2013 D4 163hp TDI Tuning box

[Shinjuku]

Does anyone have experience of the engine above (also in the D3 I understand) with a tuning box from TDI Tuning?

[projectmayhem]

wondered if you got one? I am considering it for my D3....

[seanc]

I'm also waiting for someone else to pull the trigger and give their thoughts

[Tony500]

I've had two from racechip before, one for the V70 and one for the XC90. Both were around £350 each with bluetooth control. I never seen any performance gain or mpg gain whatsoever. I ended up going for a remap for my V70.... That was the best option. Although they must work to some degree or they couldn't sell them? Many do praise them and many slate them..... Go to a proper tuner and see what options they have too

[projectmayhem]

thanks for the reply, dont know if I want to do a permanent change to the car so thats why am not keen on the remap. Also less keen on splashing 350 on a black box that does nothing....

Did you get in touch with Racechips to complain, surely they have some sort of guarantee.

Was your V70 an auto? Wondered if the tuning box would do anything with the gearing?

Cheers !

[Teilo1979]

I had a DTUK one on my previous V50 2.0d
It was fitted by a previous owner, (circa £350)
I ran several experiments on the settings and running it without it fitted at all.
I can confirm that there was a sweet spot (medium power setting) that gave notable performance and fuel economy gains.
IF I was to spend my own cash on one for my D4, I'd go for one from DTUK as I have previous experience with them.
If polestar was an option on the D4 I'd have that but with software updates being done with Volvo for a lot of issues/servicing I'd fear 'losing' a remap done by a third party.

[FollowingGhosts]

From a technical perspective, the big problem with tuning boxes is that you're essentially trying to 'fluff' what the computer is seeing, so that it dumps more fuel into the engine so it goes faster.

They usually do this by fluffing one or more sensor values to adjust how the engine behaves and by making assumptions as to how the cars computer will respond.

An actual remap changes the data, or map of how the car responds to various conditions, similarly by adjusting fueling, but the computer has a much better view of the overall state of the car, and you're not just fudging numbers to get extra performance out of it.

Realistically, if you're in a bad enough crash your insurer is investigating engine tuning, then they'll spot a tuning box quicker than they'll spot a remap, and you'd get quizzed as to why you were fumbling around the engine bay to remove bits. Either should be declared to insurance, Polestar is the most insurer and car-safe in that regard.

[Tannaton]

^^^^ What he said.

Most, but perhaps not all, tuning boxes are sh*t and can lead to blocked DPF's and engine lights etc. They invariably work by frigging the readings from sensors.

Remaps are always the better option - Polestar, MTE and RICA seem to get the best reviews on here.

[Sahodgson]

Rica (available in Leeds) do a remap that comes with a device that can turn it back to factory. They have quite a few tuning options.... worth a look (search Rica tuning Leeds).... about £360... might be doing my 2.4d there soon.

[DAN AT ADRIAN FLUX]

Hi.
If anyone needs any help with insurance for a re-map, chip or tuning box then please feel free to drop me a line.
Regards,
Dan.