Technical DPF removal + remap

[austenw90]

Hi - I am just interested in hearing from anyone who has had this done or knows about it and what people's thoughts are?

AHM Alfacare in Hampshire have confirmed it is around £600 for DPF removal and remap and the benefits are improved fuel economy (my main interest) and more power with improved low down torque + no chance of any DPF problems (obviously).

My main concern is the insurance and what would need to be declared. As I am under 25 my current insurer Direct Line won't insure any modifications. However a quick look at a comparison website shows that my premium will only bump up by around £50 for the next year.

My next question is have a selected the correct modifications? I ticked "Engine Management/Chipped" and "Exhaust Alteration". Is this right?

If the effect of having these modifications on my insurance is so little and the car will benefit from better economy + no chance of any DPF issues in the future then it sounds like a tempting purchase. I'm not really concerned about power as the car is plenty powerful enough for my needs.

Other areas of concern. It is "safe" for other engine components? gearbox, clutch etc.

Also a bit off topic but if we left the EU would these stupid filters still be mandatory?

Thanks

 

[dave]

sounds a lot of money, try Tony http://www.tune4performance.com/

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Rigby has had it done.

May become a legal requirement. Personally I'd leave it if its not being problematic.

Regarding insurance it MUST be declaired, as to what its classed as will depend upon insurer, so ALWAYs call them to confirm once you've setup a policy though an online aggregator site

 

[Rigby]

Yea I have had it done to my 2.0. Would have left it all alone if the DPF hadn't started throwing up warning lights though. I paid £300 all in for mine from a local garage a friend used to work at so trusted them. Only wanted about 1/4 power and torque as appose to the 'full' re-map as I don't want to risk the DMF and gearbox!

 

[s130]

Basically 4 (obvious) points here:

1) cost
2) insurance
3) is it really worth doing
4) future legality

Lets deal with 4) first.

To remove EGR is just a remap
To remove DPF is a remap and DPF box removal

If the physical filter box removal is non destructive and you retain the filter box and you are given a digital copy of your original ECU map then to reverse both the EGR & DFP change (should the law/regs change) would only require your wallet to be opened.

Regarding and legal/regs change then I don't see this happening for quite some time yet. What is more likely to concern you is when you come to sell/trade in your car. You may find trade in / private sale more difficult with a "modified" car. However you can compare reduced sale/trade in values vs paying to have the mods backed out.

2) Insurance - this is a legality and cost factor. If you have any changes done to your car, eg. a remap, you have to fully understand and have written proof of what was done. For example "DPF removal with no performance improvements beyond original manufacturers specifications". Often insurance companies will read "remap" as improved power, torque, peroformance etc. and bill you accordingly. Other companies my prove to be more sympathetic to remaps that do no target "improved BHP & torque". All I would advise is tread carefully, understand what you have disclosed, understand their response and ENSURE your SCHEDULE OF INSURANCE correctly describes what mods have been made. An often misunderstood and deep pithole that could result in gail and heavery fines is the "Certificate of Insurance". This certificate just says you have insurance for x drivers for y cover. It is the Schedule Of Insurance that is the absolute definitive legal document that describes your cover.

3) Really worth doing? Only you can answer this. Some will say I had my XYZ removed and my car came alive and etc. etc. "Worth" is an open statement that has to be qualified with respect to one or more criteria.

My honest overall opinion is if your car is working OK, not giving you repeated EGR and DPF issues then leave it as-is unless you want to achieve some other objective.

A final point worth noting is that modern cars are designed to the abosolute minimium criteria and cost to meet or exceed the manufacturer's design and warranty claim costs over the insured period. Most will try to exceed the bare minimum to ensure customer satisfaction and avoid bad press.

The are plenty of post on the internet where people have had tuning or put tuning boxes etc. on their cars only to find that the clutch slips etc.

IMHO with today's modern cars you have to tread very carefully, do sheds loads of reasearch, fully understand both the technical and outcome implications of any mods before embarking on any given project/objective.

Just to be clear I'm not saying one can't do, one should'nt do, etc.. What I am saying is that you have to look at whole "envelope" unless of course you are modifying a non road registered vehicle such as race, off road, trials or other such vehicle.