AFN engine tuning

**greg_milne** · 20-10-2008,11:54 AM

Can anyone recomend a tuning box for my 1998 A4 110 TDi as its too old for remapping.

Cheers
Greg

**neil w** · 21-10-2008,09:32 PM

Check out www.tuning-diesels.com they are developing a box at the minute for the 90 and 110 bhp B5 and golf models.
On the later A3 (140) model they are seeing 18 to 20 bhp and a significant torque increase along with better fuel economy.
One of the boxes is going on my B6 130 tdi in the next week.

**ini** · 21-10-2008,11:49 PM

I would buy a used box (ebay etc) and stick to the respected 'old skool' manufacturers: Dragon, Alpin, PSI, Hopa, Steinbauer, Van-Aaken, KW, Tunit, VW, SpeedBuster, the list is endless.

Units that are switchable (remote fob is best) &/or adjustable from the cockpit are a good idea.

**gjm123** · 22-10-2008,05:58 PM

Originally Posted by greg_milne

Can anyone recomend a tuning box for my 1998 A4 110 TDi as its too old for remapping.

Cheers
Greg

Greg,
An AFN can be remapped very effectively. The best way to get more power is to replace the nozzles with something like PP520s, and get a custom remap. You should see a reliable and economical ~150bhp from this. It will cost more than a tuning box, but it really is a case of getting what you pay for.

Kerma in the US can supply a nozzle and chip package that will achieve the same thing, if you're DIY-minded or know someone who can help.

I'm sure there are good tuning boxes available, but there are plenty of horror stories about them too. Lots of smoke and poor economy are two tales that are often heard post-box installation.

**greg_milne** · 22-10-2008,07:16 PM

Tried a dodgy ebay box on it today, its a module that connects into the pump harness, couldnt get the car to run properly with it tho, lumpy idle, driveway covered in soot and flashing glowplug light which cost me £40 to get reset at the garage. I was really after a remap but tried and http://www.aforaudi.co.ukin glasgow and both said that it was too old for remapping, they said the car has to have the chip removed and a new one soldered in which they wernt prepared to do as it can damage the ecu i'm told.

Thinking on just leaving it as it is now lol.

**greg_milne** · 22-10-2008,07:17 PM

missed this link from the above post http://www.angeltuning.co.uk

**gjm123** · 22-10-2008,08:15 PM

As I understand it, many of the cheap tuning boxes simply prolong the injection window, meaning more smoke.

Remapping is definitely possible on the AFN and can be very effective. I know of a chip tuning company down south who claim a 35-40bhp increase, simply from a remap and no other mods. Its not a good idea, and probably is (in effect) very similar to the cheap tuning box approach. Hopefully it'd run better than the experience you have!

**neil w** · 22-10-2008,11:47 PM

Going to look at an AFN engined a4 avant (B5) tomorrow with a view to running it as a dog car alongside the wifes B6 model, I will be fitting tuning-diesels boxes to both in the next few weeks and let you know how I get on.

**gjm123** · 23-10-2008,07:39 AM

Originally Posted by neil w

Going to look at an AFN engined a4 avant (B5) tomorrow with a view to running it as a dog car alongside the wifes B6 model, I will be fitting tuning-diesels boxes to both in the next few weeks and let you know how I get on.

That'll be interesting... keep us posted!

Please understand that I'm not saying all tuning boxes are crap. Some most definitely are - especially those cheaply available "+25bhp" eBay items - but I'd hope that more expensive items from larger, reputable companies would be effective. PSI Powerbox quote a 'mere' 25bhp increase over standard, and an increase of 53Nm torque. According to their website, power and torque curves are enhanced throughout the entire rev range. I'll check on prices, but anticipate £200-300.

**ini** · 23-10-2008,10:00 AM

The AFN engine does tune up well, and strangely feels 'better' at 150-160bhp than an AWX does at 180-190bhp.

If you are going to do the job properly you will need a new turbo, nozzles, clutch, MAP sensor, and remap.

This could cost the better part of 2k compared to a £10 used tuning box.

Most tuning boxes are extending the injection window & very slightly advancing the timing, and boost pressure (consequence of more fuel with same sized nozzles), and will give more smoke if incorrectly setup, but then again the entire sum of diesel tuning in a nutshell = 'squirt in more fuel, and if too smokey then raise boost a little'.

Agreed, a remap is a much more complete solution than a tuning box, but for most people on standard hardware there would be little or no difference in a race between two identical cars using the different methods. (the remapped car may win, as the owner will have a much lighter wallet, lol)