what kind of ECU/Vehicle?

big difference between some vehicles

1024kb: Are there any geeks experienced in ECU remapping here?

Prefer to find a friendly GZer before I have to get overcharged by going retail.

Using a laptop I can program/update the EMC as well as code & configure misc. options such as Daytime Running Lights, auto headlights, main beam throw distance.... etc via the OBDII port.

This requires specific software and as mentioned it depends on the vehicle (in my case BMW). Find out which software VW dealers use.

I can't remap the EMC and tbh I wouldn't think it necessary.

OP is likely already aware, but for the benefit of others, note that "tuning/re-chipping the ECU of a turbocharged or supercharged engine" requires LVV certification.

See page 20 here:

https://www.lvvta.org.nz/documents/suplementary_information/LVVTA_LVV_Cert_Threshold.pdf

Scott3:

OP is likely already aware, but for the benefit of others, note that "tuning/re-chipping the ECU of a turbocharged or supercharged engine" requires LVV certification.

See page 20 here:

https://www.lvvta.org.nz/documents/suplementary_information/LVVTA_LVV_Cert_Threshold.pdf

 

Yeah, I think your last point is on the money. It's not something that is listed for checking at WOF time, and it would require a high level of technical skill (and equipment) for an officer to investigate on the roadside, so that is something that is not likely to happen.

NZ doesn't require regular emissions tests (like places in California), so no little chance of the altered emissions profile being flagged either.

As such it seems common that many people selling the ECU remapping service don't even mention that LVV certification is needed.

Same deal applies to tampering with emissions gear, Clearly banned under Land Transport Rule, Vehicle Exhaust Emissions 2007. However an things like EGR blanking, Cat delete, DPF delete etc are commonplace. A quick search on a major used car selling website, will see that people are openly advertising these illegal mods on the car's they are selling.

Note that modern diesel cars consume extra fuel to keep NOx emissions down. Getting rid of this is likely how the re-map services are able to get car's to consume less fuel (this is what the Dieselgate VW cars did, when they did not detect that they were on test). So a re-mapped car is likely to have way higher NOx emissions but lower CO2 emissions. Big power gains will likely come from cranking up boost pressure (and introducing boost from lower in the rev range). Effective, but does increase load on the turbo, engine and drive-train beyond what the car was designed for.

While many people have had good experiences with tunes, be aware that their is no free lunch. ultimately you are trading reduced fuel consumption and a better power / torque curve, for more NOx emissions, and decreased reliability.

Scott3:

 

OP is likely already aware, but for the benefit of others, note that "tuning/re-chipping the ECU of a turbocharged or supercharged engine" requires LVV certification.

 

See page 20 here:

 

https://www.lvvta.org.nz/documents/suplementary_information/LVVTA_LVV_Cert_Threshold.pdf

 

 

 

That's quite interesting. And odd that if your car is normally aspirated you can tune to your heart's content. Then again, when it comes down to it, it would be very difficult for anyone to prove, including insurance companies should anything happen if you had improved the fueling of your forced induction car.

This is relevant to me as my brother is waiting on a factory exhaust for a newish BMW he owns that includes a re-tune and quite a reasonable power increase. 

It'll be one of those areas where you can do it, but should there be any investigation after an accident the vehicle is involved in, and they find your ECU modified, kiss your insurance goodbye.

mudguard:

This is relevant to me as my brother is waiting on a factory exhaust for a newish BMW he owns that includes a re-tune and quite a reasonable power increase. 

xpd:

 

It'll be one of those areas where you can do it, but should there be any investigation after an accident the vehicle is involved in, and they find your ECU modified, kiss your insurance goodbye.

 

 

 

 

 

I think that's a long bow. a) Unlikely that the authorities would investigate an accident to that technical extent unless you just criminally killed somebody. And b) it would only void your insurance if it contributed to the accident in some way e.g. by making the car unroadworthy or unsafe. Similar to an accident with no WOF - insurance will likely cover as long as the accident wasn't caused by the car being below WOF standard or otherwise unroadworthy. For example, if you have no WOF and bald tires, and crashed on a wet day, then you won't be covered. If you have no WOF but your car was in good order other than the number plate light wasn't working you would likely be covered, all other things being equal.

Bung:

mudguard:

This is relevant to me as my brother is waiting on a factory exhaust for a newish BMW he owns that includes a re-tune and quite a reasonable power increase. 

Even if it is normally aspirated your hearts content is limited to 20% increase before cert needed.

I think a form of Darwinism self regulates some of these "upgrades". I was talking to our new neighbour on front boundary and mentioned guy over our back fence as being a bit of an engine tuner but things had been quiet for awhile. New neighbour "Oh yes I've meet him at Manfield, he needs a new engine. My son is looking for one for him." With luck it may take all summer.

Well I just learned something new. I had no idea Catalytic Converters are now legally required after 2010  ... :)

(btw typo in my last post: EMC = ECM)

1024kb:

Scott3:

 

OP is likely already aware, but for the benefit of others, note that "tuning/re-chipping the ECU of a turbocharged or supercharged engine" requires LVV certification.

 

 

 

See page 20 here:

 

 

 

https://www.lvvta.org.nz/documents/suplementary_information/LVVTA_LVV_Cert_Threshold.pdf

 

 

 

 

 

No, I wasn't aware of that requirement, in fact it's the first time I've heard of it. I know several owners of ECU-modified vehicles & none of them have ever mentioned this - including official factory upgrades from franchise dealers. Maybe it's one of those laws that's a little difficult to enforce?

yes it ones of those difficult to enforce rules. especially a tune rather than a chip which someone may see. 

usually it comes in when your border line for a cert due to other mods.

strangely enough mine required cert because of the old mechanical injection, due to it being "easy to increase power". if i had the original ecu controlled injection pump it would have been ok. but everyone has their version of the rules.

Almost 20 years ago I drove trucks in America.

One of the more famous engines amongst truck drivers then was the CAT (Caterpillar) 425HP 3406C, (C being the last of the mechanical engines (with revision D CAT went electronic). They were famous because rated HP could be increased just by turning up the fuel pump.  

I had a Western Star with one that had it done by the previous owner. I don't know exactly how much HP it output out but it wasn't 425HP, I'd say closer to 500HP easily. With 40 ton on it could climb most hills and drop only 1 or 2 gears. 

Funny thing - every time you floored the accelerator the smokestacks would just absolutely spew black smoke, the truck must have looked like a choo choo train going down the interstate.