Factory ECU mapping fail

[R26Andy]

Every engineering design has a factor of safety buIlt in, it is not overengineering, it is to account for the fact that engineering models and equations do not account for all real world eventualities. The more unknowns, the bigger the safety factor. If you knew what had influenced the safety factor in the first place, then maybe, just maybe you could reduce the safety factor without any issue. Tuners don't know what oems have considered and so it's all about hoping that the safety factor is big enough to cover the extra stress. Sometimes it is, sometimes it isn't but they can't be sure.

[Engineer1]

Add to this the spec may have been written when the engine was designed for Euro 4 but the mods and tweaks to reach Euro 5 mean that things are closer to their limits, then add in that the design may well be speced to work the same in Death Valley at +40 Celcius and 86m below sea level as it would in Quito at 2,800m above sea level, or in a Canadian Winter at -20 Celcius .

[jones325i]

hairyben said:

DJFish said:

Another thing to consider is that a manufacturer like VAG will be using the same engine in many different models and trim levels of car, they can charge more for an Audi bling-tronic but use the same engine in a Skoda Blu-rinse just with different mapping.

Is it really the same engine though, or do they grade parts with the better tolerances ending up in the vindaloo versions and the items that pass to a more "generous" % ending up in the cabbige pie version?

jones325i said:

But I'm still toying with the idea of having my 550i remapped. Not because it needs more power/torque, but because I'm interested in improvements in throttle response and power delivery, and not so much the peaks. I'm used to older cars (previous was an E36 325i non-vanos and obviously a cable throttle) and miss the consistent throttle feel power delivery. The 550i is fantastic but I can feel it doing calculations and adjusting things through the rev range, especially below 3000 rpm with a large throttle inputs. Above that, it feels perfect.

Yes, I feel the same about the van- merc V6 TDI propels it along more than adequately when it's in the mood, but the throttle response can be comically slow. Especially in certain situations, eg when your go from braking>going eg approaching a roundabout, it's in the supertanker category and bordering on dangerous to the unwary. You push it all the way to the floor and nothing, nothing, nothing nothing, nothing, roll out in front of someone who gestures at you like you're a dhead then BAM WOOSH ooh look at me I'm an exocet missle. Yeah thanks.

Ok that sounds a lot worse than what I'm talking about on the 550i .

I've called the local Superchips dealer, and was very refreshed to be told that it's not worth mapping, the standard map is a good one, and the difference wouldn't be noticeable. Much appreciated honesty for a change.

[Tonsko]

jones325i said:

Concerns

Sounds like you need to give Mark Adams a call. He mapped my Westie after the MBE ECU blew up. Goes like a dream - as for his bona fides, he's very experienced in making, designing & mapping ECUs for Rover V8s.

Edited by Tonsko on Thursday 30th May 08:26