IA TUNED ECU – TAKE BACK THE POWER!
20-35% MORE POWER
IMPROVED DRIVABILITY
INCREASED POWER
STRONGER ACCELERATION
ECU PROGRAMMING
ECU Programming/Remapping is a software change where we modify the operating parameters in the vehicles ECU program or ‘map’. We do not change or add any hardware in your vehicle. In many cases the map stored on the ECU’s processor can be accessed via the on-board diagnostics port (OBD) in the vehicle, normally found under the dashboard. In some newer models the ECU will have to be removed from the vehicle and programmed on the bench.
During the mapping process we will adjust the parameters to maximize the performance, fuel economy, or a clever blend of both. Depending on the vehicle and ECU type, the remapping process normally takes less than an hour, sometimes longer if it needs to be programmed on the bench.
WHAT IS ECU PROGRAMMING?
When a manufacturer develops a new car, they have to take into consideration all of the conditions it may be subjected to in all of the regions in which they intend to sell this model. This means instead of just optimizing the ECU’s program to deliver the best performance or the most fuel efficiency, they have to make compromises to the map to take into account these potential differing operating conditions. These could include sub-standard fuels, extreme temperature and altitude, differing emission laws and even the possibility that vehicle may not be serviced on a regular basis and in accordance with the manufacturers recommended instructions.
ECU remapping is taking a read from the ECU’s processing chip of the vehicles standard compromised map and adjusting various parameters within the map such as fuel pressure, boost pressure (on turbocharged applications) ignition advance and throttle pedal control amongst others to release the true performance from the engine. It is a completely safe process as it is just giving the engine the performance it should have had in the first place before all the compromises were applied to the original programming. Every engine will have its own unique map and by adjusting this we can fine tune the characteristics of the engine; unleashing more power and in many cases reduce fuel consumption too.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF ECU PROGRAMMING?
ECU programming will not only improve the engines power and torque figures, it will also sharpen the throttle response and widen the power-band. This will make the power delivery a lot more linear, which in turn will make the vehicle feel a lot livelier to drive and the engine more flexible. Frequently, the vehicles power output is restricted by the manufacturer for no other reason than to ensure that the vehicle fits into a class to suit fleet buyers. As a driving enthusiast, you do not need or want such restrictions placed upon your vehicles ECU and its performance, therefore you can benefit from the hidden power and torque locked away within your engine management system.
The other main benefit of remapping will be a reduction in fuel consumption. With the extra torque especially at the bottom of the rev range, you will see a fuel saving as it will require less throttle input to maintain motorway speeds, you can drive in a higher gear at a slower speed as well as helping significantly when fully laden, towing or on gradients and even in start stop traffic.
BENEFITS FOR TURBOCHARGED DIESEL ENGINES
Many see the modern crop of Turbocharged diesels as the future of road car’s chip tuning. These engines offer fantastic potential for reliable low-cost tuning without removing any of the appeal of buying and running a turbo diesel powered vehicles, such as economy, reliability and longevity.
After your ECU upgrades to your turbocharged diesel engine, you will enjoy:
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Increased horsepower
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Increased torque
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Better throttle response
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Smoother power delivery
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Improved fuel economy
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Safer overtaking
BENEFITS FOR TURBOCHARGED PETROL ENGINES
Turbocharged petrol engines have always been regarded as the sports flagship engine for good reason. They boast far higher power & torque figures than a non-turbocharged power-plant with similar displacement and are usually fitted to the manufacturer’s flagship models. They are also ideal candidates for programming as the ECU also controls the waste-gate (turbo boost pressure control).
After your ECU upgrades to your turbocharged petrol engine, you will enjoy:
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Increased horsepower
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Increased torque
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Better throttle response
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Smoother power delivery
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Safer overtaking
IS THERE ANY FUEL SAVINGS WITH ECU PROGRAMMING?
When we remap a vehicle, especially when fuel saving is the priority we focus on improving the low end torque in particular and widening the power-band as far as we can.
This increase in low end torque will mean less throttle pedal input is required to maintain cruising speeds, when fully laden or when on a gradient. It will also mean that the vehicle will be more comfortable in higher gears at slower speeds as well requiring fewer gear changes overall.
If you combine these factors with adjusting your driving style to make the most of the extra low end torque, you will see an improvement in fuel consumption. This is most effective on turbo-diesel engines where the savings could be as much as 20%!
WILL ECU PROGRAMMING AFFECT MY WARRANTY?
In short, Yes, ECU Remapping can affect your warranty and potentially any engine related components.
The official message from most manufacturers is that if a modification causes a problem with the vehicle, then the part of the vehicle affected will not be covered under warranty, this does not mean a unilateral cancelling of the whole warranty.
Our remaps are developed and tested to a very high standard enabling us to increase the power of a vehicle without pushing it beyond its limits.