Remaps... worth it?

[Solari]

Looking for a bit of advice really...

I've seen some ridiculous remaps advertised (something like 215BHP) which sounds like engine destroying madness, however, I am quite interested in a moderate increase that would take my motor from 150 up to the 180 or 185 mark.

Elephant seem ok with remaps based on a percentage BHP increase sliding scale, and going from 150 to 180 would be below the 25% threshold of their scale, hence no massive impact to insurance.

Do these actually improve fuel economy as some claim or is this just a load of spiel to try and get rid of the "boy racer" stigma attached to the procedure? Is it even worth doing and will it put unnecessary wear and tear on the engine even within normal around town driving conditions?

Cheers.

 

[Howard]

The 180bhp 20vT VAG engines are the same as the lesser (and higher) powered ones internally aren't they?

 

[Booner!]

The 1.8T is one of the best engines for the mod community at the mo as it is widley available (in many VAG cars) and offers plenty of opportunity for cheap performance increase.

Do it!

 

[paradigm]

The 180bhp 20vT VAG engines are the same as the lesser (and higher) powered ones internally aren't they?

No.

They all differ slightly.

 

[233]

No.

They all differ slightly.

as he says, internally and externally

but remaps are definately worth it


25% power gains for the cost of a decent exhaust cant go wrong

 

[Witor]

Not sure.

Think there's a difference in certain models, ko3 and ko3s turbo. Someone will correct me either way.

In any case, I had my Leon FR (1.8T 180bhp) remapped to 210bhp. Thats the given figure, and lets just say its noticeable

Mpg seems about the same, only had it 2 weeks though

 

[paradigm]

There are internal build differences too, but you forgot K04 off the turbo list.

 

[Witor]

Aint the k04 on the Leon Cupra-R / S3?

 

[Solari]

These guys are not far from me and offer a Stage1 Remap + road test for £349 inc VAT. I'm not sure if that's a good price or not, but I've heard good things about them from quite a few local people. Also had some engine diagnostics done on the old car by them a while back and they seemed pretty decent.

 

[Firestar_3x]

Depends which revision 1.8T you have as to how much power its going to produce, the 150bhp 1.8t's came with the K03 and K03's turbos, the K03 is good for upto 200bhp and the 'S' just a little bit more, however the 'S' will produce a more usable power range after a remap.

Personally i would go for a Revo, thats what i have and i'm happy with it, well worth the money for the extra performance it gives you.

K04 was fitted to the higher powered 1.8T's, i'm not sure if some of the 180bhp versions got that turbo as standard.

Internally (apart from the head) you get different sized wrist pins, 19 or 20mm.

 

[Solari]

Personally i would go for a Revo, thats what i have and i'm happy with it, well worth the money for the extra performance it gives you.

The Revo code would yield a big increase to 207BHP according to their site That seems a bit insane TBH and I would have to check if my insurance company would even allow it without me having to bend over and hand them the Vaseline.

What code are these generic "Stage 1" remaps using then... and is it that good?

 

[Firestar_3x]

If you read the Revo marketing stuff they state that only the Revo map adjusts more values in the ECU for fuel etc than anyother map on the market.

Mine has been great, best thing is you can get a 5 hour free trial.

Give it a go

 

[Solari]

Hrm seems I would have to pay a good few hundred quid extra on insurance for a remap going by an online quote (other people's experiences seemed to suggest it would be around an extra 1 or 2 hundred). I might wait until renewal time and shop around for somewhere a bit more mod-friendly as I can't be bothered to cancel and get insurance elsewhere (to be honest it goes like the clappers as it is and I would probably do well to take the time to get used to the car as it is)

Will find something else to spend the dough on

Bleh!