Turbo diesel chip upgrades

[supermono]

Hi,

Now I know my van isn't exactly the same calibre of stuff you're all used to but the principle remains.

Someone has quoted me 300 quid for about 30bhp (from 100bhp) plus a similar torque increase on my Vivaro 1.9DTi

I'd like to go ahead except for the issue of longevity of engine. Being fairly underpowered I tend to drive it flat out most journeys (only on fast roads -- I'm not your typical white van man ripping up the towns). Question is do you think it'll take this increase in power without breaking anything?

Has anyone experience of these chip upgrades long-term?

[agoogy]

You'll have no worries at all. One of my friends is a diesel nut, and knows and quotes ALL the time (to the point of me wanting him dead), but he knows his stuff. Diesel engines are always over engineered, and have mechanical potential to deal with much much more....I'd have no qualms with upgrading the chip.

[spnracing]

Anyone here any experience of the Brabus range of upgrades for the common rail Merc engines?

[size13]

Have you seen this place?

www.tunit.co.uk

It's not far from me.

[supermono]

Thanks that tunit link looks like it might be just the ticket -- in fact being able to remove the thing should I blow it up will be ideal for warranty claims.

I know many people hold the belief that diesels are overengineered and last forever, but I can't help wondering if that's just because historically they lasted forever when a 2.5l lump made about 60bhp. Now you're getting 130+ from a 1.9 that's massively more stressed and perhaps that overengineering margin is rather less.

Question: Has anyone ever heard of a diesel blowing up when tuned?

Andy

[v8 jago]

I have never seen one blow up but i have seen a golf T D going up a dragstrip and it got 13.5ish seconds compared to a possible 18.5 ish seconds standard, so how much bhp and torque it has i dont know but you can take them far more than you`d expect. It was kicking propper black smoke out possibly due to burning much more fuel. P.S. a VR6 is 174bhp and runs 15.1 1/4s so guessing the T D golf must be well into the 200bhp !

[supermono]

Bloke's coming over Thursday with my 30bhp in his laptop. I'll post the results.

Thanks for the info. The remap guy was first rate pre-sales -- returning my calls and giving what sounded like a sensible account of what he was selling so he's got the job at 300 rubs.

[mondeoman]

never really heard of any core structure mechanical problems with chip upgrades, but you may want to watch the fuel pump ..... they "might" end up overworked a bit if the rail pressure is increased too far ...

Not that I'd ever recommend modifying an engine whilst its under warranty of course .......

[mmmmm]

ive had a couple of experiances with tuning diesels
1/rare rover sdi diesel,i totally abused this winding up fuel pressure and waste gate on turbo, it would fly but to much smoke so backed it off abit.
2/ landrover 200tdi, a croud of us did same upgrade all broke timming belts within year.but managed to wheel spin all 4 wheels due 2 extra diff locks.
3/friends merc320 had chip upgrade very pleased with performance and improved fuel consumption.

[zzr1200]

There used to be a diesel golf rally car that was running a standard unmodified crank @300bhp and also a BMW 3 series in a touring car series that seemed to be trouncing everything so I guess diesels are fairly bullet proof.

Paul

[Pigeon]

*Chip*-tuning a diesel? Shame on those who sully the beautiful, reliable simplicity of a diesel engine's fuelling system by introducing nasty electronic things.

[DennisTheMenace]

Im going to get my mundaneo done once ive run it in try www.tdperformance.co.uk , you can either get a plug in or have serial port tuning (through the OBD socket)

[size13]

supermono, any progress reports and what you finally got?