can anyone distinguish the difference between these so called tuning boxs and ECU remaps? ive had a look around on ebay and you can pick one up for arounf 50-70 pound which is great in comparison to most remaps, altho how can they be so cheap in comparison?

also theres ones varying from 50 to about 375 pound which i have no idea why because i can see absolutely no difference lol

can anyone shed some light on the matter and whether these tuning boxs are recommended or not?

thanks, jordan

Tuning boxes scramble the messages sent to the ECU, either through analogue resistors or digitally, and make the ECU provide better response in the engine to suit the data it gets. However, ECU remaps have the same outcome, increased BHP and economy. IMHO, a remap would be best, but you could easily remove and install the tuning box. Remap would cost you £300 but can't easily be undone! The analogue tuning boxes are cheap because they're made cheaply, the digital ones are more expensive but can provide custom settings, be disabled whilst driving via a button etc. I'd recommend a remap on a vRS.

David

Tuning boxes scramble the messages sent to the ECU, either through analogue resistors or digitally, and make the ECU provide better response in the engine to suit the data it gets. However, ECU remaps have the same outcome, increased BHP and economy. IMHO, a remap would be best, but you could easily remove and install the tuning box. Remap would cost you £300 but can't easily be undone! The analogue tuning boxes are cheap because they're made cheaply, the digital ones are more expensive but can provide custom settings, be disabled whilst driving via a button etc. I'd recommend a remap on a vRS.

David

hey thanks you seem to know quite abit about these lol so why would you recommend a remap? what was you reasoning?

jordan

A tuning box can only increase fuelling and can therefore cause smoke, while giving a crude increase in power.

A remap can alter literally anything in the ECU which gives scope to properly tune the map and alter a lot more than just the amount of fuel that's injected.

im sure these tuning boxes are alot less reliable seeing as there more involved in the electrics of the car? i dont think id trust anything thats tampering with the electrics especially as they dont come with garantee etc.

jordan

for a vrs id recommend a remap !

although you do see good gains from the common rail astra sri's using a box .

but for the pd130 a remap is definately your safest bet.

the simple way to look at it is

you get what you pay for