jh-auto

Dispelling some common myths about remapping vehicles.

Sun, 22 May 2022 17:36:12 GMT

Custom or Generic?

If you’ve been searching around for a remap you would have heard the terms "generic file" and "custom remap". But what is a generic remap? There is actually no such thing; all maps are customised to the car they are intended for and then tested on a dyno.

Some companies will tell you they are doing you "a custom map on the dyno". In reality you are paying extra just for a dyno printout showing before and after figures using the same flash files you get from us and other reputable remappers. This is due to most modern ECUs which can’t be adjusted whilst the vehicle is running. The term ‘full custom map’ is based around standalone aftermarket ECUs which can only be adjusted live.

Is it Dyno Tested?

Another myth is that you can't remap a car without a dyno, this is not true. Most remaps and tuners experience is created on a dyno to start with. These skills and tuning methods are then rigorously tested on a dyno and on the road, after which, all being well, the remap files are then passed on to be sold to the public.

Dynos

Dynos, or to give their full name, dynomometers are a tool which were created to enable road testing in a safe stand-still environment; they were not originally intended for power read-outs. Their main use is to replicate driving a vehicle on the road for tuning and mapping.

It’s true, they do give you a power printout, but what’s on there is changeable as it’s not an exact science; there are too many variables that can change the power figure such as outside air temperature, time of day/year, height above sea level and overall location as well as the dyno make and model.

A dyno running the same car in summer and winter will have a different power figure due to outside air temp and density of the air. This is demonstrated on the program ‘Pikes Peak Challenge’ in the U.S. The vehicles go through such dramatic air density changes, they have different maps for each time they climb higher on the circuit, this is due to the air density changing which affects the air/fuel mixture. In fact, they actually change horsepower, the higher they go. Ever noticed your car goes a little better on a cold winter morning and not so well on a hot summer’s day?

If you were to have your car dyno tested after we installed one of our maps, don’t be surprised when the read out is exactly the same as what we quoted in the first place!

We have a 2WD dyno at our partners site in Rotherham which we can run tests on for anyone that is interested and has money to spare!

Hopefully these few priceless nuggets of information will make your decision easier when making the choice on getting your pride and joy remapped, dispelling some of the myths you read online.

Stage 1, Stage 2 or Stage 3, what does this all mean?

Sat, 21 May 2022 07:39:15 GMT

When we talk about remapping and tuning of vehicles, there are a range of options available. With all the talk of standard and modified vehicles; remaps are typically broken down into different stages, which were created predominantly via the tuning community and businesses. This allows us to provide a 'rough' idea of the various differences and tuning levels for modifications that are required for more power. We explain these remap stages below:

Stage 1:

This refers to the early stages of vehicle modification whether for economy or performance.

A Stage 1 remap could be a simple economy map aiming for more MPG, or more commonly, drivers want it to enhance their car’s performance. This calibration is designed to lift the performance within the manufacturer’s parameters giving more power without major mechanical alterations.

It consists of:

Stock vehicle no modifications required.
Tuning Software Stage 1.

Stage 2:

This calibration requires a small number of modifications. The supporting modifications allow the engine to be more freely flowing, providing slightly more power and are typically bolt on performance parts that are used. This will raise the power nearer to the manufacturer power limits and is still typicall safe to be used on healthy vehicles.

It consists of:

Tuning Software Stage 2,
Induction kit / air intake.
Intercooler upgrade (not necessary but provides larger mid-range gains).
Exhaust system downpipe upgrade (full decat / DPF removal required).

Stage 3:

This is where the fun really starts!

This is much more than just a basic tune; a lot of extra time and customisation of the remap needs to be taken i.e. time on a dyno or road logging before carrying out further work, for instance, an initial run or two to see the existing power and health of the vehicle.

Following this a custom package is required to cater for the customer’s needs, for example the car will typically have existing modifications from Stage 2. At this point, it is mainly down to the customer’s needs and how deep their pockets are to the power levels that can be achieved!

Initially:

Intake kit.
Full exhaust system.
Intercooler and hard pipes with silicone couplers.

Following a consultation, the further hardware can be discussed for more power.

Turbos and supercharger upgrades.
Injectors and fuels pumps with upgraded regulators.
Camshafts and pulley upgrades.
Exhaust manifolds with or without external waste gates.

Additional kit might be

Oil coolers and catch cans.
Water meth injection and/or nitrous.

After this, depending on the engine stock hardware it would be advisable to completly forge the engine for further utilisation of the hardware fitted, in order to release the most power and reliability.

This might include.

Pistons and con rods.
Crankshaft and bearings.
Oil pumps and headwork.

In conclusion, after Stage 2 everything becomes a lot more personalised depending on what is required from the car and how much money you are willing to spend. Much of this work will require development and customisation on all of the components fitted, thus the developments can be a long process in order to fine tune for the safest reliable power!

How to Find Replacement When I Lost My Car Keys?

Sat, 14 May 2022 07:39:15 GMT

Losing car keys leads to great frustration and worry particularly when you are in a hurry. In case you have lost the keys and are locked outside the car, you should explore ‘ how to find replacement when I lost my car keys? ‘. Here are different ideas to do so which we are discussing below.

However, there are different ways to have a copy of your car keys instantly. Depending on the area you are residing in, you may have to choose a different service. Also, all the methods don’t work for all vehicle owners, so one may have to go for a different way to restore the keys of his vehicle.

1- Get a Copy From the Dealer

Most reliable dealerships help their customers in case of stolen or lost keys . So, you can also rush to your relevant car dealer to have a key-cutting service. By asking about the car manufacturing year and some other essential details like registration, brand, and VIN, the dealer can manage a replacement for your car keys. Mostly, they will also see a locksmith to have a copy. So, they will charge an extra fee along with the fee of the locksmith. This is why heading towards a dealer for replacing your car keys may prove expensive.

2- Get a Car Key Cutting Service

Different reliable car key cutters will be there who offer their services to the persons who are worried due to their stolen or lost keys. Instead of heading towards the dealer for key cutting, you can directly visit the franchise of the key cutter to have a copy of your vehicle’s keys. After gathering some information, as mentioned above, the key cutter will make a perfect duplicate of the original key. This will be far more affordable as compared to the above-mentioned method.

Seeking the help of a professional locksmith or key cutter is the best option due to certain reasons. Here are some reasons that put a key cutter above all other options.

Highly professional team of workers
Equipped with all the essential tools
Perfect and material sturdy key material
The cheapest way to get a copy
Fastest services
Availability for 24 hours, in most the cases

Besides offering a key cutting service, a professional locksmith can also perform other services like:

Programming remote keys or fob
Unlocking the locked cars
Restoring the damaged car locks
Restoration of the worn-out keys

3- Contact your Car Insurance Office

Just like the dealership, this option for having a copy of your car key is also expensive. However, in the hours of need, you can call the insurance office as they can help you on this issue when having key cover. Depending on your car’s brand, the terms and conditions for the new key may differ in the case of insurance providers. So, this is another way to Find Replacement When I Lost My Car Keys.

4- See the Car Breakdown Repair Services

Some breakdown repair service providers also have professionals who may help in key cutting. However, this may also be slow as key cutting is not their basic duty. But when there is no other option, this method may work. So, you can have a copy of your car key from a local breakdown repair service provider in the hours of need.

Conclusion

Lost car keys may cause great frustration, but this frustration can be managed by taking the key cutting services timely. There may be a variety of options, as mentioned above, around you to have a duplicate car key. However, getting the service of a professional key cutter is the best option out of all. But if you can’t find a locksmith in the area, the other methods are also great to choose. I hope this article helped you to learn how to Find Replacement When I Lost My Car Keys.

What remapping can do for Performance or Economy.

Fri, 04 Mar 2022 08:39:14 GMT

We are a leading provider of remapping services in the UK. We’ve supplied thousands of remaps, and we have the experience to know when it is worth remapping your vehicle. This means that we know ECU remapping can have many benefits: then again, it probably shouldn’t surprise you that a remapping company is telling you that. The question is, is remapping worth it for you?

Unlike some of our competitors, we believe that it is vital that our customers are able to make an informed decision. That’s why we’ve put together this blog so you can work out if getting a remap is worth it for you.

Checklist

How many miles has your car done?
If your car has done over 120,000 miles, then there’s a risk that a remap won’t be worth it. While you will see power gains, both in terms of torque and horsepower, by this stage in its life cycle, the vehicle will already have lost some of its initial power. This means that the power gains from your remap may not reach the full potential for a comparative healthy vehicle.
When was your car made?
Not every car has an OBD port to plug into; this can make remapping the ECU very difficult. While all modern vehicles will have one, the same is not true for vehicles made before 2000.
Is your vehicle still within manufacturer warranty?
If you remap your vehicle and it is still within the manufacturer warranty, a remap may not be for you. In the event of any electronics fault, the first step taken by the producer of the vehicle will be to interrogate the ECU meaning they will be able to detect your remap. This means that the vehicle warranty will be voided.
To your knowledge, has your vehicle ever had a remap or any other tuning conducted upon it in the past?
If your vehicle has had a previous remap or other modifications made to it we need to know. This is because we do not know what the previous remap or modifications may have done, so the risk of something going wrong is increased.

Pros

Dead spots in acceleration reduced

The biggest advantage of a remap is that it smooths out dead areas in your vehicle’s power curve. This ensures you will have an immediate response when you put your foot down. This will make driving more enjoyable and much safer, so if you’ve had experience of dead spots in your acceleration curve, we can’t recommend a remap strongly enough!

Increased power

Getting a remap will increase the horsepower available to your engine, all while staying within safety margins. Vehicle manufacturers purposefully de-tune engines for marketing reasons, allowing them to create a range of differently powered models of the same vehicle. Our remap will simply allow the vehicle to access the power that the manufacturer has locked away and unleash the full potential of the engine.

Better torque

Not only will the horsepower of your vehicle increase, but so will the torque. This is where you’ll feel the true improvement. By increasing torque, the frequency of gear changes will be decreased, and the car will have improved acceleration. Combined with the removal of dead spots and the increased BHP values, it’ll feel like a far smoother and more enjoyable driving experience.

Increased fuel efficiency

A remap will potentially lead to an increase in fuel efficiency, assuming you do not change your overall driving style. This is because, due to the decrease in necessary gear changes, the vehicle will be able to maintain more efficient transfers of energy from combustion of fuel.

Cons

Can increase strain on your vehicle

Especially in older vehicles, the increase in power and torque can create problems in the drive train. This is because the improved values will be placing increased stress on the vehicle, and can increase the speed at which parts are worn down.

Some manufacturers are already highly tuning their cars

Some cars are already highly tuned, for instance Hondas. Because of this, a remap may only increase the power available to your car by a very small amount, potentially meaning a remap wouldn’t be worthwhile for that vehicle.

In some cars, it can be risky

Not every car can be remapped through the OBD port. This means that the ECU, the brain of your car, will have to be removed and physically modified. This can be done safely in a sterile environment, but when you’re out on the road like our team, it’s a little more risky.

Manufacturers are able to tell if the vehicle is tuned

In some cases when taking your vehicle to the main dealer their diagnostic equipment flags modification of the vehicle software. In the event of a warranty claim they also interrogate the ECU data for tuning - in order to avoid paying for the claim. We always advise that if under warranty then remove the risk by waiting for it to expire.

We hope that this checklist and guide have given you the answers you need to decide if a remap is worth it for you. If you have any questions or want to know more, please don’t hesitate to contact our team we’re always happy to help!