Bluefin/Superchips etc.

[arranj]

A nice question that I'm sure Martin and others will enjoy answering. How can companies like Superchips get such a massive performance increase with just software?

For example - they produce a mail-order product: http://www.mybluefin.co.uk - which, say for a Audi 1.8T will take it from 157 BHP to 204 BHP without opening the bonnet. How is this possible?! Yes - I know it's a re-map, but how is the difference so great? Why don't the manufacturers make it 200 BHP in the first place?

[Dan 6511]

Probably because having it 200bhp harms polar bears or school children.

[arranj]

School children - maybe. But Superchips claim to save petrol too!

[jerzybondov]

My understanding of this is that the engines aren't put out at what they're capable of achieving in the first place because of:

a) Longevity (and wear on other drivetrain components)
b) Driveability (torque curve etc, not creating peaky power delivery)
c) Creating niche for lower powered models (i.e. Mini One/Cooper have same engine, but One is detuned)
d) Economy

Maybe a few other reasons too?

[Admin-bloke]

Exended servicing, emissions control, designed to run on the crappest fuel etc.

[DeLorean Cars]

You won't achieve more than 5% or so (regardless of what's claimed) on anything modern unless it's turbocharged.

The large gains are made simply by upping the maximum boost pressure and/or (re)moving the orignal boost cut. Modern turbo engines have ECU controlled wastegates. Just increase boost pressure and make sure the map's there to meter fuel and ignition timing accordingly. Hopefully the turbocharger is cabale of shifting that sort of air.

You can't beat standalone aftermarket engine management though And considering a complete Adaptronic system costs £600 some of the "chip" options are a total con.

http://www.pumaracing.co.uk/chip.htm

[arranj]

OK - yep - that explains it. Thanks!

The claim of 47 extra BHP relates to an Audi Turbo engine, wheras the engine I am looking at for my runaround is Audi's 3.2 litre NA engine - superchips can only offer 15 BHP here (allegedly), which for £234 is not really worth it, given that it'll be fast enough anyway!

[tourettes tony]

or you can always buy a delorean TT

[jerzybondov]

You won't achieve more than 5% or so (regardless of what's claimed) on anything modern unless it's turbocharged.

Mostly, yes this is true, unless it's already been detuned... Super easy mod for (2001-2006) Mini Ones is to just change the ECU map to the Cooper one, up to 120bhp from 90bhp. Newer Mini Ones run a 1.4 though (as opposed to the Cooper's 1.6) so no more of this fun for the current model...

[bozzzydmc]

LOL... until now I thought the Mini One was 1000cc

So thats the only difference between the two engine wise Gez ... the remap?