ECU Re-Map for Mk3 AEE

[DropKickMurphy]

Hi All,

i was pondering the benefits of having a re-map on the mighty skip and have a few questions

1. is it actually possible to have the ECu remapped on my primitive heap of rust?

2. if the answer to question 1 is 'yes' what power/torque increases can i expect if i was to have this work carried out? the enine has a long stroke and relatively narrow bore, so i assume the power gain will be minimal?

3. will this cripple my fuel economy (currently approx 35mpg combined) - i see it can improve diesel fuel economy but want to know what effect it might have on my petrol engine

4. i see there are a number of specialists in the midlands, are there any ECU wizards near-ish to portsmouth?

5. doesw an ECU re-map require any additional modifications to be carried out? my heap is totally (sub)standard under the bonnet. if the car was modified at a later date would this hamper the re-mapped ECU?

thanks for your time, i am not sure if i will ever get this done, but would like some info to bore my friends at the local drinking hole. if it could be done on the rust-bucket it might go onto my xmas list.

DKM

[jet]

maybe worth scouring ebay see if you can get a plug in box type mod.
Being a non turbo engine though, your gains are going to be minimal.
Probably see better gains with a freeflow filter (few quid) and a de cat free er flowing exhaust (more than a few quid).
Other options for skip like transport that I have considered myself are to remove trim (who needs seats and door cards?!)
Generally though, just a good servicing is probably going to be most beneficial, so new oil and filter air filter plugs and make sure everything is tip top!

I love driving a 'scrap' car. you can carry out drill based mods!!

[DropKickMurphy]

Thanks Jet,

I shall have a browse on fleabay later, the plug in box you mention - where does it plug in and what exactly does it do? is it a case of flashing the firmware on the ECU?

i have seen a huge number of performance air filters around but they all seem to be the box/panel type and my car has a circular one which sits right on top of the throttle body housing - is it possible to get free-flow versions of these?

i had considered a jetex exhaust system with either a performance cat or even de-cat but would this not sabotage my emissions come MOT time? the fact it can pass the emissions test at MOT time is one of the few things that the skip has going for it

agree that less weight = more speed, i may tinker about and remove the rear seats, spare wheel and the heap of rubbish i keep in the boot this weekend to see how it affects the car's oomph.

re:servicing its gets lovely new oil every christmas along with a air filter, plugs and oil filter and every other year its treated to new leads. bits that fail are also replaced on a regular basis with GSF parts so i am reasonably confident it is in good shape service-wise.

i get plenty of stick about the heap, but it has never ever let me down and while its not exactly a rocket i have learnt a huge amount about the oily bits of cars from tinkering with it and like you say, i can modify it using household items!

btw for anyone following my home made heater-bypass mod post i have now ordered a proper u-shaped hose for it from ebay for the princely sum of 99p

DKM

[DropKickMurphy]

is this the sort of thing you were talking about Jet?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/OBD-DIAGNOSTIC...d=p3286.c0.m14

sounds good although i suspect the power claims are slightly exaggerated!

is this even legal? sounds like the full version of VAG-Com?

there are a ton of TDI tuning boxes on there but nothing for those of us who have petrol engined cars...

DKM

[SammoVWT]

Might be a bit necroish with this post.

Apologies!

But I have a 1.6 AEE too, and ive done a fair bit of modding with the intakes. Keeps up with the newest turbo diesels.

If i could estimate what BHP i would say around 155 so far depending on ambient air temps, but its taken me a fair few hours of tweaking.

I need to get it dyno'd but im not bothering until the whole work is done. If you want some tips shoot me a PM. I can let you know what ive done so far.

Remaps are one of my next bets, im not sure whether to remap before or after I get exhaust/gasflowed upgrades. Also looking to rebore. Crasher is some kind of guru. Might be best to ask him!

Edit: Also just for some advice, if you are gonna mod your intakes etc. get an exhaust upgrade - im suffering from a lot of back pressure at high speed, you really notice the difference. Im getting mine swapped out for a jetex and sports cat as soon as ive got the cash in the next month. Should let my engine breathe a bit better.