[Paul330d]

As European members will be aware, turbo diesel engines are deliberately detuned by manufacturers for a host of reasons, including emissions regulations, insurance and mechanical reliability. Retuning them is relatively simple and very popular, because generally power goes up and fuel consumption drops (due to the extra 'free' torque available).

I had my previous e39 530d (193hp stock) custom remapped to 220hp, but this time, after much research & deliberation (thanks to all those on this forum who provided input), I decided to order the TuningBox solution.



This is basically an extra box that you plug into the engine management system. It's only a generic remap (i.e. not specific to my individual car) and less sophisticated than the custom remaps, but the advantages, IMO, are lower cost and the fact that I can remove it if I am not happy, or before taking the car into the dealer (thus avoiding any warranty 'issues'). I was also concerned that a custom remap may be wiped out by the dealer when they plugged in their diagnostics/upgrade computer...

Being a cautious bunny, I was also sold on the TuningBox's relatively modest power upgrade. They claim 276hp & 562Nm torque, which based on my personal experience & other manufacturer's claims, seems quite feasible and shouldn't pose any problem to the Steptronic gearbox, which has a breakage factor of 1.7 (i.e. it can handle 500 x 1.7 = 850Nm). Installation should be straightforward and I have already successfully tried a similar box on my VW Golf TDI.

I am expecting delivery early next week and will endeavour to take photos of the install and, of course, post a subjective report on how the car feels after the surgery.

Cost for those interested was €420, or approx. $530.

[shimshimhada]

God, diesel = torque monsters.

[MMira]

I'd be little bit affraid of this solution. As far as I know, these boxes only changes the input values for ECU in order to make it think the engine is under lower load. So it doesn't change maps, it only confuses ECU what can lead to engine damage.

I'm a big fan of chiptuning of diesel engines but I don't believe to this. Since the "normal" chiptuning is only about changing binary data in the EPROM, there is, IMHO, no way how a dealer could find you have had your maps changed. It would be possible only by a test drive, not by any electronical diagnostics. So why didn't you just get a little bit more conservative maps created precisely for the engine you have?

[Paul330d]

I agree with you summary, but overall I believe that the admittedly unsophisticated, but proven technology of an add-on box is right for my needs. The company offers a 10-day money-back guarantee if I'm not satisfied, so it's a low-risk operation, IMO.

[MMira]

ok, your choice. but I recommend you to pay big attention to your exhaust during hard acceleration. any visible black smoke is a sign that more fuel than can be burned is injected into the cylinders. this can lead to burning-out of pistons.

good luck.

[Paul330d]

Thanks for the advice. My car has a particle filter, so I definitely don't want any smoke under acceleration: if there is any, I will send the box back. I thought I would explore this solution first before going for the more expensive custom remap.

[MMira]

I see, the PF can be a problem because it should catch all the soot. I've forgotten of it. therefore you might not see any smoke but a problem can still be there. does 330d have some indicator of the PF status?

my experiences with that engine are such that it pulls very linearly and smoothly. if there is any big change in this behaviour I'd be very cautious.

and one more thing. after any chiptunnig you should really look after your turbo and oil. but since you have already had a chipped car you know that.

[2GPP]

I will be interested to hear your experiences with the tuning box.
Something I picked up on the E60 forum was a 530D owner did the same and as you indicated removed the tuning box prior to going to the dealer. However their diagnostic equipment picked up from the cars ECU that a tuning box/external device had been conneced to it.

[Paul330d]

Originally Posted by 2GPP

I will be interested to hear your experiences with the tuning box.
Something I picked up on the E60 forum was a 530D owner did the same and as you indicated removed the tuning box prior to going to the dealer. However their diagnostic equipment picked up from the cars ECU that a tuning box/external device had been conneced to it.

Aww, crap!

[2GPP]

Any update on this? Did you get the box?
Any big improvment in performance?

[zoltan_tms]

MMira you are asolutely right,I installed on one of my friends opel 1.7 diesel this kind of box, he used it for 1 day,after that he removed it, and no problem for one month than he observed black smoke comming out from the exhaust system.He went to the dealer,and they said that it appears that an external tuning device was used on his engine,they had to change the entire software of the engine so the problem was solved.

So Paul330d I do not recommend you this kind of devices,if you want do a chiptuning,i heard nothing wrong about that,or better leave it how it is,it's a great car,i also own one,so good luck!

[DeMobBoss]

Any updates here? How did you fair in the end Paul? Hope all is well.
I heard/read on here somewhere of a company called "evolve" in the UK that do a pretty epic ECU reflash tune well within the gearbox power handling.
Can anyone vouch for this? Also would anyone know how I could get this tune down under in Oz?
Cheers!