Tdi-tuning.co.uk CRTD2 box

[thesoundone]

Hi all,

Hope this is in the right place on the forum.

I haven't really spent much time on here before but I just got a 2009 2.0 140 CR Golf Sportline Estate , and thought I would start a thread on my new purchase for it: A tdi-tuning.co.uk CRTD2 tuning box.

There isn't that much info about real use of this particular box out there so I thought it might prove useful for anyone else (like me) that wants some info.

I've just ordered the box today and as soon as it arrives and I've had chance to test it, I'll put up my findings. In the meantime, if anyone has any real experiences of this product I would be very grateful to hear from you.

Oh btw, I'm well aware of the ongoing remap Vs tuning box debate but I'm only really interested in info about this product or possibly comparisons to other boxes out there. I hope that doesn't come across as being funny, I'm just really keen to learn more about the ongoing use of this and if anyone else out there has any first hand experience..

Thanks!

Jim

[Ace_rimmer]

I'm subscribed to this :o

Like you say there are a few companies that do these chip boxes, one that springs to mind is chipexpress Diesel Tuning Chip for VW Golf MK6 2.0 TDI 140PS / 103kW / 138bhp (http://www.chipexpress.com/products/2524/) & their box boasts about an extra 16hp when set to max mode? but it looks like you pay an extra £100 for that privilege.

There is certainly a lack of geniune trust worthy reviews on the net so i will be really interested in your findings! Also will you be testing how it effects your mpg as well?

[Keithuk]

Welcome to the forum Jim.

There are a few tuning boxes on the market DTUK (http://www.diesel-performance.co.uk/vehicle-volkswagen-vw_golf-vi_Any) seems like a good one.

Would you like to do us a favour and add your car spec to your signature as it will save users asking?

[thesoundone]

Thanks for the replies and interest guys ;)

Yes I'll definitely be testing to see the effects on MPG. Its actually my main interest to be honest.

I actually forgot to link to the product so here it is here (http://www.tdi-tuning.co.uk/car_and_van_diesel_tuning_boxes/volkswagen/golf/20_tdi_cr_138_bhp__140_ps__103_kw__2008_onwards/crtd2_diesel_tuning_box_volkswagen_golf_20_cr_tdi_ 138_bhp_140_ps_103_kw_2008_onwards_P1382.html)

I just tried to add my car spec into the signature but I must be doing something wrong as its not showing up :confused:

Jim

[Guest 2]

I just tried to add my car spec into the signature but I must be doing something wrong as its not showing up :confused:


whatever you done its working :)

[thesoundone]

whatever you done its working :)

Ha! So it is..

[Buzzoff]

Very interesting!

[thesoundone]

Well.. Just got the tuning box this morning (next day delivery when I ordered yesterday afternoon isn't bad!).

I just took an hour away from my desk to go and fit it and have a quick drive:

I've attached a few pics I took of my installation (which literally took 5 mins as stated in the instructions).

So having gone for a 20 minute spin down the A1 and then back via country roads, my initial thoughts are that it's a massive improvement. The box has 32 selectable maps in it but I'm sticking to the standard one for while.

As soon as I started the car I noticed it was running smoother and slightly quieter. Pulling off down the road I took it very easy to begin with but again noticed how much smoother it felt. Throttle response off the bottom is much sharper and appears to react to everything you do with the pedal straight away. Going down the A1 I stuck to 70 for about 5 miles and the average fuel consumption went to up to 61mpg. I haven't had the car very long but this is, I would say, around a 5 mpg improvement but its early days (and I don't know how accurate that reading is yet).

In term of power increase, its definitely improved the torque in a big way. Cruising along in 6th and accelerating past traffic is pretty awesome http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/images/icons/icon7.png. On the twisty roads on the way back I noticed that the revs were lower than normal at certain speeds (can that be true?) and that I wasn't changing gear as much. There is a noticeable pull in all gears and the car has more power straight off the bottom now (something that I felt this engine lacked in comparison to the PD 1.9 115 I had before).

So first impressions? Very good but I want to see how much fuel it uses before I make up my mind. If you were looking for nothing but a power gain, this device definitely gives that! http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/images/icons/icon14.png

So anyway, I'm going to fill the tank up tomorrow and see how many miles I get. I'm also going down to Cornwall in a couple of weeks so it will be interesting to see how it performs fuel wise then too.

I'll post my findings as I get them.

Cheers!

Jim

[Ace_rimmer]

Nice review Jim! I'm very tempted to get one of these myself now. I'll be waiting for your mpg figures. Whats the acceleration like in the lower gears?

[Seboni121]

Me 2 I've just got the 1.6 crtdi tho :(

[Guest 2]

1.6 crtdi tho

TDi ;)

[thesoundone]

Nice review Jim! I'm very tempted to get one of these myself now. I'll be waiting for your mpg figures. Whats the acceleration like in the lower gears?

Thanks! On the short drive I had earlier I would say that acceleration is definitely up in the lower gears but what I particularly like is the fact that there is instant power now from the get go, where as before my car had a slight lull off the line until the turbo cut in.

[thesoundone]

Me 2 I've just got the 1.6 crtdi tho :(

I think the module I bought is also suitable for the 1.6 but they flash it with different software to suit your engine. I personally think the 1.6 is a cracking car and is definitely better in the MPG department, so it would be interesting to see what difference it makes for you...

[Ace_rimmer]

Thanks! On the short drive I had earlier I would say that acceleration is definitely up in the lower gears but what I particularly like is the fact that there is instant power now from the get go, where as before my car had a slight lull off the line until the turbo cut in.

Ahh i now recall reading somewhere that these can reduce the 'turbo lag' quite significantly. It would be nice to have a quicker response when i put my foot down.. but i guess that wouldn't do much for the old mpg:D

[Eshrules]

What warranty do tdi-tuning.co.uk offer on this product/subsequent damage? And how's your insurance been affected by the box? Intrigued to see if it's cheaper to run a box than it is a remap.

[Seboni121]

It's an easy pull out so no want needs to know ;)

[Eshrules]

Good luck with that ;)

What sort of warranty do they offer with the box? I've looked at their site but they're very vague.

[thesoundone]

Good luck with that ;)

What sort of warranty do they offer with the box? I've looked at their site but they're very vague.

They give a 3 year warranty and a 14 day return policy if you're not happy. Although apparently the unit must remain in as new condition if you were to return it. When you say 'subsequent damage', do you mean damage to your car that arises from using the tuning box? If so, I'm not sure to be honest. First thing that comes to mind in terms of that kind of situation would be that they probably wouldn't.. But I'm no expert.

[thesoundone]

Just thought I would give an update for those interested.

Its been just over a week now since I fitted the box and I've had time to drive it quite a bit now. Overall impressions are good in terms of the extra welly it gives you when overtaking. This common rail engine likes to be revved it seems and adding the tuning box has meant that I can slip into the next gear earlier and stay on top of the torque sweet spot. For me its made it a bit more like the PD engine in that respect. One thing that could be improved with the experience of driving it for a few days would be the straight off the bottom response in first gear. This at first was a massive improvement from standard but having got used to it I think it could definitely be improved by selecting the next map up. We'll see.

I had a courtesy call from tdi-tuning.co.uk a few days after I got the box to see how I was getting on. The guy I spoke to was really helpful and I ended up staying the phone for about 45 minutes! I asked him some pertinent questions about the affects on the engine with particular emphasis on how it might affect the DPF. Basically, it appears that the device is designed to work in conjunction with the standard regeneration cycle of the DPF and doesn't interfere with it. I haven't had any problems yet anyway. He also gave me some advice on using the other maps which I'll try at some point. He did however suggest that the map I was running was the best in terms of economy and extra power.

In terms of fuel usage its difficult to say whether its better than before because I fitted the device before i had chance to use a full tank as standard. So far I'm half way down my first tank of fuel since fitting it and I'm on 340 miles. This has been almost all local journeys down country lanes and town driving so I didn't expect too much really. The on board read out suggests 58mpg average. I'll have to work that out when its used a full tank. I'm going down to Cornwall in a couple of weeks so I can see then what it can do on a more economical run.

I would be interested in what others are getting out of there 2.0 140 in terms of mpg too.

Cheers

Jim

[p3asa]

It's an easy pull out so no want needs to know ;)

Until you are in an accident and the insurance investigator manages to pop the bonnet :zx11:
I'm sure you are but just be aware of the consequences re insurance.
They look for absolutely anything to get out of paying.

[Seboni121]

I've not fitted but I have seen them and they are very easy to remove, however if you don't drive like its stolen chances of accident is minimised

[Eshrules]

I think what he was trying to make you aware of is the fraud you're committing by not declaring the modification to your insurance.

You'd be amazed how closely forums are watched, so it has to be said just in case.

[thesoundone]

Update:

Had the tuning module on for a few weeks now. I did unfortunately have a problem with the unit I had which resulted in the engine cutting out. I removed the unit at the roadside and went on my way again. Sent it back and they replaced it and since then not had any problems. Bit worrying though...

The power is great though and on my recent trip down to cornwall I was able to see what the tank range was. I got 650 miles and my average speed on the motorway was not conservative. Lots of single track lanes in Cornwall puts pay to economical driving so probably could have got more on A roads. I'm not sure how that fairs with others tank ranges but I thought it was o.k.

I would say that the power is best in 4th, 5th and 6th gear. It is definitely improved in the first 3 gears but more noticeable later on. Also, I've found that changing up early rather than revving it out get the best from the new power delivery.

Overall, I wasn't too happy about my car stopping suddenly with the faulty unit but they did get a new unit to my pretty quickly and were very helpful. I'm happy with the new power so will be leaving it on for now I guess..

I would still like to know what other poeple get out of their 2.0 140 CR in terms of tank range.. Especially those that have a Golf Estate.

Jim

[thesoundone]

Forgot to mention: The indicated MPG is WAYYYY out.. Over estimated I reckon by around 6 mpg.

[Eshrules]

Have they given a reason for the box causing the car to cut out?

[c4a5er]

Forgot to mention: The indicated MPG is WAYYYY out.. Over estimated I reckon by around 6 mpg.


The way the tuning box modifies the signal from the fuel rail pressure sensor means the engines ecu and therefore the on-board fuel MPG calculation is not able to detect the extra fuel injected.

There will be a fuel saving when driven carefully due to the fact that you can change up sooner reducing engine rpm but you would have to calculate fuel use through 'fuelly' or brim to brim method.

[DrNorthy]

Have you had anymore problems with this box?
I am thinking about one for my A4 but the cutting out makes me wonder.

[The Fingers]

Well i have been away from here for quite while came back for a little look and ended up chatting again!!!!!

I have been running an 'Italian Box' (£69 delivered from italy off of ebay) since getting a 2.0 passat in feb 2011 ish, that car did 57,000 miles with the box attached - No ill effects noticed or reported during scans, servicing etc etc - during my time with it it never skipped a beat or needed any money or warranty work doing as such.

I have now transferred the box to my new Golf 2.0 TDI Match and this has now done approx 6K with no ill effects so far.

I think the 2.0 tdi 140 is missing something without it estimated running at 180 bhp (beats a standard well seviced 170 mk5 golf). Better low down pull, better mid range pull in lower gears, better pull from lower revs in high gears. Its better all round. No Black Smoke Bellows either.

Fuel economy did improve slightly in the passat but only a little (running tank to tank box on / box off same trip). Golf no change in fuel economy noticed really, i can get 750 - 800 miles from a tank on a long run and 650 when just pottering around.

So after in excess of 60,000 miles with one on, would i buy another YES for £70 all day long.

The guys that made mine also offer the same one rebranded in Italy for £ 200+ (Thunder Box)

They are also running at 7500 positive feed back just off ebay sales and no negative over the last 12 months.

There are threads on here from when i first put it on. Man did i get a shoeing off some on here for even contemplating a cheap box on MY car. Well the scare tactics from my experience have been proved wrong. It may break your car yes but it didn't on mine, however i did have a pd 2.0 tdi passat DSG and that thing stayed standard and had the gear box changed twice and was a nightmare, sometimes they build a lemon no matter what you do.

[DrNorthy]

What's the name of your box will have a look at it.

[The Fingers]

What's the name of your box will have a look at it.

It's 'The Italian Box' search ebay for it

£59.99 plus £9.95 uk delivery

[thesoundone]

Have you had anymore problems with this box?
I am thinking about one for my A4 but the cutting out makes me wonder.

It was a loose connection in the connector at the box end. Been o.k on the new one though.

[Robin K-S]

Hi there just found this thread, very interesting read. Any updates on it, are you still running it, is it giving good power & MPG. I've got a Seat Inca SDi & was thinking of getting one. They're selling them on Ebay for a good price too Seat Inca 1.9 SDI 64 Bhp Diesel Tuning Box 10 Pin | eBay (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/230972560534?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649) need to do some research on this, as on their own website they're £139, but I think they're selling older versions on Ebay.

Anyway, an update would be appreciated.

Cheers
Robin

Seat Inca 1.9 Sdi (03) with Caddy front end and Ibiza GTi seats