Souping Up Sensibly

I really like the idea of freeing up the potential my 156,s 1.9 16V JTD has whether it be for improved economy or power. I am also keen not bite off more remap than my Alfa can chew!

Without slipping into a debate on who offers the best remapping service, I would just like to know for starters, what members consider to be the 'sensible' range of tuning one can apply to this engine and what the known issues are as the limits are pushed?

i think typically power is raised to 180-190bhp, any higher and i seem to recall issues with clutches dying!

What Marko Says... An Increase of 30-40BHP is about the norm.

its the torque that slips the clutch. rather than power.

if its a 16v it will have a 3bar map senor, so you can play with the boost a fair bit.

A good tuner will limit the boost/torque lower down, say till 2.5k rpm, then start to let it loose, this way you will acheive the higher end power but without destroying your clutch and box.

The 150bhp 1.9 is really only good for 190-195bhp anyway.
The turbo is not the largest to run big boost at high revs.

Thanks for the feedback folks. As my Alfa is the 140bhp 16v variant I guess that 180 should be the target rather than the possible 195. Will a remap co. give me the option to specify how far to go?

I imagine the drive characteristics change markedly from 140 to 180 and less so from 180 to 195 (if reachable)?

A custom remap at a preper in house tuner would be the best. A mobile tuner would not be able to specify exactly what they are delivering to you. All mobile services offer stock remaps from preset data.

180-195 will be as big a difference as 140-185 because its the torque involved in getting to the power.


As OA says, go to a tuner at his place, ideally one with a rolling road. Getting one to come to your driviway - you may as well do it yourself with a cheap kit off ebay!