Just got remapped @ P-torque... :)

[SideshowBob]

Hi all

Well after a few weeks deliberating over whether to get it done or not, I took my Mk1 Octy vRS for a remap at performance torque. I also had a Pipercross panel filter fitted to help it breathe a little better (and so I could hear a bit more from the engine & turbo) and a forge 007p recirc dump valve so I wouldn't have to worry about the OE one playing up. Will was very knowledgeable and gave the car a health check and test drive first, paying attention to condition of the clutch as mine is now at 85k... After a run on the dyno while logging it he found no problems or concerns, so on with the map.

An hour or so later with the map sorted and another dyno run, he took it for a quick test drive before handing me the keys to make sure I was happy with it. I only managed a short test drive up the industrial estate a couple of times due to the roadworks at the entrance, but straight away I was hugely impressed. I then paid up, sorted out insurance before setting off back home.

The drive home was a hoot, every chance I got I was exploring the extra grunt. I have to say it has made the car come alive...it was quite quick as standard but not particularly torquey, well now it's waaay quicker, every gear has massive usable punch and all the while still being very civilised to potter around in. The engine note has changed, it's gone from 'police camera action' to now having a bit of bite to it, and on a quiet road surface with little traffic I can now hear all sorts of mechanical whirrs and suchlike which I like. The Forge is good, doesn't sound chavvy at all in fact I suspect it can only be heard inside the car, but with the extra boost you can feel it shutting abruptly and it makes a nice 'chock' noise when you shut off. First gear is now strictly consigned for just getting rolling unless you're really delicate with the throttle, especially with the roads still greasy. Second will spin up, third will scrabble for grip even on a dry road and fourth has huge range. Fifth gear on the motorway is staggering, by the time you're alongside that car that's been hogging the middle lane you're doing 25-30mph more than they are. Still got 39mpg coming back from birmingham to preston with the odd mad moment...

Before the map my car pulled 181.7hp with 184.4lb/ft torque

After the map it now makes 210.9hp with 230lb/ft torque woot woot!!

The midrange is where it really impresses....from 3.5 to 4.5k I've gained another 40-65lb/ft torque and it really shows.

Dyno graph HERE for your perusement...sorry but for some reason I can't include a jpg? - Done by Tom

[Tom_vRS]

Blimey, thats an impressive mid-range for sure!!

(I've added the graph to your post )

[vRSLen]

Well done, welcome to the real world of motoring

[GREGSTER-VRS]

With out being too cheeky, what does this sort of work cost?

I am picking up my 03 vRS on Thursday, its got 69k on the clock but is totally standard.

I am toying with the idea of upgrades by didn’t wantto wreck the motor... :no:

Cheers

Greg

[vRS chris]

Last time i checked prices for a live (custom) re map are around the £400 mark. But it can all depend on where you get it done. You can get generic maps for cheaper but they are not as good.

[GREGSTER-VRS]

Is there such a thing a safe level to remap the 1.8 vRS too, or is this going to open a can of worms... :wonder:

[SideshowBob]

The 1.8T is quite a strong motor and will take a decent amount of tuning before you have to start going 'internal'. The things to watch out for are really the clutch and the amount of boost that you're running. I've heard talk that the stock clutch (in good health) is good for up to 250hp. However if your clutch is on it's last legs then more power will obviously kill it quicker. A lot of tuners tend to do a run or two on the dyno with the car in a higher state of tune to check for clutch slip before backing things off a bit. I'm sure I saw Will do a 215hp run and suspect it was for this reason. Also, old perished hoses will quickly show problems in the form of boost leaks at higher boost. That said, my vRS is an 02 model and all seems fine.

The main thing I would check with a remap is how much overboost and held boost it's running. Some tuners (mentioning no names here) have been known to run well over 20psi which looks good on the dyno graph and for bragging rights, but won't do your turbo any good at all. One of the reasons I chose P-Torque is that Will doesn't go chasing headline figures, instead preferring to map a decent smooth torque curve that's more friendly to the car and smooth to drive.

As for cost, I took advantage of the January offer and got the remap for £245. I added a pipercross panel filter and forge dv which took the cost to £360 all in. As it's a stage 1 map and therefore intended for an otherwise standard-ish car it's a relatively safe level of tuning. With a but of respect for the clutch and turbo it shouldn't affect reliability or engine life much or at all.

[GREGSTER-VRS]

Thanks for that Bob that sounds very reasonable price for the power increase.

I have couple more questions,

1) Do you have a standard exhaust and do you use normal unleaded or V +?

2) How did you sort the insurance out, do you have a specialist insurer? I have a great premium but doubt if they do modifications....

Thanks a lot

Greg

[SideshowBob]

Hi Greg

Yes I have a standard exhaust, no mods at all in fact until this week! I run it on V-Power 90% of the time, it gets better fuel economy which pays for the extra cost per litre, and gives a quite noticeable performance increase even on a standard car. To get the quoted 180bhp Skoda state 98ron fuel or higher is required. Having run it on v-power then gone back to 95 a few times it definitely pulls harder on 98. Some remap require 98 and run poorly on 95, I checked with Will on this beforehand and he says the stg1 map runs fine on 95 although it will obviously make less power. Worth knowing though in case you're low on fuel with no Shell garages around....

When I took out my policy a few months ago I was hoping to get it remapped so I made sure I chose an insurer that was ok with mods. I think my policy is with equity red star and is via Adrian Flux. The remap etc added £40 to my premium. Definitely check before you get anything done, and if they do mods and give you an acceptable adjustment figure, get them to save it with your policy. Many's the time that I've been quoted one figure only to phone up later after having made modifications to be told a completely different (higher) figure...

[muckipup]

The main thing I would check with a remap is how much overboost and held boost it's running. Some tuners (mentioning no names here) have been known to run well over 20psi which looks good on the dyno graph and for bragging rights, but won't do your turbo any good at all. One of the reasons I chose P-Torque is that Will doesn't go chasing headline figures, instead preferring to map a decent smooth torque curve that's more friendly to the car and smooth to drive.

Some very wise words there! All that glitters is not gold in remapping.

Edited 1 February, 2010 by muckipup

[GREGSTER-VRS]

Hi Greg

Yes I have a standard exhaust, no mods at all in fact until this week! I run it on V-Power 90% of the time, it gets better fuel economy which pays for the extra cost per litre, and gives a quite noticeable performance increase even on a standard car. To get the quoted 180bhp Skoda state 98ron fuel or higher is required. Having run it on v-power then gone back to 95 a few times it definitely pulls harder on 98. Some remap require 98 and run poorly on 95, I checked with Will on this beforehand and he says the stg1 map runs fine on 95 although it will obviously make less power. Worth knowing though in case you're low on fuel with no Shell garages around....

When I took out my policy a few months ago I was hoping to get it remapped so I made sure I chose an insurer that was ok with mods. I think my policy is with equity red star and is via Adrian Flux. The remap etc added £40 to my premium. Definitely check before you get anything done, and if they do mods and give you an acceptable adjustment figure, get them to save it with your policy. Many's the time that I've been quoted one figure only to phone up later after having made modifications to be told a completely different (higher) figure...

Thanks Bob thast just the info I wanted, I am new to the world of modifying and vRS, it coming on Thursday

You say you got more torque, do you think you have seen much of a increase in 0-60?

Thanks again

Greg

[SideshowBob]

Yes I would say so, if you are progressive enough to get the power down. Otherwise, hello wheelspin city.

T'other night, in the wet, I got rolling in 1st and avoided wheelspin up to about 4k, then shifted into 2nd and managed to get the power down without much drama through to about 60mph. I was quite surprised how quick it was to be honest. That said, I don't do the traffic light GP thang and tend to just get rolling a bit before giving it any welly. The Octy vRS, and more so after a remap, is all about in-gear muscle rather than being quick off the line if you get my drift.

[fluffmeister]

Nice one Neilo ....... about time

How about posting Del's for a side by side comparison

[SideshowBob]

Ok if I must....

Just as background to this, my mate Delboy has a Vauxhall Monaro. First he had a stainless system custom made, and a remap..got about 360hp...then he got into drifting and he had a supercharger added...420hp..then he cooked the piston rings on a drifting day and had forged internals, a complete engine rebuild, swirl pot fuel system....520hp

Then he discovered the mapping was terrible, it wasn't cooling properly and the fuel pump was maxed out. Changed fuel pump, fixed cooling system....597hp. The graph attached was when it was running dodgy.

So on the graph he has kindly added a couple of arrows pointing to my octy hp and torque....the git!!

[GREGSTER-VRS]

Wow sounds awesome,

Greg

[p-torque.co.uk]

Only just noticed this thread.

Thanks for taking the time to post your feedback. Pleased you are happy!!