Is it worth remapping a 70bhp 1.4PD TDI?

[NeilW]

Guys and gals,

The wife and I are changing and swapping cars at the moment. Looks like she'll be using the Qashqai as she needs the extra room etc. for the kids, and I'll be commuting in her Polo 1.4PD TDI 70bhp (which I assume is the same as in the Seat Ibiza).

I've driven the Polo before and it's quite good fun (small light car, fairly chuckable and relatively good fun to keep on the boil). However if I'm going to be using it every day I'd prefer a bit more poke. This is all relative bearing in mind I used to drive an LCR!!!

Question is, is it worth remapping? Most companies are circa £300 for approx. 25 more bhp and 40-50Nm more torque. Will this be "noticeable" or too subtle to bother with? I'm not expecting miracles as it's not a sports car by any means, just want to give it more get up and go.

Any thoughts / experiences would be most welcome.

Cheers.

PS - I know it's not a Seat, but it's a close relative. lol.

 

[T. Spark]

The sort answer is simply "yes"

But to back it up a bit more, I would deffo say get it done, it will make the car more drivable, which as you say your not expecting LCR power, but trust me it will have alot more get up and go once done!!

A friend of mine has the same engine in the Ibiza and has it remapped to approx 95-100bhp, however the extra torque comes into play, and with it being lighter than the 1.9 engine I honestly think if giving it all next to a PD130 standard, there wouldnt be too much to init!!

Honestly, a remap on any turbo diesel VAG engine is worth it, not only for fun but for driveabilty and taking out the flat spots on the standard map mate

Let us know how you get on, as im sure if you get it done you will enjoy it, and spice up that drive to work and back!

 

[sssstew]

yep agreed with T here. can even improve MPG.

 

[devonutopia]

Go for it. You have two things going for it.

1) The engine HAS A TURBO.
2) It's a light car so should be better than pd100 standard when mapped. Not sure about competing with standard pd130s as I don't think the weight difference will be huge - Could well outhandle a standard pd130 with some handling mods such as bigger wheels/wider tyres + good suspension. Having the lighter weight at the front will come into play.

 

[brad1]

indeed it is worth remapping, my leon 110 before map didnt seem to have any kick in it and just seemed like smooth power with no obvious turbo kick in, now ive had it mapped to approx 145bhp and 250-260ft lb torque it has such a boost when turbo kicks in, my car has surprised me cause a st170 focus struggled to gain on me and a octavia vrs couldnt lose me until rediculous speeds, worth every penny a remap

 

[NeilW]

Thanks guys; keep the advice coming...

I'd pretty much convinced myself to do it, just wanted some informed opinions to "make the final leap".

I've searched the various tuning forums and most of the info seems to be about the 1.8 20VT and 1.9TDI. Does anyone specialise in the smaller PD engines or are they all much of a muchness?

People tend to like REVO on the 20VT cause of the big bang, but prefer custom code etc. for the smoother map. Is it the same with the weeny 1.4PD or are they all punchy/smooth maps?

Like I said, I'm not expecting some sort of road rocket, just a Polo with a bit more zing!

Just been out in the "beast" today and it reminded me why I like small light low powered cars almost as much as heavy high powered ones. Plus that 3 cylinder diesel has got a cool "thrumb" noise when revving it.

 

[brad1]

where are you based mate, have a look at jabbasport
Standard BHP:75
Jabba BHP: 104 - 111
Standard Torque: 144
Jabba Torque: 180 - 185

hopefully figures like this may make your mind up, but most tuning companys should be around the same

 

[devonmikeyboy]

As your clutch diameter is only 216mm you might want to findout what the safe torque load is before remapping or you might end up needing a new uprated clutch as well.

 

[devonmikeyboy]

And don`t believe any of this "Our maps are clutch friendly etc " boll ox either as it is the car driver that kills the clutch not the map. All the mapper can do is put in some safety parameters to try and stop a driver burning the clutch out. If you cannot control the way you drive get a safe map that controls how you drive, if you can control the way you drive and know the limitations of the clutch/car get any map you want.