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Topic: ECU Remap - Good or Bad?

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Grayhair

19/2/2024 at 6:26am
Location: Morayshire
Outfit: Coachman Highlander

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My 1.6 dci 4wd delivers 129 bhp and torque of 320 Nm. Although it is capable of pulling our Highlander if I hit a hill, not literally more metaphorically, I do have to drop a gear or two depending on the severity of the hill. I've been told that if I had it done, "it would deliver 160 bhp and 360 Nm", an increased pulling power.

My question is: what are the pro's and con's of an ECU remap?

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2011 Coachman Highlander 450/2, towcar 2018 Renault Kadjar Signature Nav 1.6dci 130bhp 4WD

daveyjp

19/2/2024 at 10:41am
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Pros are more power which will make a difference.

Cons are potentially higher insurance premium as its a modification, potential additional stress on engine components, turbo cooling needs to be maintained, increased clutch wear, possible issues with the 4wd system if more slip is detected due to increase in power.

DaveS1

via mobile 19/2/2024 at 11:10am
Location: Hatfield Peverel Essex
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Check with your Insurers first to see if they will continue to insure you and at what cost.
DaveS1

billy

via mobile 19/2/2024 at 12:18pm
Location: North Essex
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160bhp is too much for a 1.6 diesel. It would probably go bang after a while.

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Ancient Uncle

via mobile 19/2/2024 at 5:04pm
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Personally, I do not find any problem with dropping a gear or two when on a hill. That is what gears are all about. The only alternative would be an automatic.

Grayhair

20/2/2024 at 10:02am
Location: Morayshire
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Quote: Originally posted by daveyjp on 19/2/2024
Pros are more power which will make a difference.

Cons are potentially higher insurance premium as its a modification, potential additional stress on engine components, turbo cooling needs to be maintained, increased clutch wear, possible issues with the 4wd system if more slip is detected due to increase in power.

WOW! Never thought about all these downsides....guess I'll just leave it as it is! Thanks for the info.

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2011 Coachman Highlander 450/2, towcar 2018 Renault Kadjar Signature Nav 1.6dci 130bhp 4WD

Grayhair

20/2/2024 at 10:05am
Location: Morayshire
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Quote: Originally posted by billy on 19/2/2024
160bhp is too much for a 1.6 diesel. It would probably go bang after a while.

How long do you reckon it would take to go "Bang" are we speaking years or months....the car has only done 17.5k?

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2011 Coachman Highlander 450/2, towcar 2018 Renault Kadjar Signature Nav 1.6dci 130bhp 4WD

Grayhair

20/2/2024 at 10:08am
Location: Morayshire
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Quote: Originally posted by DaveS1 on 19/2/2024
Check with your Insurers first to see if they will continue to insure you and at what cost.
DaveS1

I did check and present insurers said they would cancel the policy if I went ahead, but there are companies who will insure for a premium.

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2011 Coachman Highlander 450/2, towcar 2018 Renault Kadjar Signature Nav 1.6dci 130bhp 4WD

Grayhair

20/2/2024 at 10:11am
Location: Morayshire
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Quote: Originally posted by Ancient Uncle on 19/2/2024
Personally, I do not find any problem with dropping a gear or two when on a hill. That is what gears are all about. The only alternative would be an automatic.

I don't have a problem either, probably would still have to change gear anyway. They say you get increased mileage but others on here have shown the increased wear and tear. So I think I'll just forget it....

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2011 Coachman Highlander 450/2, towcar 2018 Renault Kadjar Signature Nav 1.6dci 130bhp 4WD

DaveS1

via mobile 20/2/2024 at 10:34am
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And what a treat to get someone who responds to answers. So many people pose a question, get plenty of answers and that is the last you hear of them.
Well done Grayhair!
DaveS1

billy

via mobile 20/2/2024 at 3:47pm
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Quote: Originally posted by Grayhair on 20/2/2024

Quote: Originally posted by billy on 19/2/2024
160bhp is too much for a 1.6 diesel. It would probably go bang after a while.

How long do you reckon it would take to go "Bang" are we speaking years or months....the car has only done 17.5k?

If you use your extra power then could well cause turbo failure within a few 1000miles. Very expensive repair. Also using extra power to tow caravan uphill will cause excessive strain on clutch & gearbox possibly leading to premature failure.

Towing puts far more strain on a car & you can alleviate that to an extent with gentle driving & using gearbox. Uprating power to get shorter journey times is paid for with more wear & mechanical problems made more likely by raising engine power to a level the entire powertrain has not been designed for.

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navver

20/2/2024 at 8:18pm
Location: West country
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The towing limit for the car is based on whether it can pull away on a steep hill such as 1 in 6 or 1 in 8 I think without damaging the car. That may be reduced with more power as it's putting more strain on the transmission system.

Rob12

via mobile 20/2/2024 at 9:15pm
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I ran a heavily tuned SAAB for 80k miles and had no failures

Grayhair

21/2/2024 at 5:29pm
Location: Morayshire
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Many thanks to all who have contributed, but I've decided to leave well alone and not knacker my car. I hadn't thought on many of the points raised especially damage to gearbox/clutch, turbo and 4wd.
I maybe should have gone for an automatic when I bought the car new, but a caravan wasn't on the horizon. So I'll just have to live with it ;o]]

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2011 Coachman Highlander 450/2, towcar 2018 Renault Kadjar Signature Nav 1.6dci 130bhp 4WD

Waynetod

via mobile 21/2/2024 at 9:47pm
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Quote: Originally posted by billy on 19/2/2024
160bhp is too much for a 1.6 diesel. It would probably go bang after a while.

I disagree with that. The standard honda crv 1.6 diesel puts out approx 124bhp, whilst the same engine in the black edition puts out approx 164bhp. And the only difference is the state of tune in the ecu. Our black edition is economical too, returning 47-50mpg, albeit a little less when towing 1350kg.

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You don`t stop playing `cos you get old, you get old `cos you stop playing!

TrigGLX

23/2/2024 at 1:21pm
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What i have found in the past with Citroen / Peugeot / Reanult etc, they all haver detuned engines to cope with variation in fuel quality and geographical areas.

I had an old Vx cavalier SR130, and was rechipped to be 150 BHP back in early 90's, never had an issue.

A ford focus i had was 2.0 ltr diesel 2006 136hp, but the same engine in the volvo had 150 hp and more torgue pulling approx 300 kgs more in kerweight also.

An old clunker engine i ncan imagine would not last but somethign relatively new low mileage, you takes your chances.

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