Hi

The car I have just bought may or may not have had the engine remapped or a performance chip in it. How do I tell? There is no paperwork to support this, but two owners before me

apparently had it remapped. Should this concern me? I'm obviously aware of the insurance implications.... if it is remapped!

I have never driven another VRS so I've nothing to compare it to.

Please no comments that I shouldn't have bought the car! Serious advice only please...

Thanks in advance

Contact the previous keeper, and ask him who it was remapped by. They will be prepared to tell you if they've remapped $registration on $date.

As for an interceptor chip (including a fleabay resistor in this context), they can be removed tracelessly, as far as effects on the car's OEM performance are concerned, so if the guy bought another 1.8T180 engine car, he could have kept an interceptor.

If it has a boost guage youll be able to tell. You should 'know' if it has judging by the turbo rush/boost.

If it has a boost guage youll be able to tell. You should 'know' if it has judging by the turbo rush/boost.

Has no boost guage unfortunately, maybe notice a louder/harder turbo spool up? I've been in a mate's chipped williams clio and that was a bit fiesty!!!

Maybe if the car peforms a bit better than i think it should then its been done?

I hope to god its not one of those rubbish resistors from ebay :'(

You should feel it kick in much harder than a standard one coupled with wheelspin, and general antics.

The diverter valve also should be quite audible.

The diverter valve also should be quite audible.

As in the dump valve? that sounds good

Yes

Yes

Thanks! will let you know how it goes.... fingers X'd

You should feel it kick in much harder than a standard one coupled with wheelspin, and general antics.

It's night and day difference between a mapped and standard car but not much use if you haven't driven any others. IMO the standard cars don't feel that quick. As said a boost gauge will reveal all, or maybe ask a local tuner if they will see what software is on your ECU.

Could be worth posting half the reg plate and seeing if anyone recognises the plate.

Unfortunatly thats the problem with buying any car 2nd/3rd/4th hand, you can never be sure what has been done in the past.

Any tuner should be able to check the ECU for original code, we do it FOC.

could you contact me ref prices or offers on mapping shark

mk1 vrs shark mapping prices

Update!

Many thanks to APD Poole, who are very good indeed, and highly recommended.

Connected their computer for me, I took one of the guys for a spin to see what boost was being produced.... Standard! all be it with a slight leak in the diverter valve.... which i shall be

replacing!

They also identified my need for a new recirc motor!

All FOC. so I gave the guy a bag of sweets for his trouble! Brilliant