Services
- Home
- Services
Our Services
Petrol & Diesel
Dyno Tunes
Stage Tunes
Pops & Bangs
Economy Tunes
Diagnostic Trouble Codes
Flames
E85
Mafless Tune
Ghost Cam
Speed Limiter Removal
Hardcut
DPF/EGR/AD-BLUE
Launch Control
Transmission / Gearbox
Bangs on shift
TCU/DSG Stage 1
TCU/DSG Stage 2
Torque Limiter
Shift Point
Frequently Asked
General Questions
Stage 1 and Stage 2 tunes are performance upgrades designed to increase your vehicle’s power, torque, and overall driving dynamics.
● Stage 1 Tune focuses on optimising the engine’s existing hardware with software adjustments. It typically involves recalibrating the ECU (Engine Control Unit) to deliver more power by adjusting parameters like fuel delivery, ignition timing, and boost pressure (for turbocharged engines). This tune is designed to work with a stock vehicle and does not require any additional modifications, making it a popular choice for daily drivers who want a noticeable performance boost without compromising
reliability.
● Stage 2 Tune builds on Stage 1 but requires additional hardware upgrades, such as a high-flow exhaust system, upgraded intake. These modifications allow the engine to handle more power safely, resulting in even greater performance gains. Stage 2 tunes are ideal for enthusiasts looking to push their vehicles further.
Pops & Bangs, also known as crackle tunes or overrun tunes, are a type of exhaust tuning that produces sharp popping or crackling sounds during deceleration, gear shifts, or throttle lift-off. This effect is achieved by adjusting the ECU to inject a small amount of unburned fuel into the exhaust system, where it ignites and produces the characteristic sounds which is past the engine therefore providing minimal back pressure which is avoided by the engine heavily making the removal of the catalytic converter vital.
An Economy Tune is designed to optimise your vehicle’s fuel consumption without significantly affecting performance. This is achieved by recalibrating the ECU to adjust parameters such as fuel injection timing, air-fuel mixture, and throttle response.
Key Benefits:
● Optimised Fuel Delivery: The tune reduces fuel consumption by ensuring the engine runs more efficiently, especially at lower RPMs where fuel usage is typically higher.
● Reduced Throttle Sensitivity: Throttle response may be softened to discourage aggressive acceleration, which consumes more fuel.
● Lean Air-Fuel Mixture: The tune can lean out the air-fuel mixture (within safe limits), which burns fuel more efficiently and reduces waste.
● Improved Gear Shift Points: For automatic transmissions, an Economy Tune can adjust shift points to keep the engine in a more fuel-efficient RPM range.
Overall, an Economy Tune is ideal for drivers looking to save on fuel costs, particularly in daily commuting scenarios. The extent of fuel savings will depend on driving habits, vehicle
type, and conditions
Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC) are error codes generated by a vehicle’s onboard diagnostic system (OBD-II) when it detects a problem with the engine, transmission, or other vehicle systems. These codes help identify specific issues, ranging from minor problems like a loose gas cap to more serious issues like engine misfires or transmission failures.
Clearing DTCs:
● Diagnosis: First, a professional will use an OBD-II scanner to read the codes stored in the vehicle’s ECU. Each code corresponds to a specific issue, which will be diagnosed and addressed.
● Repairs: Once the problem has been identified, necessary repairs or adjustments are made to resolve the issue.
● Clearing Codes: After repairs, the DTCs can be cleared using the OBD-II scanner. This resets the ECU and turns off the check engine light or other warning indicators on the dashboard.
● Monitoring: It’s important to monitor the vehicle after clearing the codes to ensure the issue has been fully resolved and does not recur.
While some DTCs can be cleared by disconnecting the battery or using a basic scanner, it’s crucial to address the underlying issue to prevent further damage to the vehicle.
A Flame Map is a tuning modification that causes flames to be emitted from the exhaust, usually during high-RPM shifts or when letting off the throttle. This effect is popular in car shows and motorsport environments and is achieved by programming the ECU to inject excess fuel into the exhaust system.
How It Works:
● Rich Fuel Mixture: The Flame Map alters the air-fuel ratio, making the mixture richer than usual, especially during shifts or throttle lift-off.
● Ignition Timing: The ignition timing is delayed, causing some of the unburned fuel to enter the hot exhaust system.
● Flames: When the unburned fuel ignites in the exhaust, it produces flames that exit the tailpipe.
E85 tuning is designed to optimise your vehicle’s performance when running on E85 fuel, which is a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. Ethanol has a higher octane rating than
regular gasoline, allowing for more aggressive tuning and greater power gains.
Benefits:
● Increased Power: E85 allows for higher boost levels and more advanced ignition timing, leading to significant horsepower and torque gains.
● Cooler Combustion: Ethanol burns cooler than gasoline, which can reduce engine temperatures and lower the risk of knock (pre-detonation), making it ideal for high-performance applications.
● Environmental Benefits: E85 produces fewer emissions compared to regular gasoline, making it a more eco-friendly option.
● Flexibility: Many vehicles with E85 tunes can still run on regular gasoline, though performance gains will be less pronounced when not using E85.
Considerations:
Running E85 requires modifications such as upgraded fuel injectors and pumps to handle
the increased fuel flow required by ethanol. Additionally, fuel consumption is higher with E85
due to its lower energy content compared to gasoline.
A Mafless Tune is a type of engine tuning that eliminates the use of the Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor, which measures the amount of air entering the engine to calculate the proper fuel injection. Instead, the tune relies on the Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) sensor and other data to determine the air-fuel ratio.
Benefits:
● Increased Airflow: Removing the MAF sensor can reduce restrictions in the intake system, allowing for better airflow and improved engine performance, especially in high-performance applications.
● Simplified Tuning: Mafless tuning can simplify tuning for engines with significant modifications, where the MAF sensor might struggle to accurately measure airflow.
● Reliability in Extreme Conditions: Mafless tunes are often more stable in extreme conditions (such as forced induction) where the MAF sensor might be less reliable.
A Ghost Cam Tune is a software modification that simulates the sound of a high-performance camshaft, creating a lumpy, aggressive idle sound without the need for physical camshaft changes. This is achieved by altering the engine’s idle timing and fuel delivery.
How It Works:
● Simulated Camshaft Sound: The tune adjusts the engine parameters to create the sound typically associated with performance camshafts, characterised by a lopey or uneven idle.
● No Physical Modifications: Unlike a real camshaft upgrade, a Ghost Cam Tune doesn’t involve any mechanical changes, making it a cost-effective way to achieve
the desired sound.
Impact on Engine:
● Performance: The tune is mostly for auditory aesthetics and doesn’t significantly affect performance. However, it can slightly alter engine behaviour at idle.
● Compatibility: It’s important to ensure that your vehicle is compatible with a Ghost Cam Tune, as improper tuning can lead to engine roughness or stalling at low RPMs.
Speed Limiter Removal involves disabling the factory-set speed limit on your vehicle, allowing it to reach higher top speeds. Manufacturers often impose speed limits for safety and regulatory reasons, but removing these limits can unlock your vehicle’s full potential.
Process:
● ECU Reprogramming: The process involves reprogramming the ECU to remove the software that limits the vehicle’s top speed.
● Testing: After removal, the vehicle is tested to ensure it handles the higher speeds safely.
A TCU (Transmission Control Unit) or DSG (Direct-Shift Gearbox) Upgrade involves reprogramming the vehicle’s transmission control software to enhance shift response, optimise shift points, and improve overall driving dynamics.
Benefits:
● Improved Shift Response: The upgrade reduces the delay between gear shifts, resulting in quicker and smoother transitions, which is especially noticeable during acceleration.
● Optimised Shift Points: The shift points are recalibrated to better match the engine’s power curve, maximising performance and efficiency.
● Enhanced Driving Modes: The upgrade can enhance existing driving modes, such as Sport or Comfort, by refining how the transmission behaves in different scenarios.
● Longevity: By optimising how the transmission operates, a TCU/DSG upgrade can reduce wear and tear, potentially extending the life of your transmission.
Stage Differences:
● Stage 1: Focuses on improving everyday drivability with faster shifts and smoother operation, making it ideal for daily drivers.
● Stage 2: Offers more aggressive tuning for performance-oriented driving, with even quicker shifts and higher RPM thresholds, suitable for enthusiasts and track use.
Upgrading your TCU/DSG can significantly improve the driving experience, making your vehicle more responsive and engaging to drive.