The Options For Tuning a Diesel Engine

There comes a time with many vehicles that you feel the need to improve the performance of the engine. This may be a requirement for further performance, or just a wish to achieve better fuel economy and mileage from your car or van.

The art of diesel performance tuning is quite different from tuning a petrol car, mainly because of the requirement of the diesel fuel injection system, and the lack of an ignition system.

One of the easiest and most effective tricks is simply to change the program which determines how much fuel to inject, and when. By injecting exactly the right amount of fuel into the combustion chamber at the right time in the cycle, the engine can produce a cleaner and more efficient burn, and end up running smoother, faster, and with better economy. That assumes of course that the manufacturer did not optimise the engine as well as they may have done when the car came off the original production line.

It seems that few engines are that perfectly optimised in original form, so the owner is left with a choice of which system to use to achieve the desired result. There are two options here – either to get the original “chip” in the car (the one that contains the “map”, or the programme which works out how much fuel to inject and when). This process is known as re-chipping or sometimes re-flashing.

The other option is to buy an extra box, sometimes known as a “piggy back box”, that effects the way the main chip controls the engine, without having to actually alter the fuel map in the original chip.

Of course opinions are divided as to which is the best type of system.
Re-flashing the original chip means you do not have to add in any additional parts, or make any additional wiring connections to the engine. The prospect of re-soldering the wiring loom of a car for example would be enough to put off all but the most dedicated enthusiast. Professional race teams usually have a variety of chips or programmes available for their engines, or out of car systems which can easily re-programme or optimise the fuel map between practice sessions. However for most of us that kind of equipment is completely out of reach, and of course once an engine chip has been remapped, you cannot easily go back to the original system if you don’t like it!
A “Piggy back box” or “diesel tuning box” (widely available for most popular CDTi or TDi diesel models) provides a similar answer in a different way. The better ones are very easy to fit, and require no reprogramming or fancy electronics from the user. With proper connections they can be clipped into the loom in a few minutes, providing simple basic instructions have been provided. The smarter systems also “learn” over time, so not only do they apply a better optimised map to the car’s performance when first fitted, but they also improve that map to accommodate the idiosyncrasies of the individual engine. And of course being a plug in unit it’s also very easy to take the thing out again, if you sell the car, want to try something else, or just think it doesn’t work.

Traditionally either type of tuning system has been accompanied by concerns as to the reliability of the engine. After all, if an engine was designed to produce 100 Ps power, how would it respond to putting out 30% more power? It must be said that most production engines are highly under-tuned, making them good for significant increases without damage. However the answer seems to rest on the system you choose. It is a well designed system that gives the engine just the right amount of fuel at all times, you should experience better performance and economy with no loss in reliability. If the tuning system were to deliver the wrong amount at the wrong time, then it is possible that engine damage could occur. The better systems including the German DTE Systems brand offer engine warranties as well, allowing these kinds of concerns to be overcome.

So as with most things it comes down to quality, but with the correct selection there are significant improvements to be made, and for very little real effort or cost. A final word is that you should check your insurance policy too, as some are not in favour of after-market parts being added, so make sure first before you make an irreversible change and increase the performance of your diesel engine.

Related Videos
Play Video All About Diesels	Play Video How a Gas or Diesel Dozer Engine Works	Play Video How to Start and Drive a Ford Diesel Truck	Play Video How to Convert a VW Diesel to a Caravan	Play Video Smart Car ~vs~ Go-Kart - Garage419

Listed below are more articles related to the above article from the "Cars" article category.

People interested in the above article "The Options For Tuning a Diesel Engine" are also interested in the related articles listed below:

 

Craze For The Most Up To Date Cars

Young people are likely to have vogue for the newest car obtainable in the automobile market. The youth of today take pride in owning the latest cars simply for enthusiasm and excitement. It even helps them gather attention of the people when driving on road. The benefits of owning a car are numerous. To travel to the office or any other location one does not have to use the civic haulage. The need for transportation is very high in our various states of India. In. It even assists to enhance the social status of car possessor.

Hybrid Car or Hydrogen Car in the Future

Think about the near future. You lean down, stick your head beneath your tailpipe and take a good long sip. You might do that with a hydrogen car. These cars are not at all available on the market up till now. But as people group to buy hybrid cars, they may think if simply possibly a better car is coming out. The ideas of that improved car is the hydrogen car. And some people think hybrid cars just can't compare. Below, you will discover out just a few things about hydrogen cars.

BMW 3 Series Body Kits: Even More Luxurious Style

Whenever luxury cars are talked of the name BMW is sure to figure. World wide they are recognized as the last word in luxury. To have a reputation of a luxury car and to be simultaneously a top-seller in the market is not an ordinary achievement. BMW 3 Series has accomplished this and is a favorite in the market. It is not for nothing that it is such a coveted car in its category, it has all that is required in such a car. Its engineering is top-class, its finish is comparable to the best in the world, and it has ample power.

After Market Components Explained

For a passive buyer, these items are but ordinary terms utilized in the automotive market but for someone meticulous and who wants the ideal for his auto, these items matter considerably. Deciding which among these to purchase is just like deciding what car to purchase.

Are You Buying Sports Seat For Your Car?

Purchasing sports seats for the car is considered as one of the techniques of sprucing up and upgrading your vehicle. In reality, it's one in the not so used methods to customize a vehicle. You see, for most folks, the common methods of upgrading a vehicle would be to change wheels, wheel covers, car seat covers, carpets, bumpers, and grilles.

3 Advantages Of HYBRID CARS Over Traditional Cars

Due to the rising expense of fuel and the environmental damage it causes to our planet, quite a few motor vehicle owners or buyers are trying to find an alternative way to save money. Let's face it, fuel supply is finite and the prices of gas is only going to rise higher and higher. That may be where a hybrid car has its advantages.

HID Car Lights Demystified

HID lights are a pretty new technology, particularly in the US marketplace. They use a much more efficient light lightbulb than traditional lights. In this article I will talk about a short chronicle of these vehicle lights and a few other interesting facts and misconceptions about them. I may also take a look at a few of the advantages of utilising HID automotive lights.