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Top-Tuning remap kit

Chip Tuning: What is it and what does it do?

Chip Tuning (also known as ‘Bench Tuning’) is a safe and easy way to adjust the data in a vehicle’s memory control unit (or Chip) to improve performance.

Cars today are equipped with an ECU (‘Engine Control Unit’) that monitors data from various sensors and ensures your engine is running at its optimal performance.

Elements such as the engine’s fuelling, ignition timing, boost, torque values, anti-lock braking system, the automatic transmission, speed governor (if equipped), and the Electronic Stability Control system are calibrated within the ECU code. How they’re calibrated depends on the quality of the fuel, the altitude and how your car, van, motorhome, truck or tractor is used.

What is a vehicle chip?

The computer chip in a vehicle holds a lookup table with data informing how the engine responds under various conditions.

This data is standardised and set by the car manufacturer so that the settings can work equally effectively in different climates, and with different driving restrictions and different types of fuel across the countries it exports to.

For example, if you drive fast, the computer will detect this and request data from the chip. The chip will refer to the lookup table and inform the computer how much petrol to send to the engine, how and when to shift your car into a lower gear (if an automatic), how to adjust the timing and how much turbo boost to provide (if equipped with a turbo charger).

Professional chipping by Top Tuning involves putting in a performance chip to modify the lookup table and improve fuel economy, emissions and other variables that may be limiting vehicle performance.

Qunatum chip tuning equipment used by top tuning
Top-Tuning Van

Chip Tuning: what is it and what does it do?

Chip Tuning (also known as ‘Bench Tuning’) is a safe and easy way to adjust the data in a vehicle’s memory control unit (or Chip) to improve performance.

Cars today are equipped with an ECU (‘Engine Control Unit’) that monitors data from various sensors and ensures your engine is running at its optimal performance.

Elements such as the engine’s fuelling, ignition timing, boost, torque values, anti-lock braking system, the automatic transmission, speed governor (if equipped), and the Electronic Stability Control system are calibrated within the ECU code. How they’re calibrated depends on the quality of the fuel, the altitude and how your car, van, motorhome, truck or tractor is used.

Why change the ECU by Chip Tuning?

Your car may only be running to 60-70% of its potential.

ECUs are far from simple and no two units are alike. Therefore, there is no ‘one size fits all’ of ECU programme (or map) for ensuring optimal performance of fuel efficiency with any new car; a manufacturer must consider all operating condition variables across all sales regions. This results in compromises to the ECU programme – and a less optimised vehicle.

If any engine, intake, or exhaust modifications are made, they can affect how the engine flows and may cause the air to fuel ratio to change. For example, adjusting the ignition timing advance can improve performance. However, manufacturers design cars for a specific timing; if timing is advanced, high-octane gasoline is required to avoid pre-ignition detonation or pinging.

Re-mapping the fuel tables ensures that any performance gains as a result of modifications aren’t lost.

Top -tuning work
remapping kit used by Top tuning

Professional Chip Tuning: what are the advantages?

Petrol and diesel engines can both be tuned, though Chip Tuning is usually most effective with turbocharged or supercharged engines.

This is because much higher gains in power are realised by raising the turbocharger or supercharger boost pressure, and combining this with the correct ignition timing and fuelling adjustments.

Non-turbo engines can only see a noticeable power boost if the manufacturer offers the same engine in a significantly detuned state by ECU software alone.

A poorly tuned engine control unit can result in decreased performance, driveability, and may even cause engine damage, which is why it is so important to use an expert. With a cost-effective Chip Tuning by Top Tuning, you can look forward to:

A more responsive engine, Fewer gear changes when driving in town, Smoother power delivery, Smoother power delivery, Better acceleration and safer overtaking

How can professional Chip Tuning save fuel?

Looking to save money every time you drive? Improve your fuel consumption by up to 20%.

At Top Tuning, our specialist mobile ECU Remapping/Programming service maximises power with noticeable results – especially if looking to save fuel.

We will improve low-end torque and widen power delivery to result in lower throttle openings at cruising speeds, with full loads or on a gradient. Your car or vehicle will be a more comfortable drive when in higher gears at slower speeds, with fewer gear changes needed.

With turbocharged diesel engines, the improvement in fuel consumption savings can reach up to 20%.

Car being chip tuned by top tuning

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