Remap Vs Tuning Box

[Smurfsarepeopletoo]

Evening,

As per the title really, I have a 2016 Octavia VRS TDI 184, and would like a bit more poke out of it, has anyone got any experience with tuning boxes, had most of my cars remapped previously, but a tuning box seems easy, the gains just seem a little high, 184 to 236, anyone know of any issues with using a tuning box?

TIA

[anonymous-user]

I’d never fit a tuning box, most are filled with 50p of electronics.

[ChrisH79]

Personally I’d prefer a remap to a tuning box regardless of the claimed output or the ease of application. Ideally a remap by someone who knows how to tweak it to my preferred driving style rather than a flash and go merchant.


This talked me out of tuning boxes.

https://youtu.be/I_sIRoPgFFI

[The Cardinal]

The TDI 184 CUNA engine seems to offer moderate remap potential, with the limiting factor being the turbo it seems from this account by Darkside Developments.

I'm running a map from one of the big names and am happy with it. There are inevitably some constraints to file-based maps, but these are to be weighed against convenience and the potentially greater downsides of a tuning box.

[Dr G]

When tuning you can choose any two of the following three things:
-Cheap
-Powerful
-Reliable

Say goodbye to whatever your number three is.

I would not consider using a "tuning box".

[simonwhite2000]

I have actually used a TDI tuning box on an S5 and used a JB1 on a Golf R back in the day (now a JB4). Both delivered an extra nudge of power but nowhere near what a remap can do.

My experience is with VAG cars so a remap is going to give a TD1 flag so your warranty is fecked. I would only remap once the warranty has passed. This is why I used the above solutions.

I understand why people really don't like a tuning box but I never had an issue and appreciated the power nudge even if it wasn't hugely impactful.

In your situation I would go remap for sure.

[Belle427]

My limited knowledge of most of them tells me they simply plug in to existing engine sensors and fool the ecu into adding more fuel?
I've not researched them but maybe there are some that can do it properly?
Some tuning companies do offer self tuning handsets if that's what your after but in my experience I'd go reputable remap all day long.

[the-norseman]

Remap, but get a remap from a decent company, not some random guy off Facebook that buys his remaps from some kid who drinks energy drinks in Eastern Europe.

I bought one of my cars once with a map already on it, from a local man in a van style company, turbo was capable of 1.7bar and the map was requesting 2.0 bar constant.

[Cockaigne]

custom remap on rolling road. Anything else is just pointless really. For a start you need to make sure injectors are working. I do find it funny when people say I got it remapped and now exactly x bhp higher without actually any validation.

[the-norseman]

I've had dodgy RR tunes in the past, I did write a big post about it, but keep getting Forbidden 403 posts.

[Reffro]

I've used TDI tuning boxes to great effect on my last two VAG vehicles. Simple to install and zero issues. You get the power and torque they quote which was 240hp and 300lb ft on my Arteon TSI 190, which did 0-60 in 6.5secs with it fitted. And would give 50+mpg on a run. Couldn't recommend them more highly

[Dr G]

Cockaigne said:

Anything else is just pointless really.

This isn't in any way true, but you are only scratching the surface of the subject.

the-norseman said:

I've had dodgy RR tunes in the past

There are considerably more bad tuners and poor/pointless products around than there are good ones. Most people (buyers and sellers) know very little about the subject and grasp only for numbers.

the-norseman said:

Remap, but get a remap from a decent company, not some random guy off Facebook that buys his remaps from some kid who drinks energy drinks in Eastern Europe.

I bought one of my cars once with a map already on it, from a local man in a van style company, turbo was capable of 1.7bar and the map was requesting 2.0 bar constant.

Amen. The bodgery that goes on in the tuning world is mind-boggling.

[Smurfsarepeopletoo]

cheers for the input guys, will go with the remap, have always had my cars remapped, but wondered if the tuning box would be just as effective and reliable. I live in stoke, so there are a few good tuners local ish to me.