Plug in Power Modules

[Wilbury]

Hi All,
There are a host of these electronic add ons that modify the original on board engine management computer.
Has any one ever used one or been tempted to use one.
They are not cheap so would have to be pretty effective to justify their existance.
Rgds
Edit-
Sorry I have no ides how this post came to be in this section I was trying to place it in the Technical section.
If some one can move it please do so.

 

[raccoon]

Hi Wilbury, are you talking about things like "Chipping" and "Plugin" modules that alter the original running of the car. If thats what you are asking I use a "Bluespark boost control. Its just a plug in module and you can adjust it to help on economy or lower end torque. You can get them from http://www.bluesparkautomotive.com/ for the price shown or they are cheaper if you call into the workshop. The best about this is you can unplug it when you sell the car then get it remapped for the next car. You dont have to sell it on like you would do if it was a remap.
Hope this is a helps

 

[Wilbury]

Hi R,
Yes, That is indeed the type of thing I had in mind.
Do you know of others who are using anything similar?

 

[brianjw47]

Hi Wilburt,

I looked at one theses modules for my Vectra. However, you could be in breach of your car insurance if you fit one as it can be argued that the vehicle has been "modified".

Sir Brian of Stevenage.

 

[Wilbury]

Hi B,
Good point.
My insurers charge me about £20 extra per mod. so it is not too big a penalty for any one who goes along this route.
The torque improvements claimed by a couple of the more believable companies are definitly worth while for towers.

 

[brianjw47]

At £20, that could be very worthwhile.
If you do go for it would appreciate you views on improved performance and mpg.

Sir Brian of Stevenage

 

[Wilbury]

Hi B,
I have no intention of getting anything like this. I simply wondered if because there is a need for good torque someone had fitted one or knew someone else who had.
I do not have a Caravan or Tow Car at the moment. Next summer I recon. Got to sell the house first.
It would need an exceptional gizmo to convert my 1.4 Polo into a tow car of any merit.
Perhaps a supercharger with a turbocharger and a lead filled floor pan.
I fear the pills are wearing off and I am wondering into the land of fantasy. But hang on though,
maybee if...........
Rgds

 

[ProfJohnL]

There is always a danger that the increases in BHP and torque these plug in units produce may be too much for teh rest of the mechanical parts of the car, Can the clutch and gearbox handle the extra, If you end up with a higher top speed, do you have the right speed rated tyres, are the brakes man enough for the job. and that on top of the basic question of do you actually need it? as opposed to simply 'wanting' it.

In practice most standard cars will tow trailers perfectly well that falls with in the vehicles stated capacity and maintain reasonable progress in UK traffic.

Any extra power you achieve by these modes will not change the towing capacity of the car, that is set in stone by its homologation process.

Generally speaking the claims for improved consumption when these mod are fitted are rarely achieved because the drivers are exploring the added performance of the vehicle. You would need to check the wording of your insurance policy, but most insurance companies will insist you tell them about anything that makes a car go faster, accelerate harder.

 

[brianjw47]

Hi Prof,
Yes l agree, even though l mentioned the insurance aspect yesterday, changing the power curve of the engine may have a detrimental effect on the parts that are designed within the parameters of the existing power curve.
We are all hoping for the Holy Grail of towcars; low MPG, good towing performance and a reasonably priced tow car. But, there is always a trade off on at least two of these criteria.

But l believe Wilbury has started a thread of significant interest, perhaps other posters who have modified their cars would give their views and results of remapping. This could become a Practical Caravan article even.

Sir Brian of Stevenage.

 

[raccoon]

Really not sure why wilbury has posted here. he has no caravan and his car at the moment, a 1.4 Polo would not be anysort of tow car anyway. Reading his last post I think he might be just a wind up person.

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

Really not sure why wilbury has posted here. he has no caravan and his car at the moment, a 1.4 Polo would not be anysort of tow car anyway. Reading his last post I think he might be just a wind up person.

That's not a very friendly attitude. hmy:

 

[Wilbury]

Hi R,
Please read the topic and posts again.
I have posted elsewhere that I will not be getting back into Caravaning untill next year and I have not said or even implied that I rate the Polo as a tow car, quite the opposite in fact.
I consider that these plug in modules could be very usefull for many towers who may feel that they would like a little more torque at times plus better fuel consumption at others.
I am interested in finding out real world results from those who are using one of these modules and I think that there may well be others who may be too. If you are not one such person so be it.
If you consider that this makes me "a wind up person" you are of course free to hold whatever views you wish. This is after all a Forum.
Rgds

 

[brianjw47]

Lets keep things friendly out here, Wilbury is quite entitled to offer his opinion regarding power modules and it does not matter if he has a super tug or a runaround. What really matters is the friendly atmosphere on the forum.
Look forward to seeing you towing again in due course Wilbury.

Sir Brian of Stevenage B)

 

[raccoon]

Hi B,
I have no intention of getting anything like this. I simply wondered if because there is a need for good torque someone had fitted one or knew someone else who had.
I do not have a Caravan or Tow Car at the moment. Next summer I recon. Got to sell the house first.
It would need an exceptional gizmo to convert my 1.4 Polo into a tow car of any merit.
Perhaps a supercharger with a turbocharger and a lead filled floor pan.
I fear the pills are wearing off and I am wondering into the land of fantasy. But hang on though,
maybee if...........
Rgds

Its the last part of his question in the quote I cannot understand. I agree that the forums should be a place of information gathering and where questions should be asked. I am sorry that someone has felt I was heavy handed in my reply. As it stands, Wilbury does not have a caravan or tow car, he could of course use the Polo to hook up a trailer tent though. I did post a link for him to look at concerning the plug in modules. My insurance company (swift) has no problem with me using the Bluespark unit but would need to check things out if I did a remap.