Whats really involved in remapping?

[JK_vantage]

Been quoted 2400$ for a tune, now i read it's very time consuming but 2400$ seems a bit excessive for getting my v8v 4.7l up to 440bhp
Im at 430 now, so that's 240$ per BHP... Anyways I don't really know what's involved, maybe it's an art

[anonymous-user]

May be teaching you to suck eggs here so apologies if that is the case.

Its depends on the remap as to what variables are changed. But at its simplest it is changing the fuel/o2 mix along with timing adjustments. I would be very surprised if you noticed any difference between 430 and 440 bhp unless the car is not correctly tuned in its present state. Also the tuner can set various software parameters on the dyno which in turn impacts the claimed bhp figure on the printout. So you can take the same engine to two mappers and get two different outputs on a printout without them doing anything to the hardware. I would be very sceptical of any tuner offering a 10bhp increase because its so hard to know if the increase is real or manipulated using the dyno software. I have seen examples where an engine has been tested and documented, then taken to a mapper to be ‘tuned’ with ‘great results’, only to be taken back to the original dyno and proven no increase. Its not uncommon for the placebo effect to work its magic too, i.e. having paid the money the owner feels the engine is running better and with more power despite there being no genuine change.

So in summary (sorry for the ramblings) you need to be able to trust your tuner is being honest with the claims and the results.

Edited by anonymous-user on Friday 1st February 07:09

[leerandle]

I wouldn't take my Aston to be tuned to anyone other then an AM or AM indie dealer with the appropriate software.

In the UK that would be somewhere like David Appleby or Bamford Rose.

On the basis you put the $ sign for the costs, then I would get in touch with Velocity AP (Stuart Dickinson) in the states.

Even if its for just a chat. There is quite a lot of good information out there with regards to the engine remapping.

[RobDown]

Just get the secondary cat removed (assuming local emissions laws allow). That will take you from 430 to 440 and give you a noise boost to boot

[Bobajobbob]

I didn’t realise removing secondary cat boosted power? I did it simply for noise but good to know. Given the above I can state categorically that I didn’t notice a 10hp boost in power.

[Mr.Tremlini]

In the UK, the Bamford Rose equal length primary exhaust manifolds with the high flow cats, GT4 airbox mods and ECU remap is only around double that price you`ve been quoted and you see around a 40HP/50NM hike, which actually is noticeable!! I`m not sure Velocity AP can achieve the same figures but probably something in the vicinity is a better use of (a little bit more) money.

[AWV12]

Velocity AP is very knowledgable about ECU (and other) tuning of Astons. More info can be found on the 6Speed forum (more US focussed?). For UK indeed BR is a serious alternative.

For N/A engines don't expect too much, but especially if you can optimize it for high octane fuel you can feel the difference in response / torque.

[a98pmalcolm]

Hi had my ECU tuned by Bamford Rose.

The ECU tune I had as more to support the maledictions I had done to the car.

Personally for 10bhp I wouldn't pay that much

[EBruce]

AWV12 said:

For N/A engines don't expect too much, but especially if you can optimize it for high octane fuel you can feel the difference in response / torque.

"Much" is relative but I have see the 4.3 gain 30+HP with the tune alone. After literally upgrading everything possible, my little 4.3 now puts down 380 at the wheels (up from 305). Having taken out 150 pounds, she is quite quick now too. Walked my friends Gallardo last weekend. Not bad for a little NA 4.3.

I would argue Aston sandbagged the smaller 4.3's performance some.

[telum01]

$2400 for a tune is absurd. Someone's trying to overcharge you an obscene amount.

VelocityAP is Canadian but they also do a ton in the US. Their UK distributor is DAE.
I use and sell their stuff and have been really happy with their products, service, and support.

[JK_vantage]

telum01 said:

$2400 for a tune is absurd. Someone's trying to overcharge you an obscene amount.

VelocityAP is Canadian but they also do a ton in the US. Their UK distributor is DAE.
I use and sell their stuff and have been really happy with their products, service, and support.

Im reading up on the Velocity AP ECU tune. So you buy the flashkit, plug and run it and that's it? Or do you need to go to a shop to do this.

Sorry for the noob questions

[8Tech]

telum01 said:

$2400 for a tune is absurd. Someone's trying to overcharge you an obscene amount.

Agree with this.

Someone sees an Aston owner and knows they can afford the quote. Here in the UK, a specialist remap from the likes of Quantum Tuning will be around £300 to £350. I had mine done on a stock V12, and after some minor mods, throttle bodies, air filters and secondary cat removal, we re-tested it on the dyno and the map was self adapting to the new parameters.

I am certain that you should be able to get it done properly in the US for under $500 with a dyno run, pre and post mod to show the performance gains (hopefully!).

[KevinBird]

Spend the money on some driver coaching, worth ten times 10bhp

[johnymac]

EBruce said:

AWV12 said:

For N/A engines don't expect too much, but especially if you can optimize it for high octane fuel you can feel the difference in response / torque.

"Much" is relative but I have see the 4.3 gain 30+HP with the tune alone. After literally upgrading everything possible, my little 4.3 now puts down 380 at the wheels (up from 305). Having taken out 150 pounds, she is quite quick now too. Walked my friends Gallardo last weekend. Not bad for a little NA 4.3.

I would argue Aston sandbagged the smaller 4.3's performance some.

This sounds interesting. Care to share what you have had done?
(and maybe what it has all cost to do)

[TheEnigma]

Below is from the VAP website. They state 30WHP from a tune but you guys are calling BS. I thought VAP was legit as others commented. Can we get a consensus on this?

---

Velocity V-Tech Aston Martin V8 Vantage 4.3L/4.7L Performance ECU Tuning
Our Price: $1,395.00 Exc GST

DYNO PROVEN GAINS OF OVER 30WHP!

The ultimate V8 Vantage ECU Tune from Velocity Automotive Performance! Developed over years of experience of Aston Martin tuning for both road and track - our performance software has been used by race teams around the world, and recorded race wins! Torture tested in the harshest environments.

The V8 Vantage is a wonderful sportscar, but very conservatively mapped from the factory. For example, you may not have realized but your Aston may not even be achieving full throttle opening in 1st gear!

Thankfully Velocity's years of experience with Aston Martin has given us unsurpassed expertise in extracting more power and better drive-ability from all V8 Vantage Models, from 2006 4.3L right up to the 2015 Vantage GT. By setting the throttle pedal-throttle body relationship to be more responsive, amending the fuel mixture for optimum power, and adjusting the spark to deliver more power we are able to achieve excellent results. Most customers see results upwards of 25BHP.

Each customer receives a hand-held Velocity V-Tech ECU Flashing Tool:
Touch Screen Operation
Reads the original File from the ECU and pairs to the vehicle
Stores up to 5 maps, choose from:
Customizable options include: Idle RPM adjustment for twin plate clutch, Redline RPM increase, Exhaust Valve Mapping, Header/Sport Cat Integration, Race Fuel Settings

• ** This product comes with a 7-day money back guarantee. If you are not happy with the results, you can simply reprogram the vehicle with the original file, and return the programmer for a refund ****

[telum01]

JK_vantage said:

Im reading up on the Velocity AP ECU tune. So you buy the flashkit, plug and run it and that's it? Or do you need to go to a shop to do this.

Sorry for the noob questions

No need for a shop to be involved. Here's the whole process:

You'll get a hand-held module that you plug into your OBDII port (engine, not chassis - important because they're side by side lol).
You follow the prompts to download the current tune file that is on the car.
You then plug the module into your computer to download that tune file.
Email the tune file to the tuner. He rewrites it and emails a new file back to you.
Put the new file onto the module and then plug the module into your car.
Follow the prompts to upload the new tune to your car, and that's it.

The upload and download process is quick and easy. Turnaround from the tuner is ~24 hours.
You'll still have your original file save on your computer if you ever want or need to revert back to it. VelocityAP also gives free updates, so if you ever change anything later on that requires a new tune, you can repeat the process above to get a new tune for the new modifications.

I've got their engine tunes (and lots of other stuff) on my pair of V8Vs. The tune on my red V8V is pretty standard and only takes into account high flow cats and no air boxes. The one on my grey V8V is much more extensive, including a 7700 rpm redline

johnymac said:

This sounds interesting. Care to share what you have had done?
(and maybe what it has all cost to do)

Eric - if you choose to answer this, make sure your wife doesn't see the cost tally so far

KevinBird said:

Spend the money on some driver coaching, worth ten times 10bhp

I absolutely agree driver coaching and track instruction is incredibly valuable, but that doesn't make an engine tune any less worthwhile. The V8V, especially the 4.3L, came from the factory with some significant restraints. Loosening those chains makes it a MUCH better drivers car.

Edited by telum01 on Monday 4th February 00:07