To remap or not to remap.....

[JuliusF]

Sooo, claims of another 25BHP and upped torque are tempting for my 1998 C2 3.4

I've been toying with the idea since uprating my manifold, exhaust and cats last year, and the exhaust guy who did the work for me said it would be a good next step.

Just wondered if there was any experience out there good or bad I could draw upon please? I have already been told there is a difference between a custom remap and generic maps (and you want the former not the latter apparently...?)

Also, if it turns out its not for me can you go back tot he original map?

Regards.

 

[wibble]

My understanding is there is very little gained on these mods, other than cylinder capacity increase. You probably gain more by losing weight metaphorically speaking, suspension, brakes and tyre setup.

 

[Pieman7]

Very interested in this topic. Has anyone had this done? Surely an extra 25bhp is better can't say you would notice it though.

 

[wibble]

It would be interesting to see if actual power gains are achieved on a rolling road, but then it starts to get expensive. Check out Bisimoto engineering in California, they use the M96 engine as basis for a twin turbo that dispels many myths on this powerplant.

 

[JuliusF]

Drawing the line before turbo charging - bit too rich for my humble means!
I have seen that article and there are a number of videos on youtube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqIkoP5mFGY) - don't know anyone who has done it in the UK though.
They make a good point about the overall strength of the M96 engine - yes, there have definitely been rogue issues but its not the ticking time bomb the vox pop would have you believe.
I still can't decide if you're better off with a 3.4 or a 3.6, which probably goes to show more than anything its pot luck with a reasonable chance of success - I suppose we only ever hear the bad news around here for obvious reasons!
Its a shame we don't have a few more stories of the mileage the solid engines have covered. I saw this on you tube and was encouraged https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5euNRB_oNI
....but then if you read the comments it turns out to be a case of Trigger's broom as it had had 2 new engines already! []
It has always intrigued me how on paper the old 3.4 actually edges out the 3.6 in a straight line (although the latter arguably has better mid range - its a torque thing). A remap adding a 9% + boost to the overall performance of the 3.4 should in theory make a difference - and that's against the standard car; I've already seen a noticeable difference through the exhaust mods already made, and that was pure bolt on (particular thumbs up to the high flow cats); the Cat technology has come on a lot since 1998.
ReMap is not the top of the to-do list (I've got a suspension refresh and O2 sensor niggle to attend to first), but it might well be worth having on the list - at £300 its not expensive by most mods standards for the gain on offer.
I suppose I'm willing to be convinced!
Wibble makes a good point about the rolling road - really you need to know where you are starting from as to how far you can get - I think there's every reason to believe a well maintained C2 engine will still be up in the high 200's even with 100K on the clock £45-60 will get you a test and a readout - if its low, change the air filter and stick a bottle of Redex (or somesuch) in the tank - you may be surprised.
This is a handy reference if you're so inclined; you can search by post code http://www.rollingroadregister.com/
Still would love to hear form someone who has actually taken the re-map plunge - my plans are feeling like prototyping at the moment! []

 

[JagdHamster]

Tuner JohhnyDangerous on 911uk.com says the M96/M97 respond very well to a re-map.

My mechanics think my 3.6 has been done at some time; they can really notice a difference from standard, that's for sure. She sure feels strong and zingy.

 

[Richard_Hamilton]

I think Porsche did a pretty good job of mapping these engines. If I were to have it done, I would want a custom map on a rolling road, by someone who really knows what they are doing. Someone like Wayne Schofield (ChipWizards). The world and his wife can offer a generic map, but who knows what damage it can do if you just go for outright BHP increases. It can take a while for the problems to surface too.

Of course, there are well established companies like Superchips or Revo who can give you a plug-in increase, but they will leave a wider safety margin than a properly done custom map.

Just my 2p's worth.

 

[JuliusF]

Thanks for that - and to Richard in particular, I generally agree with you that as they rolled out of the factory with the level of technology as it was, they did a good job.
However, I remain mindful that the exhaust technology, particularly the cats has moved on a lot in 18 years, and I'm just wondering if a tweak might be able to exploit that potential fully.
I think I have gotten the message that custom remap is the one to go for - not much difference in price, but quite a difference in interpretive skills required form the mechanic.
I think I may have found someone in the Berks area, but I also have a couple of contacts in motorsport preps, so i think I will pick their brains as well.
Also I wonder, are the standard heads gas flowed to any degree for standard production - that's another area that might yield performance dividends, although at rather more than 250 notes I suspect - and perhaps woudl need another remap after that!

 

[Richard_Hamilton]

Did you know that Porsche do a Power Kit for the 3.4 996? It consists of new heads, camshafts, exhaust manifolds, inlets, third radiator, remap, and a host of other buts and pieces. £9102.85 + VAT + fitting. Net gain? About 25 bhp.

 

[JuliusF]

...ouch! £250 is about my limit!!! []

 

[tscaptain]

That will get you about 0.68 bhp then. Don't use it all at once[]

 

[carnaby35]

Had my 2003 3.6 C4 remapped by Superchips a few years ago. Power is definately better at higher revs and the engine is a lot smoother. Your original settings are recorded and stored at their head office so original map can be easily reinstalled.

Chris