Engine remapping in Essex as well as across the UK, offers a wide range of benefits in terms of performance enhancement and fuel economy. We examine the process and determine whether there are any downsides.
So, what do we mean by an engine remap? This is sometimes referred to as the car being 'chipped' due to a new microchip being installed to control the ECU (Engine Control Unit). The ECU is there to keep the car running smoothly. It controls the flow of fuel to the cylinders while regulating the air and fuel mix an internal combustion engine needs, thus controlling the power output and fuel consumption of the car.
The very nature of mass-market cars, sold across a broad range of environments and driven in a variety of styles, means they will be set up in a fairly generic way. It is just too expensive for car makers to set up different versions for differing markets. Another factor is that manufacturers will often intend to release high-performance versions of their cars at a later date, so the ECU may be set up with these future upgrades built in but unused.
With an engine remap, you are, in effect, personalising your car, setting it up in a way to suit you, whether it is better fuel consumption, improved performance, or enhanced off-road capability. If you have ever wished you could improve any of these, then engine remapping in Essex may be the answer.
The pros of engine remapping in Essex:
If you want to improve the performance of your car, there are three basic ways to do it: an engine remap, chip box, or a mechanical upgrade. If you go down the mechanical route, this can often prove more expensive than a remap and it is sometimes irreversible, which can affect the value of your car when resale time comes around. In contrast, a remap or a tuning box can be reversed as easily as it is fitted.
A remap is delivered by a specialist plugging a laptop into the diagnostic port (OBD) of your vehicle and overwriting the standard software with a remapped after-market version. While this changes the way the car runs, it is still designed to operate within the safe limits of the car and its engine components. Needless to say, this job should only be undertaken by a trained professional. This will primarily change the fuel pressure and the timings of the injection system. There are various remaps on the market that will achieve a variety of different things, depending on your objectives.
An alternative to the engine remap is the tuning box. These sit alongside your ECU and have the advantage that they can be tuned on the go by the driver with either the use of internal controls or via a smartphone with Bluetooth. They can be removed easily too. This flexibility explains the growing popularity of engine remapping.
The downsides:
One downside of engine remapping is insurance. This very much depends on the insurance company. Some will add a significant premium for remapped cars, and others will only add a small extra charge, if any. It is undoubtedly true that remapping was once the preserve of backstreet garages and had a bad reputation. However, it has now become mainstream, with many reputable, professional garages and software companies involved. As a result, insurance companies are starting to take a more benign attitude. However, it remains essential that you check with your insurance company before undertaking the work and once done, the relevant policy changes should be made to keep your vehicle road legal. If your car is still under warranty, then it is likely a remap will void it, so again, check beforehand.
To remap or not?
If you are considering engine remapping in Essex then for many, the downsides may be negligible. However, for younger drivers in particular, the extra insurance costs may prove prohibitive. The benefits of unleashing the car's full potential in terms of power and performance will make this irresistible to those who enjoy driving, and with today's sky-high fuel prices, any fuel savings that can be made will be welcome. A high quality remap carried out by an experienced, reputable firm on a well-maintained car will undoubtedly deliver many benefits.
Car Tuning - AME CPI have spent many years specialising their work on European cars including BMW, Volkswagen, Audi, Mercedes Benz, Lamborghini, Skoda and Porsche, providing servicing, mechanical repairs, performance modifications, tuning and more.Located in Smithfield just off the Cumberland highway.
As a business with a genuine passion for European performance vehicles, we pride ourselves in providing an outstanding level of personal customer service, care, expertise and trust, forming the foundation of our business.All the important diagnostics and repair work is done within our workshop by qualified and skilled mechanics.Visit our service centre in Smithfield or schedule an appointment with our European car service specialists on (02) 9681 6995.
