1. What Is An ECU?
An engine control unit (ECU) is a type of electronic control unit that controls a series of actuators on an internal combustion engine to ensure optimal engine performance. It does this by taking input from various sensors for example cam shaft and crank shaft sensors and compute this input using a preprogrammed ‘map’. The ECU will take the inputted information and compute the required output, such as quantity of fuel to inject.
2. Is It Safe?
When we remap a vehicle, we aim to optimise power and torque output of the engine within the safety margins of the manufacturer. We will never come close to reaching the limits of a vehicles engine, we guarantee it.
Each individual person uses their vehicle differently and has different needs and requirements, we always take these factors into account when remapping any vehicle to match a vehicles performance to the owners specific set of needs.
3. Why Don’t Manufacturers Do It?
Manufacturers generally sell vehicles which need to service worldwide markets, meet strict emissions and environmental standards and appeal to the largest consumer market as possible. This results in manufacturers selling what is essentially a generic version of their vehicle to meet these standards across as many different countries as they can and to appeal to the needs and wants of as many customers as possible.
At United Fuel Injection we understand that not everyone uses their vehicle in the same way or for the same purposes. Over years of extensive research and development we have found the best processes of improvement for your vehicle.
4. How Does It Work?
We carefully adjust emission controls, torque limiters, injection timing and duration, small increases in rail pressure of 1-2%, increase boost pressure and air flow and adjust several other parameters controlled by your vehicles ECU to achieve your performance goals.
5. Do We Keep A Copy Of The Original File Or The Tuned File?
We keep a copy of both your original factory file and the tuned file for life. If for any reason you somehow you lose your tune or replace your ECU, we will reflash your tuned file onto your ECU free of charge.
6. What Improvements And Benefits Will I See?
One of the main benefits to ECU remapping is moving the power and torque further down in the RPM range meaning you access more power and torque earlier and with less throttle. Typically, we see improvements of 10-15% in horsepower and torque (nm) although depending on the vehicle this can be slightly lower or higher. Ask our team about Dyno readouts which can visually demonstrate this shift in the RPM range.
Another benefit that is commonly seen from ECU remapping is the elimination of any flat spots in the power and torque curve. It is common for modern vehicles, particularly common rail diesels to have a flat spot off idle which is demonstrated in the dyno read out below, the broken lines are the power and torque curves of the pre-run when the vehicle was delivered to us and the solid lines are the after the ECU remap, you can see the broken lines have a dip/flat spot off idle instead of a linear curve.
