Superchips... good or bad? Can the Golf VR6 ECU be remapped

[matth76 0]

Hi

 

Has anyone fitted a superchip to their VR6? Has it made your car much better or much less reliable?! I've heard mainly bad stories about car's not starting or not being smooth... one of the things that should be sorted out with a superchip (so their website suggests).

 

I've read quite a few sites where golf VR6's are running 200bhp or more... I assume most of this power gain is from a superchip or some kind of ECU remap, as a performance exhaust and air filter only give minimal increase in power (approx 5 bhp) as the standard VW exhaust is very good.

 

Can the Golf VR6 standard ECU be remapped or does it require replacing completely? What other power modifications are available for a VR6? Are there any good tuning companies in or around Sussex / Surrey that don't charge the earth but are very good and reputable, who specialise in VR6 tuning?

 

Thanks for any comments?

 

Matt

[NickVR6 0]

Hi Matt, I think ecu wise AMD seem to be the daddies for mapage. I assume its a piggyback ecu system, but i have asked the same question on Kevs throttle body thread.

 

My vr has a bmc induction kit and exhaust and on stealths rollers made exactly 200bhp. Not having the money for a schrick or charger at the mo i will be getting a throtle body for about £120 and maybe a map depending the the answer to the same question as yours.

 

If you want just about anything else stealth are bang on but as i say, i think amd or the ones for the remaps/chips.

 

Hope that helps but sure everyone else will be more helpfull than me in the morning!

[dr_mat 0]

One thing to note about remaps is they very rarely alter the idling and part-throttle running characteristics. On the VR engines, the ECU totally controls fuelling and ignition during part-throttle running based on the lambda and MAF readings ONLY. If someone remaps your car all they will likely do is modify the fixed "full throttle" program.

Don't believe all the "smoother running" business unless they spend rather more time on the chip than they initially suggest!

A rechip on a N/A engine only really becomes a good idea where you have significantly altered the air-flow characteristics of the engine. And I mean significantly. filter and exhaust is not significant, and is well within the parameters of the original chip.

On many cars the original chip can even cope ok with the Schrick manifold, which gives you 40 lbft torque!!

Do lots of research before you decide to go down the rechip route...

[matth76 0]

One thing to note about remaps is they very rarely alter the idling and part-throttle running characteristics. On the VR engines, the ECU totally controls fuelling and ignition during part-throttle running based on the lambda and MAF readings ONLY. If someone remaps your car all they will likely do is modify the fixed "full throttle" program.

Don't believe all the "smoother running" business unless they spend rather more time on the chip than they initially suggest!

A rechip on a N/A engine only really becomes a good idea where you have significantly altered the air-flow characteristics of the engine. And I mean significantly. filter and exhaust is not significant, and is well within the parameters of the original chip.

On many cars the original chip can even cope ok with the Schrick manifold, which gives you 40 lbft torque!!

Do lots of research before you decide to go down the rechip route...

 

Thanks guys for your replies. I have to admit I was not keen on getting someone to alter my ECU in any way as I have heard mainly bad stories. What modifications are available to reach 200bhp? What is a 'Shrick manifold'...is it a more efficient exhaust manifold design? How much does this cost approximately for someone to supply and fit? Will a bigger throttle body produce good power gains? Again what makes are recommended and what would it cost for a good garage to supply and fit one? If anyone knows of any other modifications and approximate costs plus realistic power gains please let me know.

 

What is the maximum bhp level the VR6 on standard internals can cope with? Does it have a weak spot anywhere?

 

Thanks again for all your comments and replies.

 

Matt

[dr_mat 0]

You won't get 200bhp from a Schrick manifold, unless your VR is already pushing 200 bhp..

It's an inlet manifold, which drastically improves mid-rev torque on the (slightly lazy) VR engine. Top end power is unchanged, to any measurable degree.

Schrick manifold is expensive - £1500 new plus about 2-3 hours fitting!

Which VR6 do you have? The 2.9 Corrado one tends to push 200bhp without tweakage (mine did!), but the 2.8 Golf one requires a bit more coaxing .. Apparently the later 12v Highline Golfs are more powerful though, and obviously the 24v VR6 is more powerful still.

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