What to expect?

[StefT]

OK, so I've had the Cerb for a year now and managed to have lots of fun in it without binning it in the wet (or the dry for that matter!)

It's having a service next week but I'm thinking about having it re-mapped (98 4.5) and am not sure what to expect or whether to bother.

I spoke to Joo at TCS last year when he put my linked de-cats on. He said that if I don't drive it on a daily basis (which I don't) it'll always feel like a quick car to drive (which it does)

I've read various posts on here about how re-mapping potentially boosts performance and makes the car 'smoother' to drive but can someone tell me a little more about this please? How do you describe 'smoother' to a non-tech muppet like me?

I've only driven my own Cerb and it feels pretty smooth to me, and how much of a difference is there likely to be in the performance? I don't know what BHP the car makes currently so perhaps getting it on a rolling road is the starting point?

When I bought the car, I wasn't too interested in any trackdays so optimum performance figures weren't of much interest but after feeling very frustrated on the roads maybe I'll reconsider.....(need to learn to drive it properly too )

I'm looking forward to some enlightenment from those in the know but is there anyone with a re-mapped 4.5 in the Nottingham area willing to take me out in their's so I can see/experiece what the benefits might be?

[baguaman]

i have a mapped 4.5 .....big big difference....but the truth is that these cars drive so differently...i have driven other 4.5 and some are very smooth without modification...but the level of power and acceleration that mapping brings is worth every penny..mine now puts out 402bhp

[BCA]

Let me put it this way; If you have a 4.5, I personally believe it is your duty to get it remapped.

In our experience of it thus far its faster, more economical (odd I know), runs far more smoothly (no stutters, no kangerooing at low revs just smooth power from idle) and it'll pull alot better from lower rpms instead of objecting - it'll launch in second on a very light throttle without complaint now. Perhaps more importantly at about 80 in fifth on a light throttle it just accelerates whereas it would otherwise hesitate a little before getting going.

We've only currently got an early generic chip from TrackCar and the difference is just astonishing. Get it done. We'll be heading back up to TrackCarSolutions soon for further tweakage hopefully - I think dads ordered a whirlwind.

[BCA]

Oh, also - get it on a Trackday as soon as possible!!

[hugepiece]

Guys this is something i've also been considering for a while. One thing though, how much difference is there likely to be between a generic chip and a custom one? I was considering the whirlwind kit with the generic chip from TCS. Pricewise its around the same as just a custom remap on its own (if mm maths are correct) so seems good value (when my purple hoses are a bit rank anyway). Anyone tested both chips on their own car back to back??

[PhilCerbera]

I have a 98 4.5. Had it for 2.5 years before my first re-map which I think formed a part of Joolz development for his now standard MBE re-map. The improvement in drivability and performance was well worth the investment. Power was about 375BHP and it was much more useable (more smiles).

A couple of months ago (4 years ownership now) I went back for the Whirlwind Pipes and at Joolz recommendation had a custom re-map to get the most out of the pipes. We ended up with 400BHP and some even bigger smiles Click here for details

Given there is only a few hundred quid (I think) between a standard re-map and a bespoke one I would go for the bespoke re-map along with whirlwind pipes, and at least you'll know your car is performing at its best. Otherwise you'll only be back again for whatever you didn't do the first time and it'll end up costing you more in the long run

[BCA]

PhilCerb is right - I think Cyclone had the same kind of figures originally too with about 370 from a basic map in emerald and then more once Trackcar got it on the rollers and tweaked it.

Oo a better way of putting it still;

A question for remapped car owners, would you swap back to the TVR guesswork mapping?

I suspect the answer is a big fat echoing NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

[FUBAR]

hugepiece said:

Guys this is something i've also been considering for a while. One thing though, how much difference is there likely to be between a generic chip and a custom one? I was considering the whirlwind kit with the generic chip from TCS. Pricewise its around the same as just a custom remap on its own (if mm maths are correct) so seems good value (when my purple hoses are a bit rank anyway). Anyone tested both chips on their own car back to back??

Steve, new induction and a generic 'chip' will gain you power, but a live remap should see you more bhp and a better running car as the mapping is bespoke to your car (as you know, no 2 Cerbs are the same). Im guessing new induction plus bespoke mapping isnt as much as induction, generic chip and then bespoke mapping on top.

If you want to maximise the power at the best cost, my advice (not always the best ) would be to get the induction and mapping done (Im guessing TCS is your nearest specialist) and not the generic chip.

HTH

[FUBAR]

^^^^^^^ see what happens if you start a reply then go off and do some work before posting?

[StefT]

It's getting more and more tempting!

[hugepiece]

thanks for the advise all, sounds like a custom map and whirlwind is the way for me then. I'm in Essex/London but from what I ready on here a trip up to TCS will be worth it. thats something else to add to my ever gtowing list.....

[FUBAR]

Dont forget, as a Southerner, you are closer to Austec/ACT Induction

[markh1]

whats better then Austec short induction or this whrlwind kit from TCS? Or is there not much in it?

[FUBAR]

Pretty much the same thing. Maybe a couple of horses each way afaik.

You'll need TCS if you want to go down the Emerald route as Austec only do the MBE option