Fast and relatively cheap power increase? This is what chip tuning is all about. However, before deciding to implement it, it is worth learning a little about it.
Chip tuning, or engine mapping, is an electronic increase in engine power, so the car goes faster and burns less fuel – the perfect combination. This involves using the full potential of the engine, which is unfortunately not provided by the manufacturer.
Why? To use the power reserve in a more powerful or reinstalled model. Therefore, we find the fact that the same engine may have several different values of power and torque, depending on the model in which it is installed.
How to increase engine power?
There are two most common methods for increasing engine power.
- The first method is cheaper and non-invasive, and consists of connecting a preloaded PowerBox with a control map for a specific machine model.
- The second method, on the other hand, focuses on the individual modification of the driver parameters in a given instance.
Modification consists in inspecting the car and tuning it for its current state of wear and tear. By modifying the engine parameters one by one, we can extract more power than the tuning box.
However, if a modification is detected by specialists at an authorized repair shop, the car may lose its warranty. After connecting the PowerBox, it is enough to disconnect it before visiting the official service station, while hiding individual modifications requires more work.
How much does chip tuning cost?
The cost of this service of course varies. Prices may vary depending on service or engine, for example diesel tuning is usually cheaper than petrol engines. Prices can start at $200 and end up in a few thousand.
Diesel and gasoline chip tuning
Diesel chip tuning is usually less expensive and can produce more power. This is because most diesel engines use a turbocharger and in the turbocharger many more possibilities are hidden. For turbo engines, the increase in power is 20-30%, and for naturally aspirated engines, the increase is 3-7%.
Change of power and registration certificate
Theoretically, we should go to the office to change the power value. However, the reality is that no one will ever know about the change because it can’t be noticed. The problem may arise only after we are involved in an accident and the car has been turned over for expertise.
Serious problems will arise if during the inspection it is found that the power is too high, so that the braking system is unable to stop the vehicle. Any modifications must also be reported to the insurance agent, which will result in an increase in premiums.
Advantages of chip tuning
The first obvious advantage is the increased power. In addition, fuel consumption is reduced during this modification. Individual tuning can reduce consumption by up to 15%.
In the case of the DSG automatic transmission, the way it works can be changed. One of the most popular modifications to the gearbox is torque locking, changing engine speed, gear ratios and gear development.
Another advantage is the short waiting time for the modification to complete. In a good workshop, this will take 5 to 8 hours. However, the most important advantage is the possibility of abandoning this modification and returning to factory conditions. But who wants to do this?
Disadvantages of chip tuning
The first major flaw is the loss of warranty. In addition, improper chip tuning can cause damage, for example, tuning the turbo diesel chip can cause the exhaust gas temperature to be too high, which can cause the turbocharger body to crack. Modifications can also cause faster wear, e.g. clutch or brake.
