Engine Remap or new chip?

bbability

Jesus I'm so confused. Basically I want to give my passat a bit more BHP. Its the 105bhp 1.9TDi. So do I get it remapped or chipped or what????

OKenora

re-mapped. Chipping was for before the days when the ECU code could be re-written and you physically had to replace the chip or add on a second chip. These days re-mapping gives the same effect and when removed leaves no visible signs.

bbability

Can you recommend anyone for this job? Mc Namara's in North Strand maybe?

OKenora

Sorry, i am 100% un-familiar with who is good/bad in the Dublin area. General rules are that I would get some recommendations first. Go to someone who does this a lot and has a good reputation for it. I would personally be happier going to a tuning/re-map specialist rather than a generic garage that can do a re-map as well. the dedicated re-map companies should and generally do have a better selection and quality of maps and also have the expertise to change the map if needed to suit your requirements and your cars engine. When getting recommendations try to get them off people with the same car as yourself. Just because someone has a great map that works on a Ford Focus does not mean that their map for a VW golf, or even a different model Focus, will be as good. I would not go to a garage/company that has never done my model of car before. You really do not want to be the first to try out their map.

You can ignore all the above advice and may still get a great re-map done, having said that, take all the above advice and you will definitely get a great re-map done.

If you can't find an Irish firm that is well regarded (there's definitely a few I just don't know them) I can give you the names of a few UK based ones that travel over here to do re-map sessions and they are very highly rated for quality and after sales service if needed. Price wise they work out about the same as what I have seen quoted in Ireland even allowing for the travel from the UK.

Anyone can cheaply get a re-map and the required hardware and software and do it but not always do it well as their re-maps may not be the best. e.g I have over 30,000 maps here for different cars and the software and hardware to re-map cars but I would never put any of these maps on someone elses car especially for money as I don't know the quality of the maps I have (except the ones I have used and they were a mixed bunch).

bbability

Has anyone had it done before? Is it worthwhile?

Moanin

I have heard from a few people that these guys are good:

http://www.chippedire.com/

OKenora

Dunno about that site you posted but their quoted power gains are sensible and they aren't quoting for every last possile BHP out of the engine trying to impress punters with big figures. That to me indicates some responsibility about what they are doing (of course it could just be that the maps they have are poo as well )

As to it being worthwhile....OOHHHH YESSSSS...huge difference which you will instantly notice on driving the car. It is not a subtle change that leaves you wondering did they do anything at all. Muy cars running about 400nm torque/200bhp which compared to the standard 305nm/150bhp is a huge and noticeable difference.

My only complaint would possibly be the cost, always thought £300/€500 a bit steep, but the way I look at it is that you aren't paying for what they actually do (thats an hours work worth maybe €80) but are paying for them knowing what to do and do it correctly plus their investment in the maps and in the better companies cases the expertise to improve those maps and of course the backup service to make sure it all works well.

_Kaiser_

Mate of mine got his 3-Series BMW done by these guys:

http://www.autoremap.com/

Says it was well worthwhile. I emailed them myself about my own Passat (1.9TDI 130BHP) and they're quoting me €350 for the job and bring it up to 165BHP with more torque (they have a handy database of the results you should expect for each car). Plus you can roll it back to the defaults if you ever wanted to, so I'm thinking about it.

Altreab

Kaiser2000 wrote:

Mate of mine got his 3-Series BMW done by these guys:

http://www.autoremap.com/

Says it was well worthwhile. I emailed them myself about my own Passat (1.9TDI 130BHP) and they're quoting me €350 for the job and bring it up to 165BHP with more torque (they have a handy database of the results you should expect for each car). Plus you can roll it back to the defaults if you ever wanted to, so I'm thinking about it.

when looking at the info involved itseems to be identical to what is on http://www.chippedire.com
Could they be the same company or 2 separate business using the exact same technology?

OKenora

Most likely they are using identical technology. Most of the re-mapping companies have not been involved in the actual develpment of the re-map, that happened higher up the chain and the re-map company simply buys what it needs and programs it into your ECU.

Equipment wise there isn't much choice either and they are unlikely to be using in house developed hardware and software. They will all likely be using identical hardware that they bought in, or at best hardware from different manafacturers but all based on an identical chipset with little or no difference between the units bar button position and styling.

The only real variable is the actual map, but with there being limited quality suppliers of these you may find that most companies are actually using the same maps as well, all bought from the same source.

there was a spate of "run your own business re-mapping cars" type franchises sold a few years ago, where you bought all the maps, equipment and support and got a website for your new business. that might explain a few of the websites for these companies having identical texts on th website. It may also be that the texts are supplied by the re-map developers and the end companies have simply cut and pasted this onto their sites. Not saying that any of this is what the above mentioned companies have done, but i do know a few like that.

heres the hardware you need - had to post it as this ad gives a lot of info as to what actually happens during a re-map. You of course have to supply your own laptop or lug your desktop PC out to the garage