Season's greetings everyone.,

It's been a while since I've posted on here, a testament I feel to how reliable my vRS has become :-) My BLT engine has just ticked over 130k. It's been serviced religiously at all the recommended intervals with genuine parts and fluids. It continues to amaze me everyday because it's still on the original clutch and kkk turbo. I'm considering a remap to add that little extra something. However I'm worried I'm on borrowed time with the above mentioned components. I wanted to guage opinion on whether or not a remap is sensible given the current condition.

In the nicest possible way you haven't told us the "current condition" just the mileage.

just cos they have done 130k doesn't mean they'll fall apart if you dump more power & torque through them.

 

Is the turbo noisy? does it whistle? Is the power delivery still linear and smooth? Does the clutch slip?

If the answers are no, no, yes, no, then no reason why a remap is going to hurt.

 

My original turbo went at 125k but it had done muliple trackdays and went pop during a spin on track at Bedford Autodrome so i only really have myself to blame.

it's also still on the standard clutch despite the hard life it's led and the 136k miles it's done - 100k of those being remapped

 

To counter that my other half's standard car has 66k on the clock and is potentially on it's 3rd turbo.

(I've defeintely had one go pop and the dead one we took off had a 2006 production date stamped on it on a 2004 car)

Thanks. The answers to your qusstions are just as you describe. The turbo makes some whistling noises but you can only hear them with the window down and reflecting off a wall or tall hedge. Nothing abnormal imo. The car have never been on a track day either. I'm feeling more confident now :-)

Yeah some whistling will be normal it's just if it sounds like a police siren and you can hear it over the radio that you have issues

Any "proper" garage should do a pre- & post-remap check to see if it's likely to cause you issues.

I remember asking Jabba to turn the wick up a bit to see if it'll make more power and they said quite simply "no. the clutch won't take it"

 

I'd pop down to Ali at Unit 18 in Milton Keynes and get him to have a look.

He won't do any work he thinks'll have a detremental effect unlike some that will bang a plug&play map on with no investigation or thought whatsoever.

He's cheap too

I've heard good things about unit18. Plus they're just down the road from me. Bonus!

Along with funny noises you can log requested vs actual boost using VCDS lite. Demo works fine with a £6 third party cable (Ross tech don't sell the lite cables).

I keep having exactly this discussion with Ben Wardle at Shark. Fundamentally a strong turbo and a decent clutch are what you want to survive a remap (what PastyBoy said). Unit 18 are very highly recommended. They sell Richard Washbrook remaps. Washbrook is like the godfather of remapping. You won't go wrong with one of his maps.

I recently had a Shark map at 115k. Original clutch, original turbo.

The power delivery now it's mapped feels less harsh on the clutch than stock, as it's so smooth. You lose the low down spike it just pulls nicely all the way to 4.5k rpm.

I did ask if I could have a bit more because I don't think they're the most aggressive remap in the world; but Ant at AP automotive explained to me that's it's written so it's safe. That was the most important thing to me really.

When I'm at the ring and 500 miles from home I'd rather have a car that works than an extra 5bhp/10ftlb.

As has been said, if you feel the car is good mechanically go for it. It's the best thing I've done to mine so far.

i don't think it matters if the car has already been on a track it doesn't make a difference flooring on the motorway or a/b-roads what would the difference be too a track.

my car is on 142k and i have run twice on castle coombe and i would like to re-map it.Like you i'm thinking will the clutch and turbo hold out, but that could be down to you the driver then. i've priced up a new clutch if mine decides to go and it's just shy of £600 from TPS (stock) or do i go for another brand. turbo different game. happy driving.  

Go on carparts4less and use clutch10 as a promo code and a dmf, clutch kit and slave won't be over £300 (all Sachs stuff)