30i Remap V Throttle Pedal Tuning Box

[Silverstar]

I am considering remapping my 30i or installing a Racechip XLR pedal tuning box or maybe both. We all know that remapping the naturally aspirated N52 isn't going to do much for increasing power but it is apparent from the experiences of those on the forum who have had it done to their 30i, that it does make the car more responsive and better to drive.

Anything that makes the car more responsive and better could be worth doing (costs considered). I note from many who have remapped their ECU say it becomes smooth and reduces throttle lag so my question is would you get the same affect with the Racechip XLR or similar to having the ECU remapped? The XLR effectively reduces throttle lag and makes the car more responsive. So the question is what more does the ECU remap do for the 30i over and above what the pedal tuning box provides?

 

[Smartbear]

I am considering remapping my 30i or installing a Racechip XLR pedal tuning box or maybe both. We all know that remapping the naturally aspirated N52 isn't going to do much for increasing power but it is apparent from the experiences of those on the forum who have had it done to their 30i, that it does make the car more responsive and better to drive.

Anything that makes the car more responsive and better could be worth doing (costs considered). I note from many who have remapped their ECU say it becomes smooth and reduces throttle lag so my question is would you get the same affect with the Racechip XLR or similar to having the ECU remapped? The XLR effectively reduces throttle lag and makes the car more responsive. So the question is what more does the ECU remap do for the 30i over and above what the pedal tuning box provides?

I couldn’t say with 100% certainty but I’d imagine a decent remap would optimise ignition timing, vanos & valvetronic operation.
A pedal box does non of those things & gives zero extra power, in effect the impression it gives of increased power is all “smoke & mirrors”
A remap won’t give you much more than standard, but it will give you a quantifiable increase. The pedal box won’t.
Rob

 

[mcbutler]

Get a remap from a reputable source with a dyno.
People are right about the driveability of the non turbo engines post remap.
I had my 23i done by celtic, I think it added about 7ish BHP but the torque curve was completely altered and if your torque is in just the right place along your BHP curve you will feel the difference.

 

[Silverstar]

Smartbear / mcbutler, I know the pedal tuning box won't give any extra power, it is there just to improve the response from the throttle pedal making it sharper and more responsive.

Possibly you might get a few more horses from a remap but the questions remains because the increase in horsepower from a remap is so small on this engine and a remap's aim on this engine is only to improve the car's drivability / responsiveness would both methods achieve the same end result? or would the remap be better because as mcbutler pointed out it could smooth out the torque curve as well as eliminating the throttle lag?

I am leaning more on the side of looking out for a second hand sensibly priced pedal tuning box and then having a remap maybe from the Celtic agent here and if it doesn't make much difference over the pedal box I can ask them to revert back to stock and it won't cost me anything.

Not many options for chip tuning here, there is the Celtic agent but he doesn't have a rolling road and one other in Malaga who does have a rolling road but I am sure they just apply generic maps rather than using the rolling road to do a custom map and he doesn't offer a money back warranty.

 

[MACK]

The pedal box seems to be similar to a sprint booster with both effectively being a kin to the sport button in they alter throttle response making the car feel more lively. Nothing wrong with that and I do have a sprint booster on my E85 which i use occasionally depending what mood I'm in (or traffic conditions). I'm not well up on a pedal box but a sprint booster costs circa £200 these days, I think I only paid £70 for mine, but it was back in 2008. £200 is quite a bit for what it actually does, especially with a decent proper remap costing £300+. Honestly I'd just spend the extra to get the optimized throttle, ignition , fueling settings etc. The thing to remember with most n/a remaps is that although the headline figures don't increase much you do usually get a slight, noticeable and consistent increase across all of the rev range. On some engines in the mid range the increases can be quite pronounced without it increasing the actual max bhp/torque figure too much. Don't get me wrong you'll never get turbo level increases, but if your going to start throwing £xxx to make it feel a bit more responsive, you might as well go the whole hog.

 

[Silverstar]

The pedal box seems to be similar to a sprint booster with both effectively being a kin to the sport button in they alter throttle response making the car feel more lively. Nothing wrong with that and I do have a sprint booster on my E85 which i use occasionally depending what mood I'm in (or traffic conditions). I'm not well up on a pedal box but a sprint booster costs circa £200 these days, I think I only paid £70 for mine, but it was back in 2008. £200 is quite a bit for what it actually does, especially with a decent proper remap costing £300+. Honestly I'd just spend the extra to get the optimized throttle, ignition , fueling settings etc. The thing to remember with most n/a remaps is that although the headline figures don't increase much you do usually get a slight, noticeable and consistent increase across all of the rev range. On some engines in the mid range the increases can be quite pronounced without it increasing the actual max bhp/torque figure too much. Don't get me wrong you'll never get turbo level increases, but if your going to start throwing £xxx to make it feel a bit more responsive, you might as well go the whole hog.

Mack, you are quite right the Sprint Booster and the Racechip XLR both do the same thing i.e. optimise throttle response. They are both around 200 quid which I agree is way too much for what it does.

Probably I will get the ECU remapped, the Celtic agent here has quoted me 250€ although he does not have a rolling road and it's just a generic map. I will also add the throttle pedal box but only if I can find one second hand for around 70 to 80 quid which is where I see it's value at.