Another "What map" thread ;)

[Sweep]

I've rolled through 7 pages of the search function on here, as well as 3 pages on Google (desperate times when you hit page 2 on Google!) and nothing is jumping out at me. A lot of conflicting information with wildly mixed views and not many definitive answers, but I guess that sums the car scene up pretty well

Can my ECU be remapped, or would it require a "chip"? Chips seem a bit old hat these days, kind of thing you found on Cosworths and RS Turbo's back in the day! My car is an N reg 850 T5..

Who's the reputable tuners? What map are you guys running?

I've got a 2.5" cat-back ready to go on and I'm awaiting delivery of a big ass Green cone filter, so with the above mods I'd like to see some healthy gains with a map!

Any pointers appreciated.

Ben.

[Volvostorm]

If you have already been reading up, you will know the main answer, HLM/Rica are the most popular.

Depends on how much you want to spend.

I myself, have a MTE map, but I can't comment to much, as my car is still running in, so I can't really test it!

[theflyingbrick]

yep if your wanting a cheap but effective boost then a hlm map is the way to go mate 150 (plus postage) send youre ecu to them and they send it back job done

[Saaamon]

You say that chips are old hat these days but fact is these cars are 20years old not exactly the height of technology themselves. You can get your Ecu flashed with an mte map for £300 or for £150 you can have it chipped at hlm and have exactly the same thing.

[M-R-P]

It's worth the drive to HLM as you get a run or two on the rollers and for added entertainment, you can set Hamish off on a rant

[Sweep]

Am I right in thinking a chip essentially makes the ecu redundant for future mods? Or can it be re - chipped? That's why I prefer the remapping side of things as you can just re flash the ecu to accommodate the latest mods done.

[theflyingbrick]

same with these ecus mate the chip isnt being flashed

[T5frankie]

Am I right in thinking a chip essentially makes the ecu redundant for future mods? Or can it be re - chipped? That's why I prefer the remapping side of things as you can just re flash the ecu to accommodate the latest mods done.

you cant remap these cars unless you buy aq turbo tuner ecu or learn about doing it yourself with an ostrich lol

[JamesT5]

My personal feeling is that a rolling road remap is best as you can verify the performance figures before and after.

[M-R-P]

you cant remap these cars unless you buy aq turbo tuner ecu or learn about doing it yourself with an ostrich lol

I've got a thing about birds with long legs but...

[Sweep]

you cant remap these cars unless you buy aq turbo tuner ecu or learn about doing it yourself with an ostrich lol

My personal feeling is that a rolling road remap is best as you can verify the performance figures before and after.

These seem to be contradicting comments, or am I not understanding this properly?

[S70T5Chris]

These seem to be contradicting comments, or am I not understanding this properly?

Frankie means that you are very limited when it comes to getting a custom remap, referring to your comment about making changes to the map, as you change the spec of the car. MTE used to be able to custom map the 850's, however the man that can doesn't come over to the UK anymore.

Apart from a Turbo Tuner ECU or a stand alone, pretty much the only option for custom mapping is a couple of guys on T5D5.org They don't get on here very often though.

As for off the shelf maps; I am slightly biased granted. But your options are HLM or MTE realistically. Like what was mentioned an HLM map is pretty much half the price, but you certainly get what you pay for, and they certainly not the same, as mentioned above. The HLM map isn't much more than a glorified MBC, it's very aggressive with a big whack initially which makes it seems quick, but power tails off too quickly. The MTE map is much more sophisticated, much smoother and more progressive, with more top end pull. If it was my money I'd go or the MTE, unfortunately cash is king as they say, and most will go for the cheap option!

[S70T5Chris]

My personal feeling is that a rolling road remap is best as you can verify the performance figures before and after.

What do you mean by rolling road remap? A custom map on a dyno?

[S70T5Chris]

You say that chips are old hat these days but fact is these cars are 20years old not exactly the height of technology themselves. You can get your Ecu flashed with an mte map for £300 or for £150 you can have it chipped at hlm and have exactly the same thing.

FYI, they are not the same thing.

[T5frankie]

What do you mean by rolling road remap? A custom map on a dyno?

don't worry about him, he dunno what he's talking about lol

[S70T5Chris]

don't worry about him, he dunno what he's talking about lol

I know that. I just wondered if he did?! LOL!!

[Saaamon]

FYI, they are not the same thing.

I had an MTE on my R years ago and personally found it to be quite dull and boring, ok it made the power and produced a decent looking graph but to get the most it really needed revving and that opinion was shared by other well informed people who drove it and who were more to the RICA side which essentially what a HLM is.

[deathrider311271]

i personally wouldnt touch a hlm map for my own reasons. However if you can get hold of the t5d5 guys i would highly recommend them to do it as its done to your car and not generic crap

[WOODY T5]

Well I have only ad one map and it came t5 tez's car and boy I love it

[S70T5Chris]

I had an MTE on my R years ago and personally found it to be quite dull and boring, ok it made the power and produced a decent looking graph but to get the most it really needed revving and that opinion was shared by other well informed people who drove it and who were more to the RICA side which essentially what a HLM is.

So you've just contradicted yourself then! You said they we're the same thing?!!

The FACT is an off the shelf RICA/HLM map has just had the boost values hiked up, and little else.