TUNING BOXES.

jmd · Post by **jmd** » 07 Jul 2009, 15:14

Has anybody any experience of using a tuning box on their Xantia diesel, or any advice to offer on those units.

Old-Guy · Post by **Old-Guy** » 07 Jul 2009, 16:07

It would help if you could tell us which diesel engine, year of manufacture and what sort of tuning box you're asking about: diagnostic equipment, or some form of 're-chipping'.

Diesel engines prior to 1996 have no ECU at all. My understanding is that the ECU's on later pre-HDi engines are mostly concerned with emissions control and that the injection pump is almost the same as the earlier ones - all mechanical control of fuel flow. HDi? I know nothing!

Post by **CitroJim** » 07 Jul 2009, 16:59

Old-Guy wrote: I know nothing!

No, where the 1.9TD is concerned, you are spot-on Guy

Much the same applies to the EPIC on the 2.1TD although conceivably it might respond to a tuning box if one were available but given the EPIC was only fitted to PSA 2.1TDs and a few Tranny vans, that's not likely.

I'm only aware of tuning boxes being available for the HDi and I believe they're expensive.

They are reported to deliver the goods though!

MikeT · Post by **MikeT** » 07 Jul 2009, 17:30

As above, not much available for non-HDI engines, if at all. For the HDi, I would advise against chipping it but to have it re-mapped as it's tweaked on a dyno and tailored to your engine and needs. Expect to pay about £300 and if you go for all out power, a new clutch. 8)

jmd · Post by **jmd** » 07 Jul 2009, 18:47

Sorry about the lack of detail earlier. the car concerned is an Xantia Hdi (110BHP) The adverts look impressive, but then they would? wouldn't they?. There seems to be huge variations in the price of those units one German company quoting under €150 -00 to a U.K Company quoting €500-00. Not full re-chipping - only considering the box connection type. Reason economy in mind rather than speed

JohnD · Post by **JohnD** » 08 Jul 2009, 09:54

CitroJim wrote:
Much the same applies to the EPIC on the 2.1TD although conceivably it might respond to a tuning box if one were available but given the EPIC was only fitted to PSA 2.1TDs and a few Tranny vans, that's not likely.

When I ran my 2.1 Xantia from 1998 up to 2005, I had VanAaken fit a tuning box to that. It both improved the towing capability and the fuel consumption.

XantiaMan · Post by **XantiaMan** » 08 Jul 2009, 10:38

A tuning box does the job, but its not matgched exactly to your engine and its individual requirements. On the 1.9 TD you dont need to mess about, turn the fuelling up yourself and its transforms drivability.

On the HDi i would go custom remap, in full agreement with MikeT (makes a change

)

I know a chap who has been working on remapping the system fitted to a mk5 Transit TD, and he is also excellent at remapping other diesels too. My Transit van was done by him and i got some good gains in response and torque. I has gone from 85ps to around the 115 mark too

He charges around £250, an excellent price for 3-4 hours work of custom mapping. www.vantuner.co.uk

KP · Post by KP » 08 Jul 2009, 15:03

If only the activa could be done.....

XantiaMan · Post by **XantiaMan** » 08 Jul 2009, 15:08

KP wrote:If only the activa could be done.....

There is a chance it could be remapped... but its not going to make a massive difference to outright power because the restriction is the turbo, and at around 12psi its blowing hot enough. The intercooler cannot shift enough heat either making the problem worse. Far better to get the intercooling and exhaust system sorted first, then look at turbo/ecu.

jgra1 · Post by **jgra1** » 08 Jul 2009, 15:10

Gareth I really need to bring you a crate of beers and my TD..

Post by **CitroJim** » 08 Jul 2009, 15:21

jgra1 wrote:Gareth I really need to bring you a crate of beers and my TD..

Hello John

How you doin' ?

I thought for a moment you were after a remap on your V6

XantiaMan · Post by **XantiaMan** » 08 Jul 2009, 16:20

jgra1 wrote:Gareth I really need to bring you a crate of beers and my TD..

Why, they run on veg not beer

Bit of a trek for you to come now i have moved

jgra1 · Post by **jgra1** » 08 Jul 2009, 16:39

fair point..

I did 1020 miles in the last four days

reckon it cost me £60!

on a test track, ahem, downhill, the car crept to 98.. but thats only about 90 using sat nav as a guide.. it would take forever to get that speed on the flat, your going to tell me yours would get there in a much shorter time now

jgra1 · Post by **jgra1** » 08 Jul 2009, 16:41

hi Jim

me ok, had a nice road trip at weekend, newcastle, Glasgow, Dumphries, Newcastle and home ! car was pretty good.. brouht back 1 1/2 evinrude outboards

XantiaMan · Post by **XantiaMan** » 08 Jul 2009, 16:54

jgra1 wrote:

fair point..

I did 1020 miles in the last four days reckon it cost me £60!

on a test track, ahem, downhill, the car crept to 98.. but thats only about 90 using sat nav as a guide.. it would take forever to get that speed on the flat, your going to tell me yours would get there in a much shorter time now

Mine would easily do 105 mph gps, about 115 on the speedo, it would get to 90 swiftly and without fuss. Still miss that car, it was very drivable and had a bullet proof feel.

I did 550 miles in the Activa from Sunday to Monday and it cost me getting on for 100 quid, but i enjoyed every second