I would ask the question regarding emissions at MOT time, as it is part of the MOT

 

Having had a couple of diesels remapped I'd say the only downside is possible warranty issues. It can really transform the car. For the 335d it made an already fast car very rapid whilst returning better mpg at the same time!

 

Hi Fraser, I had a 206 HDi (2.0 8v) remapped by celtics, amazingly quicker, (Proper GTi chaser in gear) but what you don't tend to factor in is the additional stress on brakes, clutch etc.

Because the engine's working that much harder, my clutch started slipping at 20k, (owned it from practically new) and warped my brakes.

arguably these faults can be put down to driving hard, but with the extra power, remember everything has to work harder to keep it in check.

never noticed a difference in consumption (except on the trip computer which must've been sent out of sync with the actual fuel being pumped in) but a lot of guys have seen improvements in economy.

 

Mine is remaped to around 245bhp 500NM....

1. Fuel consumption is down by about 1.5 liters

2. Max speed according to speedo is 260km/h

3. Car is a lot quicker and nicer to drive


Downsides....

You can loose your driving licence very quickly

 

2. Max speed according to speedo is 260km/h

Give us GPS measurement if you have a chance... speedo is tricky. Nevertheless 2.4 after remap should go to around 240 real speed, judging by comparison to 3.2 top speed..

 

Excess wear on the clutch is the most important downside IMO.

 

My main worries are clutch, tyres and warranty. Anyone care to comment on the warranty issue?

 

Remap WILL INVALIDATE WARRENTY. Had a call from Alfa last night in response to an email I sent regarding the 2.2JTS hesitant issue. I mentioned that AutoDelta had a map that rectifies the problem and he informed me that a remap will invalidate the warrenty.

That is straight from Alfa UK.

 

If a get a chance I will do it next time with my GPS.

But it should be at least 250km/h real speed in my opinion...keep in mind it is not Q4

The 3.2 4x4 meaning Q4 on the 159 is a lot slower then a stage 2 remaped 2.4 JTD...

I have driven stock 3.2 Q4 around the track and it is a really slow car even compared to tuned 147 1.6TS 140bhp and sporty suspension.

 

But it should be at least 250km/h real speed in my opinion...keep in mind it is not Q4

The 3.2 4x4 meaning Q4 on the 159 is a lot slower then a stage 2 remaped 2.4 JTD...

I do not have a lot of practical experience, I base my judgment on official stats and some feeling I got with my 156.

3.2 260bhp without Q4 (is it out yet anyway?) is supposed to do 250kph top speed. Thus 2.4 remapped to 245-250bhp must be slower. But since we are talking about significant power levels the difference of 10-15bhp should not slow this monster down by more than a 5kph or so.

As to stage 2 - I guess a lot can happen, depends what power you're able to develop..

 

Remapping;

• what should they cost
• How long does it take
• Anyone know a belgian remapper they care to recommend?
• Can the remapping be wiped accidentally in anyway, like battery change out, service diagnostic, etc ?

 

500-600euro, 2hrs, AutotuneHeinz.be, yes it can

 

Excess wear on the clutch is the most important downside IMO.

Hmm maybe if the torque is increased to near the maximum rating of the clutch !!

Changing gear more often will help preserve a clutch that's running near it's limit !!

My main worries are clutch, tyres and warranty. Anyone care to comment on the warranty issue?

Only if the dealer spots in on the diagnostic equipment - discussed many times here !!
Senior Techie at a dealers told me just to tell them due to the above but they couldn't really care less if the car had a remap or not !!

I would ask the question regarding emissions at MOT time, as it is part of the MOT

Why

Despite rumours to the opposite - from the usual predictable crew - modern Alfa diesels (159s and Breras) don't smoke !!

 

Only if the ECU is reflashed

 

I could be wrong but isn't the gearbox running at its limits for torque on the 159 2.4 JTD? You would need to be very careful and ensure any remap doesn't exceed its stated limit.

 

This is a good point, I am personally interested in this one. Well it seems the gearbox does run above the limit but also it seems it handles torques up to 500Nm quite well (at least the F40) By this I mean I do not hear about gearbox failures from many users around here.. and there are already some remapped 2.4s plus more are coming

There is a person on this forum with 2.4 tuned up to 300bhp and God knows what torque and he already killed three of these gearboxes. But I think he has hit as much as 600Nm or more plus he has older 2.4 with gearbox rated at 320Nm.

 

I know on BMW's in quite common for the map to be erased on major services (40K miles), but e-maps or DMS redo it free of charge so most owners including myself aren't worried.

 

of course it will... looking at your engine can even nvalidate warranty.. but the point is that the remap cannot be detected at the dealership, and that they won't look for it either...

 

Good point AF :thumbs:

 

I picked up my new 06 brera JTDM from Mangoletsi about 5 weeks ago and the dealer said they offer a remap from autodelta that doesnt invalidate the warranty and come with an on/off switch for 200/250bhp for £400

 

Having a on/off switch doesn't sound like a remap, it sounds like they fit a tuning box which is a far more crude way of obtaining the extra bhp. You can buy them on e-bay easily enough and fit them yourselves.

 

now isn't that interesting.........................

 

Revo Technik

I have one for the Leon which does have a 'smart ECU' as does the 159/Brera !!

 

:lol: That isn't good!

You are remapping the car every time you switch it over.. The remap software is built into that unit!

That not switchable in the sense that you can drive along and push a button for more power!

Revo performance software programs are switchable via the OBD2 port on your car using our select device. Simply select a program, plug in, wait a few seconds, remove the select device and start the car. It's simple and there's no fixed switch to alert to any modification.

Your ECU is smart and constantly learning, with this it will not know what's going on :lol:... I have never seen another tuning company use this method though... interesting.

Are they customised to the car itself? Or are they a one size fits all jobbie?

 

It is very handy for warranty purposes to bring the power back to standard and avoid arousing suspicion (that the car is lightning quick)... ... Although everytime you change the mapping it is logged on the ECU so it is still detectable (if you look for it) that the car has been tampered with.

 

I don't think main dealer give a :sw: on the whole Joe... I don't think I ever turned it off when Leon was going into a main dealer for work to be done !!

One of the dealers even fitted most of the non standard parts it has fitted !!

 

Are there anyDownsides to re-mapping then?

appart from the increased wear of other components which as long as you drive within the limits of said components you should be fine.

Is it something worth looking in to for a 2.0 T.spark??

 

I'd say so. I remapped my 1.8.

 

Insurance and warranty are the main downsides IMO.