To chip or not to chip? Alfa GT 1.9JTDm '05
Discussion
Dear All, I've just bought my first car at 26 (company car was a golf gt tdi). I planned to buy a bmw 320d ('05 100,000miles), but came out with with the Alfa GT ('05 55,000miles). It's prettier and simply drove better, a hard combination to resist so I didn't!
I've been told i can get an extra 40bhp from its current 150bhp, a tempting prospect.
So I throw myself at the forums mercies and ask:
What are the prose and cons of getting it chipped up and how do you go about it?
Also, would it cause any insurance issues?
With thanks,
First Alfa
I've been told i can get an extra 40bhp from its current 150bhp, a tempting prospect.
So I throw myself at the forums mercies and ask:
What are the prose and cons of getting it chipped up and how do you go about it?
Also, would it cause any insurance issues?
With thanks,
First Alfa
You can get it remapped of course, and plenty of people do. Just make sure you use someone reputable and used to Alfas - Angel Tuning and Red Dot are very popular. An extra 40bhp maybe a bit ambitious though. Obviously make sure tyres and brakes are up to the extra and yes, you should tell your insurance. Don't expect to get much sympathy from main dealers either if you need anything!
Remapping is the reprogramming of the engines map - or ECU. In effect it's the modern version of "chipping" - but no hardware is changed, it's just the information that's on there that is altered. Some good info here:
http://www.angeltuning.co.uk/ai_faq.asp
My gut feeling is still to enjoy the car as it is.
http://www.angeltuning.co.uk/ai_faq.asp
My gut feeling is still to enjoy the car as it is.
First Alfa said:
Thanks!
I'll give a few week or two before going for it. Perhaps it's organic form will do me well.
The mapping web sites make it sound too good to be true, performance and economy?
Yes, makes you wonder why the manufacturers didn't do that in the first place doesn't it?I'll give a few week or two before going for it. Perhaps it's organic form will do me well.
The mapping web sites make it sound too good to be true, performance and economy?
[quote=RicksAlfas
Yes, makes you wonder why the manufacturers didn't do that in the first place doesn't it?
[/quote]
When a manufacturer releases a car into the world it has to be able to cope with many different demands in many different environments by many different users all "from the box". For example, the car has to cope with poor fuel quality, dusty environments, poor services and at the same time provide reliability and economy. This has meant that the manufacturers have in essence detuned the engines to cater for all this.
In Europe and America we generally do not have these issues to the extent that the engines have been detuned to - so, we have the scope to change them. This is what we at Angel Tuning are doing for customers across the UK.
Don't read too much into the fuel economy. Your car will have better performance and you'll probably use it. Normal driving sees my mapped car with the same MPG figures.
Yes, makes you wonder why the manufacturers didn't do that in the first place doesn't it?
[/quote]
When a manufacturer releases a car into the world it has to be able to cope with many different demands in many different environments by many different users all "from the box". For example, the car has to cope with poor fuel quality, dusty environments, poor services and at the same time provide reliability and economy. This has meant that the manufacturers have in essence detuned the engines to cater for all this.
In Europe and America we generally do not have these issues to the extent that the engines have been detuned to - so, we have the scope to change them. This is what we at Angel Tuning are doing for customers across the UK.
Don't read too much into the fuel economy. Your car will have better performance and you'll probably use it. Normal driving sees my mapped car with the same MPG figures.
I've owned mine (an '07) for about eight months. Before I bought it I tried mine (standard), and one with a remap (by way of a P-Box). I couldn't really tell the difference in normal conditions.
I certainly like to "make progress" but I have never for a moment considered getting the car remapped. I find the torque of the car more than adequate for any situation on the road and I don't see the point of compromising economy and raising my insurance for the dubious pleasure of knowing I have a few more bhp I'll never use.
Just my £0.02. Whichever route you choose, enjoy the car.
Robert
I certainly like to "make progress" but I have never for a moment considered getting the car remapped. I find the torque of the car more than adequate for any situation on the road and I don't see the point of compromising economy and raising my insurance for the dubious pleasure of knowing I have a few more bhp I'll never use.
Just my £0.02. Whichever route you choose, enjoy the car.
Robert
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