Tdci Tuning Boxes (Would You Put This In Your Car??)

[vibeone]

So I've been looking at tuning boxes and other ideas.

For starters, a remap is out of the question, however great an idea it is.

I've looked at blufins, and wouldn't mind but for the cost. Similar story with DTUK, although some bloke I was chatting to on the DTUK website offered great advice and support.

Then I ended up looking at cheaper stuff on eBay as well, and in fact mentioned this to the DTUK guy who said if I did decide to go for the eBay option, go for the cheapest because they're mostly all the same. Anyway, I don't think he actually meant this item when he said that:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TUNING-CHIP-Ford-Mondeo-Ka-Escort-Focus-Fiesta-Black-Mod-Box-/140955483079?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item20d199fbc7

its £8, and looks 1) crap and 2) potentially dangerous.

But I just wondered if anyone had used it. I'm sure its just a chip masquarading as a simple resistor like many other boxes, but if its that simple, can it really do any damage, and will it have the desired effect?

Anyway, your thoughts and discussion please :)

[Focus-Jonny]

Oh God that does look cheap mate Personally i wouldnt plug anything into my car which alters engine managment unless its from a reputable brand! A friend of mine bought one of these "tuning" boxes for his Seat leon tdi, it was a bit more expensive and had official VAG connectors on both ends. Performance increase: None.

Remap or bluefin are expensive but thats because they give results! Plus alot of research and development have went into these products, not just some con artist with a soldering kit!

[vibeone]

Yeah don't get me wrong - I won't be fitting it, and the pic made me laugh too...

It was merely to agitate a discussion on the various options really, how cheap is too cheap, whats good bad ugly etc.

[Hassen]

That box just looks dodgy lol.

As for tuning boxes, I got one about 3-4 weeks ago. This is the one I got:
http://www.racechip.de/en/racechip

My personal experience so far is that it was very difficult to fit it to a 1.6TDCI engine in the first place even though it was ''supposed'' to be a 10-15 min job. Took 2hr and 2 people to get it fitted to that engine. Secondly, it does require a bit of tinkering and googling for settings before finding one that works for the way you drive and what you what to achieve i.e fuel economy vs more torque. The one thing I noticed straight way was that the engine was revving a lot smoother on the factory setting. It is much less ''rattly'' as well. After a bit of tinkering with the settings, found the sweet spot for my needs and let's just say that I have a huge grin now every time I drive the car.

Would be nice to hear other people's views about their personal experience with a tuning box.

[FOCA]

I found my DTUK tuning box produced more low down torque than my Bluefin, but the Bluefin more top - end power, its a very long story but i ran the tuning box for a long time on its stock setting, then i adjusted it for maximum performance, then i fitted a custom remote ajust for the tuning box - when i fitted the Bluefin (with its "regular" map) it lost a lot of bottom- end power/ torque compared to the tuning box, they produced custom remaps tailored to my other modifications -with the final one the car really does "fly"

I can actually run with the tuning box AND the Bluefin remap, the tuning box is fitted to the car, and i can connect it in about 2 minites, it is normally disconnected, and when i got the car "dynoed" i left it disconnected for the two runs i paid for (they are not cheap), as i wanted to try different turbo boost pressure settings

Anyway, the car produced a very strong 162ps/ 160 bhp and shedloads of torque, and a wide, fat spread of power/ torque -

pic -

Power and torque in ascending order - stock / bluefin / my car

The car has a lot of work done on it, and is probably the most radical/ highly modified of its kind, If truth be told a premium tuning box/ Bluefin / Remap alone makes the biggest difference to the car, (remaps / tuning boxes basically do the same thing) with the lightening/ weight saving coming a close second,

About the £7 "tuning box" - well you get what you pay for, the "chip" in the ist post picture IS a resistor in a DIL (dual-in-line) package - the high- end boxes contain multi- channel microprossesors, some with multiple maps and direct, control of the boost pressure etc , some are more sophisticated than many remaps - but can set you back £400 - £500

If you are paying £10K / £20k for a car,(or even 5k s/h) and £1400 for insurance, (which some FOC members consider cheap!) a £320 Bluefin or high- end tuning box (TDUK are about the same price) is not really a lot of money in comparison, often the cost of an inferior product could have gone towards something better (false economy etc)

[vibeone]

Thanks for the information - very interesting.

My problem with the bluefin is that it's so locked down. I appreciate they want to keep it secure, 1 purchase, 1 map, 1 car etc etc. But even if I buy it, even if I decide to pay them for a new car map, I have to send it back to them? It's just a bit much.

With the DTUK boxes, are you at least buying something tangiable, that can be sold on if required.

A second hand bluefin, at least one without a map, is effectively worth £25 trade in isn't it?

Also, does anyone know how easy these common rail boxes are to fit to the 2.0TDCI focus? The 1.6TDCI horror show is worrying!

[b1g_dav3]

That box just looks dodgy lol.

As for tuning boxes, I got one about 3-4 weeks ago. This is the one I got:

http://www.racechip.de/en/racechip

My personal experience so far is that it was very difficult to fit it to a 1.6TDCI engine in the first place even though it was ''supposed'' to be a 10-15 min job. Took 2hr and 2 people to get it fitted to that engine. Secondly, it does require a bit of tinkering and googling for settings before finding one that works for the way you drive and what you what to achieve i.e fuel economy vs more torque. The one thing I noticed straight way was that the engine was revving a lot smoother on the factory setting. It is much less ''rattly'' as well. After a bit of tinkering with the settings, found the sweet spot for my needs and let's just say that I have a huge grin now every time I drive the car.

Would be nice to hear other people's views about their personal experience with a tuning box.

I quite like the look of this for the price, considering it myself actually, although I was looking at the SpeedHawk boxes for their on the fly adjustment with remote.

[vibeone]

It's certainly cheaper, but the standard serial port seems a bit dodgy - water ingress etc.

the DTUK guy seems to be putting me off since I mentioned this problem I have with the car...

http://www.fordownersclub.com/forums/topic/40592-20-tdci-focus-juddering-only-on-full-throttle-only-between-1800-2100rpm/

... and since he's a salesman I'm a bit concerned that he's putting me off!