Engine remapping and car chipping: does it work
If you’re thinking about remapping or chipping your car’s engine, here’s everything you need to know.
True, engine remaps were previously the domain of nerdy car enthusiasts and the boy-racer set, but what was formerly seen as a dark and frequently dubious practice has grown unexpectedly common in recent years.
While it still takes a certain amount of curiosity and excitement to investigate your car’s remapping choices, the techniques used in the sector are becoming increasingly well-understood – and the benefits of a remap are being increasingly appreciated. Even if you’re not completely familiar with the concept of remapping, you’re probably aware that it’s a procedure that entails changing the software that governs how the engine performs.
Previously, tinkering with the systems in your car’s Electronic Control Unit (ECU) was known as ‘chipping,’ since you had to replace a factory microchip with a new one programmed by your preferred supplier. As remapping technology has progressed, so have the techniques. These days, the most dedicated hobbyists build their own ECU programs using easily accessible laptop software and send them to the car’s Onboard Diagnostic Port (OBD). We’d never propose that method on a new car because making a mistake might be quite costly, but it works for the tuner community.
The most common way is to use remapping tools and knowledge from a well-known and respected source, which may entail dropping your prized possession off at a garage for work to be done for you, or ordering a plug-in device.
This is a DIY gadget that fits into your car’s Onboard Diagnostic Port (OBD) and will change your engine map in roughly 20 minutes – or revert to the factory map just as simply.
Other remapping systems include RaceChip’s, which adds a small auxiliary ECU to the wiring loom and allows for remote management of a variety of engine map settings while driving, either via a hard-wired rotary controller or via a smartphone app. It may sound radical, but it’s not that different in idea from the configurable drive mode choices that many automobile manufacturers now provide as standard equipment.
Why should you bother with a remap?
Power and torque are the two main reasons for requesting a remap. There’s a strong probability your car’s performance was intentionally lowered when it left the factory to fulfill product planning objectives or economy and efficiency aims. Most cars’ power and performance are now governed by software running in the engine management unit, rather than by any mechanical reason (ECU).
While driving a modern car, computer algorithms influence a variety of parameters, including ignition timing, air/fuel ratio, and turbocharging boost pressure. So, if you want your car to have more performance and pulling power, or if you want to boost your mpg, the first place to look is the little black box beneath the hood. We get a lot of emails at Auto Express asking for guidance on ECU software updates, so we put together this guide to go over the benefits, drawbacks, and expenses.
Because it improves torque lower down the rpm range, chipping turbo diesel engines can improve economy by seven to ten percent. As a result, the engine does not have to work as hard as it did previously. Because an engine chip or software upgrade can add so much to the performance of these turbo diesel engines (commonly referred to as TDI, HDi, or CDTi depending on the manufacturer), they are the cornerstone of the vehicle chipping industry.
The stated performance benefits are frequently eye-catching, and they may be achieved for very little money on even the most ordinary cars.
RaceChips, for example, has a choice of DIY improvements for a Skoda Rapid 1.6 TDI, starting at £119 for an extra 12bhp and 46Nm of torque. For £349, you get 18 horsepower, 69 Nm, and a 20% gain in mpg. A brief scan on the internet uncovers a plethora of companies that offer improvements for a wide range of vehicles and manufacturers.
Is there a disadvantage to having your automobile ‘chipped’?
Some customers are worried that remapping their engine would cause problems with their vehicle.
However, if you select a reliable company, it should not influence reliability. Remapping puts a little more strain on an engine, but not enough to be problematic if done correctly. When designing their goods, remapping companies will closely monitor the temperatures and pressures that remaps subject the engine to. Because most automobiles’ engines are designed to be capable of more performance than they really give, the extra power shouldn’t put too much strain on them.
When deciding which remap to use, it’s usually a good idea to consult an expert because increases in power and torque can have both beneficial and negative affects on the driving experience.
For example, power delivery could become less smooth and progressive, or fuel efficiency could be compromised. Another important factor to consider is insurance. Any alterations to your automobile must be reported to your insurer, and there’s a fair likelihood that remapping the engine may raise your insurance premiums, especially if the remap improves performance.
What is the cost of car chipping and remapping?
For engine remapping, you can nearly pay whatever you want. A reputable dealer might chip your car for as little as £150, but after that, the sky’s the limit in terms of how much you may spend on more advanced parts and services.
The amount you pay will be determined by the sort of car you have, with simple chip tuning for diesel engines being the least expensive and specialist systems to extract more power from high-performance versions being the most expensive.
You can also pay to have your vehicle tested on a rolling road to discover how any ECU remapping changes affected the engine’s power and torque output. Around £300 will likely get your car chipped and tested in this manner, and many engine tuning companies will also provide a mobile service, fitting the chip at your house or workplace for a cost.