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Are you looking for a way to boost your car’s engine or performance? You’ve probably come across engine remapping a few times. While this process comes with a few doubts, people are also vocal about its perks. So let’s get into it. What is remapping a car? This just means altering the car’s ECU to get more out of it. Stick around to find out more about this process and if it’s something you want for your car.
Engine remapping in a car is a process that helps improve the vehicle’s power and performance. Also often known as car chipping, it involves reprogramming your car engine to overwrite its factory settings.
When you buy a car, it comes with default Engine Control Unit (ECU) settings. The problem is that most cars aren’t programmed to offer their engines’ maximum potential performance from the factory. The ECUs in these vehicles are like small computers that limit the engine’s performance to make them more reliable and reduce emissions and fuel consumption.
In essence, your car’s engine may be slightly limited so it can offer a good balance of fuel consumption and performance in usual conditions. A remap removes this restriction, allowing your engine to offer more power or to limit fuel consumption to a higher degree.
How Does Engine Remapping Work?
Engine remapping works by changing the manufacturer’s default settings and updating the vehicle’s ECU software. An expert will update the software of the ECU, which will generally help boost the car’s power and torque. They do this by connecting a diagnostic tool or laptop to the car’s On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) port and uploading the new ECU settings.
Sometimes, it doesn’t end there. The tuner may need to modify parts of the engine to make it compatible with the ECU update. This may come in the form of upgrading the intercooler, exhaust or air intake. Some modern cars may restrict access via the OBD for security. In that case, the tuner will need to remove the ECU and manually connect it to a computer.
Stages Of Remapping
There are three stages of remapping, which vary based on how much work is done on the engine of the vehicle.
- Stage one: Stage one upgrades are usually just a light reprogramming aimed at giving the vehicle a slight performance boost.
- Stage two: Stage two remaps usually require work on the engine. This may be accompanied by a change of air filter and some improvements to the exhaust.
- Stage three: This is the most serious level of remapping. It often goes hand in hand with major upgrades like new turbo systems and new internal components.
Pros & Cons Of Engine Remapping
What you really want to know is why anyone would want to remap their car. Remapping your engine comes with quite a few perks as well as downsides.
Pros
Benefits of remapping include:
- Improving vehicle performance: Remapping is one affordable way to improve your car’s performance. It gives your vehicle a faster response and higher torque as you press the accelerator. Driving becomes much more seamless, and you can overtake with ease.
- Better fuel economy: Instead of coasting to save fuel, remapping can help minimise the use of fuel. Just go easy on the accelerator, and you could save money and reduce your carbon footprint. You can also do more engine braking to make the most of your fuel.
- Easy towing: Remapping is also really helpful when it comes to towing. If you tow trailers or caravans frequently, your car won’t have to work so hard when climbing hills.
- Reversible: The best part about remapping is that it is not a permanent change. You can revert your vehicle to its original state if you’re not happy with its performance after remapping.
If you’re interested in vehicle fuel usage, read our blog post where we compare the fuel consumption of automatic and manual transmissions.
Cons
The drawbacks of remapping include:
- Invalidates car warranty: A remap might not be visible on the outside of your car, but it is likely to void the vast majority of car warranties. After all, it is an alteration that isn’t approved by the manufacturer. There are a few exceptions, however. Some manufacturers offer remaps for their vehicles that won’t affect the warranty. You can check the papers to see if the same applies to your car.
- Higher running cost: With greater power coming from the vehicle, you can expect more strain on its engine and other components. This means your car may require more maintenance.
- Changes can be overwritten: The fact that remapping is reversible isn’t always a good thing because the changes can be wiped out if your car receives an update from its maker.
How Much Does Engine Remapping Cost?
Engine remapping costs between £200 and over £1,000. It all depends on what level of remapping you’re opting for. Stage one remap, which is the most basic level, will only cost you a few hundred pounds. Stage two remapping will cost around £1,000, but expect to go beyond this threshold if you want a stage three remap, which offers major engine upgrades.
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Does Remapping Affect Car Insurance?
Yes, remapping affects car insurance because it is a modification to your vehicle. Most insurance companies expect you to inform them if you have carried out an engine remap on your vehicle. If you already have a policy and are planning to get a remap, you may need to inform your insurance company first; if not, your policy may become invalid.
While you’re here, you’d be interested in our post on insurance to rent out a campervan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Remapping Safe?
Yes, remapping is safe. You just have to make sure you give the job to a professional and experienced tuner. However, like most things vehicle-related, risks can arise if the remap is too aggressive and pushes beyond the capabilities of the vehicle’s engine. You also have to make sure the tuner uses quality software.
Will Remapping Affect My Car’s Warranty?
Yes, remapping will affect your car’s warranty because most manufacturers see ECU remapping as a modification. It is likely to void the engine or powertrain portion of your warranty. Even if the remap is later reversed, some diagnostic tools can detect that you made changes to the ECU. The best thing is to review your warranty terms if you’re unsure.
How Long Does Engine Remapping Take?
Engine remapping takes between one and two hours. The exact time depends on the make and model of the car, the tuning method used, and whether the process requires any diagnostics or test drives. In some cases, especially with newer or heavily encrypted ECUs, the process may take a bit longer.
Is Remapping Legal?
Yes, remapping is legal in the UK, provided the vehicle still meets the required MOT emissions standards and roadworthiness criteria. The problem is if a remap increases emissions or disables features like the Diesel Particulate Filter. Then, it could cause your car to fail an MOT test. Also, you must inform your insurance provider when you make ECU changes so it doesn’t invalidate your policy.
Can You Remap Any Car?
No, you can’t remap every car. You can remap most modern cars with an ECU, but some older cars without ECUs or with limited access to tuning software may not be compatible. Also, some newer vehicles have encrypted ECUs that require specialised tools or may not be fully remappable yet. You also cannot remap electric vehicles as they don’t have a conventional ECU that controls fuel injection or turbo pressure.
Conclusion
So, what is remapping? Remapping is a process that allows you to take control of your car and drive its performance up a notch. This one is not for anyone renting or leasing a car, but if you have your own vehicle, it’s worth looking into. All you have to do is speak to a professional tuner to find out the pros and cons so you know what to expect from your remapped car.
