Newbie pondering remap

[Wyevalleyboy]

Hello

Narrowly avoided recently buying an MX-5 and ended up with a Z4 20i. First Z4 and what fantastic looking cars they are. Love it. But have been drawn into the whole remap thing as there seems plenty of potential to be had from the engine. However I’m concerned the full remap to 260ish bhp may have consequences for engine reliability plus insurance issues. My current insurer allows 20% increase bhp for about £10 premium increase. So does anyone care to express opinion as to wether increase from 181 bhp to about 217 bhp will be very noticeable, I guess will get a bump in torque as well. Will cost about £500. Any opinions great fully received.

 

[enuff_zed]

Well there's a whole lot of discussion to be had around how much you tell the insurance.
Boils down to your inherent honesty and the likelihood they will look for the remap I guess. Wouldn't want to advise either way.

However, i have the same model as yours, not yet mapped as spent the money on better tyres first, but soon will be.
I would suggest you look into Celtic Tuning a they are much cheaper and will come to your house to do the remap (obviously not including a rolling road check). Evolve are another recommended company for around the same price.

 

[Boltz]

Op....remap it !!!! It makes such a difference. Mine was done by Celtic last September and I have been really pleased with the results.

 

[warmasice]

Listen, don't think. Do it. Post back once you experience the difference!

 

[Wyevalleyboy]

Thanks warmasice. Nice car, I do like them in white. Guess I’m just wondering if only going part way with 20% increase in power will make much difference, as the usual remap is 40% to about 260 bhp. But I’m not happy to go to 260 due to insurance implications and concern about shagging the engine. It’s very tempting mind, 0 to 60 in about 5.5 seconds

 

[enuff_zed]

Smartbear and PBondar (and others I can't remember) are running theirs at 280bhp with no issues.
You'd have to ask them about their insurance arrangements though....................

 

[Anonymous]

Smartbear and PBondar (and others I can't remember) are running theirs at 280bhp with no issues.
You'd have to ask them about their insurance arrangements though....................

From an insurance viewpoint it’s irrelevant whether you add 1 bhp or 500 bhp...well at least 90 bhp..it’s an engine mod ..end off..

The issue of what level to re-map too in this engine is primarily thermodynamics...

Over about 300 bhp, some say 330bhp too much heat gets into the cylinder head and associated structuresif sustained for a long period of time eg 2 hour race..

Unlike a race car a street car only transiently reaches max output so sustained thermodynamic stress if remapped you say 280 bhp is well below that level..

There is no empirical evidence to suggest a 280bhp ish N20 engine has failed due to the re-map if done professionally...

 

[enuff_zed]

Smartbear and PBondar (and others I can't remember) are running theirs at 280bhp with no issues.
You'd have to ask them about their insurance arrangements though....................

From an insurance viewpoint it’s irrelevant whether you add 1 bhp or 500 bhp...well at least 90 bhp..it’s an engine mod ..end off..

The issue of what level to re-map too in this engine is primarily thermodynamics...

Over about 300 bhp, some say 330bhp too much heat gets into the cylinder head and associated structuresif sustained for a long period of time eg 2 hour race..

Unlike a race car a street car only transiently reaches max output so sustained thermodynamic stress if remapped you say 280 bhp is well below that level..

There is no empirical evidence to suggest a 280bhp ish N20 engine has failed due to the re-map if done professionally...

Which is why I'm going straight to 280. Otherwise I'll always be left wondering.

 

[Broads]

Had mine done at the same time as boltz. (well within a week if I recall), Really pleased with my 280bhp and no issues to report thus far.
I was honest and declared the remap, so had to move my insurance to Adrian Flux, not much difference in price.

Switching into sport mode really does make you go "oooooohh mmaaaaa god!".

 

[ph001]

I'd be extremely surprised if you had any reliability issues running it at 260bhp - as you can see, quite a few members on this forum run them higher than that with no problems whatsover. There is no practical way your insurance company could ever tell is it was 40% up on power compared to 20% so I really wouldn't concern yourself with that. It certainly transforms the car.

 

[Deepseaskateboard]

I was considering it, but before going ahead I may get the timing chain guides and belt replaced, as they are prone to failure on the N20, or so I keep reading. Surely the extra power will do it no good until they are done?

 

[Smartbear]

I was considering it, but before going ahead I may get the timing chain guides and belt replaced, as they are prone to failure on the N20, or so I keep reading. Surely the extra power will do it no good until they are done?

I doubt the map would effect the timing chain, after all it’s not revving any higher (probably lower, due to the extra torque at low rpm)
It’s more likely to be the start/stop function snatching at the chain which hastens its demise, more regular oil changes are only going to help as well.
Rob

 

[Deepseaskateboard]

I was considering it, but before going ahead I may get the timing chain guides and belt replaced, as they are prone to failure on the N20, or so I keep reading. Surely the extra power will do it no good until they are done?

I doubt the map would effect the timing chain, after all it’s not revving any higher (probably lower, due to the extra torque at low rpm)
It’s more likely to be the start/stop function snatching at the chain which hastens its demise, more regular oil changes are only going to help as well.
Rob

Yes, not a fan of start stop. I always turn it off.

 

[Smartbear]

I was considering it, but before going ahead I may get the timing chain guides and belt replaced, as they are prone to failure on the N20, or so I keep reading. Surely the extra power will do it no good until they are done?

I doubt the map would effect the timing chain, after all it’s not revving any higher (probably lower, due to the extra torque at low rpm)
It’s more likely to be the start/stop function snatching at the chain which hastens its demise, more regular oil changes are only going to help as well.
Rob

Yes, not a fan of start stop. I always turn it off.

Carly can code it to remember its last state, it’s not so annoying then :roll:
Rob

 

[Anonymous]

I was considering it, but before going ahead I may get the timing chain guides and belt replaced, as they are prone to failure on the N20, or so I keep reading. Surely the extra power will do it no good until they are done?

How many miles and what model year?

 

[Deepseaskateboard]

I was considering it, but before going ahead I may get the timing chain guides and belt replaced, as they are prone to failure on the N20, or so I keep reading. Surely the extra power will do it no good until they are done?

How many miles and what model year?

Nearly 56k, 2012.

 

[Anonymous]

I was considering it, but before going ahead I may get the timing chain guides and belt replaced, as they are prone to failure on the N20, or so I keep reading. Surely the extra power will do it no good until they are done?

How many miles and what model year?

Nearly 56k, 2012.

You’re in the angels might be singing area..

So you have the earlier cam chain and tensioner...

You’re at the mileage where commonly faults IF they appear start to...

But many others have gone on with no problem..

It’s a £1,200 -£1,500 exercise..

As Dirty Harry said “well punk, do you feel lucky?”

Depends I guess whether it’s a keeper..

 

[Deepseaskateboard]

How many miles and what model year?

Nearly 56k, 2012.

You’re in the angels might be singing area..

So you have the earlier cam chain and tensioner...

You’re at the mileage where commonly faults IF they appear start to...

But many others have gone on with no problem..

It’s a £1,200 -£1,500 exercise..

As Dirty Harry said “well punk, do you feel lucky?”

Depends I guess whether it’s a keeper..

Yeah, it’s a pretty decent chunk towards a new car.

I will see if any symptoms arise first. At the moment,
It’s running smooth

 

[Anonymous]

A marked screetching sound is the sign its failed, google youtube n20 camchains

The only issue by then is the swarf in the engine, hopefully the filters get it..