What is ECU Remapping or Chiptuning?

In simple terms, car remapping sometimes referred to as ECU tuning or Chip Tuning, is where the settings on a car are modified & tweaked based on the owner’s preferences. With a computer to hand the owner is able to customise how exactly the engine operates, dictating exactly what they get from the car. This, of course, has to be within legal limitations.

What Exactly Does ECU Remapping or Chip Tuning Do?

Now that we understand what Remapping is & how it is simply carried out. We can dive a little deeper into how ECU remapping can actually benefit & enhance your motor:

Increase in power – One of the most common changes of ECU remapping is to increase the power capabilities of the motor. This will allow the driver to accelerate much quicker, seeing an increase in 0-60 & overall top speeds. This will generally increase fuel consumption due to a noticeable increase in output.

Increase in responsiveness – Although speed & power is a common motive for ECU remapping. Some drivers take advantage of altering the settings to allow for better fuel efficiency. This is down to the drivers being able to reduce the number of gear changes required to overtake & perform other driving situations which require torque & horsepower.

Should I Remap My Car?

Is it safe to do? Is Chip Tuning the same thing? Is it good or bad for your car? These are some of the most common questions asked when it comes down to remapping. In short, remapping is great for those who primarily want to get the best out of their car. By this we mean increasing horsepower, increasing performance & optimising for efficiency. Let’s look a little more closely at some of the questions you may have:

Can remapping damage your engine? – No. Not if done correctly. Although, the changes you make may put further strain on the engine. If the remapping is done by a trained professional then your engine will be perfectly safe.

Can it be done to all cars? – Not necessarily. We often find that cars built before 2000 are simply just too old and therefore do not possess the ability to be ECU tuned.

Does it affect your insurance? – We strongly recommend that you tell your insurance provider if your car has been modified. Most, if not all, consider remapping as a car modification. You will generally see an increase in your insurance premium if you decide to go ahead with remapping your motor.