ECU Tune Eurcharged - Any experiences? going

[Brakke]

Hi all,

Since my short ownership I have been modifying the AM V8V 4.3 to my liking.
Coming Saturday I will be going to a reputable exhaust-builder for a pair of customer 200cell race cats which take the 02 sensors into consideration, so no CEL should be triggered.
I have also been reading up on ECU reflashes as well.

Now I understand that when Aston Martin sells a car, they need to establish a software program that takes a lot of facets into consideration, ranging from temperature to the quality of the fuel all around the world into 1 software package. Wich in essence is good for them, as their cars can run reasonably well in all parts of the world.
However, as an individual, I am less than happy to know that I am running a one-fits-all software.
I do not need my car to be able to handle 91 octane fuels, nor do I require it to operate at 80% humidity or 40C degrees.
So all said, A ECU reflash makes sense to make the best out of a car's potential for a single individual.

The companies website:
(http://www.eurocharged.com/products/astonmartintuning/aston-martin-vantage-4-3-performance-software-detail)

Does anyone in the UK have experience with them? They seem to be well known in the States and among MB and BMW drivers?

On 6speedonline.com I found this thread which is quite recent: http://www.6speedonline.com/forums/aston-martin/32...

It seems they will provide you with the tool to extract your map onto a flash and email it to them, upon analysis they will send you a custom map back based on any mods you might have on there, which you then can install.
An additional option is to go to a Dyno and do runs, which are emailed to them and after each run you get a custom map sent to install.

The costs seem reasonable for the possible gains, I just have no experience nor have I heard from them that much. As I am new to the AM scene, I hope some of you can chime in as weather you would advice against it. I just cannot stand the fact that my damn car is running too rich and not using it potential.

Regards,
Saeed

P.S: before someone says warranty; they have a 2yr/20,000 mile warranty if their ECU damages engine internals, but then again it needs to be linked directly to the ECU, so what that is worth..., i dont know.

Edited by Brakke on Monday 17th March 07:30

[bogie]

I dont think theres much to be gained from a new ECU map alone, and the standard ECU will automatically adjust within a range of parameters..I would be doing that last if you had got a lot more air going in/out of the engine first

theres more to be gained by changing the manifold, cats, and airboxes first.....

have a look at www.bamfordrose.co.uk for a range of upgrades to get you started

[Brakke]

Hi Bogie,

I assume that you haven't read the article on 6speedonline, as they are showing graphs of before and after on a 07 4.3 V8V with around 30BHP increase. That's a complete stock car.
So looking at a $ per BHP cost, it seems a much better option as it unleashes full potential of the car in its current state before adding mods.
Also, as mentioned I Will be getting the race cats installed first.

Looking to see some more opinions.

[yeti]

Brakke said:

Hi Bogie,

I assume that you haven't read the article on 6speedonline, as they are showing graphs of before and after on a 07 4.3 V8V with around 30BHP increase. That's a complete stock car.
So looking at a $ per BHP cost, it seems a much better option as it unleashes full potential of the car in its current state before adding mods.
Also, as mentioned I Will be getting the race cats installed first.

Looking to see some more opinions.

In which case, it's absolute bull. 30bhp just from a mail-order reflash? Come on, think!

[keegs111]

Brakke said:

Hi Bogie,

I assume that you haven't read the article on 6speedonline, as they are showing graphs of before and after on a 07 4.3 V8V with around 30BHP increase. That's a complete stock car.
So looking at a $ per BHP cost, it seems a much better option as it unleashes full potential of the car in its current state before adding mods.
Also, as mentioned I Will be getting the race cats installed first.

Looking to see some more opinions.

Total rubbish I'm afraid, save your money.

[Neil1300r]

Read the first page of the sponsored Bamford Rose thread - it explains why a remap wont do a lot.

[Brakke]

Hi,

Ofcourse I am being sceptical (otherwise I would have gone ahead and purchased it).
I got very curious and want to investigate more when they posted the graphs regarding the pre- and post dyno.
What could they have done then to "alter" these stats (if they did)?

[JohnG1]

Brakke said:

P.S: before someone says warranty; they have a 2yr/20,000 mile warranty if their ECU damages engine internals, but then again it needs to be linked directly to the ECU, so what that is worth..., i dont know.

That warranty. Not really that useful. The really cheap way to get more power from a V8V is to lean the fuel/air ratio. That would typically cause problems downstream from the block - burn out the catalysts.

[Brakke]

JohnG1 said:

That warranty. Not really that useful. The really cheap way to get more power from a V8V is to lean the fuel/air ratio. That would typically cause problems downstream from the block - burn out the catalysts.

I agree, I think I wouldnt mind leaning the AFR out a bit. As I understand the higher fuel ratio makes it a bit cooler.
With 200cell cats I think leaning it out a bit wouldnt be a problem, but what do you really gain with that.

I think ill stick with the 200cell race cat upgrade, that should lean it out a bit on its own.
Will do pre and post dyno to monitor performance but more importantly AFR.
22nd March is the day its getting installed, so I ll keep you guys posted for feedback.

Thanks

[yeti]

Brakke said:

I think ill stick with the 200cell race cat upgrade

That seems to net 15-18bhp traditionally which doesn't sound much but the increased breathing (and accompanying noise) really makes a difference, as does your perception of the improvement due to the noise! The 'backbox' effect

[bogie]

Brakke said:

Hi,

Ofcourse I am being sceptical (otherwise I would have gone ahead and purchased it).
I got very curious and want to investigate more when they posted the graphs regarding the pre- and post dyno.
What could they have done then to "alter" these stats (if they did)?

This is nothing new, we had remaps being offered since 2007 on the Vantage. Some of them just up the rev limit by a few hundred revs, then enforce useage of 98RON fuel...there you go; - you now have some nice graphs showing +20-30bhp headline figures to sell £500 upgrades to punters

....but 20bhp gain on good fuel on a good day for the last 2000rpm that you use for 0.01% of driving time, is not the same as having + 30lb/ft of torque from 2000rpm which you would really notice every time you pressed the accelerator


read the first page here for more information:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...