About Chiptuning
Introduction
The operation of the car engine is controlled by a computer (ECU) upon the information supplied by indicators in the engine compartment. All the information from the indicators reach the ECU and while setting a Chiptuning the commanding chip of the car computer is reprogrammed to achieve upgraded efficiency and optimal operation.
Parameters
In the case of petrol fuelled (suction) engines without charger a 10-12% increase of output can be reached.
The increase of the torque in these cases is between 10-15%. In case of charged (turbo or compressor) engines the increase of output can be between 20-30%, in the case of certain models it can be even 40%. The increase of torque is between 20-40%. It is remarkable that a higher torque is available at low engine revolution (rpm), allowing our car to accelerate more dynamically in the whole rpm range after the motor optimization. We can redifine the pleasure of driving in our own car without any mechanical transformation. If in the future eg. in case the car is sold and the new owner will prefere the factory settings, the original characteristics will be reset free of charge in all cases.
Differences
Modern time cars are mass produced, the component parts of the engines are manufactured with certain margin which result in differences between the engines assemled by these parts, there are no two identical ones among them. From performance point of view the difference between two engines of the same model can reach up to 5-10%. The manufaturers however always take the more economical solution and for this reason the result is that different engines of the same type get the same commanding program fitted. Deriving from many manufacturing margins each car has reserves disponible which we can use by the optimization of the motor.
Functioning
The command program is situated in the computer of the car (ECU: abbreviation of Electronic Control Unit) in a data storage unit. The chiptuning allows individual settings for each car, this way we can optimize the engine operation, which results in better efficiency more economical operation and in normal operational conditions a decrease of consumption. All the data of the senzors, detectors of the motor compartment reach the ECU upon which the evaluation and command is done, for e.g. how much fuel, pre-ignition, turbo chargeing, etc. is needed in a certain moment. The setting of these parameters of the engine is modified during chiptuning in harmony with each other, according of the type of the car and within the limits determined by the manufacturer. The setting of the different parameters is done depending from the RPM and the load.
The process of Chiptuning
The manufacturer s software is read, saved, than follows the setting of the parameters. In each case the very software of the manufacturer of the car is modified, no program of any similar but differently equipped car type is applied. During an individual application only parameters of the engine functioning are modified, all the further settings remain intact. The actual condition of the engine, kms done, driving style of our client, his/her requests are taken into consideration, for e.g. the upper limit of revolution is set as requested, the reaction of the accelerator pedal is adjusted to the foot, etc. A perfect setting requires the harmonious modification of all parameters belonging to the engine operation which allows an experienced expert to adjust the driving properties of the vehicle according to the requirements of the driver.
Results
The Chiptuning will not alter the operation of the functioning of the diagnostic instruments so those will communicate with the computer of our car the same way after optimization as well. No change of idle, no control laps lid and reading of error messages can be done without problem. Summing up, our car will be perfectly operational after optimization, the motor will be more elastic in functioning, it will accelerate better even in the lower revolution range, shifting can be made earlier so that no extra high revolution will be needed to gain the desired acceleration. No shiftback need in overtaking, or on rises, accelerator pedal reaction and performance/weight ratio of the car are improved and this way the consumption will be 5-15% less in normal operational conditions. Output will be more evenly distributed in all revolution ranges, the turbo-hole effect will be eliminated, or decreased (depending on models), the reserves of power of the engine will be utilised more efficiently. This is to result in more dynamic driving experience, which is also felt in case of smaller ccm cars, even with climatization turned on.
Safety
In case of automatic gearbox cars (e.g. the BMW X5 3.0D), it can be felt that while accelerating the engine only reacts with several tenths of seconds delay, which (converted into the distance made) will mean 2 meters per tenth of second at a speed of 72 kms/hour. In everyday transit there are situations when steering and fast accelerating offer the solution rather than braking. With Chiptuning this delay can be elaminated, the engine reacts instantly for the pedal and we can evade an accident (even a frontal collision) at a certain situation. Upon optimization our car disposes of greater reserve of output capacity wich gives us convenient feeling of safety in cases of overtaking or in critical situations.
