Many modern turbo diesel engines are primarily controlled by an ECU. Since the introduction of electronic diesel injection systems some time ago, the way has been opened for diesel performance chips. The ECU is quite literally a small computer.

Inside the ECU can be information on all aspects of the vehicle, from simple data such as model, year and engine type to more complex data relating to the exact time in the engine cycle that injection is to begin and the quantity of fuel to be injected.

Changing information is recieved from engine management sensors such as throttle position, air flow and engine speed, and the ECU uses these inputs to determine optimum values for how much fuel to inject. To do this the ECU compares the recieved information to large areas of pre-determined reference data stored within a chip on the circuitboard.

These areas of data are known as memory maps - you may have heard of vehicle "mapping". As the inputs are constantly changing during driving, so are the values returned from these memory maps, meaning that the settings for fuel injecton and timing will remain appropriate to any particular driving situation. In slightly older diesel engines that are operated by means of a mechanical fuel injection pump the fuelling is not controlled by an ECU, and so these cannot be upgraded in this way.

 

So what is chip tuning?

Modern cars use an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) to manage injection timing and also fuel delivery. These are the main determining factors that govern the performance of an engine. The values for timing and fuelling as well as rev - limits and speed limits are programmed onto a chip held within the ECU : Chip tuning is the replacement of this original chip with a differently programmed chip.

 

What will I gain from a Tune4Performance remap?

Many improvements can be gained from a Tune4Performance remap. The most obvious gain is the significant increase in power. However it is often the case the driveability is improved as well. Better throttle response, part throttle pick-up and an increase in torque throughout the the rev-range all help to enhance the driving experience. In addition, rev-limits can often be raised and speed limits removed. Also, custom programs can be designed to accommodate any mechanical changes, such as reprofiled camshafts, made to an engine.

 

Why haven't the manufacturers done it?

When an engine in a mass produced vehicle is tuned, many compromises have to be made. The manufacturer has to allow for the engine being looked after in the worst possible way. Even if the car has not been serviced for months and poor quality fuel is used, the manufacturer has to make sure that there will not be any reliability or emission problems. Fuelling is often decreased to the point of destroying part-throttle driving in an attempt to improve Government fuel economy figures. Vehicle Manufacturers have some of the best Technicians and Engineers around - but they are working to goals that are different form ours and so the discerning driver like yourself or us, loses out.

 

What will Tune4Performance remap do for my Turbo Diesel car?

Modern Turbo Diesel engines respond well to the remaps Tune4Performance have developed over many years for modifying all types of Diesel engine. Impressive power and torque increases can be achieved by rechipping electronically controlled Diesel cars - up to 40% on some models!