View Full Version : Which is better ?
Remapped chip or Plug in module for a little bit of extra oomph!
I've had a look at a few of both options. I will probably get either one of these soon, as I always like to tinker around with my cars!:D
Which is better value for money? Both seem to give the same amount of performance. Remapped chips seem to be more expensive than the tuning boxes, but is this a case of better quality of product?
With the Corrado G60 I owned previously,it was just a case of putting a smaller pulley on the charger to increase the boost & remapping the chip to suit. But I'm new to the world of Turbo Diesels.
Comparisons of both products are welcome, especially for the Ibiza 110 Sport.
Cheers,
Jon
slim_boy_fat
16-05-2003, 12:19
Depends on so many things, you should prob give the guys at Jabba a phone as they seem to get a good rep and are very helpfull.
Cost, invisibility, performance, reliability, warranty. So many factors.
And contrary to what some say if you are further North Starperformance are also helpfull, and esay going.
Depends what you want.
Remap actively requests more boost and increases fueling by both advancing injection and holding injectors open beyond std map.
Tuning-box can only do the latter, which can lead to more smoke (extra fuel at the end of the injection stroke that doesn't get fully burnt causes the black smoke). To reduce this you're likely to get lower power gains than a remap. Boost is increased passively due to extra fuelling.
Remap is therefore technically "superior".
Tuning box however is much easier to remove, although many remaps are invisible to diagnostics, and you can swap back to std map by swapping your "chip" back. I believe Upsolute offer "plipper" swithc between the two maps. Revo etc go stage further by re-flashing existing chip.
Deffo agree with mik. The tuning boxs are much improved over the older versions, but most still can't compensate for all variables.
I'd also add that is is important to make sure the chip or box maker really understands the VAG engines. Some chip makers really do a work over on the boost, which gives you alot of power, but isn't very healthy for the turbo.
BeezerDiesel
16-05-2003, 16:01
Handy thing with some boxes are that they have a potentiometer to adjust the fuelling on your particular car, so as it comes out of the 'factory' it is a little conservative to keep within emissions in a worst case scenario.
You can then adjust the box on your particular car to the smoke level that suits you afterward [the good established boxes don't usually smoke nowadays in their factory supplied state] by just driving your car and adjusting the pot. a little at a time until you get smoke at WOT then just wind it back fractionally [DIY Rolling road tuning!!!]
Best hint here is to make sure your Air-box is regularly cleaned out as Turbo Diesels don't half suck some air [and filter soon gets covered in debris].
I got one of those tuning box things (from diesel tech but same type of thing) fitted on thursday nite and am very happy with it tho ill prob get a proper ecu remap once the warranty runs out.
I got mine on ebay for £160 and it is brand new never been used. Bloke called cjmarsden seems to own a tuning business and is selling a load of them good and cheap at the minute.
Good thing about the box is that if i dont like it or get rid of the car i can just remove it and sell it again on ebay and shouldnt loose that much money on it. :D
My box has an adjustment screw on the side of it and i have found that the car actually drives a lot better with the power turned down a bit as with it turned up the traction control just has to work over time. Mybe once it gets a bit dryer and traction improves ill turn it up again :)
BeezerDiesel
17-05-2003, 12:48
Zordey: Does your Box have any other connections other than the black plug that fits in the Diesel Pump loom?
Mine takes a feed from the MAF so that it doesn't go too mad on the fuelling at lower readings [I would say lower throttle openings but as it's a Diesel I can't!].
Mind you my car doesn't have traction control anyway :(
Considering they do the same thing more or less, there's quite a bit of variation between these boxes.
One I had on another TDI some years ago took a vacuum feed off the manifold and was very hard to get a steady cruising speed as the turbo kept spooling up all the time, like turbo lag in reverse put me off these things for a while but much happier with the Hermann box I've got now.
Yea it has a wire that connects to the MAF sensor, dont think its the problem with the box over surging or anything as much as:-
Lots of extra power +15" wheels +cheapish tyres +very wet road surface = Very little traction.
As the car is still under warranty, I will probably go for a tuning box due to their easy of installation & removal.
So, are there any companies which are recommended for tuning boxes?
Jon
orangesprout
20-05-2003, 10:39
Jon,
The one i've got is probably the best value for money.
The place is local to you and me and there is guy in Northalerton who
is the guru on problems.
The outputs are all about the same - cost is main thing to me and prorbably you too.
I also get good service from TD tuning - i.e when i bent that box in my gear mech - got mew one free and I had two for a while when i was having troubles ( which was my fault).
Gis a bell later mate- i'm bored down in Oxford. My car got bumped by a twat in a Merc - not happy.
:mad:
orangesprout
20-05-2003, 11:07
jon,
you could get box till warranty runs out then change.
But, none adjustable. I'm happy with mine. Upsolute good option for chipping tho - really cheap, and good results.
I'm working on principal - when I sell car box is sold separately.
Box option ok if chosen carefully.
Go for system with MAF sensed fuelling, they're much better. i.e don't smoke - it's bad for you and might harm your baby !!!!
Watch out for Merc's - no good for Ibiza bumpers !!
Forgot to tell you, some little evil scumbag nicked girlfrinds mirrors off her Astra - dirty little bugger. so got to fit some new ones.
enjoy work - at least you have friends up there, i'm billy no mates down here, but i'm back up north Thursday.:sick: :sick: :sick: :sick: :sick:
I'd like to have a little test drive in the ginger mobile again, if that's alright mate. Just to see what it's like to drive & compare between yours & mine.
Bummer to hear about your bumper:mad: & your lasses mirrors:eek:
Forgot to mention I've ordered some 6x9's to go in the parcel shelf. The previous owner had put in some Alpine 6x9's in the shelf. He had left the grilles in but not the speakers! So I've got the perfect excuse to treat myself!
By the way, I've got a little story to tell you about the Corrado.;)
I'll speak to ya later.
Jon
orangesprout
20-05-2003, 12:29
ok mate, give me a call after 5pm on my moby.
Forgot to tell you that on TDi's
The MAF has big control over turbo, so MAF sensed tuning helps with that progressively rather than all or nothing.
ta