What a Stage 1 remap really changes
Manufacturers calibrate engines conservatively. They have to cover poor fuel, hot climates, cold climates, long service intervals and every market they sell into, and they leave headroom in the software to survive all of it.
A Stage 1 map is written for one vehicle, on UK fuel, with no hardware changes. It adjusts boost, fuelling and ignition timing within the tolerances the engine and drivetrain were built to handle. On a modern turbocharged engine that headroom is often significant, and it is the largest single gain available before you start spending money on parts.
The gain you actually feel is usually mid-range torque rather than peak power. That is the part of the rev range you drive in.
Stage 2 and beyond
Stage 2 assumes supporting hardware, typically improved intake and exhaust flow. There is no point writing a Stage 2 file for a vehicle that is otherwise standard, and we will say so rather than sell you one.
If you have already fitted parts, tell us what and we will write the map around them. If you are planning to, talk to us first, because the order you do things in changes what is worth paying for.
How we keep it safe
Every map is written for the specific engine, gearbox and state of tune in front of us, and kept inside the tolerances of the drivetrain. We read and save your original file before we touch anything, so the vehicle can always be put back exactly as it was.
The vehicle is road tested before you get the keys. If a car is not mechanically healthy to begin with, a remap will find that out for you in the least convenient way possible, so if diagnostics show something is wrong we deal with that first.
Performance Remapping questions, answered
What is a Stage 1 remap?
A remap written for a vehicle with no hardware changes, adjusting the standard software to release the headroom the manufacturer left in it. It is the largest gain available before you start changing parts.
How much power will I gain?
It depends entirely on the engine. A modern turbocharged diesel or petrol typically has far more headroom than a naturally aspirated engine. We will give you a realistic expectation for your specific vehicle before you commit, not an average.
Is remapping safe for the engine and gearbox?
When it is done properly, yes. We work well inside the tolerances of the engine and drivetrain. The risk comes from generic files loaded without regard for the individual vehicle, which is not how we work.
Will it affect my warranty?
It can. A manufacturer warranty may be affected if a fault is traced to the remap. If the vehicle is under warranty, leased, or on finance, tell us at the enquiry stage so we can give you a straight answer about whether it is worth doing.
Do I need to tell my insurer?
Yes. A remap is a modification and you should declare it. Not declaring it can invalidate a claim. Most insurers handle it without drama once told.
Can the map be removed?
Yes. We save your original file before making any changes, so the vehicle can be returned to standard.
Will a performance map ruin my fuel economy?
Not necessarily. Driven the same way, many vehicles use the same or slightly less fuel because the engine works less hard for the same result. Driven enthusiastically, it will use more, which is a driving decision rather than a mapping one.
How long does it take?
Most remaps take between one and three hours depending on the vehicle and how the ECU is accessed.
Do you need to remove the ECU?
On many vehicles no, the work is done through the diagnostic port. Some ECUs need to be read on the bench, and we will tell you in advance if yours is one of them.
Can you remap an automatic?
Yes, and on many automatics the gearbox software is worth looking at alongside the engine map so the two work together rather than against each other.
What if I have already been remapped by someone else?
Tell us. We can read what is currently on the vehicle. Depending on what we find, we may recommend returning it to standard first so we are building from a known starting point.
Do you come to me?
Yes, within roughly 25 miles of Rugby and Lutterworth. A workshop visit is available if you prefer.
Want a straight answer about your vehicle?
Tell us what it is and how you use it, and we will tell you honestly what is worth doing.
Call 07773 694570Performance Remapping across the Midlands
We are mobile, so we cover a wide area from the workshop in Lutterworth. These are the towns with a dedicated page, and we cover the villages around each of them too.
- Performance Remapping in Rugby
- Performance Remapping in Coventry
- Performance Remapping in Leicester
- Performance Remapping in Lutterworth
- Performance Remapping in Northampton
- Performance Remapping in Kettering
- Performance Remapping in Hinckley
- Performance Remapping in Nuneaton
- Performance Remapping in Leamington Spa
- Performance Remapping in Warwick
- Performance Remapping in Corby
- Performance Remapping in Loughborough