Having been hoping for a remap for the 1.6 TDI for the past 2 years and having no luck I finally decided to explore other options. Understanding the bad rep that comes with plug in boxes I spent months doing research to see what my options were and trying to find as much information as possible on them. I came across TMC mainly from the Audi A1 forum as a few on there took the plunge with the tuning boxes they supply with some decent gains and inciteful write ups. If its good enough for an Audi its good enough for my Ibiza!
I contacted Daron at TMC and had a chat about the products available and he mentioned that he had two available for this engine. Stage one is a digital multichannel box that connects to the turbo sensor, the camshaft sensor and I think the MAF. This is rated at an extra 25 bhp and around 50 Nm extra torque. Stage two is a peizo electric box that connects to the injectors only, with a power feed of the battery. This is rated at around 25 bhp and an extra 70 nm torque.
Given that the stage one box is difficult to install because the turbo connector is under the engine and the fact that the stage 2 has more torque I opted for the stage 2 even though it was a hundred pound more, it was the right decision.....
The torque comes in alot earlier at a much higher value and kind of stays there for a while until the power takes over and you can definately notice this in the real world the car has come alive! The power and torque stays with you all the way to about 4000 rpm which makes for booting it a more enjoyable experience. But it is so much more easier to drive everyday alot more effortless with the increased low down punch. Going uphill seems easier no dropping down a gear and overtaking is a breeze! I will upload a dyno picture later on.
I have had no issue with the DPF, if anything I would say the box has improved the performance of the DPF. Usually I would notice an active regen with every tank of fuel, maybe even two regens per 450 miles if I was unlucky. But I have now had it fitted for a month coverring at least 2000 miles and have noticed it twice. I think the way the box improves the injection pulse timing and the increased tempertures when you give it some burns off more soot, but thats just my thoughts. I have also not noticed a decrease in fuel consumption still getting about 450 miles to a tank but with the reduced active regens, which I think use alot of fuel, and the improved driving experience I am expecting this to be the case, if not better consumption.
The only things I have noticed so far was firstly the rough idle which sorted itself out and the fact that first gear is almost redundant now! It is also a little more kangarooey (?) in first gear in slow traffic I think due to the extra power and the fact that the box takes a fraction more time to process what the excelerator is doing maybe, just my guess dont quote me! Also, the real time MPG display is way off!
All in all I am more than satisfied with my purchase and the service from TMC and it shows just what is capable from the 1.6 TDI engine. Apparently the Germans are working on an even more powerfull unit!
I understand that the cost for the stage 2 unit (£400) seems alot and that if a remap did come out it would probably be the same price, but if you factor in what you could get if you sold it on into the overall cost of ownership would come down abit.
Feel free to ask any questions.
Cheers
PS. Tried to keep up with a Corsa VXR from the lights but he had me on the straight, not as bad as I thought. Smoked an Audi R8 at the same lights though.....
I contacted Daron at TMC and had a chat about the products available and he mentioned that he had two available for this engine. Stage one is a digital multichannel box that connects to the turbo sensor, the camshaft sensor and I think the MAF. This is rated at an extra 25 bhp and around 50 Nm extra torque. Stage two is a peizo electric box that connects to the injectors only, with a power feed of the battery. This is rated at around 25 bhp and an extra 70 nm torque.
Given that the stage one box is difficult to install because the turbo connector is under the engine and the fact that the stage 2 has more torque I opted for the stage 2 even though it was a hundred pound more, it was the right decision.....
The torque comes in alot earlier at a much higher value and kind of stays there for a while until the power takes over and you can definately notice this in the real world the car has come alive! The power and torque stays with you all the way to about 4000 rpm which makes for booting it a more enjoyable experience. But it is so much more easier to drive everyday alot more effortless with the increased low down punch. Going uphill seems easier no dropping down a gear and overtaking is a breeze! I will upload a dyno picture later on.
I have had no issue with the DPF, if anything I would say the box has improved the performance of the DPF. Usually I would notice an active regen with every tank of fuel, maybe even two regens per 450 miles if I was unlucky. But I have now had it fitted for a month coverring at least 2000 miles and have noticed it twice. I think the way the box improves the injection pulse timing and the increased tempertures when you give it some burns off more soot, but thats just my thoughts. I have also not noticed a decrease in fuel consumption still getting about 450 miles to a tank but with the reduced active regens, which I think use alot of fuel, and the improved driving experience I am expecting this to be the case, if not better consumption.
The only things I have noticed so far was firstly the rough idle which sorted itself out and the fact that first gear is almost redundant now! It is also a little more kangarooey (?) in first gear in slow traffic I think due to the extra power and the fact that the box takes a fraction more time to process what the excelerator is doing maybe, just my guess dont quote me! Also, the real time MPG display is way off!
All in all I am more than satisfied with my purchase and the service from TMC and it shows just what is capable from the 1.6 TDI engine. Apparently the Germans are working on an even more powerfull unit!
I understand that the cost for the stage 2 unit (£400) seems alot and that if a remap did come out it would probably be the same price, but if you factor in what you could get if you sold it on into the overall cost of ownership would come down abit.
Feel free to ask any questions.
Cheers
PS. Tried to keep up with a Corsa VXR from the lights but he had me on the straight, not as bad as I thought. Smoked an Audi R8 at the same lights though.....
