Hi all

I've noticed there is alot of threads that pop up from time to time about remaping various cars, Though I've noticed the mapping appears to be were most people start. What I am wondering is why do people prefer to remap thier cars rather than moddify them?

I'm only realy wondering about stage 1 maps on unmoddified cars vrs physical moddifications such as intakes & intercoolers etc on stock maps? The main reason I ask as from a purely engineering perspective I'm guessing physical moddifciations are less likely to increase the stress on the engine compaired to a remap?

Feel free to add your thoughts if you've gone way past this stage but as far as my understanding goes later stage remaps need to be combined with phsical modifications anyway.

Cheers Can

its all about bang for buck. Remap £ per bhp is by far the best.

its all about bang for buck. Remap £ per bhp is by far the best.

+1. The sensible option is to sort the handling & brakes first, then go for the extra power. I was weak, fell to temptation and did the remap without any other mods. The car certainly went quicker, but all it does is highlight the areas that needed to be improved. A RARB has helped to improve things, but I wouldn't say it handles well yet.

Also (and I'm not talking about anyone in particular here) a remap shows no obvious signs of modification.

Which is good if you don't want to shout about the performance or upset the insurance company...

Also (and I'm not talking about anyone in particular here) a remap shows no obvious signs of modification.

Which is good if you don't want to shout about the performance or upset the insurance company...

I'd be interested know how many remaps aren't declared. Mine is and hasn't really affected the premium that much. I'm much happier knowing that everything is declared and therefore I'm insured as best I can be. The ARB is also on there, but didn't affect the premium at all. Maybe I'm a worrier when it comes to these things, but if there is a chance, even a small percentage that they could wriggle out of a claim, I'd rather fess up.

I'd be interested know how many remaps aren't declared. Mine is and hasn't really affected the premium that much. I'm much happier knowing that everything is declared and therefore I'm insured as best I can be. The ARB is also on there, but didn't affect the premium at all. Maybe I'm a worrier when it comes to these things, but if there is a chance, even a small percentage that they could wriggle out of a claim, I'd rather fess up.

+1,

I have fully declared all mods to my insurer (Adrian Flux) and they have said if I add a DP/sport cat and stage 2 software my premium won't increase. All this for less than the quoted renewal from my previous insurer with NO mods declared!

Better to be safe than sorry, imho.

Oh and remaps can be detected, (apparently).

So is remapping not modifying a car then?

I've noticed there is alot of threads that pop up from time to time about remaping various cars, Though I've noticed the mapping appears to be were most people start. What I am wondering is why do people prefer to remap thier cars rather than moddify them?

I'm only realy wondering about stage 1 maps on unmoddified cars vrs physical moddifications such as intakes & intercoolers etc on stock maps? The main reason I ask as from a purely engineering perspective I'm guessing physical moddifciations are less likely to increase the stress on the engine compaired to a remap?

Feel free to add your thoughts if you've gone way past this stage but as far as my understanding goes later stage remaps need to be combined with phsical modifications anyway.

Cheers Can

Pretty much any worthwhile engine modification will require an engine remap to make use of it. If you remove the DPF and/or cat you will need a remap to delete the sensors, if you fit an intercooler then you will want a remap to take advantage of it.

Remaps are popular as they give a decent boost in performance, widen the usable powerband, easy to install (some can be installed via the diagnostics port) and fairly cheap. Most engine parts are over-engineered and the stock maps are overly conservative to meet emissions targets and cope with poor quality fuel. Most of the performance modifications don't affect parts that suffer from increased stresses as the power increases and tend to focus on getting more air into or out of the engine (which places more stress on the turbo and main engine parts).

So is remapping not modifying a car then?

Hmmm! Good point.

Depends what car you have I think. For example, my vRS will be getting handling tweaks before I go for Stage 1. My time on the track recently just highlighted it even more to me.

I can see how remaps are detectable but I don't know any garages that purposefully look for it. Is it a growing trend by garages to look for them?