- Stage 1 ECU remapping boosts power/torque without major mechanical mods.
- Turbocharged engines show biggest gains, sometimes up to 50%.
- Licensed equipment ensures safe ECU reads/writes, preventing data loss.
- On-site service available in Bucharest; others require workshop visit.
If you have ever considered boosting your car’s performance without complex mechanical modifications, ECU remapping (Stage 1) could be the ideal solution. By modifying the software of the engine control unit, you can achieve significant increases in power and torque, as well as a reduction in fuel consumption.
Before making this important decision, it’s essential to understand the process, benefits, risks, and costs involved. In this comprehensive guide, we explain everything you need to know about ECU remapping and chip tuning.
How much will the car’s power increase after the software modification?
You can now easily see how your car’s performance will improve after Stage 1. Go to the Chiptuning section, select the make, model and engine, and you’ll see exactly how much power the car will develop after the ECU remapping or chip tuning.
- Engine displacement
- Turbocharger capacity
- Fuel injection system
- Air intake system
- Cooling capacity
- Transmission limits
Turbocharged cars have the best results after remapping, with gains up to 50% in some cases. For example: Alfa Romeo Giulia 2.0 Turbo Petrol, 200 CP and 330 Nm would gain 110 CP and 130 Nm.
Naturally aspirated engines do not see large power gains and are usually around 10%. For example: a naturally aspirated car with 100 CP and 200 Nm would gain about 10 CP and around 15 Nm.
Price for Stage 1 ECU remapping and associated costs
A quality remap, developed and pre-tested on a dyno by Quantum Tuning UK, will cost you with us between 300 and 450 euros, depending on the make and model of the car.
All equipment we use to communicate with the car’s computer is original and licensed, so you have the guarantee that reading/writing the ECU is performed safely and there are no risks of data loss or the car failing to start after the intervention.
Issues like these are common with unlicensed or counterfeit equipment.
On request, we can travel to the client’s home (only in Bucharest), provided the car supports reading/writing the software via the OBD diagnostic port. In cases where the procedure is different, the client will need to come to our workshop.
What are the benefits of ECU remapping (Stage 1/Chip Tuning)?
Is it possible to improve engine performance without physical modifications? If your answer is yes, you are likely familiar with automotive software or chip tuning.
Remapping (modifying the engine control unit software) means altering the default software of the engine control unit (ECU). The changes aim to increase the car’s performance within the limits set by the manufacturer.
How the ECU unit works in modern cars
Modern vehicles are equipped with onboard computers that manage a wide range of functions, including:
- Fuel injection
- Temperature and pressure sensors
- Airflow
- Turbo boost pressure
- Throttle response
- Ignition system
By remapping the car’s software you can customize ignition, injection, etc., which leads to improved car performance and even reduced fuel consumption.
Key benefits of remapping
- Increased power and torque within safe limits of the components
- Improved throttle response
- Lower fuel consumption by up to 10-15%
- Elimination of artificial limits imposed by the manufacturer
- More enjoyable and dynamic driving experience
Frequently asked questions about ECU remapping
Will the engine be affected long-term?
No. All changes are made within the manufacturer-approved parameters and fall within the engine components’ tolerances. Engines in standard cars are designed with a safety margin of up to 40-50%, though this margin varies by engine.
We can notice this when we see two cars from the same range with the same engine but different power outputs. Example: Mini One 1.5T 75 CP vs Mini Countryman 1.5T 135 CP – same engine on two cars with different power limits due to the ECU software.
Will fuel consumption increase?
No. Most often consumption will decrease by up to 10-15%, compared to the current consumption, if driving style remains the same.
How long does the remapping process take?
The process can vary depending on the ECU model and the read/write operation. It usually takes about 1-2 hours, but there are exceptions.
What warranty do I have?
All software has lifetime warranty based on the invoice. The warranty covers only the software installed in the engine control unit (ECU). Any unauthorized intervention on the software installed by us will void the warranty.
Can I revert to the original factory software?
We offer free re-flashing of the original software for all our clients. Vehicles that have undergone unauthorized interventions on the ECU/TCU are excluded from this.
Can authorized service centers/dealerships detect software changes?
In short, no. Auto dealers cannot read the car’s software or compare it to the original.
The only thing they typically do is a full software reflash when updates are released by the manufacturer or parts are replaced. In that case, all changes will be lost, but we can redo them at no cost based on the new software.
Where are the software remaps developed?
DailyDriven is a Quantum Tuning UK dealer, one of the world’s largest tuning firms and the largest in the UK, with over 1,000 dealers worldwide and over 50,000 remapped vehicles annually. The software is developed and pre-tested on a Dyno by Quantum Tuning engineers. All operations are performed with original Alientech equipment, with a certificate of authenticity.
Looking for chip tuning services in Bucharest?
You’ve come to the right place; click on Remappings at the top of the article, fill out the form, and you can request a quote for chip tuning if you’re in Bucharest or Ilfov, or if you can come to us.
How does ECU remapping affect the car’s fuel consumption?
In many automotive circles, there’s a belief that chip tuning/ECU remapping has no impact on fuel consumption. In reality, that isn’t true. Remapping provides more torque at lower revs, which generally means a reduction in consumption of about 10% compared to the current consumption.
Why do some drivers claim consumption increased after remapping?
Many drivers claim that after remapping their consumption increased. Why? Because many drivers tend to drive more enthusiastically after improvements. They will accelerate more often and faster to enjoy the performance difference.
All these factors can increase consumption:
- Faster gear changes
- Driving at high speed
- Sudden accelerations and braking
These are factors that can raise consumption after remapping, but the main culprit is not the improved software itself, but the driver. After all, any car consumes more if driven sportily all the time.
On the other hand, if you also adjust your driving style to suit the car’s new characteristics, you can maintain or even reduce fuel consumption within the same limits.
Are there risks and drawbacks after remapping?
While it generally brings improvements, software changes come with potential downsides.
Warranty invalidation
If you own a new car, remapping will most likely void the warranty. It depends on whether you choose to remap immediately during the warranty period or risk doing it after.
Risk of engine damage
There is a possibility of engine damage as a result of remapping. However, there is no need for excessive worry; the odds are very low. That said, most providers offer lifetime warranty for the installed software.
Here at DailyDriven, before performing a remap, we scan all components that could be affected by parameter changes, and if major issues are detected, the remapping will not proceed until they are remedied.
Adapting to the new performance
After remapping, you may feel the car differently to drive. Most drivers need a few trips to adapt to a freshly modified car, while others may not drive it as comfortably as before.
Fortunately, remapping is reversible. If you don’t feel comfortable behind the wheel, you can always revert to factory settings.
What should you consider before installing an ECU remap?
Before deciding to remap your car, consider a few important aspects:
The car’s technical condition
First, there is no point remapping a car that isn’t in good condition. We recommend a thorough check of the car before making the decision.
Key components to inspect:
- Fuel system
- Turbo (if present)
- Cooling system
- Air and fuel filters
- Pressure and temperature sensors
- Exhaust system
Your driving capabilities
Another aspect to consider is your own driving ability. Be aware of your driving style and how it might be affected by the car’s changes, as well as how much “you can handle” in terms of performance.
Long-term plans
Also think about your long-term plans with the car:
- Do you want to keep it for a long time?
- Do you plan other mechanical modifications?
- Are you prepared for potentially higher maintenance costs?
Supported makes and models
- BMW ECU remapping
- Audi ECU remapping
- Mercedes ECU remapping
- Volkswagen ECU remapping
- Skoda ECU remapping
- Seat ECU remapping
- Alfa Romeo ECU remapping
- Dacia ECU remapping
- Ford ECU remapping
- etc.
The full list of supported makes and models can be found here.