Remap180
17-12-2009, 04:57
ECU Remapping v Chip Tuning - What is best?
There is a lot of misunderstanding about the difference between the terms ECU Remapping and Chip Tuning, this post will clarify the situation in plain language and is for the benefit of the average customer who has little technical understanding (therefore we will not be using techie speak)
Modern electronic tuning procedures are commonly known as remapping, chip tuning, eco tuning, performance tuning etc. The goal in all cases is to alter the parameters of the vehicles engine management system in order to change the instructions in the engine management software and affect way the engine performs.
The engine management software is stored in the vehicle brain usually called ECU (engine control unit) or ECM (engine control module). Before the engine management software can be reprogrammed, the tuner has to first identify or read a copy of the software version in use in a particular vehicle.
There are various methods of accessing the software and the method used will depend on the technology employed and the available tuning tools for a particular vehicle.
In the early days of electronic tuning, the only method that could be used was my accessing the memory stored on the memory chip inside the ECU (engine control unit) .
To access the memory on the chip it was necessary to use a device commonly known as a chip programmer.
Chip Tuning - The process involved requires opening the vehicles ECU (engine control unit)
1. Remove the memory chip from the ECU 2. Place it in the chip programmer 3. Read the original engine management software 4. Reprogram the maps (data sets) using specialist software 5. Write the reprogrammed version of the software back to the original chip or in some cases a new chip (subject to the type used originally) 6. Replace the memory chip in the ECU. This process is commonly known a chip tuning for obvious reasons.
ECU Remapping - The process involved does NOT require opening the vehicles ECU (engine control unit)
1. Connect a tuning device into the vehicles OBD (diagnostic port) 2. Read the original engine management software 4. Reprogram the maps (data sets) using specialist software 5. Write the reprogrammed version of the software back to the vehicle via the same tuning device that was used to read the original file. This process is commonly known as remapping.
As you can see from the explanations above, the only difference between ECU Remapping and Chip Tuning is the method used to read the engine management software.
The method used for your vehicle will depend on the ECU version used and the tuning devices available to access the data (engine management software) in your ECU.
Although the most common terms used for modern electronic tuning are remapping and chip tuning, there are other methods used by professional tuners.
Limited Range of Vehicles
Most tuners in the UK can only offer ECU remapping services, (this restricts the range of vehicles they can tune)
Remap 180 along with some other professional companies has invested in a wide range of equipment and has the skills to offer tuning on most modern vehicles by using one of the following methods.
ECU remapping, Chip Tuning, BDM, Boot Mode
For further information on our services please visit our website www.remap180.co.uk
Custom ECU Remaps | ECO Tuning from just £180 inc | Diesel Tuning | Improve MPG | DPF Issue | DPF Removal | Reduce Fuel Costs | Save Money On Diesel | Professional Tuning | In House Programmers | Cannock | Lichfield | Burntwood | Rugeley | Stafford | Stone | Stoke on Trent | Birmingham | Wolverhampton | Walsall | Midlands | Staffordshire
There is a lot of misunderstanding about the difference between the terms ECU Remapping and Chip Tuning, this post will clarify the situation in plain language and is for the benefit of the average customer who has little technical understanding (therefore we will not be using techie speak)
Modern electronic tuning procedures are commonly known as remapping, chip tuning, eco tuning, performance tuning etc. The goal in all cases is to alter the parameters of the vehicles engine management system in order to change the instructions in the engine management software and affect way the engine performs.
The engine management software is stored in the vehicle brain usually called ECU (engine control unit) or ECM (engine control module). Before the engine management software can be reprogrammed, the tuner has to first identify or read a copy of the software version in use in a particular vehicle.
There are various methods of accessing the software and the method used will depend on the technology employed and the available tuning tools for a particular vehicle.
In the early days of electronic tuning, the only method that could be used was my accessing the memory stored on the memory chip inside the ECU (engine control unit) .
To access the memory on the chip it was necessary to use a device commonly known as a chip programmer.
Chip Tuning - The process involved requires opening the vehicles ECU (engine control unit)
1. Remove the memory chip from the ECU 2. Place it in the chip programmer 3. Read the original engine management software 4. Reprogram the maps (data sets) using specialist software 5. Write the reprogrammed version of the software back to the original chip or in some cases a new chip (subject to the type used originally) 6. Replace the memory chip in the ECU. This process is commonly known a chip tuning for obvious reasons.
ECU Remapping - The process involved does NOT require opening the vehicles ECU (engine control unit)
1. Connect a tuning device into the vehicles OBD (diagnostic port) 2. Read the original engine management software 4. Reprogram the maps (data sets) using specialist software 5. Write the reprogrammed version of the software back to the vehicle via the same tuning device that was used to read the original file. This process is commonly known as remapping.
As you can see from the explanations above, the only difference between ECU Remapping and Chip Tuning is the method used to read the engine management software.
The method used for your vehicle will depend on the ECU version used and the tuning devices available to access the data (engine management software) in your ECU.
Although the most common terms used for modern electronic tuning are remapping and chip tuning, there are other methods used by professional tuners.
Limited Range of Vehicles
Most tuners in the UK can only offer ECU remapping services, (this restricts the range of vehicles they can tune)
Remap 180 along with some other professional companies has invested in a wide range of equipment and has the skills to offer tuning on most modern vehicles by using one of the following methods.
ECU remapping, Chip Tuning, BDM, Boot Mode
For further information on our services please visit our website www.remap180.co.uk
Custom ECU Remaps | ECO Tuning from just £180 inc | Diesel Tuning | Improve MPG | DPF Issue | DPF Removal | Reduce Fuel Costs | Save Money On Diesel | Professional Tuning | In House Programmers | Cannock | Lichfield | Burntwood | Rugeley | Stafford | Stone | Stoke on Trent | Birmingham | Wolverhampton | Walsall | Midlands | Staffordshire