Note
Our upgrades are not bolt on boxes or piggyback chips. Our ECU upgrades are actually a FULL re-map of your ECU to improve the performance characteristics throughout the entire performance range of your car.  If your car is not reprogrammable via and ECU upgrade we are happy to provide tuning boxes on request.

Q. How much is the ECU Upgrade?

A. Call us on 01527 577710 for the price of your ECU upgrade however prices start from as little as £350 including VAT

Q. How long does it take to upgrade the ECU?

A. Please allow 2 hours for an ECU upgrade including all the diagnostics, before/after power run and checks. In all cases, this can be done while you wait.

Q. Is the ECU upgrade invisible or detectable?

A. The ECU upgrade is not detectable by most standard dealership servicing and diagnostics equipment.

Q. How will it affect my dealer warranty?

A. The ECU upgrade will not affect your manufacturer 3 yr / 60K mile warranty for the car as a whole, and this varies from country to country. For further clarification please ask when enquiring.

Q. How will it affect my insurance?

A. It is your responsibility to notify your insurance company of any modifications to your vehicle. Our ECU upgrades are "insurance friendly" and we can tailor the upgrade to meet the criteria of your insurance company. Please call us for more details.

Q. What is involved in the upgrade?

A. First the car will be checked for fault codes and a visual inspection done on the engine to check the overall condition of the engine and some of it's components such as leaking hoses etc. Once we are satisfied with the condition of the engine, we will where possible, run the car on our rolling road to gain a standard HP, once we have this figure and are happy with the standard performance we will proceed with the ECU upgrade.  After the upgrade, the car is re-tested on our rolling road, where possible to verify your gained figures and another fault code check is done to ensure that the engine computer is function correctly.  Please note that most 4 wheel drive cars cannot be run on our rolling road with the exception of most Volvos

Q. What warranty is offered?

A. The ECU upgrade software is guaranteed for as long as you own the car. Terms and conditions apply.

Q. Does the upgrade result in any adverse effects on the engine or transmission?

A. No. Reliability and longevity are not compromised at all. Your driving style and maintenance routine will determine the reliability and longevity of your vehicle, whether it is standard or upgraded.

Q. Why doesn't the manufacturer upgrade the ECU from the factory?

A. Because they need to build in tolerance for owner abuse and to minimise cost. The engine must cope with poor petrol, lack of servicing, and general abuse. If you service the car regularly, use high grade fuel, and change the oil regularly, the engine can be optimised for better performance without compromising reliability.

Q. What petrol should I use once the ECU is upgraded?

A. We always recommend 98 RON such as Shell Optimax. If not available, we recommend Super Unleaded, then a branded Premium Unleaded. You should avoid supermarket petrol at all cost.

Q. Will my fuel economy change?

A. We almost always see improved fuel economy with our ECU upgrades. Expect approximately 5 -10% improved fuel economy. Many of our customers have seen even improvements of between 3 - 6 mpg, which is even better.

Q. Do I need a performance exhaust or a race-cat?

A. No! A performance exhaust or race-cat is entirely optional.

Q. What about an induction kit?

A. We recommend using the standard air box with a performance ITG panel filter. Most open cone induction kits draw hot air from the engine bay which often results in a decrease in power.

Q. Can I use a bleed valve with my turbo engine when the ECU is upgraded?

A. No. Our ECU reprogram increases the boost, and therefore no bleed-valve is required. If you have one fitted, it must be removed before the ECU is upgraded.

Q. On the diesel engines, how does a tuning box differ to an ECU upgrade "remap"?

A. Tuning boxes are add on devices that work by intercepting the signals between the ECU and the sensors and fuel system in the engine. Some tuning boxes intercept the sensor signals fooling the ECU into thinking that the engine is doing something different to what it actually is, thus making the ECU add more fuel. Other tuning boxes work by intercepting the output signals from the ECU and thus modifying the fuel control. Either way, a tuning box will only increase the amount of fuel that is added. Furthermore, the tuning box is always fighting the ECU. The ECU will to some extent try to compensate for the increase in fuel that is caused by the tuning box. This is especially true of the latest Euro IV engines with very tight emission controls. The end result is often inconsistent performance, and sometimes no improvement in performance at all.

A remap on the other hand works in harmony with the engine and emissions control. A "remap" is simply a rewrite of the software in the engine computer. Unlike the tuning box which only alters the amount of fuel, the ECU remap alters the turbo boost pressure, fuel injector duration, fuel timing, fuel pressure, and many other parameters, all of which can be optimised to give substantial increases in power and torque, while still remaining within emission control envelopes. Since no signals are intercepted, the ECU does not have to compensate for any abnormal readings and therefore the performance will be consistent. With the Euro IV engines, the ECU remap is the only way to improve performance because the ECU is too sensitive for a tuning box to successfully alter the behaviour of the fuel system without the ECU compensating for it.