Re map explaination please

[DJD66]

Hi, I'm new to the VRS, only had my 06 just under 3 weeks.

I have recently joined the forums, & have read several threads on re mapping,

I don't want to appear thick, but what is remapping, & do I need to get it done to my car?

[Pozza]

Hi, re-mapping is where you get the ECU of the car fitted with a new mapping system (program) which increases timing, turbo boost etc and gives the car more BHP and Torque and usually slightly increases fuel consumption. No you do not have to get it done but if you want to make your car faster this is the way to do it, but beware your insurance will rise!!!!!!!

[DJD66]

Thanks for the explaination, mine doesn't need to be done in that case, it's fast enough as it is!! Just upgraded my 1999 1.6GLXi Octavia to the 2.0TFSi VRS, in comparison, this one is insane!!

[youngbaz]

usually slightly increases fuel consumption

I'm sure this is just a slip ... You will find that nearly all those who have had remaps report that it actual decreases (reduces!) fuel consumption, not the other way round. So it's a win/win option. Usual explanation of fuel consumption improvement is that increased torque means you don't have to change down so often.

[BeezerDiesel]

If you drive 'normally' the fuel economy will often improve a little (particularly on a TDI) but if you use the extra performance the economy will suffer as remapping involves upping the fuelling.

As for whether you need to do it, well not really I guess; but it's one of those things that once you've done it once every other turbo car you own will get it done too as it just makes the car so much better to drive.

[shark_90]

Thinking back, I think every turbo car I've had in the last 6 years has been remapped at some point in its life!

[BeezerDiesel]

Thinking back, I think every turbo car I've had in the last 6 years has been remapped at some point in its life!

I think I'm on my seventh!

Plus another two with tuning boxes back in the early days just to try 'em out.

[Reds]

I may be missing something, but if a remap makes a car faster, generally more economical, and more enjoyable to own - why don't manufacturers exploit this and sell the cars with these improvements / modifications as standard? :confused:

[modra_vrs]

I may be missing something, but if a remap makes a car faster, generally more economical, and more enjoyable to own - why don't manufacturers exploit this and sell the cars with these improvements / modifications as standard? :confused:

To quote Bladerunner, ahem, " The light that burns twice as bright , lasts half as long".

Manufacturers build in tolerances so that the engine will remain reliable and well within it's limits.

I had a Focus ST 225 prior to my Skoda. A simple remap boosted BHP by 45 and Torque by 90lb ft. The different was well worth the money and I could remove it come service time in 5 minutes. However my engine / transmission was under more stress and it could be made to spin it's wheels in 4th gear very easily with T/C disabled.

The other thing as well these days is emissions. A car's tax rating could go up one or two categories with a remap, making the car less attractive to fleet buyers, especially if it tipped over into Band G.

[jonnycatbiscuit]

Thinking back, I think every turbo car I've had in the last 6 years has been remapped at some point in its life!

Yeah, but you can do it yourself now...

[BeezerDiesel]

I may be missing something, but if a remap makes a car faster, generally more economical, and more enjoyable to own - why don't manufacturers exploit this and sell the cars with these improvements / modifications as standard? :confused:

In some countries the importers do.

You will find that a manufacturer will have a few similar-ish versions of the same engine with varying power outputs. Re-mapping will put some engines under more strain than others. The 1.4 super-turbo-charged engine is a good example here; the lower output version re-maps to exactly the same figure as the higher output version.

The very best mappers will run a demo car with their map on it for a fairly large mileage to check any tolerances haven't been exceeded, which is one of the reasons that some re-maps produce better power outputs than others. Using REVO as an example, they will often have slightly higher outputs than others when tested but they are a smallish company specialising in only certain cars and their agents will test run a re-mapped car for any issues before and after re-flashing the ECU and make adjustments as necessary. There will be other compainies for example Superchips (Bluefin) or ChippedUK (ST1) that send out a dongle for you to upload a map to you car yourself. Obviously these companies won't have looked at your car so the maps may well be slightly tamer to ensure the maps don't damage an engine that may not be 100% healthy.

Also I have to agree with the Bladerunner quote there too. The re-map will be pushing the parameters of some components even if the basic engine is well up to the uprated power. Diverter valves will be an obvious one, along with clutches, gearboxes, engine mounts, hoses etc etc. As I said though, some engines will be more robust than others and I think the 2.0 TFSI/TSI is pretty well up to adding over 100bhp without major impending failures (assuming engine is healthy to begin with).

[corradoboy]

Why cars aren't supplied to their full potential by manufacturers.....

Manufacturers have their hands tied by emmissions regulations which force them to compromise their cars abilities in favour of slotting it into a lower VED bracket or business car tax band. Advertising often focuses on economy, so the engines are leaned out with maps tailored to get the maximum mpg at 30, 55 and 70 regardless of what performance they achieve. The reason the remap actually can improve on economy over the claimed figures is that when the tests are done the drivers do not drive anything like a normal person. In the real world, if you have a bit more power then your engine needs to work a little less hard to achieve the same result. However, if you abuse that power it (mpg) will go downhill quickly. On my car, by upping the boost, and tailoring the fuelling and timing it went from 130bhp and 228 lb/ft (torque) to 180/312, which is about a 38% increase. Another factor as to why they limit performance is their own market strategies. VAG (Volkswagen, Audi, Seat, Skoda (+ Lambo, Bugatti, Bentley)) always give the budget Skoda brand the least power, Volkswagen next but with more refinement, then Seat gets a little more power but less comfort as it's seen as their youth or sporty marque, Audi gets the most power and luxury (ignoring the exotica). Even though my Fabia has the same engine as several Audi's, VW's and Seat's, it is given the least power by a mix of a compromised map and lower spec parts (intercooler, turbo, intake, fuel pump, injectors etc).

Couldn't be bothered retyping it.

[Guest]

The 1.4 super-turbo-charged engine is a good example here; the lower output version re-maps to exactly the same figure as the higher output version.

Rarely do manufacturers produce the same engine and vary its output by ECU coding alone, i.e. there are usually other subtle modifications.

[rsbspt]

Another reason why some people go down he remapping ruote (well why I did) is to get rid of low speed hesitation and general lack of smoothness in some parts of the rev range. All the other benefits are a bonus!