What are "safety protocols" and what exactly do they do?The only thing tuning boxes do is manipulate engine sensors data, and disable safety protocols to do so.
It is the worst kind of engine tuning you can choose.
What are "safety protocols" and what exactly do they do?The only thing tuning boxes do is manipulate engine sensors data, and disable safety protocols to do so.
It is the worst kind of engine tuning you can choose.
I have driven a mate's TA before and after the fitting of a TMC box and there is no doubt that it makes a significant difference. It took about 5 mins to fit and intercepts the boost and MAP sensors only, needs no separate power or earth feeds and just does what it says. Whether you think the increase in performance (which is very obvious) is worth £400 is down to personal preference, but it's clear there's performance to be had there.
Of course it 'eats' into safety margins, but those precautions are typically there to prevent engines going wrong when owned and driven by idiots who don't run the cars on decent fuel, don't get them properly serviced, have zero mechanical sympathy and/or are unable to drive properly. Manufacturers simply have to cater for the most inept in society. I'd like to think that we're slightly different and can therefore enjoy the benefits available to us, brought about by properly developed devices such as these.
For what it's worth, I think the TMC box IS properly developed, evidenced by the significant approval and obvious customer focus seen by the 500 Abarth folks next door. I think the fella was on this forum for a while too.
What is your friend's Twin Air build date? Reason I ask is that I wonder if Fiat changed the ECU settings after tuning boxes were developed. My Panda TA is a 7/13 build. The MM tuning box had a 2011 manufacture date on it, although I updated software with the xxx software.
It might just be a problem with the MM tuning box but clear info is hard to find.
Interesting to see how this develops.
I had it done on an Alfa 159 1.9 diesel, and it gave a lot more power and especially torque. This was a common thing amongst Alfa owners, but a few issues arose as a result.
First, whilst the trip computer reported about 10% improved fuel efficiency, myself and others noted that in reality there was no improvement if you calculated it manually, when refilling brim-to-brim.
Next, more enthusiastic drivers reported the gear box and clutches failing early with the 30% extra torque going through them. I didn't have that problem but I was quite light on the foot.
The power increase here seems more modest though, so maybe it won't damage the drive chain so much. I think I'll give it a miss though as the Panda TA is nippy enough for my purposes.
I emailed TMC today and they assure me that their tuning box works on the TA. I'll order one and see, I really hope it does work...
hows the TMC box mate?
you will be the best resource person for panda since youve tested MM and TMC.
update us mate. thanks
It's good so far, but I haven't had a chance to take it for a long drive - really it's just been around-town driving.
I find Eco mode best for day-to-day driving, it's more linear in its power delivery. The 'normal' mode can feel a bit too sudden in its mid-range power delivery, but I think it's just a matter of getting used to it. You have to carefully squeeze the throttle in the mid range - it really amplifies the TA's strong suit of excellent mid-range response.
Fuel consumption is sitting at 7.5L/100km so far, which is about normal for my stop-start short runs in the city. I need a few good runs before commenting on economy.
So, in other words, you'll have to wait a while longer before I can say anything really useful about the tuning box; I don't drive it much for a while, then find I need it for quite a few long trips. Now's a quiet time for the Panda.
hey mate,
I am from Australia as well, how does the box go? and where you got it from??? would be good to hear.
Thank you.