Remap or Chip?

[Selly72]

I've recently purchased a 2007 MK5 GTi and was wondering about the benifits of either chipping or remapping, seeing as I am new to this malarkey I was hoping some of you might be able to point me in the direction of which is best. Not worried about increasing top end speed but increase in acceleration would be nice!!!!!!!!!!!!

[shark_90]

Chipping and remapping are pretty much the same thing these days, there's no need to actually change the physical chip anymore, new software can be loaded directly to your ECU.

The Mk5 GTi responds very well to a remap, I'm running stage 2 on my Skoda 2.0TFSi (same engine as the Golf) and it goes very well indeed.

Have you spoken to any remapping companies yet?

[Selly72]

Thanks for prompt response Shark_90. Sorry for being a div but whats this stage 2 business? I have talked (not in great detail) to a couple local companies in Plymouth one offers a remap one offers chipping are there any cons to fiddling around with the engine?

[sr-performance]

Hi Selly,
If one of the companies is offering to chip your car then avoid them...

most cars from 1999 are remapped via the obd(diagnostic)port and the ecu is reflashed with new software.
A good remapper will custom remap your car to suit your driving style and needs.
A remap will give you lots more torque so will pull a lot harder but smoother from lower rpm.
If yours is the 2.0 tfsi then 35bhp 75 more torque is available from an evolutionchips remap...

[shark_90]

Thanks for prompt response Shark_90. Sorry for being a div but whats this stage 2 business? I have talked (not in great detail) to a couple local companies in Plymouth one offers a remap one offers chipping are there any cons to fiddling around with the engine?

As sr-performance has said, avoid anyone who talk about "chipping" these days. The 2.0TFSi as with all new cars can be remapped via the diagnostic port, there is no physical chip change inside the ECU like there used to be.

My car is "Stage 2" because I have changed some of the hardware (exhaust, sports cat, downpipe and cold air intake) and adjusted the remap to suit. With those kinds of modifications it is possible to extract more power than on a standard engine. A remap on a standard engine is generally referred to as "Stage 1".

If you'd like more information have a look at http://www.sharkperformance.co.uk which will explain the chipping/remapping thing further. There's a lot that can be done on the 2.0TFSi, mine goes like stink now

Going back to the cons, you will be working the turbo a little bit harder and if you're driving the car hard then your fuel economy will suffer. However in general driving you're more likely to see an increase in economy. If it's longevity you're worried about, don't be. I have had three 150,000+ mile cars with remaps (still got one of them!) and as long as you don't drive it everywhere at 7,000rpm you won't have any problems with a good remap.

[Selly72]

Thanks for the replies, I've used your link and know a bit more about it now. Does anyone know of a reputable company that does remaps in the Plymouth/Devon area?

[sr-performance]

just type in evolutionchips .com and look for nearest installer mate...

[Selly72]

Cheers, will do!!!

[SLW]

I just took delivery of my Viezu V Switch. This has within it the factory ECU setting, ECO (20% better economy) and Fast Road (+35bhp and 76lb ft torque) Got it set on fast road at the minute - so much quicker and smoother. Turbo stays on boost to the redline now. When i fill up next i will set to Eco mode and see if there are similar gains there. Takes about 10mins to change programs, and programs can be chaged if you buy a different car.

[dakster]

What did you tell your insurance company & what did they say? be interested to know. Mine fussy about upgrading VW 16" to VW 17" wheels !!