"You dont need more than 200bhp through the front wheels" is an adage ive heard over and over again through the years.

Now ive never driven an FWD car that put out more than 200bhp, but on the basis of beasties like the RS Focus i have to wonder (although some people tell me the VXR Astra is the counter weight to that point).

Anyways, to the point. Ive had the Octy for a few months now and overall, im extremely happy with it, its a great cruising car and a B road overtaking machine in its stock form.

The only place where i have wanted a little more poke on occassion is low down, when pulling away from roundabouts/junctions etc., the performance doesnt seem quite as sporty as it does in the mid-range.

One of my colleagues has a 170 MkII Diesel which he had remapped to 200bhp which he reckons made the world of difference. My only concern is that even a relatively minor remap would probably tip me over the 200bhp mark, which according to the old adage means the car will go to pot.

Im just looking for opinions from those who have had it done, how the MkI octy handles at 200bhp+, particularly in adverse weather, if any other mods are required to go along with it, and what the general verdict is on a remap to 200-210bhp?

Cheers guys

I wouldn't worry too much about the 200bhp "limit" tbh. That gets passed on so many occasions and with technology moving, the limit will increase higher over time. I always thought it was 300bhp anyway...

200+bhp through the front wheels is fine, many on here have tuned front wheel drive cars that put out way more than 200 with no noticeable issues.

I know of at least three MkII Octavias that have in excess of 300bhp but admitedly they have uprated supension and other handling mods to cope with the extra power.

IMO go for a decent remap and you won't look back, I guarantee it

Edited 3 November, 201114 yr by Makefish

Shark Performance gets good reviews on here so might be worth giving them a call .

My mk1 vrs is running around 220bhp and is fine. Pulls ok yet still drives lovely and returns good fuel economy too. As for the 200 bhp in a front wheel drive? My civic type r is running 360bhp at low boost (8psi) and 417bhp high boost (15psi) and that still handles amazing and drives as it should do. All though the chassis mods are quite comprenhisve it's still drives like a oem car

Also worth remembering, just because you have 230bhp doesnt mean you have to use it all the time.

Also worth remembering, just because you have 230bhp doesnt mean you have to use it all the time.

Exactly, it's not an on/off switch.

My Fabia handles 260(ish)bhp through the front wheels without too much fuss. Traction only an issue under full power in 1st and 2nd gear.

But you may need to upgrade a few other parts to get the best out of the uprated power if you go too far...

My Leon is running 260ish. It handled 225 (the original power) just fine, but now its a bit of an animal. In the dry, you have to be trying very hard to get any problems, but in the wet its a very different beast. Its a pain to get off the line quickly, and can happily wheel spin in 1st and 2nd. Has some quite nasty torque steer too.

I would say about 250bhp is the maximum comfortable power on a FWD based on my experience. That said, i've never tried a Ford with their trick front Diff. Does seem a bit pointless to spend all that money on a diff, when they could just make the car RWD, and handle loads more power.

200 bhp use to be the ceiling for getting the best from FWD cars. Any more was lost through wheelspin, understeer etc.

However such is the development of modern chassis and transmisions that that figure has long been surpassed.

Go for it, Shark gets my vote.

Thanks for the comments,

I do of course appreciate that the peak BHP isnt "always on" so to speak, however the number of people who seem to cart out the "200bhp? On a front wheel drive car!" line whenever i mention a remap was making me wonder.

It's something im considering for next summer. I dont want to spend bucketloads of money on it as im not really looking for mega-power just more grunt low down, so will only be looking at a Stage 1 remap.

Had a quick google around last night and that seems to range from 210-220bhp depending on supplier, however all of them quote an increase on torque from 235nm to 295nm which is pretty considerable and is what im after improving really.

Anyone have any experience with the Shark STS type mapping tools? They seem to add quite a bit to the cost, im not sure i see where the extra value is coming from?

Cheers

I've never been in a car where I've thought "I wish this car had less power."

As said it's only as fast as your right foot makes it.

Aspman, try a retop nova running 244bhp plus NOS, before the chav has put the handling and chassis mods on then you might say 'i wish this car had less power'

a lad up my road spent about £3000 getting the redtop into his stripped nova, all he had where lowering springs on it.

standard solid discs, standard dampers, standard seats, no strut brace etc etc.

the car had Maxxis 175/65/14 tyres on it.

Guess what??!? he crashed it before he ever got a chance to uprate the suspension and brakes. i wonder why??? too much power+19yr old Boy

unfortunately we all know the crash safety of a nova, and suffice to say he isn't my neighbour anymore.

Edited 3 November, 201114 yr by Sonner

Thanks for the comments,

I do of course appreciate that the peak BHP isnt "always on" so to speak, however the number of people who seem to cart out the "200bhp? On a front wheel drive car!" line whenever i mention a remap was making me wonder.

It's something im considering for next summer. I dont want to spend bucketloads of money on it as im not really looking for mega-power just more grunt low down, so will only be looking at a Stage 1 remap.

Had a quick google around last night and that seems to range from 210-220bhp depending on supplier, however all of them quote an increase on torque from 235nm to 295nm which is pretty considerable and is what im after improving really.

Anyone have any experience with the Shark STS type mapping tools? They seem to add quite a bit to the cost, im not sure i see where the extra value is coming from?

Cheers

The STS allows you to load the map yourself via the OBD port on your car.

The maps are exchanged vie email.

You can therefore save money on travelling to their site, and swap back and forth from perfomance and standard maps at will. Theres also an immobiler map included, handy for loading when you go away on holiday without your car,

Depends how you drive it surely? My car only has 170BHP, thats plenty for me. I dont think the car has ever been over 100mph.

I can see why some folk would want more but I don't need it. How quick do you drive on UK roads? (genuine question)

I would say 200bhp in the Octy VRS is just about adequate and I find it very well behaved. My 85bhp Citroen AXGT I owned 20 years ago had worse torque steer.

I could make my 130bhp standard fabia wheel spin if I wanted to, means nothing. Same as the tool in the nova, if its driven like a **** then it`ll end up in a hedge