Emerald ECU tuning and Kits and Classic Chesterfield

[Rob52]

Has anyone had any experience, good or bad, with Kits and Classics in Chesterfield?

Looking to get my Emerald powered Zetec mapped properly and they seem to be local.

Anyone used them?

http://www.kitsandclassics.co.uk

Edited by Rob52 on Friday 14th February 15:59

[Podie]

Had plenty of work done on the Griff, and very happy.

[CorseChris]

FWIW, I'd take it to Emerald. I'm a lot further from Watton than Chesterfield is, and I always do.

This is in no way a criticism of K&C by the way - I know nothing about them.

[Rob52]

I would use Emerald if they were closer but a 3 hour trip each way, trailer hire, diesel and probably an overnight stop. Plus the session costs more, it's not financially sensible.

Where as this place is literally around the corner, so no trailer required (unless it goes pop on the rollers!)

[S47]

I live 15miles from my LOCAL emerald agent - would I take my car to them NEVER ever.
I always take/trailer my car the 400mile round trip to emerald, Dave Walker and the emerald gang are the best in the UK on the rollers IMO - loads will undoubtably dis-agree

[climber]

I agree with CorseChris and S47 the best place without doubt is Emerald.
For me it was a 500 mile round trip but well worth the journey because at least I know ECU was mapped correctly.
You probably only need to map once so might has well get job down by an expert - Dave Walker

[Noisy]

Having seen some emeralds been mapped by so called specialists then having to be done again by emerald themselves, pay the extra and get it done correctly the first time in my opinion.

[Podie]

By all means suggest that someone goes to Emerald, but slinging mud at Kits & Classics by inference isn't cricket.

[Noisy]

Sorry the post above wasn't about kits and classics and wasn't mud slinging, just recommend emerald set up the car thats all

[Podie]

Noisy said:

Sorry the post above wasn't about kits and classics and wasn't mud slinging, just recommend emerald set up the car thats all

Wasn't aimed at anyone in particular, just an observation.

Long time no see chap, all well?

[Noisy]

Yeah things are pretty good at the moment, how about yourself?

What the OP could do is ask if Kits and Classic have done any other cars with the same set up and ask if they could get the owner to give their opinions?

[Podie]

Noisy said:

Yeah things are pretty good at the moment, how about yourself?

Pretty good thanks, dropped you a mail (PM)

[CorseChris]

I didn't go into much detail on my last post, but this thread has taken a turn in the direction I was suspecting anyway...so I'll add my own bit to it. A while back a mate put an Emerald in his car and I helped him getting it running. I implored him to take it to Watton but he too came out with the too awkward/too expensive argument and took it elsewhere. I won't name names as I wasn't actually there on the mapping day, but they made such a cock of mapping it, the engine was bore washed in a month. I also tried to convince the chap not to drive it in that state but he just wasn't inclined to listen to advice that he didn't fancy. Cost him an engine rebuild but he finally took my advice and took it to Emerald. One trip was all it took...... I have other tales of a similar nature, all end up with a trip to Emerald and a sorted car.

Yes, I do get it's expensive and a PITA to trailer a car to Watton, but you can be sure the map will be right when it's done. Don't be seduced by a convenient tuner unless you really know them and their work. Again, I am not commenting on K&C as I don't know them - they may be brilliant. Just saying, you won't get better than Emerald for mapping an Emerald ECU.

Whatever you decide, please keep us posted on how you get on.

[Rob52]

Yup, as I've already said, I agree but cost is prohibitive. If money was no object then yes I'd be straight to emerald. But as it is I have a choice of 2 options:

1) Drive it as it is without mapping
2) Use a local company that isn't so far

If I drove a Audi then I would have no choice to trust a local service place. I wouldn't be taking it direct to Audi in Germany, just because they are the best, every time for a service would I? Not financially sensible. The same applies to Emerald.

These are the choices I have already made and as per the topic title does anyone have any experience of this place? Or if you keep demanding I go to Emerald Direct I'll let you know my bank details and you can send me some cash so I can

[Noisy]

If those are your 2 choices I'd let kits and classic map it for you, having been told who runs it I'd expect them to do a good job.

[Rob52]

Who runs it and why do you think they'll do a good job?

[Noisy]

Joolz formerly of Joospeed and few other TVR related companies, I've driven a few cars he's mapped in the past and all seemed to work very well, he understands correct fueling so shouldn't end up in a situation like the above posters friend.

[CorseChris]

Rob52 said:

Yup, as I've already said, I agree but cost is prohibitive. If money was no object then yes I'd be straight to emerald. But as it is I have a choice of 2 options:

1) Drive it as it is without mapping
2) Use a local company that isn't so far

If I drove a Audi then I would have no choice to trust a local service place. I wouldn't be taking it direct to Audi in Germany, just because they are the best, every time for a service would I? Not financially sensible. The same applies to Emerald.

These are the choices I have already made and as per the topic title does anyone have any experience of this place? Or if you keep demanding I go to Emerald Direct I'll let you know my bank details and you can send me some cash so I can

Well, not quite the same league really, and I see I'm wasting my time! I hope K&C do you a good job - by all accounts, it seems they should.

I know I didn't answer your original question, and I sense you are getting a bit miffed by the 'take it to Emerald' posts but just trying to help and give sound advice. No axe to grind, no hidden agenda.

Like I said, let us know how you get on - if another trusted Emerald tuner gets put on the list, that's all to the good.

Edited by CorseChris on Tuesday 18th February 12:54

[Rob52]

Well, just an update.

Visited Joo today. What a nice chap. Was obviously very knowledgeable about the emerald and knew what he was talking about.

Had a bit of a chat, tuned the car, took a coffee break half way through then finished off. Once finished he came with me on a road test to make sure I (and he) was happy with it at differing road conditions.

Came to the end and as it took less time than he anticipated he dropped the price. So even happier

Pleasure to deal with and if I do any other mods to the engine I'll definitely be going back there.

Highly recommended.

[CorseChris]

Result! Appreciate the update too - so many folk never bother, which is just plain rude after others have tried to help/advis.