Tuning Diesel Performance UK (Tuning boxes)

[VaryValve]

Ok makes sense that they'd all be similar maybe then, but then before you said -



Is a potentiometer not just pretty much just the same as a resistor though?

Edit: And all this discussion of pros/cons and differences in boxes is exactly what makes my head hurt so much! There doesn't appear to be a definitive answer as to what the cheaper boxes contain...

Hi JD,

Yes,guess your right on the pot/resistor bit,but in this case i think it maybe to vary the fuel pressure on the rail,but what the hell do i know!?.Have to admit this evening i took a sneaky look inside the box,and there is a hell of a lot of surface mount technology and what appears to be a CPU (Central processor) right in the middle of the PCB (Circuit Board).My old Nokia 6230i has less gubbins in it than this!.

Guess when you get to my age there is a kind of "Bull**** Filter" that kicks in with these things.I can only say once again that the box works very well,and if your thinking about one you should give it a try.

One final point i did think about when buying this Italian box,is that i thought to myself that if ANYONE knows how to tune a Fiat,it HAS to be the Italians...I really should be on commision for this

Have fun whatever you do,and believe me ,its worth doing!

 

[Peat]

Here is another unit to consider >

http://tuning-diesels.com/Synergy1/tu3all.htm

 

[Shadeyman]

Is a potentiometer not just pretty much just the same as a resistor though?..

Edit: And all this discussion of pros/cons and differences in boxes is exactly what makes my head hurt so much! There doesn't appear to be a definitive answer as to what the cheaper boxes contain..

YES. A potentiometer is a variable resistor, usually best to avoid that type!

This is my box. I believe they have to be digital if your fitting it to a Stilo or it wont be able to talk to the ECU correctly causing error messages and limp mode.

Mines usually set to 3 or 4 but it does go up to 8, just choose the one that suits your car best.

Hi JD,

Yes,guess your right on the pot/resistor bit,but in this case i think it maybe to vary the fuel pressure on the rail,but what the hell do i know!?.Have to admit this evening i took a sneaky look inside the box,and there is a hell of a lot of surface mount technology and what appears to be a CPU (Central processor) right in the middle of the PCB (Circuit Board).My old Nokia 6230i has less gubbins in it than this!.

Post a few photos of it?

 

[Mike S]

Edit: And all this discussion of pros/cons and differences in boxes is exactly what makes my head hurt so much! There doesn't appear to be a definitive answer as to what the cheaper boxes contain...

Well, for me this argument below by TMC is pretty convincing.

Guys I'm not running the product down because I know nothing about it but I can tell you that we can't even make a digital common rail box for what you paid, when you take in the cost of the processor, PCB, plugs and loom and casing, then factor in Ebay fees and Paypal fees which should amount to £10 or so then a profit margin and VAT 20%, I find it difficult to believe that this could be a digital system, in other words a microprocessor controlled unit using a map fed in by laptop, not just altering a signal using resistors. Its £49.99, take off VAT £41.62 minus Ebay and Paypal fees £10 approx = £31.62 minus profit (I would expect any business to want to make £20 so that leaves £11.62 not alot to make a digital PCB, casing, plugs and loom.

So just for peace of mind I will be going for a box around the £100 mark from some one like TMC or Diesel Express.

 

[VaryValve]

Here is another unit to consider >

http://tuning-diesels.com/Synergy1/tu3all.htm

That looks a good one Peat!.

Hi Shadey old pal,nice to hear you again.Once again i bow to your wisdom about the Pot/variable resistor.Will put some pictures on when i get a chance,but it's peeing down at the mo,and i spent about half an hour last night wrapping the box/loom plug in Bubble wrap with loads of cable ties to secure the whole lot.

I guess with me the tuning box debate boiled down to cost.I went for the one that looked ok and was cheap!...I can do cheap!,i also wanted to stand some chance that if the thing did provide better MPG,i stood a chance of getting my dosh back and the unit paying for itself.

 

[Shadeyman]

I guess with me the tuning box debate boiled down to cost.I went for the one that looked ok and was cheap!...I can do cheap!,i also wanted to stand some chance that if the thing did provide better MPG,i stood a chance of getting my dosh back and the unit paying for itself.

I actually wanted a remap but was convinced by Argonaut that a tuning box was a viable choice so I looked into them.

After a few days searching the net the general rule of thumb seemed to be
1. avoid the resistor type boxes
2. make sure there's a money back guarantee
3. its adjustable

While chatting to friends down my local pub tuning boxes popped up in the conversation. A quick phone call and a friend of a friend turned up in his car with a Diesel Express tuning box fitted. He unplugged it and let me take the car for a spin. Plugged it back in and let me take it again. I was amazed at the difference a £90 box made so my mind was made up. A few days later I purchased a http://www.dieselexpress.co.uk box for myself direct from Keith the owner of the company. He lives in West Bromwich so I went to his house to collect it. If your not impressed he gives a 30 day money back guarantee(but you will be).

With hand on heart I can honestly say you can't get a better performance enhancing product for less than £100, they're brilliant.

This is how a Tuning Box was explained to me cuz I'm a bit dum.


It connects in series between your ECU and your Common Rail pressure sensor. It Digitally talks to your ECU basically telling it that the presure is slightly lower than it really is. The ECU then slightly increases the presure there by increasing the flow of fuel into the engine.


More fuel = more power.

 

[VaryValve]

PS,

Shadey,just been looking at your box,especially the 8 position kinky switch selection.I know a little bit about electronics,and it struck me your swich is just a slightly more sophisticated,and probably more precise for each switch value..method of varying resistance by using pre-set value resistors swiched in or out of the circuit with a common earth.

To summarise,i think you have a "Posh Pot".

Have seen even posher versions that use LED numbers,and a button you can press to go up or down the power settings.But that struck me as an even fancier way of digitally (Using High/Low logic states on a processor) yet again basically varying resistance.

Hold on!!..my "Am being totally Anal" warning light is flashing!..LOL!

All good stuff!

 

[Shadeyman]

"Posh pot" ....

Eveyone I've spoke to about tuning boxes told me to steer clear of the resistor versions so I did.

However, £89 and a full 30 day money back guarantee was the deal clincher.

 

[VaryValve]

"Posh pot" ....

Eveyone I've spoke to about tuning boxes told me to steer clear of the resistor versions so I did.

However, £89 and a full 30 day money back guarantee was the deal clincher.

Tell you something Shadey,

I wish i had the chance to try one of these things like you did months ago.Would have got one sooner.

One of thses days we should wnder down the M54 and have a meet up.Never did bother with the map update.The old Conn nav is working great now with that 9.8 software of yours.Thanks again.

 

[Shadeyman]

Tell you something Shadey,

I wish i had the chance to try one of these things like you did months ago.Would have got one sooner.

With the 30 day money back guarantee Kieth at Diesel Express offers you could have. £89 with free delivery.

One of thses days we should wnder down the M54 and have a meet up.Never did bother with the map update.The old Conn nav is working great now with that 9.8 software of yours.Thanks again.

I do wonder up the M54 to Tong occasionally, I'll drop you a PM next time. If you've nothing better to do we could raise a glass or two at the Bell Inn( http://www.bellpubshifnal.co.uk )?

 

[VaryValve]

With the 30 day money back guarantee Kieth at Diesel Express offers you could have. £89 with free delivery.



I do wonder up the M54 to Tong occasionally, I'll drop you a PM next time. If you've nothing better to do we could raise a glass or two at the Bell Inn?

Sound like a plan to me.

Gotta admit that a UK box locally sourced at that price would have appealed to me as well.I just couldnt find any that where charging less than a ton plus at the time.The Italian box folk seem a good lot though,and am sure if it goes pear shaped they would help out.

Not the same as picking up the phone and calling Brum i suppose.

Take it easy anyway,and catch you soon.

 

[jdm89]

Just to say...I've only just caught up with all of the posts on this!

Some interesting points, especially regarding the "posh pot"...Shadey your box seems to include a few more finishing touches than most so it looks like it could be digital?

I've also been looking at TMC boxes, which are definitely digital. So now it's just a case of nailing down the insurance cost - mine want an extra £105 for an 11-25% gain in performance - mental so I'm gonna have to look at this a bit more closely.

Rest assured, when I get one sorted, you'll all know about it

Shame I don't live closer to Bham cos I would have liked a look myself!! Thanks for everyone's opinions

 

[VaryValve]

Just to say...I've only just caught up with all of the posts on this!

Some interesting points, especially regarding the "posh pot"...Shadey your box seems to include a few more finishing touches than most so it looks like it could be digital?

I've also been looking at TMC boxes, which are definitely digital. So now it's just a case of nailing down the insurance cost - mine want an extra £105 for an 11-25% gain in performance - mental so I'm gonna have to look at this a bit more closely.

Rest assured, when I get one sorted, you'll all know about it

Shame I don't live closer to Bham cos I would have liked a look myself!! Thanks for everyone's opinions

Corr Blimey JD!,

Thats a hell of a lot on the insurance front...greedy bastards!.

I recon all of these things have to be digital in some form or other,as they use a CPU with the old 1's and Zeros with flash memory etc.As mentioned,have fun in whatever you decide.

 

[jdm89]

Yeah lot of money for insurance, but figured out a way around it now... (don't worry I'm still letting them know )

Getting a TMC box (an older single-channel one - as I can't justify spending £300 on a multi-channel one) just paid for it now. So when it is delivered I will fit it and let you know the results. Looking forward to trying it out

 

[slauta100]

Maps are just stored data, reading that data and comparing it to the standard Map data wouldn't difficult.

I really dont see how the data can be hidden?

ive had a remap now for 2years from 115bhp pushing it to 165bhp. my car passes mot everytime and keeps up with focus st's :slayer:

 

[ramborobert]

Think your asking for trouble with anything tuned over 150 on standard clutch etc.

 

[jdm89]

Think your asking for trouble with anything tuned over 150 on standard clutch etc.

You may be right - but I have 2 things to say about why it may not be such a problem.

1) I don't intend to use the tuning box to its full potential. I want to go for general power throughout the gear with bit more guts, not a lot.

2) As long as the engine is fully in gear when you apply the majority of the power then the clutch isn't really going to be affected much. I'm going for power through the gear as I said...as long as I'm not dropping the clutch quickly and applying all that power while its just biting then it'll handle it.

I've seen a lot of people talk about remaps and chips etc, some with the same model that I have, and they've had no trouble with using standard parts. We shall see! I'm definitely going to be careful though

Edit: And as slauta said above, 165bhp from 115bhp has been handled fine. I don't want to achieve much more than that really! Maybe 170-175bhp.

 

[rattystilo]

sorry for the late reply, i too had an Italianspeed tuning box and also found the delivery of the unit very quick and the communication with the company excellent. The box has 4 different switch positions and a dial to fine tune the setting. For the money i don't think there is a better box out there.

 

[slauta100]

You may be right - but I have 2 things to say about why it may not be such a problem.

1) I don't intend to use the tuning box to its full potential. I want to go for general power throughout the gear with bit more guts, not a lot.

2) As long as the engine is fully in gear when you apply the majority of the power then the clutch isn't really going to be affected much. I'm going for power through the gear as I said...as long as I'm not dropping the clutch quickly and applying all that power while its just biting then it'll handle it.

I've seen a lot of people talk about remaps and chips etc, some with the same model that I have, and they've had no trouble with using standard parts. We shall see! I'm definitely going to be careful though

Edit: And as slauta said above, 165bhp from 115bhp has been handled fine. I don't want to achieve much more than that really! Maybe 170-175bhp.

my car is PERFECTLY fine (touch wood). The majority of the time, when im running late, i take advantage of the remap which hasnt really effected my car as of yet. the only thing i have had to replace in two years is the crank shaft pulley. if me driving fast is what caused the rubber on the pullet to wear down then it wouldnt really be a problem replacing it every 2-3 years. Think i need a new belt soon aswell.

as for car maintenance, a standard service once a year has done my car fine.
i get 35-39mpg and it doesnt change when i put my foot down, and can do 0-60 in just under 8 seconds :slayer:

what about u guys with standard stilo's??

 

[jdm89]

as for car maintenance, a standard service once a year has done my car fine. i get 35-39mpg and it doesnt change when i put my foot down, and can do 0-60 in just under 8 seconds

Standard for my Sporting 150 is 8.8s I think (though I think this is closer to 8.5 in reality)...I don't know what I could potentially achieve with a box fitted...I'll find out at some point!