General Chiptuning my 1.3 Multijet ?

[fstfrwrd]

I have a 1.3 fiat 500 (diesel) and i'd like to chiptune it.

This company is charging €500 for a 25hp performance boost (100hp instead of 75) with 3 years of warranty.
This is also non-recognizable by Fiat, so my warranty with them won't be voided.

Any user experiences?
Is it worth it?
Will it screw up your car?

 

[Venters]

Firstly maps can be seen by the dealer. Although I believe only if they are looking for it.

A remap won't screw up your car unless it is a dodgey map. If the place has a good reputation then it should be fine. As is said by many the biggest threat to reliability is the driver.
So far on the forum we have one guy with a remapped 500 and a couple who have driven them. All seem very impressed with the results.

500 Euros doesn't seem too high especially with the warranty.

 

[milfy]

had mine done on saturday and maSsive improvement cost £250 for remap
a bit cheaper than 500 EUROS

 

[fstfrwrd]

how do you mean, the biggest threat is the driver?
do you need to be extra careful? how?

 

[Venters]

Extracting an extra 25bhp out of an engine will not kill it. Constantly driving with the car using the extra 25bhp will do it. Thats not to say you can't have a little fun, you just have to be a little sympathetic mechanically.

 

[fstfrwrd]

hm i see, but what's the point in getting the boost if you can't use it.
what would you say is 'regular use' with the re-map done?

i will be driving at constant speeds very often (when going to school) and i'll be driving in the city quite a lot too (quite slow) ... so i'll be safe, right?

 

[Rockbottom]

i will be driving at constant speeds very often (when going to school) and i'll be driving in the city quite a lot too (quite slow) ... so i'll be safe, right?

That will be fine. Just don't thrash the balls off it everywhere.

 

[grimwau]

It seems that the remapping of the std ecu @ £250 gets the but there is the question of warranty perhaps being voided. I have been looking at the DPT unit as tried by Quentin Wilson which costs £300 and which connects between the ecu and the common rail map sensor. The beauty of this system is that it can be removed in 10 minutes reverting to original settings without leaving any trace of having been fitted.

The figures quoted for the 500 1.3 multijet show BHP up to 104 and torque improves from 190 to 220.

This can be tweaked by the installer (or you can fit it yourself) to suit your individual driving needs, ie. power, driveability or efficiency in any combination.

As my main priority would be driveabillity I am not so much concerned with the 29 BHP increase but would like to know if the torque increase is as good as that on the remapped ECUs.

Thanks

 

[Oldschool]

As my main priority would be driveabillity I am not so much concerned with the 29 BHP increase but would like to know if the torque increase is as good as that on the remapped ECUs.

There is only one way to find out: Get it on the rollers.

 

[percymon]

Adding 25bhp doesn't sound a lot, but its a 33% increase , so engine components will be under extra strain when you use the extra power. It will no doubt make the car a lot more lively and smooth out the power delivery somewhat but its always a compromise against longevity.

You also have to bear in mind any warranty claims may be affected if the dealer discovers a remapping. You also need to consider that come service time the delaer may install a revised fueling map from Fiat if the have made any updates - this will wipe your aftermarket remap, so your upgrade is lost.

Chip tuning boxes aren't ideal either - they are not bespoke to your car, only a general map for the model/engine combo. They do have the advantage that they can be removed and reinstalled come any dealer visits though.

 

[Oldschool]

Still, I wouldn't use a tuning box. The ECUs are getting more and more complex, which can result in long term problems.

The 25bhp increase is a quote, which might not even be 25bhp as most of the 1.3s are over the 75bhp anyway and the 1.3 come from factory with a higher power output.

Anyway, the strain on the engine components is not caused by the specific power output. It is the torque delivery that causes it.

 

[RobW]

Tuning box is tempting for several reasons

removable and re-sellable
won't get over-written by Fiat if there is a software recall/update
it is guaranteed

having said all that the result will not be optimal compared to a rolling road developed live map on your car to your personal taste

personally if i was getting a 500 Multijet I go the tuning box route

 

[BOM]

I am about to get a 1.3 multijet. Extra performance would be good, but we are generally buying for the superb fuel consumption.

Does either of the two methods offer an mpg improvement over the standard tuning when driven economically?

Also, I may be being a bit stupid here, but if you wanted performance wouldnt the 1.4 petrol have been the way to go?

 

[grimwau]

Does either of the two methods offer an mpg improvement over the standard tuning when driven economically?

They both do.

Also, I may be being a bit stupid here, but if you wanted performance wouldnt the 1.4 petrol have been the way to go?

Probably, but as I state below it is not the performance increase that I am looking at but the driveability. This in turn equates to more mpg by virtue of less gearchanges and being able to use a taller gear at any given speed.

As my main priority would be driveabillity I am not so much concerned with the 29 BHP increase.
Thanks

I hope you enjoy the new car, I have been very impressed so far with only minor niggles relating to the Blue+ME, mechanically no problems at all.

 

[Dawg Dee-Lux]

It seems that the remapping of the std ecu @ £250 gets the but there is the question of warranty perhaps being voided. I have been looking at the DPT unit as tried by Quentin Wilson which costs £300 and which connects between the ecu and the common rail map sensor. The beauty of this system is that it can be removed in 10 minutes reverting to original settings without leaving any trace of having been fitted.

The figures quoted for the 500 1.3 multijet show BHP up to 104 and torque improves from 190 to 220.

This can be tweaked by the installer (or you can fit it yourself) to suit your individual driving needs, ie. power, driveability or efficiency in any combination.

As my main priority would be driveabillity I am not so much concerned with the 29 BHP increase but would like to know if the torque increase is as good as that on the remapped ECUs.

Thanks

The Norwegian equivalent to the RAC did a test of powerboxes from a couple of renowned vendors (KCR and some other danish brand). What was interesting was that on the Huyindai SantaFe the ECU after a while learned that something was amiss, and actually decreased its power, it went from 155Hp original to 168Hp w/box to 149Hp w/box. The other car didn't get a power increase at all.

ECU remap is the only way to go - if only superchips got around to supplying us with a bluefin for it.

BTW: The 500 has 145 original torks, not 190.

 

[milfy]

i my 1.3 remapped last week end and works a lot better now with power on tap rather than a gutless engine

re mappers if they are good will adjust all settings so car works correctly
air flow increase fuel pump pressure and torque settings ,
my mapper was 2.1/2 hrs doing mine and set it up spot on

them plug in boxes just try to trick the ecu in to the setting which is preset in box and thats it

if all you peeps keep worrying about warranty and all the things which are said to go wrong yet no proof so far of the troubles
i been running a 380+bhp subaru for 18mths fully de catted and induction system fitted 18000 miles and still no trouble and was done after first service 1500 miles
may day vehicle is a VWT5 transporter remapped to 210bhp diesel :slayer:
this as just turn 75000 miles in 18mths and not a problem and i thrash this every day sothe simple answer to it is

if you worried about your warrranty dont do it
but if you like me and not bothered just do it and enjoy the full fun of the extra power which you get and the extra buzz you get when you driving

all choose a good engine remapper and speak to peeps about is work and the perfomance they have got from mapping

i can reccomend mine very highly as been using him for several yrs and hes a perfectionist in get the best out of you engine without it breaking :worship::worship::worship:

 

[grimwau]

BTW: The 500 has 145 original torks, not 190.

I was using the figures that the company supplied and was confused about the torque figure they quoted as well. I guess that if they can't even quote the figures correctly then perhaps you should be wary of the claims they are making.

I agree with milfy that the best method is to have the ecu remapped by a trusted and proven outfit and that will be the way that I will go, but not just yet.

 

[fraguzz]

hello
im quite sure your standard clutch will handel 180nm in the 75hp ver. maby the 100hp will be posible... but i run a box on mine + ajustable boost pressure + special clutch + larger intercooler. oh its a panda 1,3 70hp / 145nm

the box were turned to 75% and the standard clutch starting slipping not long after.!
now i run 100% on the box (not recomended)
boost to 1,5bars of boost.
and a special clutch and trust me the standard clutch would not last a day with this power.
106hp / 215nm

Shot at 2008-09-24

Are you guys sure you have the 100hp with that remap? any who have some dyno proof.?

i my self are looking into some real remap there for i would like to know if any does infact deliver the 100+hp?

and the guy asking if we should buy a 1,4 16v insted.. hmm im abit faster than that.

 

[white 500]

hello
im quite sure your standard clutch will handel 180nm in the 75hp ver. maby the 100hp will be posible... but i run a box on mine + ajustable boost pressure + special clutch + larger intercooler. oh its a panda 1,3 70hp / 145nm

the box were turned to 75% and the standard clutch starting slipping not long after.!
now i run 100% on the box (not recomended)
boost to 1,5bars of boost.
and a special clutch and trust me the standard clutch would not last a day with this power.
106hp / 215nm

Shot at 2008-09-24

Are you guys sure you have the 100hp with that remap? any who have some dyno proof.?

i my self are looking into some real remap there for i would like to know if any does infact deliver the 100+hp?

and the guy asking if we should buy a 1,4 16v insted.. hmm im abit faster than that.

i doubt any of these re-maps do produce anywhere near the figures quoted as most u,k tuners will not run the car before and after on a dyno.the excuse most give is "you can make a dyno read what you want" i would estimate a remap would give 75 bhp @ the wheels rather than the flywheel

 

[grimwau]

I'm thinking of getting one of these. The benefits are that it is removeable before taking into dealers for servicing etc., relatively cheap so no big financial outlay, have sold across many makes and models with almost 100% positive feedback and the power and torque figures are a little less than the chipped versions so slightly less detrimental to the mechanicals.

Anyone had any previous experience of this company/products?