Should I remap or not?

Muhibur

New member
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UK
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Volkswagen Passat
Hi all, this is my first post and I just wanted to get some opinions on whether i should remap my car. It's a Volkswagen Passat B6 1.9 tdi and has done 245,000 miles. It runs and has been maintained very well, always topped up with premium fuel and serviced 1-2 times a year. Thanks
 
Definitely, don't go for the MAX power option though, a performance blend works really well on these and gives more economy than standard and plenty more mid range shove.

Look for around 30-40bhp increase at the top end and use a reputable ECU specialist, preferably one that specialises in the VAG group diesel engines.
 
Additionally, don't wring it out at the low end. Slugging about in 4th gear at 25mph is bad for the entire drivetrain, even if there is [more than] sufficient torque to do so. Which there will be! :)
 
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Definitely, don't go for the MAX power option though, a performance blend works really well on these and gives more economy than standard and plenty more mid range shove.

Look for around 30-40bhp increase at the top end and use a reputable ECU specialist, preferably one that specialises in the VAG group diesel engines.


The company (who is reputable) have stated my car will have a 37 hp increase with an increase of 64 torque. Alternatively I can opt for the eco remap which gives me an increase of 32 hp, 46 torque and an increase of up to 6 mpg too. I was told by a few friends to opt for the eco one as it will put less strain on the car.
 
I agree. Go with the eco map. You won't necessarily see a huge decrease in fuel usage, this is under right foot management ;)

I still stand by my point about not lugging engines at ridiculously low revs in pursuit of a couple more miles from a tank of diesel. You might achieve a slightly better fuel figure but the whole drivetrain will get battered and cost more in the long term.

Also, stick with decent branded fuel. Supermarket fuel is not great stuff, whether or not you remap.
 
I would probably go for the ECO option as well. There is not a lot of difference in it really.

What is your cars base power? Some of the lower powered engines need better injectors and bolts when you hike up the power.

Did you read our article on the 1.9 TDi?www.torquecars.com/volkswagen/1-9-tdi-tuning.php

The base power is 103 hp so hoping to get it to 135 hp with the eco remap. Article said I wouldn't need to change injectors until after around 170, so maybe on my next upgrade I'll get better injectors and bolts.
 
I agree. Go with the eco map. You won't necessarily see a huge decrease in fuel usage, this is under right foot management ;)

I still stand by my point about not lugging engines at ridiculously low revs in pursuit of a couple more miles from a tank of diesel. You might achieve a slightly better fuel figure but the whole drivetrain will get battered and cost more in the long term.

Also, stick with decent branded fuel. Supermarket fuel is not great stuff, whether or not you remap.

Thanks for that, my dad told me to always buy premium diesel from shell or BP and that's what i have been doing. And at first when i moved from my small engine petrol car to this, i was lugging the engines a lot putting high gears with low speeds. But I have stopped that bad habit now and my car is always running at a smooth rev range.
 
Hi - what output is yours currently? I had the PD130 in a Bora that went from 130 to 170bhp and 228 to 290lbft, so still under the gearbox torque rating. I could have had a 190bhp, 320lb ft map but that would have meant changing the clutch and I didn't want to.
 
Hi - what output is yours currently? I had the PD130 in a Bora that went from 130 to 170bhp and 228 to 290lbft, so still under the gearbox torque rating. I could have had a 190bhp, 320lb ft map but that would have meant changing the clutch and I didn't want to.

Currently on 103 hp and 184 lb ft torque. Hoping to do an eco remap later this week and get it to 135 hp with 230 lb ft torque. Will let this thread know how it goes on ;)
 
Currently on 103 hp and 184 lb ft torque. Hoping to do an eco remap later this week and get it to 135 hp with 230 lb ft torque. Will let this thread know how it goes on ;)
I could be wrong then but I think your gearbox will be the same as mine was with a max torque rating of 300lb ft. That said there's only so far you can push the other components like turbo. The best part of a diesel remap is the torque, you'll like that. 0-60 is not the thing here, 3rd gear 30-70 is, and that gets transformed.
 
Had my remap and been driving it for a few days now and I love it, it pulls a lot! I've supposedly gained 64 ft lbs of torque and 37 bhp but yet to put it on a rolling road. But i'm not fussed as it feels like great driving it. But thanks for the advice everyone |B
 
Sweet, I've remapped a Bora at 98k, and a Focus at 40k. The Bora needed a new clutch at 110k but tbh I think that would have happened anyway. I had no engine or turbo issues. Focus is now on 66k with no issues.

Remapping, as long as you're sensible is win-win. I've been researching Volvo S40/V50. The 2.0D3 has 150bhp, the 2.0D4 has 175bhp. There is NO mechanical difference with the engine/turbo etc., it is purely software.
 
hello everyone, i am new to the forum and just about finding my way. i own a skoda TSI laura 1.8 petrol, model 2010 done just 38,000 kms. its a great car as is but to get rid of a bit of lag i have decided to remap the engine and change the exhaust from the cataleptic convertor to tail pipe. the down pipe as you had advised remains the same original. the remap is being done by a popular brand in india called petes tuning. i plan to upgrade to the stage one as the tuning company calls it - 210 bhp and 33kg of torque (orginal is 160 bhp and 25kg of torque). i was pleasantly surprised to know that this upgrade will improve my fuel efficiency. the tuning company is advising me to go in for a bigger upgrade to 240 bhp. is it advisable.
 
Hmmmm a 50% increase is quite a lot in one go. I wouldn't of thought you could just remap it and nothing else. You will definitely need to check the other components can take that sort of increase. Clutch and brakes definitely will need upgrading along with maybe the gearbox, intercooler, injectors, fuel pump, boost and intake pipework. Quite a lot of cash to spend I would say. If its the way you want to take the car then sounds like a good project.
 
What gearbox is it? Dsg-7 is meant to have a quite low torque rating but some bloke claims its bigger than vag say. I can post up some links later.
 
Had my remap and been driving it for a few days now and I love it, it pulls a lot! I've supposedly gained 64 ft lbs of torque and 37 bhp but yet to put it on a rolling road. But i'm not fussed as it feels like great driving it. But thanks for the advice everyone |B

I note "supposedly gained 37 HP and 64 FP torque" BUT IMHO the car should have been dynoed = RR before and after to better ascertain the actual % or numbers of any increases.;)
 
thank you guys. i have decide to upgrade to 200 bhp which comes with a torque upgrade of 30kg (orginal is 160bhp and 25 torque) this will basically help remove the lag in traffic and give me some fun in the sun. i have manual gear box. i am also changing the exhaust and the air filter to knn. this i am told does not need upgrade of brakes, clutch and turbo. second stage i think i will improve the suspension and brakes to improve cornering.

thank you torque king for your links regarding the dsg/dq200 gearbox. since i am not being too ambitious i think i am safe. let me know if think otherwise.
 
i drove a new volvo petrol S60 T6 4 cylinder with a 306 bhp. what a blast. guess its best to buy something like this a few years down instead of spending too much on my present car.....
 
i drove a new volvo petrol S60 T6 4 cylinder with a 306 bhp. what a blast. guess its best to buy something like this a few years down instead of spending too much on my present car.....

Yes exactly, have fun now and also as a bonus you are learning more and more about the tuning dark arts, when the budget allows then buy something bigger better and more powerful, we will still be here to help you when we can.
 
Karim any remap on your skoda will take the torque above the OFFICIAL torque limit. VAG developed this box specifically for the smaller engines with lower torque outputs.
 
Yugguy knows what he is talking about Karim, best you have a little word with the chaps who are going to tune the ECU, you don't want the first time you put you're foot down in anger leaving you on the side of the road waiting for the breakdown truck to arrive to take you home ;)
 
thank you yugguy and T9man. i will definitely have a chat with the tuning garage. they are coming this weekend to pick up my car. how is the best way i can explain to them to work within the torque limits ?

https://www.torquecars.com/tuning/tuning-boxes.php

i have emailed th above link of the forum to them and also spoken to them recently. what i will do now is drive with them in regular traffic and on an open free road with the stock car when they are here and explain to them the way i drive. this i hope will given them an insight of how to tune the car and not overdo any details. tks again for the thoughtful advise
 
Yugguy knows what he is talking about Karim

Nah, I'm just very sad when it comes to researching cars!:D

I've got info on about 30 different makes and models that I've considered down the years.

I sometimes browse through them with a bit of melancholy, because there are some that I would have loved to have had, but very likely won't. Mk4 Mondeo ST 220 for instance, 3.0V6, you'll never see the like of those again. Or the old Vectra 2.8V6 VXR

To be honest if I won the lottery, as well as the exotic cars I'd buy all the "ordinary" cars on my list, just to experience them.
 
I'd buy all the "ordinary" cars on my list, just to experience them.
I've got that list to. Still want to have an Alfa 75 V6 Cloverleaf Veloce. Test drove one 24 years ago now and it was epic but bought a Lancia Thema V6 instead. Have always wondered what would of happened in life if I bought the Alfa instead:rolleyes:
Karim, I would of thought you will be fine with around 200hp although I suspect from a 160hp starting point you'll end up with around 190hp
 
Have to say, the Octavia 1.8T in L&K trim was near the top of my list to buy this time, I just couldn't find one anywhere near me. They are a lot of car for the money.
 
hi aerial, you all are way ahead in your passion for cars. the variety is just creeping into india. i bought this skoda 1.8 tsi petrol after chasing around for a year. i picked it up in mumbai and drove it home 1,500 kms. it was great fun. it took me 24 hours of driving with a night halt in bangalore.

the new ones cost 2.4 million rupees here. thats about 24,000 pounds. todays 5 to 10 year old petrol cars are affordable. i am now looking around for an E280 or a E350. i can maybe get it for around 10,000 and 20,000 pounds. thats a good car with a good service history.

i guess 190bhp shud be fine for just a bit of fun. like all have advised no point in going over board. will keep you informed once i get it done and then go around neighbouring cities for lunch on the weekends :)
 
Just had my Golf diesel remapped from 170hp to around 200hp few weeks ago. Bit disappointed at first but was advised after a couple weeks the engine and new map would synchronize and they were right, the extra torque can really be felt now. Hope it all goes well for you
 
That's about the same upgrade I am doing. Its good to known that it takes time to synchronise. I wud have been very disappointed. I will also check with the guys working in my car.

Did you also change the exhaust to improve the flow ?
 
Not really worth it on a diesel, they normally have quite good systems. The gain, if any, you would make would be minimal. Only change it if I was going the exchanged Turbo upgrade route which would probably necessitate an increased exhaust flow.
Your petrol Tsi will be similar but will benefit from a more sportier note making it sound faster. Diesels don't tend to sound sporty
 
hi aerial, since this is my everyday use car i was planning a resonated exhaust where it will be silent. i don't think it will get a pronounced sporty note.

my car just came back from its scheduled 40,000 kms service with all the filters changed and the engine scanned. its already feeling better than before. apparently the original mapping was not in place when i bot the car and now its all corrected. it is also showing higher fuel efficiency and frankly i am actually thinking twice about the remap itself

i was thinking of fitting a resonated free flowing exhaust with a knn air filter to try and improve the performance a bit. according to you this will not make any difference. its also not cheap. a good cat back milltek exhaust in india costs around Rs.1,00,000/- = 1,000/- pounds ?????
in a mess :)))
 

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