Are performance upgrades and modifications just window dressing that at best add a couple of HP? Or do you risk long term damage to the engine and future servicing problems?

 

Good question Delta, probably better if you start a topic / thread of its own though I would say as it could be hotly discussed.
This thread was only meant as an opener / welcome if you like.......

However, let me offer my opinion of performance upgrades, all on diesels as it happens.
Saab 93 1.9Tid Vecor Sport with 150bhp. I had the ECU remapped to 176 bhp ( approx 18% bhp increase - but the big difference was in the torque increase )
I had this done on the car from new and owned it for 3 years and approx 70k miles. During this time I had absolutely no problems whatsoever, just extra performance and an approx fuel economy of around 10-15%.
When the hammer was brought down she could really move - so much more responsive and yet when driven normally the mpg was 50mpg+

Ford Mondeo ST Tdci with 155bhp. This vehicle was around 4 years old when I bought her with resonable mileage. I immediately spent £400 ( Seditas of Ayr if you were ever interested Delta - fantastic job ! ) and had her remapped to a whopping 195bhp ( approx 26% increase and again so torquey )
I had so much fun with the Mondy - the speed / performance was unbeliveable for a 2.2 diesel.....0-60 was around 7 secs and I had her up to 150...a very quick machine. Fuel economy was amazing too... took her on a round trip from Glasgow to Derby and Back again, around 540miles with plenty of fuel to spare in the tank and at one point was showing 52.1mpg which I double checked manually and it worked out.

Never had any real / unusual problems to speak of with any of the 2 cars and have remapped another since also with great results. If you do enough mileage and drive reasonably sensibly most of the time the initial outlay is paid back over time.

Bear in mind that most of todays vehicles are derated for certain markets and indeed capable of more than stock figures when leaving the factory!

Anyhow, thats my 0.2c worth

 

Oh sure delete the derogatory stuff before i can come up with a witty retort...


Well, do you like apples?



























Cause; BAM!!
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How do you like them apples!

 

That is mightily impressive Jim. How does the modding affect insurance premiums and resale value?

 

ja ja ja ..... apples.. thats epic...

 

With all due respect.. only an absolute idiot would tell the insurance company they remapped the computer and added 26% power..insurance wont change and they would never know .. ever.. only way is if you tell them... secondly.. I would put the tune back to stock to resell and never say anything to anyone, or you can go on a gut instinct that someone will be more interested in a car with added performance and pay more.

 

In my experience with other vehicles, its always best to have a programmable ECU and a wideband O2 sensor so that no matter what you do, you can adjust the vehicles maps to accomedate and adapt.