Chipping - Life's or Lichfield
Discussion
I'm considering a bit more power on my standard A110 Legende and, as far as I know, the two main re-mappers are Life's and Litchfield.
Does anyone have any good or bad experiences with either or both they could pass on? I notice that Litchfield say they also do a gearbox remap? Is it any good and does it get around the "too much torque for the box" problem, because more torque would be nice but not if it going to destroy the transmission.
Litchfield, whilst a couple of hours from me, is at least on the right side of the country, so geographically, would be my first choice.
Does anyone have any good or bad experiences with either or both they could pass on? I notice that Litchfield say they also do a gearbox remap? Is it any good and does it get around the "too much torque for the box" problem, because more torque would be nice but not if it going to destroy the transmission.
Litchfield, whilst a couple of hours from me, is at least on the right side of the country, so geographically, would be my first choice.
I drove the Lichfield demo car when they put it up for sale and it's was damn rapid.
There are a few review videos on YouTube of it also.
Racechips also worth consideration if not aware of it aleady?
https://youtu.be/TF-QLBhlAFk
There are a few review videos on YouTube of it also.
Racechips also worth consideration if not aware of it aleady?
https://youtu.be/TF-QLBhlAFk
Edited by leehingley on Saturday 21st January 16:58
Both appear to be very good and reputable - I wouldn't have any doubts on that front. Life110 is a bit more bespoke towards the Alpine which is appealing of course. Whereas Litchfield's have been around for quite some time.
You could perhaps make a mix of the two. The Geo, suspension, and wheels from Life110 and the engine and gearbox tune from Litchfield?
There will of course be good French equivalents but unless you have strong French connections and can fluently speak the lingo, you'll probably best to stay local to the country you reside in.
You could perhaps make a mix of the two. The Geo, suspension, and wheels from Life110 and the engine and gearbox tune from Litchfield?
There will of course be good French equivalents but unless you have strong French connections and can fluently speak the lingo, you'll probably best to stay local to the country you reside in.
there are two kinds of chipping.
racechips is an example of one. It gets inserted inline with the sensors for boost pressure and cam sensor and maybe airflow sensor and then just alters the values knowing the ecu is programmed to inject more fuel if it sees more air. It thinks the turbo is boosting to x psi but it is actually boosting to a higher psi.
the other kind requires the car and the ecu is programmed over the odb port to re-write the maps for fuel timing and boost in order to more safely run higher boost. Ideally the maps have been tuned on a dyno so off throttle response is clean, and there is no knock at different intake temps. If you have a better exhaust or have deleted the gpf or are using better fuel you can take full advantage.
racechips is an example of one. It gets inserted inline with the sensors for boost pressure and cam sensor and maybe airflow sensor and then just alters the values knowing the ecu is programmed to inject more fuel if it sees more air. It thinks the turbo is boosting to x psi but it is actually boosting to a higher psi.
the other kind requires the car and the ecu is programmed over the odb port to re-write the maps for fuel timing and boost in order to more safely run higher boost. Ideally the maps have been tuned on a dyno so off throttle response is clean, and there is no knock at different intake temps. If you have a better exhaust or have deleted the gpf or are using better fuel you can take full advantage.
The remap from Life110 is a newer improved version that also deals with the gearshifts I believe. This is from their web site
This all new tune has been conducted with tuning partner TRS performance in Leamington Spa allowing us to deliver attributes perfectly matched to the A110. This map maintains stock performance below 3000 rpm for ultimate everyday usability. From 3000 to 4000 rpm the torque builds in a way that avoids the gearbox clutch slipping and then the car surges forward with top end performance. This linear power delivery really makes the A110 fly with an almost naturally aspirated feel.
This all new tune has been conducted with tuning partner TRS performance in Leamington Spa allowing us to deliver attributes perfectly matched to the A110. This map maintains stock performance below 3000 rpm for ultimate everyday usability. From 3000 to 4000 rpm the torque builds in a way that avoids the gearbox clutch slipping and then the car surges forward with top end performance. This linear power delivery really makes the A110 fly with an almost naturally aspirated feel.
a110au said:
there are two kinds of chipping.
racechips is an example of one. It gets inserted inline with the sensors for boost pressure and cam sensor and maybe airflow sensor and then just alters the values knowing the ecu is programmed to inject more fuel if it sees more air. It thinks the turbo is boosting to x psi but it is actually boosting to a higher psi.
the other kind requires the car and the ecu is programmed over the odb port to re-write the maps for fuel timing and boost in order to more safely run higher boost. Ideally the maps have been tuned on a dyno so off throttle response is clean, and there is no knock at different intake temps. If you have a better exhaust or have deleted the gpf or are using better fuel you can take full advantage.
1st kind is a piggy back? Ideally a re-flash is a much better optionracechips is an example of one. It gets inserted inline with the sensors for boost pressure and cam sensor and maybe airflow sensor and then just alters the values knowing the ecu is programmed to inject more fuel if it sees more air. It thinks the turbo is boosting to x psi but it is actually boosting to a higher psi.
the other kind requires the car and the ecu is programmed over the odb port to re-write the maps for fuel timing and boost in order to more safely run higher boost. Ideally the maps have been tuned on a dyno so off throttle response is clean, and there is no knock at different intake temps. If you have a better exhaust or have deleted the gpf or are using better fuel you can take full advantage.
I had the Life remap on my P.E. 4/12/2019. Last week, after reading the new wording on their web page regarding the remap, I sent them an email asking if there has been an update to the map in my car, the reply stated that it was the same map.
I can say however, the remap totally changed the performance of the car, it came alive and well worth every penny. The gearbox is the limiting factor regarding the tunning; too much torque and the clutch slips under acceleration.
I think Lichfield do give a warranty with there remap for the engine and gearbox and as they are the closest to you makes sense to go for them.
Life are based closer to me, so made sense to use them.
Whoever you chose in sure you won't be disappointed.
I can say however, the remap totally changed the performance of the car, it came alive and well worth every penny. The gearbox is the limiting factor regarding the tunning; too much torque and the clutch slips under acceleration.
I think Lichfield do give a warranty with there remap for the engine and gearbox and as they are the closest to you makes sense to go for them.
Life are based closer to me, so made sense to use them.
Whoever you chose in sure you won't be disappointed.
essexstu said:
The remap from Life110 is a newer improved version that also deals with the gearshifts I believe. This is from their web site
This all new tune has been conducted with tuning partner TRS performance in Leamington Spa allowing us to deliver attributes perfectly matched to the A110. This map maintains stock performance below 3000 rpm for ultimate everyday usability. From 3000 to 4000 rpm the torque builds in a way that avoids the gearbox clutch slipping and then the car surges forward with top end performance. This linear power delivery really makes the A110 fly with an almost naturally aspirated feel.
Interestingly (I thought) early cars MY18, 19 and 20 get up to 380nm whereas 21 and 22 cars only get 340nm - so will likely feel considerably less urgent in the midrange. Indeed it seems pointless to update the latest A110S since both quoted power and torque unchanged. I wonder why.This all new tune has been conducted with tuning partner TRS performance in Leamington Spa allowing us to deliver attributes perfectly matched to the A110. This map maintains stock performance below 3000 rpm for ultimate everyday usability. From 3000 to 4000 rpm the torque builds in a way that avoids the gearbox clutch slipping and then the car surges forward with top end performance. This linear power delivery really makes the A110 fly with an almost naturally aspirated feel.
neil-g8km6 said:
I had the Life remap on my P.E. 4/12/2019. Last week, after reading the new wording on their web page regarding the remap, I sent them an email asking if there has been an update to the map in my car, the reply stated that it was the same map.
I can say however, the remap totally changed the performance of the car, it came alive and well worth every penny. The gearbox is the limiting factor regarding the tunning; too much torque and the clutch slips under acceleration.
I think Lichfield do give a warranty with there remap for the engine and gearbox and as they are the closest to you makes sense to go for them.
Life are based closer to me, so made sense to use them.
Whoever you chose in sure you won't be disappointed.
I treated myself to the Life110 map last spring and absolutely love it. It pulls hard but is creamy smooth and doesn’t change the character of the car: it’s still quiet and refined when just pootling about, but above 3,000 there’s a solid dollop of extra torque. Great upgrade for the 250ps models.I can say however, the remap totally changed the performance of the car, it came alive and well worth every penny. The gearbox is the limiting factor regarding the tunning; too much torque and the clutch slips under acceleration.
I think Lichfield do give a warranty with there remap for the engine and gearbox and as they are the closest to you makes sense to go for them.
Life are based closer to me, so made sense to use them.
Whoever you chose in sure you won't be disappointed.
Oh something occurred to me - I would not even bless RaceChip etc with the "piggy back" label.
A piggy back on an ECU, at least the ones I've used, are in charge of the ignition timing and injector pulse width. They selectively over-write the car ECU outputs. The ECU stays in loop but they have a lot of wiring.
RaceChip etc are a step down they just modify sensor inputs (boost pressure).
That way they don't need an expensive harness and a whole lot of software..
A piggy back on an ECU, at least the ones I've used, are in charge of the ignition timing and injector pulse width. They selectively over-write the car ECU outputs. The ECU stays in loop but they have a lot of wiring.
RaceChip etc are a step down they just modify sensor inputs (boost pressure).
That way they don't need an expensive harness and a whole lot of software..
I may be out of the loop on this but a piggy back utilises most of the OEM ECU's mapping on fuel and ignition and then modifies it with a delta including boost pressure.
whereas a more bespoke piggy back (not quite standalone) actually provides table values rather than deltas.
in that sense the lower tech one is safer because it doesn't overwrite any ecu controls but is also less optimal bacuse if the car's ecu pulls timing (for whatever reason) then applying a delta on top won't make you remotely close to the HP claimed.
That means if you use actual values, the car will need live mapping but it is also demonstrably more powerful as a tool and you can have maps for different octane. I think if you use something conservative for 98 RON, the latter is the way to go as you will also have control via the knock sensor to trigger a knock down of boost or timing.
at least in the old days, this was how it was done... things may have moved on substantially
whereas a more bespoke piggy back (not quite standalone) actually provides table values rather than deltas.
in that sense the lower tech one is safer because it doesn't overwrite any ecu controls but is also less optimal bacuse if the car's ecu pulls timing (for whatever reason) then applying a delta on top won't make you remotely close to the HP claimed.
That means if you use actual values, the car will need live mapping but it is also demonstrably more powerful as a tool and you can have maps for different octane. I think if you use something conservative for 98 RON, the latter is the way to go as you will also have control via the knock sensor to trigger a knock down of boost or timing.
at least in the old days, this was how it was done... things may have moved on substantially
Thank you for your experiences and advice everyone. It sounds as if Lichfield and Lifes are both as good as each other.
Another question should be asked, and that is about whether to inform the insurance company or not? I've been told that insurers cannot tell if an ECU has been altered, but I don't believe they would be this ignorant if they felt something had been done to the car. Has anyone told their insurance co. and what was the extra premium? I don't want to ask the question from mine, just in case I do chip, but decide not to declare it, for whatever reason.
Another question should be asked, and that is about whether to inform the insurance company or not? I've been told that insurers cannot tell if an ECU has been altered, but I don't believe they would be this ignorant if they felt something had been done to the car. Has anyone told their insurance co. and what was the extra premium? I don't want to ask the question from mine, just in case I do chip, but decide not to declare it, for whatever reason.
My insurer, Admiral, told me that so long as the power upgrade (they're not interested in torque figures) is <25% it won't affect my premium.
If you're concerned about additional ongoing costs of a remap, I think it's your spend on fuel you should be considering, & there will be a small impact on tyre & brake wear too.
I'm still running the standard map. Before I got the car, I thought, as soon as it was run in, I'd be dropping the car up to Life110/Spires for a re-map, & the R53 suspension upgrade. The R53 suspension didn't become available (it's got to be around two years since this was announced). & I'm in two minds about whether I want the map now. I very much enjoy the feeling of driving with my right foot pressed hard into the footwell, & having a load more power limits the opportunities for this kind of driving. I wouldn't hesitate to add the map if I was doing track days regularly, but I'm not.
If you're concerned about additional ongoing costs of a remap, I think it's your spend on fuel you should be considering, & there will be a small impact on tyre & brake wear too.
I'm still running the standard map. Before I got the car, I thought, as soon as it was run in, I'd be dropping the car up to Life110/Spires for a re-map, & the R53 suspension upgrade. The R53 suspension didn't become available (it's got to be around two years since this was announced). & I'm in two minds about whether I want the map now. I very much enjoy the feeling of driving with my right foot pressed hard into the footwell, & having a load more power limits the opportunities for this kind of driving. I wouldn't hesitate to add the map if I was doing track days regularly, but I'm not.
neil-g8km6 said:
I had the Life remap on my P.E. 4/12/2019. Last week, after reading the new wording on their web page regarding the remap, I sent them an email asking if there has been an update to the map in my car, the reply stated that it was the same map.
How can it be the same map when their own website states it's a 'completely re-engineered ECU tune' with (IIRC) a new tuning partner?Gassing Station | Alpine | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff