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Remap comparison, Revo vs Custom Code (only IMHO)

garrymcgill

Guest
Yo.

So tail end of last week I got my Leon Cupra remapped with a stage 1 generic custom-code map. Alleged output is 305-310bhp altho I haven't proven this on the RR.

People often ask about which is the "best" remap so here are my thoughts. The comparison I'll draw is with the Revo stage 1 remap which I had on my Mk V Golf GTI.

Firstly, differences between the cars - the golf runs the KO3 turbo engine (same as in the FR) and was remapped from 200 to 255bhp. The Cupra obviously runs the KO4 and has been remapped from 240 to 305bhp. Aside from that, the golf had the DSG gear box. These differences may have more effect on the way the two cars felt, rather than the ECU map, but here's my thoughts anyway.

Comapring the maps, the first obvious difference is in throttle response. The Revo map in the golf was quite on/off in nature in that you had instant throttle response and quite severe, where in comparison the custom-code map on the Cupra seems a little more progressive. This means in normal low throttle driving the Revo mapped car seems the more powerful, however I'd say it was a little trickier to control. You had to be very concious about feathering the throttle all the time in the Revo mapped car to avoid wheelspin out of junctions etc.

In the Cupra, up to about 3k revs there doesn't seem that much difference with the custom-code map. The car drives very similarly to when it had the std map and even this morning on greasy roads from the little rain we had overnight the car was very driveable and you could make good quick progress without the ESP light flickering on the dash. Above 3k revs though there's bucket loads of power, the ESP light will flicker in 2nd and 3rd gear quite readily on wide open throttle. Turning off the ESP is the best solution as the car copes well enough without it engaged. Driveability of the car day to day is still excellent though. Whereas in the golf with the Revo map you could easily tell the car was remapped, in the Cupra with the c-c map you need to be trying to go at good pace in the first place before you notice just how quick the car is.

In genenral tho, the car now feels a lot more light and responsive, a lot gutsier when the throttle is opened on the motorway in 5th and 6th, and blindingly fast above 3k revs in 2nd thru 4th gears.

What hasn't happend though, is it isn't undriveable, it's not something my missus will probably notice (as she's only driven the car a couple of times from new anyway) and it hasn't improved my fuel economy, regardless of what some people have reported!!!

Maybe the best way to describe the difference between the two maps is that with the custom code map it feels as if it could have come this way from the factory, rather than having been subsequently modified for extra performance. Not saying one map is better than the other - it just depends on how you like your cars to feel.

So, so long as you are prepared to think a little more about balancing the car instead of standing on the throttle out of every junction with a lead foot, then it's to be recommended.
 

mds1256

Facelift Leon Cupra
Jan 7, 2007
1,012
1
thanks for your views, but pretty pointless isnt it, considering its 2 different cars that have 2 different characteristics any way as standard?
 

DanGB

Who need's a Diesel....
Feb 12, 2006
3,772
2
London
The on/off characteristic you mention in the Golf, may be attributed to the fact the k03 turbo is smaller so would spin up slightly faster, so the low down torque may be more noticable.
 

garrymcgill

Guest
Yes agree the smaller turbo could be a factor here, but then if it were you would expect a laggy response from the cupra's bigger turbo - and I wouldn't say this is a characteristic of the c-c map.

mds - don't think it's pointless as people are often asking the question and from my experience the cars' power delivery characteristics are actually very similar when std (with the biggest difference in the drving experience coming from the gearbox - certainly more so than the engine).

I'm definitely no expert but there really is a very marked difference between the two maps in terms of power delivery. However as I say one's not necessarily better than the other, just different.
 

RobsCupra

Active Member
Oct 21, 2008
336
1
Wrexham
It always good to have people opinion on the different cars and maps.

Hopefully in the next month or so I'll be going from Bluefin stage 3 map to a Custom Code "custom" map on my Cupra so I'll put a reveiw of that up too!
 
Dec 2, 2008
571
1
Nottingham
Always nice to hear different views and as someone who is considering a remap downstream handy to know.

I would however say that there probably is an elment of truth in some of the posts as not a like for like.

Having previously had an FR with the K03 (DSG) and now a Cupra with the K04 I can confirm in standard the K03 does whizz up much quicker and could be a factor into misleading comparisions albeit the same engine.

But thanks anyway, always nice to share views
 

Custom-Code HQ

Guest
Good write up,puts a smile on my face everytime when i know we have another happy customer.

What Agent did you use?

Always nice to see that although you have experienced 2 different vehicles with 2 different companies software you can differentiate between the way they both drive.

Look forward to seeing what you think about it when you have it dynoed

Leigh
 

Al

Active Member
Aug 29, 2005
7,331
9
A bit like comparing Stilton and Cheddar. As Dan said, the K03s will spin faster, but also runs out of puff sooner.

Also remember Revo code can be adjusted so that the boost is lower and therefore less likely to be on off. It can also be switched off for dealer visits and there are 2 further programmes available to take advantage of bolt ons like exhausts, intakes, intercoolers, fuel pumps etc.

PS - What you describe with the Custom Code on the Cupra is what others say about Revo on the same car with moderate settings like Boost 6, Timing 5 and Fuel 9.
 

garrymcgill

Guest
I used J. Gracie in Duntocher, near Glasgow. Great service.
 

warren_cox

Back from the dead
Hmmm, another interesting remap thread.

Funnily enough I went to Revo from MTM on my S3.

The MTM was £1k, and I had enormous expectations. :headhurt:

Thankfully Revo were there to help me get what i wanted from the 2.0TFSi, and I now have a car that can be adapted to modification stage levels + the all important security functions.

Nick at Revo worked really hard to get the kind of throttle response I wanted as I too hate that great big wollop of torque then nothing. I like a progressive and controllable map which delivers across the whole pedal movement. Despite all the issues with the 2.0T's fuelling they managed to produce a very good map with far more urgency than the MTM across the range, and it was only just over half the price.
 

garrymcgill

Guest
A bit like comparing Stilton and Cheddar. As Dan said, the K03s will spin faster, but also runs out of puff sooner.

Also remember Revo code can be adjusted so that the boost is lower and therefore less likely to be on off. It can also be switched off for dealer visits and there are 2 further programmes available to take advantage of bolt ons like exhausts, intakes, intercoolers, fuel pumps etc.

PS - What you describe with the Custom Code on the Cupra is what others say about Revo on the same car with moderate settings like Boost 6, Timing 5 and Fuel 9.

Okay - don't want to start a fight here as both remaps were good, just different!

So, not comparing revo to c-c, but comparing each remapped car to the same car in std tune I personally felt that...

1. The revo map on the golf gti altered throttle response and could often be quite jerky due to being very sensitive. This had it's benefits too however, as if pressing-on it was very responsive to input.

2. The c-c map hasn't had as marked an effect on the Cupra lower down the rev range and the power delivery remains more progressive.

Horace - agree that with custom tuning you can probably change things. I'm comparing basic generic pahse 1 remaps with no twiddly bits or selector switches on otherwise std cars only.

Only thoughts based upon my specific experience.
 

Al

Active Member
Aug 29, 2005
7,331
9
Horace - agree that with custom tuning you can probably change things. I'm comparing basic generic pahse 1 remaps with no twiddly bits or selector switches on otherwise std cars only.

Bear in mind that the Revo code installed is set by whoever installs it based on whatever mods are available, what fuel the car uses etc. The software is generic but tunable by the user if they have a Select Plus box.

When installed, the generic code can be set by the dealer who installs it. One dealer may set a car to Boost 8, Timing 6 and Fuel 9 which would see harsher boost and a spikey torque curve as you describe and timing set for V Power fuel. Another dealer may set the car car to Boost 6 which will see a flatter torque curve based on the customer desire to have it less "on/off".

Okay - don't want to start a fight here as both remaps were good, just different!

Nor me.

I am surprised no VW mags have ever taken the chance to use one car and have it tested with different mods on it, including things like exhausts, remaps, intakes etc for the TFSi engine to test everything back to back so to speak.

All that said and done, in my experience, having been in a CC Leon Cupra, a Revo Leon Cupra and a GIAC Leon Cupra, there is little to separate them in my opinion - all make the car go faster which is what it is bought for.

There are small differences between them, and these small differences are what people decide are better/worse from them than another.

I drove Owens GIAC tuned Cupra and Keiths GIAC tuned Edition 30 and both were also uber smooth, and its box can be connected live to jump the car from stock, to mapped, to "pump" mode in less of a second while on the move.
 
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garrymcgill

Guest
@R&C - not sure on that one. I wasn't concerned so didn't ask the question but I'm sure the c-c folk on their forum could answer.

I know that GIAC doesn't and I'm pretty sure that when my golf was done I was told that the Revo doesn't!
 
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