ECU tuning has come a long way since the early days of what was then known as "chipping". Once the preserve of back street garages, it has now gone mainstream, and with the recent advances in technology, there are some real benefits to be found out there for the driving enthusiast, in addition to those seeking to reduce the amount of fuel their Porsche is consuming.
The ECU or Electronic Control Unit is the car's engine management system, essentially a computer designed to control some of the basic engine functions such as the air and fuel mixture and timing settings. They are set up in the factory and take into account the different environments and emission controls of the countries into which the car will be sold. These are inherently generic settings, so even for a Porsche ECU tuning is possible, without the risk of mechanical changes.
Porsche ECU tuning: the options
There are a number of ways to tune your Porsche.
#1 Replacement of the ECU
The ECU itself can be replaced with a new one specifically tuned to your needs, which, while offering a broad scope of performance benefits, is the most expensive option, whilst it can also be set up to improve fuel economy.
#2 Remapping the current ECU
There is also the option of remapping the existing ECU, generally managed by a specialist plugging a laptop into the car and changing various settings. This can also be set up in a number of ways depending on the age and model of the car. It can offer greater performance but be warned, this can potentially void any warranty on your car.
The results of a remap are often unpredictable. While some have reported better fuel consumption, others have found that a remap makes it worse. It should also be said that if your car is in any kind of lease scheme, it will be a contravention of the terms of the lease to remap it.
#3 The final option: Plug and Play tuning kits
It doesn’t involve replacing your Porsche ECU. Rather, it sits alongside it. These are sometimes known as Plug and Play tuning kits. They intercept the signals from the ECU source and alter them to give a range of benefits, including increased power and improved fuel consumption. A vehicle immobiliser can throttle engine output as standard, which is always a benefit when fitted to desirable cars. You can also expect an increase of power in the region of 8 to 10% on normally aspirated cars and up to 30% on models with turbo engines.
The best part is that they can be removed quite easily if the need arises. Since the original ECU has not been touched, this leaves the car as factory standard. So, no worries about not getting the warranty cover or lease contract infringement.
The verdict: Porsche ECU tuning - good or not?
The primary purpose of ECU tuning has, generally speaking, been to unlock the hidden power in a car's engine, to improve performance rather than fuel consumption. However, there are benefits to miles per gallon to be had as well. Much will depend on the age and model of the car and how much you are prepared to spend to achieve it. Don't forget to factor in any extra costs in insurance that any of these systems may entail for some drivers.
A generic remap in the hope it will achieve the desired results is probably not the way to go here. The various Porsche forums offer conflicting reports from owners about the actual results. A replacement ECU has to be weighed up in terms of the cost of installation against any potential benefits to fuel consumption even in these days of sky-high fuel prices. If you are a low mileage user, then it probably won't be worth replacing just for savings in fuel alone. If fuel is not the primary reason and you are looking to increase power and torque, then this may be an option.
To conclude, the tuning box alternative could be worth considering in that it brings power increases and lower fuel consumption at a cost below the replacement ECU. Since it has the benefits of an immobiliser too, as an all-round package, it starts to look hard to beat. Probably the best advice is to ask experts who know your specific model of Porsche and which approach will most benefit it in their experience.
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.
