Overview:
Remapping is the process of modifying the settings on the ECU of a vehicle. Engine Control Unit(ECU) is a central commanding device in a vehicle that controls and regulates the functions of the engine and corresponding parts. For example, it controls ignition timing, fuel injection, fuel pressure, air to fuel ratio, etc. They are certain limits set by the car manufacturers on different parameters of the engine while writing the software. Therefore, ECU is limited to control and achieve results in a very specific range. Now that is where the role of remapping comes into play. By remapping, the experts modify the limits to expand it. The thing to remember here is that remapping does not extend settings out of the capacity of the engine; in fact, the manufacturers intentionally set a lower limit. It means that there is always room for modification because the results of remapping produce more power and fuel economy.
Remapping a non-turbo car:
I know, like every other driver, you must be anxious to do a car remap as soon as possible. But, it must have also sprung a question in the minds like can you remap your specific car type. Well, everyone knows that remapping a turbo car is completely worth it.
If you carry out, let’s say, for example, a Mercedes A Class Remap, you will get extra power gains, with almost 20-50% gains in torque and power. But what about the non-turbo cars? Let’s answer your question right away.
The straightforward answer to your question is: Yes, of course, it is worth it. However, there are a few exceptions to it, which we will discuss later in the article.
Why is it Worth it?
It is completely worth it because it boosts the power gains. Although the gains, both torque, and power, are not as high as a forced-induction engine, a.k.a turbo engines, they are still considerable in non-turbo cars. It is said to result in almost 10-15% gains in torque and power. So, why would you not want your non-turbo car to produce at least 10% more power than before to offer you a better driving experience? Another noteworthy element is that remapping makes an engine eager to rev, which means that it increases its power. Not only this, but it also promotes smooth-revving, resulting in an improved power gain.
What are the exceptions?
We said that remapping a car is completely worth it, with a few exceptions. So what are those exceptions? We will discuss them here.
- If you desire to achieve very high power gains, remapping a non-turbo car may not be the right option. You can evaluate by differentiating the result on turbo and turbo cars. Remapping a turbo car results in 20-50% power gain. The figure is extremely high compared to the power gain of non-turbo cars that is 10-15%. If you expect to achieve the results as a turbo car remap on your non-turbo car, it is not a wise option. The turbo cars have more options for tunning than non-turbo cars.
- The second scenario is when you have a non-turbo car with existing high power output, there is absolutely no need to remapping. A 10 % increase in power is not needed for powerful cars. So it is advisable to avoid tunning in this scenario.
Bottom Line:
It is worth it to remap a non-turbo car as it is able to increase power gains by about 10-15%. However, if your requirement is a very high power gain, it might not be a favourable option. Before remapping your non-turbo car, keep in mind its original power output.
