.

Upon picking up the car I noticed a big improvement in performance and MPG has stayed about the same.

The re-map was done at 10 000 miles. That was 10 years and 175 000 miles ago as I now have 185 000 on the clock. I'm still on the original clutch, exhaust and turbo and the only things replaced under the bonnet have been timing belts, battery and alternator. However, I do have a gentle driving style and rarely abuse the car...
 
To be fair I think it's quite rare they actually check/notice, .. there's a few guys over on Bimmerpost who have had warranty work done on cars with remaps and BMW haven't said anything to them or haven't checked/noticed it's remapped.

Of course it is a risk though if the cars still under warranty and it needs a repair done somewhere on the drivetrain side of things

They usually won't check unless they need to or suspect something. They may notice if there is a software update though.
 
I remapped my manual MK5 GTi (2005) in 2008. It was a stage 1 map - customised to my car and use of 98 RON V-power. The map was carried out by Jabba Motorsport in Pborough. I think it cost £250 if I remember correctly. The car had done 50k miles (I had the car from brand new) when the map was put on. The performance increase was out of this World! 197 bhp --> ~235 bhp and 280 Nm --> 360 Nm. Felt like a completely different car to drive. Honestly, I didn't notice any increase in mpg, maybe I just drove it harder! Couldn't believe I had waited that long to do it (got it done as soon as the warranty expired) - best thing to happen to that car!

The only thing that went wrong after the remap was the EGR valve let go - car went into limp mode (on the motorway - was not fun!). It was actually a poor design by VW and the 2008 (redesigned) valve was perfect then on. Clutch had no issues when I sold the car in 2014 with 115k on the clock!

Oh one other disadvantage, people were a lot less likely to buy the car (on autotrader at least) when told it had a stage 1 map on it.
 
The re-map was done at 10 000 miles. That was 10 years and 175 000 miles ago as I now have 185 000 on the clock. I'm still on the original clutch, exhaust and turbo and the only things replaced under the bonnet have been timing belts, battery and alternator. However, I do have a gentle driving style and rarely abuse the car...

I think the way you drive is a bigger factor that the remap.
 
They usually won't check unless they need to or suspect something. They may notice if there is a software update though.

If they update the software it will wipe the remap off as well.

With the warranty it depends what needs repairing under warranty too, they can't really blame a remap for a faulty part in the climate control system etc, but if the gearbox needed replacing under warranty and they noticed the remap that could be a problem
 
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