Afternoon guys,

 

I have a 2014 VRS TDI and was wondering if it's worth me getting one of these boxes? I feel like the VRS should have slightly more power and this seems ideal.

 

Do they affect the Skoda Warrenty? Are they easy to fit? Are there many known problems with fitting one of these? What would the benefit of a box be compared to a remap?

 

Any help would be much appreciated.

 

Thanks!

I'm in same position. Yes it would affect warranty, but it can be easily removed!

Not sure about rest. I'd be interested to know if they cause any smoking from over fuelling?

1. More Power for the vRS TDI = Yes
2. Affect warrenty = Yes
3. Easy to fit = Yes on the TDI absolute biatch on the TSI though
4. Easy to remove = see answer 3
5. Known problems = You can't be too greedy with the settings in winter
6. Benefit of box V remap = Box is not currently tracible when removed, remap is

All diesels make smoke when pushed, it comes from their tractor heritage.

 

Regards

T

Hi Kylelcfc,

I have just fitted a DTUK box to my 6 month old vRS TDi, although I have only done a few hundred miles I can offer a couple of thoughts on it.

1. Yes when fitted, no when not (not traceable)

2. As already said yes on the TDi, although I did have a few minutes of fun getting one of the sensors off (and lost a bit of skin!!).

3. If you push to the top power limits it may be 'jerky' in power delivery and could trigger the engine light (although I have not had the engine light come on in any settings I have tried).

4. Box is invisible when removed, a re-map is not and would probably get wiped at a service.

 

Does it make a difference... hell yes, it has turned my car from a reasonably nippy estate (I never found the 183bhp that responsive/fast) to a fairly quick estate (236bhp ish).  Power delivery is smooth, in the right programme and setting (it comes with 3 programmes and 6 setting = or - for each one), they are different and it took a couple of runs to see what I liked best.  Overall I am extremely happy and really impressed with the results, its now a great car to drive, lots of torque and the power, accelerating is now a joy!!  No sign of any black smoke or increased pdf activity at all.  I like it because the unlike some power upgrades that need brakes/suspension changes the vRS is designed for around 230bhp (Petrol version) so the car is designed to handle the extra power.  

I've thought about having one of these also, but my main sticking point is the warranty thing, some (including dtuk) will tell you its 'warranty safe' as easily removed and no permanent coding there is other information on a previous thread via a vw forum (tenuous i know but skoda engines are VAG engines) that any modification to the engine results in a code being stored in the ecu and that when undertaking any warranty work dealers are required to send this information to the manufacturer, of course a claim for a dodgy stereo or faulty rain sensor shouldn't be affected by a tuning box but it could be that your 'marked' from then on.

 

Its an emotive subject as there are all sorts of moral implications too not only from the supplier who actively sells them as 'warranty safe' to the individual and the possibility of committing warranty fraud in the very unlikely event something happens.

 

i wouldn't like to be the first one to find out they aren't warranty safe and that through the ecu they can tell you've had mods done which caused a turbo failure for example which wrecked your engine and your left with a bill for several thousands to replace.

 

yes with modern oils and components you could argue a part that vital shouldn't fail but hands will undoubtedly be washed on your claim at any hint of modification, I wonder then if the supplier of said 'warranty safe' tuning box will then come through for you?

Potentially I could be interested in one of these as well but the thing that puts me off is the DSG box.  Anyone know what my vRS TDi with a tuning box would produce torque wise and what is the DSG box safe for?

Ok I don't have one fitted to an Octy VRS, but my 320d is a 4cyl Turbo Derv producing 184bhp.....so fairly similar.... ;-) With the box fitted they say 230bhp but I'd take that figure with a pinch of salt.

 

I've had a DTUK CRD-T 'Trevor' box fitted since two weeks after collecting the car! It's made a real difference to the power and its delivery.

 

The box doesn't seem to activate until around 2.5k so you don't feel like you're battering your clutch and flywheel! I have my box set to map 3 +2 and the surge is pretty immense! 2nd gear foot down is a real eye opener!

 

I run my car on BP derv with Diesel Rhino additive with every tank, the car just runs as sweet as a nut.

 

With regards to Warranties etc..... like previously said, the box is easily removable, but whether any codes are left on the ECU is another matter. I'm going to be whipping my box next week as my car is booked in with BMW for a major service. I guess we'll see if they mention anything!

Known problems = You can't be too greedy with the settings in winter

 

Why is that?

I was only looking in to this yesterday

I've had my last 3 cars re mapped by Jabba Sport and like the idea of custom mapping but I also like the sound of this box did it take long to fit?

....some (including dtuk) will tell you its 'warranty safe' as easily removed and no permanent coding there is other information on a previous thread via a vw forum (tenuous i know but skoda engines are VAG engines) that any modification to the engine results in a code being stored in the ecu and that when undertaking any warranty work dealers are required to send this information to the manufacturer, of course a claim for a dodgy stereo or faulty rain sensor shouldn't be affected by a tuning box but it could be that your 'marked' from then on.

 

They are referring to a remap - not one of these boxes. These boxes intercept the fuel/boost signal AFTER the ecu's signal so as far as the ecu is concerned it thinks it is running standard. That was my understanding on it anyway.

 

I have one of these boxes and love it (granted I fell out of love with after a couple of issues but these have both been sorted) - fitting takes no longer than 5 minutes and the same for removal. The technical support, if you need it, is great.

Why is that?

Too strong a setting doesn't run well with really low temperatures however, the TSI's don't seem to struggle so much, as long as you can get the oil temperture +80

Doubtful it will leave a permanent stamp on the ECU, that's applied by the dealers if they compare the data of the car to what it should be from factory.

You'd have to,get a right **** of a dealer to do that to you!

What's the max response pedal box, it's the cheapest out the three but has max power?

It a remap for your throttle, removes pedal lag and alters the way your throttle responds, on its most aggressive setting you end up with a very sensertive acclerator, a lot of fun and one forum member found insurance companies charge no extra hen they are declared.

It a remap for your throttle, removes pedal lag and alters the way your throttle responds, on its most aggressive setting you end up with a very sensertive acclerator, a lot of fun and one forum member found insurance companies charge no extra hen they are declared.

 

Having driven that car I can vouch for that!!  Gives a short throttle pedal.

Potentially I could be interested in one of these as well but the thing that puts me off is the DSG box.  Anyone know what my vRS TDi with a tuning box would produce torque wise and what is the DSG box safe for?

 

I bought one for my TDI.  I have to say I was disappointed, not with the Trevor but because I believe the DSG limits the engine torque so there appeared to be little or no gain on my car (as measured with my seat-of-the pants dyno).

 

FWIW, my insurers were happy for me to install it with no additional premium.

Edited 29 May, 201511 yr by Gizmo68
Please join freedom if you wish to sell on Briskoda

Doubtful it will leave a permanent stamp on the ECU, that's applied by the dealers if they compare the data of the car to what it should be from factory.

You'd have to,get a right **** of a dealer to do that to you!

I dont think dealers really have any option with that. I was under the impression that the new dealer diagnostic equipment does it automatically once connected to the car

Even if the DSG box has a 400nm limiter, surely it will hold this torque much further up the rev-range?

DSG torque limiters only work in lower gears, by the time you're in 3rd, there are no limits.

 

Jono, as with all tunes the object of the exercise is to widen the torque band thereby, making the car get thrown down the road faster even when rev-hungrey humans are at the controls, torque bands are much further down the rev range than most presume/assume.

Bought a DTUK box, fitted it, ran all the various map combinations, removed it as it used loads more fuel at a steady 70mph on CC, had the car remapped at Shark... performance was back and IMPROVED fuel consumption 

 

I tried them as I had previously owned a Dragon Digital tuning box which produced good results, DTUK also offered a full refund if you are not happy.. too good to be true? yes it was... they failed to mention they would charge £50 for restocking fee!

Why is that?

Or.. because you crash.... more power plus our carp roads with added ice... not good bedfellows...

Bought a DTUK box, fitted it, ran all the various map combinations, removed it as it used loads more fuel at a steady 70mph on CC, had the car remapped at Shark... performance was back and IMPROVED fuel consumption 

 

I tried them as I had previously owned a Dragon Digital tuning box which produced good results, DTUK also offered a full refund if you are not happy.. too good to be true? yes it was... they failed to mention they would charge £50 for restocking fee!

Funny, I found the opposite, because I could then rely on the box for when I need it, it meant I wasn't tooling around in optimum revs in what I felt was the really weak standard tdi engine.... My mpg got much better, im currently running near 50 mpg, when most of my driving is short trips up and down steep hills...

Lets just say hypothetically if my friend had one of these.

He might be getting 52 MPG over the 8 tanks of diesel since fitting. That is running it on map 2 and zero which still offers a significant torque increase for normal driving situations without making it feel like a WRX like the more aggressive map settings can do.

Edited 29 May, 201511 yr by snala

Mine gives better fuel economy running a 'Trevor' on 3 +1.  I check the economy against refuelling not the computer and when I drive 'normally' at 70 mph on a motorway trip I get better fuel economy than I did without it, 56mpg vice 50mpg ish .  Obviously if you use the extra power all the time it will go down, but overall it has worked out better for me.  Mapping not an option on a new car with warranty, in my view.   The only caution is that with the in gear acceleration (30 - 70+ is very quick)  it can be so much fun that you need to consciously slow down now and then.  

Bump:

So whats the general feeling now on these. I personally could not entertain one, as the car is not mine. Full stop, no brainer: PCH. Gutted. But... 4 doors down, really really annoyingly the fella got the same car as me, same colour everything, and he ordered after me! The only thing is i got the my16 he did not!! Long story short, we only nodded politely before on passing, now we are best mates!! Lol. He was going to get one of these boxes. I said i would ask you guys, worth it? Will it affect his warrenty? (It would be a shame!!) How much faster is his vrs tdi gunna be away from the lights than mine and will he be saving fuel over me..

I love this fella..