Mk1.5 Focus Tdci 115Bhp 1.8 Remap

[vinnyvangough]

Has anyone had their car remapped?

What mileage had yours done when it was remapped?

Any issues you had since?

Mine is on 160,000 miles, I've had it for the last 5k. It runs smooth, pulls well and has apparently spent most of it's life on the motorway.

I'm just unsure whether to remap it or not with this sort of mileage.

Opinions needed.

[FOCA]

This is an interesting question, the answer depends on what your needs, tastes, priorities are

If the engine is in good condition and it is sucessfully remapped, there is no question that it will make a significant difference to power/ torque on that engine, so if simply increasing performance is your main priority, go for the remap

It will probably cost a fair bit to have it remapped, (say £200-£400) if there is a fuel saving, it is likely to be small, and it would take a long time to recoup. so if its simply to save money/ fuel, probably not worth it

Its quite a high milage, the remap can put the injectors,(due to the increased flow) and other components like the clutch/ DMF (if fitted- due to the increase in torque) and other components under a bit more stress, it depends on your driving style, (how hard you are on the car) and the condition of the components, it is possible the remap could hasten the demise (if, say the injectors or DMF are "on their way out")

Other factors come into it, like how much you paid for the car, if you intend to keep the car and for how long, if you intend to spend money on it, and how much disposable income you have available/ intend or ore prepared to spend

If youn are happy with the performance or feel you would not need or want the extra performance, you would be as well not to remap it, but it can really "transform" the car, / give it a "grin" factor

If you were to get a SUPERCHIPS bLUEFIN, you may be able to transfer it to another car Free Of Charge upto one year after purchase and you have the flexability of being able to remove/ re-load the map whenever you want (for MOTs, snowy roads etc)

though it is a bit expensive

http://www.mybluefin.co.uk/curves/Focus18TDCi115ps.pdf

It may be worth fitting a K&N panel filter (engine may pick up better from lower revs/ out of the boost ) and the inevitable solid EGR blanking plate (of course) long with giving the inlet manifold a clean out from the mock the EGR valve has previously dumped onto the inside of the manifold

And a fuel filter, oil change/ filter and air filter (if you are not fittling a K&N)

The 1.8 is a bit agricultural but is a good, tough engine, already not having a DPF is a big bonus and there is no reason why it could not go to 300k miles, performance -wise it would certainly benifit from a remap but it depends on your priorities / etc

[jg321]

The 1.8 is a bit agricultural[...]

A few things on this forum have made me laugh out loud tonight and this is one of them! Excellent way to describe it hehe!

[vinnyvangough]

I'm a hard/aggressive driver, but having this eco-wagon has slowed and calmed me a lot.

My RS2000 was driven hard daily but the Focus is a different type of car all together.

I do enjoy the extra grunt the RS had when it came to overtaking, although the dirty derv can really hold it's own.

I'm already getting over double the mileage from the Focus compared to the RS2000 so extra fuel economy is not an issue.

I gave £800 for the car with 12 months MOT so I plan to run it into the ground and then buy another car after it's either failed an MOT or blown sky high. Although if it can last a few years it can only be a good thing.

Just trying to find out a bit more from guys who have had it done.

[Hassen]

Interesting conundrum. IMHO, given that you didn't pay a lot of money for the car and it has done mostly motorway miles previously from what you gather, it will become a lot more fun to drive once remapped. Just give it a thorough once over to see if any parts need replacing as like FOCA said, the remap will probably put more stress on engine components.

Another option to consider would be to get a good tuning box. I know everyone has a different opinion about them, but from my personal experience, they can be a lot more versatile than a remap e.g you can turn the power down/up if needed pick which part of the rev range you want the extra ooomph to kick in. Also, with the 1.8 tdci engine, you can fit it a lot more easier than the 1.6 and can take it out,if required, very easily.

This would be something I would consider:

http://www.racechip.com/chiptuning/ford/focus/2-da3/1-8-tdci-85kw/index.php

+1 for all the other supporting mods that FOCA mentioned as well :)