Q. Why does a turbo-charged vehicle gain so much more power as a result of tuning / re-mapping than a normally aspirated vehicle?
A. The turbocharger is a device for compressing air into the Engine Cylinder above atmospheric pressure. The level to which it is pumped is determined by the turbocharger size and the waste gate actuator. This conditioned air allows much more fuel to be burnt within a given cubic capacity cylinder size than can be achieved under normal atmospheric pressure. The engine management system is modified in timing and fuelling so that the engine effectively responds as if it has larger CC. This extra air/fuel can achieve in some instances 100% more power and torque through re-mapping. The normally aspirated engine can achieve 10% more power and torque by careful programming of fuel pulse and ignition maps and further power is available if camshafts, exhaust pipes, air filters and high octane fuel are in use.
Q. Why was my vehicle not given this extra power from the factory?
A. The engineers who developed the engines know this extra power and torque is available, however, due to some engines enormous operational range encountered around the world such as varying fuel octane, air temperatures and altitudes a safe all round compromise is adopted by the manufacturers to suit all these conditions and fuel economy and exhaust emissions regulations. Compromises are also left in the programmes to cater for the owners who refuse to follow service schedules and insist on using the worst fuel possible. Our task as a Re-mapping company is to clear these compromises and produce a program more suited to the enthusiastic driver who looks after their vehicle and knows what they want from an engine. We optimise the software that runs your engine in many different ways, yet we still leave the reserves necessary to assure absolute reliability.
Q. In what rpm range is the extra power released?
A. On most vehicles you will feel the power over the entire power band of the engine, but especially in the lower and middle rev range.
Q. Will a remap reduce my engines life expectancy?
A. No, The power reserves of the engine are so large, that you don't have to expect more engine wear. We optimise the fuel and ignition curves, without exceeding the limits of your car's engine.
Q. What about my fuel consumption?
A. With same driving style, improvements in fuel consumption of up to 20% are possible, especially in turbo diesel powered engines.
Q. Can I use my original ecu software again?
A. All that is changed is the software within your ecu. We keep a copy of your original software on file so we can simply programme it back should you require us to do so.
Q. Will I need to upgrade the chassis or brakes?
A. On 90% of vehicles, you don't need to upgrade the chassis or brakes after the re-mapping.
Q. Can the re-map be detected by dealer servicing?
A. No not normally. Your car dealer cannot determine a software modification with his equipment, since our software is designed to be invisible to all engine diagnostic equipment. However we understand that VW/Audi dealers may have diagnostic equipment caplabe of detecting ECU modifications.
Q. What if I get the work done and I dont notice a difference?
A. You really will! But if you are not happy and you genuinely don't notice a difference we will retirn your ECU to the original map and we wont take any money from you.
Q. Are you insured?
A. Absolutely. We have full public & product liability insurance.
Q. Are these generic maps? Should I be having a custom map?
A. These maps are not generic maps, they are tailored to your specific engine and are based on a your original ecu map's, they are then tweaked to get the best out of your engine. We develop many maps in house but also work with many mapping specialists to enable us to offer the best possible remapping options for the widest selection of vehicles. For higher stages of tuning, for very highly modified vehicles, the maps are more expensive due to additonal data logging and testing required.
Q. My Airbag/Engine Management light is on. Can you help?
A. If you own a post 1997 car from the VW/Audi Group (VAG - VW Audi Seat Skoda) then we can read the fault codes and in a lot of cases clear them. Sometimes the ecu throws a fault code as a one off rather than because of an actual problem. This then lights the warning light. Clearing the code usually makes the light go out. This isn't a bodge, if there is a genuine problem the light will come back on. Reading the fault code we can diagnose the problem and advise on how to repair. Please note we are not a garage so we won't be scouting for work.
Airbag lights are similar to fault codes. Something as trivial as movign the seats too fast can sometimes cause the lights to come on.
Q. Can you alter the mileage that my car is displaying?
A. Yes we can. Will we? absolutely not. Not even if you have had to replace your clocks. Sorry, but we simply won't alter a vehicle's mileage so please don't ask.
