Autologic performance tune Disco 2

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jimalmighty

Member
Posts
91
Location
Poole
Just had my D2 checked over pre France trip in a couple of weeks.
I discussed fuel economy with the very good garage i use and they suggested an ECU re-map using the Autologic performance kit they have there.
A supposed 30 bhp and 51lb ft Torque are on offer, along with the 3-5 mpg improvement in diesel usage, all for the not so small sum of £388 incl. VAT.

Has anyone had a tune using this specific kit? Or any recommendations that dont break the bank as much?

Ta muchly

Jim
 
was discussing tuning with the garage today and their view was that the TD5 can give a whole lot more performance, but at the expense of longevity.

Makes sense if the engines can produce more power etc, why dont the manufacturers do it?
 
was discussing tuning with the garage today and their view was that the TD5 can give a whole lot more performance, but at the expense of longevity.

Makes sense if the engines can produce more power etc, why dont the manufacturers do it?
Reckon you just answered that yourself, Engine won't last as long.
 
We didnt talk about engine longevity yesterday, and its not like im drag racing the thing anyway.
There are several reasons why the cars dont come with all the power they harness, one being EU exhaust gas emmission levels... hence the EGR valve that most people (including me) have removed. Another is the catalytic converter, Diesels dont get tested on emmissions for the MOT, bizarrely, so that can be removed also... allowing the engine to breathe more easily, and also there is a centre box that keeps it quiet and this also hinders power a little.

There is a customer of theirs that has had all of the above removed, ECU re-mapped and new air filter and he's getting almost 240 bhp out of it. I cant imagine his engine life will be that long but it shows what you can do.
 
was discussing tuning with the garage today and their view was that the TD5 can give a whole lot more performance, but at the expense of longevity.

Makes sense if the engines can produce more power etc, why dont the manufacturers do it?


First of all welcome to the Landyzone/Fight Club (I saw your post on another thread where a newbie was getting the unfortunately normal mawling).


Td5's do respond well to an ECU tune-up but I would argue that it doesn't go against their long-term reliability, unless you were to use the max power 100% of the time. If you do that with any vehicle in any state of tune you'll hammer it, won't you.

I've had a couple of TD5's tuned up and they both drove well, smoothly with sufficient power to cover long distances easily. However, this did not give me 3-5mpg more. Think about it that's roughly 12-18% better mpg - no way.

You also pose the question" why don't the manufacturers do this re-mapping" - well they are bound by a number of constraints like all car manufacturers - profit, emissions, serviceability etc etc. We as end-users are not, with the exception of being able to pass an mot.


If you want to improve the fuel efficiency of your vehicle here's a few tips before you set off to France:

1. Replace your air filter, no matter how new it is;

2. Do an engine oilchange

3. Do a De-EGR mod - use the search button

4. Do a De-Cat mod - ditto

This really will optimise your mpg.

The key to longevity is regular maintenance, and I don't mean as per the schedule which is frankly rubbish. I mean for example, changing engine oil every 6000mls.

Afterall, the oil will cost about £35 and you can do it yourself in twenty mins - so why wouldn't you?

Whereabouts are you coming to, in France? I'm in the Limousin, just south of the centre of the country.

Salut

Dave
 
Thanks Dave for the warm welcome and hints. As I gain more experience I hope to be able to contribute more. Interestingly my garage reckon the TD5 is running at about 60% of what it could do, which ties in with the 240 bhp obtained above.

Mine will only have the EGR removed and a decat when the pipe goes, but I am planning a better air filter as it seems these engines like a lot of air!

Will also be doing an oil change when mine comes back from new clutch/flywheel/tfr box leak fix, new master and slave clutch cylinders (£1500 two weeks into ownership!)

Then its underneath to paint the chassis (its a 2oo1 and prone to rear end rot, already been plated!)
 
Let me know how the De-Cat goes, ive had EGR removed and it did feel better for sure and a replacement pipe is only about £90 so would be an easy job.

£388 is still killer for the tune up though... my Mrs would kill me!!
 
So what fuel economy increase would you reckon you get from the re-map biglad?

It would definitely need to improve to justify the mod in my mind, i would like more power and torque but also to earn some money back :)
 
We didnt talk about engine longevity yesterday, and its not like im drag racing the thing anyway.
There are several reasons why the cars dont come with all the power they harness, one being EU exhaust gas emmission levels... hence the EGR valve that most people (including me) have removed. Another is the catalytic converter, Diesels dont get tested on emmissions for the MOT, bizarrely, so that can be removed also... allowing the engine to breathe more easily, and also there is a centre box that keeps it quiet and this also hinders power a little.

There is a customer of theirs that has had all of the above removed, ECU re-mapped and new air filter and he's getting almost 240 bhp out of it. I cant imagine his engine life will be that long but it shows what you can do.

Jim I don't want to rain on your parade but your not going to get anything close to 240bhp by changing your exhaust, air filter and getting a remap.

I got my D2 remapped at Alive tuning and spoke to Gary, he was telling me about what else he was planning on a defender he had as a show piece. You will get close to 190bhp with all that you have been told plus a larger intercooler, and turbo boost box to trick the ECU. For more power you can add a bigger turbo but your still not going to get 240bhp.

There is however 1 man how has got 250bhp from a TD5 but he stroked the engine to a 2.8 with a massive turbo and all the bits and pieces above. But who here has the money and the time to start doing things like that?
 
Have to say I am after efficiency rather than outright power hence limited changes. The improvent in mpg is likely to be minimal (1 mpg has been quoted for removal of EGR) but think of it this way, thats at least 3%. Diesel is now £1.48 a litre, if you found it for £1.43p you'd be pretty pleased - its the same thing really!
 
the reason manufactures dont tune up the engines standard is theyre made to run anywhere. the air density is different at different altitudes and temperatures, because we have mostly cold weather in comparison to..africa. we can tune up the engine to take more fuel safely, but more fuel means more air, if the air isnt dence enough or theres not enough of it then you will start to reduce your engines life. 300 odd quid isnt bad for a map and for the vehicles ive driven with remaps(not just discos) it made a noticable difference on a long run. 50+miles at a time. on the otherhand make sure its a live map..ie altering the actual map on the ecu. not just chucking a resistor box to tell the ecu the engine is cold. and as already said. a good service and also tyre pressures will help. if you want to go really nuts tape up all the gaps along bonnet and wings. around lights etc....could make a 0.01mpg diference? :)
 
Helpful thread as I'm in the same position.

I've removed EGR valve but now if you have throttle open wide in 1st & 2nd it 'stalls' about 3000rpm. My inlaws live near St Albans and the A41 roundabout requires a bit of speed to join in, so its not great.

I've played around with Impreza turbo and from that experience the Disco seems to be cutting fuel as its over boosting, could this be happening?

I dont mean to high-jack the thread but obviously a remap would sort this out.

I had no idea you could de-cat the TD-5, I'm off shopping now
Thanks
 
Thats a good point, maybe the cat removal is the next step and a better air filter.
Cheaper than the tune up...


To be honest mate the TD5's that I had re-mapped did not deliver noticeably more mpg, however they drove much better, particularly the autos.

If it's efficiency you're after, here's a few thoughts:

1. Motorway cruise at 70mph max - above that aerodynamics wreck the mpg;

2. Ensure tyre pressures are all good - I run mine as std on 32psi front and 36psi rear, unless I'm towing then it's 40 at the back.

3. Nothing at all on the roof, no boxes or roof racks - mpg killers;

4. Only carry what you need, surplus weight burns diesel;

5. Drive with anticipation - in other words look a fair way ahead and anticipate traffic flow - if the lights are red in 300yds, take your foot off now. Try to drive so you don't need your brakes. Better mpg, tyre wear etc

6. De-cat and De-EGR are both good for mpg, as is regular cleaning of the MAP in the inlet manifold;

7. Make sure no brakes are dragging - kills performance/mpg and wears discs and pads;

8. Check the air filter regularly - any doubt at all about it's effectiveness, replace it;


I'm boring myself now but if you apply the above that normally improves mpg by about 20%.


Dave
 
Helpful thread as I'm in the same position.

I've removed EGR valve but now if you have throttle open wide in 1st & 2nd it 'stalls' about 3000rpm. My inlaws live near St Albans and the A41 roundabout requires a bit of speed to join in, so its not great.

I've played around with Impreza turbo and from that experience the Disco seems to be cutting fuel as its over boosting, could this be happening?

I dont mean to high-jack the thread but obviously a remap would sort this out.

I had no idea you could de-cat the TD-5, I'm off shopping now
Thanks


Is this while the engine is cold? If yes, that's a self protect mechanism.
 
Helpful thread as I'm in the same position.

I've removed EGR valve but now if you have throttle open wide in 1st & 2nd it 'stalls' about 3000rpm. My inlaws live near St Albans and the A41 roundabout requires a bit of speed to join in, so its not great.

I've played around with Impreza turbo and from that experience the Disco seems to be cutting fuel as its over boosting, could this be happening?

I dont mean to high-jack the thread but obviously a remap would sort this out.

I had no idea you could de-cat the TD-5, I'm off shopping now
Thanks
Go for a pre 2000 downpipe.
They didn't have Cats.
Got mine off Unipart for around £45.
 
On the re-map question, I've had mine done by Mike @ Dynachip
Went for the economy map & I'm getting around 30mpg.
With re-maps, you can warp the exhaust manifold if you drive it like a boy racer.
I've had my re-map for nearly 2 yrs & no probs --------------- yet.
Just remember to cool the truck down after you've been giving it a bit of wellie.
 
On the re-map question, I've had mine done by Mike @ Dynachip
Went for the economy map & I'm getting around 30mpg.
With re-maps, you can warp the exhaust manifold if you drive it like a boy racer.
I've had my re-map for nearly 2 yrs & no probs --------------- yet.
Just remember to cool the truck down after you've been giving it a bit of wellie.


I've seen warped exhaust manifolds on both re-mapped and non-remapped TD5's; I think it's much more about how they are driven.

Btw, I've had mine done by Mike - he's a good guy isn't he?

Dave
 
Mostly good advise above regarding a remap i have had mike from dynachip do my 2000td5 and it has improved the driveability by some margin i.e. better throttle response,not so noticeable on an auto but makes a huge diference on a manual pull out into traffic with confidence,i get around 28 to the imp gallon and i tow my shooting buggy at least once a week so not so bad,well worth giving mike a ring and he will come to you he also did my fiat scudo van and that is a more impressive change than the disco but it is a more modern engine.


Engineer:):)
 
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