langers
01-05-2002, 10:49
I've put a tuning box on my car, and thought I'd report the results incase anyone is interested.
The make is "Tuning box", and I got it second hand off JohnM on here.
Installation was a little trickier than I had hoped.
I had to remove the acoustic cover, to attach the tuning box to the wiring harness, which wasn't difficult.
I also had to remove the windscreen washer reservoir in order to unattach the turbo pressure sensor, which is mounted on a intercooler hose. I then had to put the turbo pressure sensor for the tuning box on, and then put the cars turbo pressure sensor on top of that, like a sandwich. I fixed the tuning box itself to the back of a headlight, and used cable ties to keep wires out the way.
I then started the car. It started like normal. phew..
And something was flashing on the display....
1300 miles to service... it would choose that time to tell me!!!
It sounded okay. Put the bonnet down and went for a test drive. I was going to take it easy, as it was raining, and the tyres were brand new.
First thing I notice is the accelerator is more sensitive. Also I can feel the tuning box kick in under part throttle. But then I get to an empty and straight piece of road. It really pulls very strongly from much lower down the rev range. I don't have to change down to overtake now. In terms of outright speed, there's not too much difference, but it's now much easier to drive.
I keep trying to change up from fifth gear, because the response in fifth gear is as good as fourth gear was.
Fuel economy is massively improved, because I don't need to rev to the red line any more to get up to speed. There is no visible smoke from the exhaust, which I checked when I asked someone to follow and look.
One downside is the extra power shows up the cars weaknesses in other areas.
The 15inch tyres struggle in the wet. Also, I think I'm getting the clutch judder. With just me in the car, fifth gear up hill, at around 1600-1900 rpm and flooring it, I can feel a judder, as if driving over rumble strips. No, the road doesn't have rumble strips on it. Change down and it disappears.
But I could probably make it happen without the tuning box if I had more weight on board. The clutches do seem very weak.
So overall I would say I'm very happy with it, considering how much it cost, and it will be staying on, except for servicing.
The make is "Tuning box", and I got it second hand off JohnM on here.
Installation was a little trickier than I had hoped.
I had to remove the acoustic cover, to attach the tuning box to the wiring harness, which wasn't difficult.
I also had to remove the windscreen washer reservoir in order to unattach the turbo pressure sensor, which is mounted on a intercooler hose. I then had to put the turbo pressure sensor for the tuning box on, and then put the cars turbo pressure sensor on top of that, like a sandwich. I fixed the tuning box itself to the back of a headlight, and used cable ties to keep wires out the way.
I then started the car. It started like normal. phew..
And something was flashing on the display....
1300 miles to service... it would choose that time to tell me!!!
It sounded okay. Put the bonnet down and went for a test drive. I was going to take it easy, as it was raining, and the tyres were brand new.
First thing I notice is the accelerator is more sensitive. Also I can feel the tuning box kick in under part throttle. But then I get to an empty and straight piece of road. It really pulls very strongly from much lower down the rev range. I don't have to change down to overtake now. In terms of outright speed, there's not too much difference, but it's now much easier to drive.
I keep trying to change up from fifth gear, because the response in fifth gear is as good as fourth gear was.
Fuel economy is massively improved, because I don't need to rev to the red line any more to get up to speed. There is no visible smoke from the exhaust, which I checked when I asked someone to follow and look.
One downside is the extra power shows up the cars weaknesses in other areas.
The 15inch tyres struggle in the wet. Also, I think I'm getting the clutch judder. With just me in the car, fifth gear up hill, at around 1600-1900 rpm and flooring it, I can feel a judder, as if driving over rumble strips. No, the road doesn't have rumble strips on it. Change down and it disappears.
But I could probably make it happen without the tuning box if I had more weight on board. The clutches do seem very weak.
So overall I would say I'm very happy with it, considering how much it cost, and it will be staying on, except for servicing.