Safe power limit for standard TD5

lightning said:

The Defender is absolutely fine in normal driving with the mild remap that it currently has.

The issue is that l find performance less effortless when towing the caravan and wanted to see if any improvements could be made.

This is after reading posts on forums like these, where people say their "Alive Stage 1 remapped Defender towed their caravan like it wasn't there"

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Always be suspicious of rave reviews, I can tell when I have a full tank of derv by how the car handles.

I can pretty much guarantee any tune that makes power will also make smoke when off boost.

lightning said:

The Defender is absolutely fine in normal driving with the mild remap that it currently has….

…..is after reading posts on forums like these, where people say their "Alive Stage 1 remapped Defender towed their caravan like it wasn't there"

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If that were true then it would go like a rocket without load! You want the torque curve to suit your demands - not a smoky, thirsty rocket ship.

IRB https://irbdevelopments.com/ did both my TD5’s to improve towing/low speed pickup - neither had any other upgrades except better silicone IC hoses.

Alive tuning got 286 bhp from a td5 !

When it comes to towing a load getting the max HP from your motor is not the be all of what you need. Torque and the right gearing are needed as well.

583 nm of torque should help tho.

Well it shows how strong the engine is if it can handle that kind of power.

Not sure about the transmission though, l imagine the clutch would be the first part to throw in the towel

lightning said:

Okay, can anyone recommend someone near to Stockport, Cheshire?

Empire Tuning are in Essex, which is a 450 mile round trip from me.

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Alive tuning have nationwide garages that are “approved” by them that run their maps, I am taking mine to my nearest one which is a 3 hour round trip which I think will be worth it

Galladog said:

583 nm of torque should help tho.

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There're quite a few other 'bits' required to achieve that It is impressive though, the stock injectors won't supply enough fuel to go much beyond what they've managed to achieve.

Bennehboy said:

There're quite a few other 'bits' required to achieve that It is impressive though, the stock injectors won't supply enough fuel to go much beyond what they've managed to achieve.

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Agree, but it shows what can be achieved ( with presumably lots of cash ).

I’m getting an alive tune next time, will drive to HQ and get it done proper

lightning said:

This is after reading posts on forums like these, where people say their "Alive Stage 1 remapped Defender towed their caravan like it wasn't there"

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I would also be wary of such observations. My stock 200tdi would tow the fully loaded 3.5t car trailer "as if it wasn't there" once I had got up to motorway speeds, and would quite happily keep it there on motorway hills. But accelerating and braking were noticeably different. As already mentioned above to get something that it truly no different when fully loaded you unloaded running would be impractical.

Well, we towed the 'van to and from the Lake District last week and l think l've been a little unfair on "Elsa" my TD5 110. She actually does a great job of towing, of course you know the 'van is on the back but the outfit is totally stable, even when trucks go past or it gets windy.
And cruising along at 60mph is effortless particularly if l set the (aftermarket) cruise control.

lightning said:

Well, we towed the 'van to and from the Lake District last week and l think l've been a little unfair on "Elsa" my TD5 110. She actually does a great job of towing, of course you know the 'van is on the back but the outfit is totally stable, even when trucks go past or it gets windy.
And cruising along at 60mph is effortless particularly if l set the (aftermarket) cruise control.

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What you have just described there is what, in my opinion, others count as "don't know it is there". Obviously you are aware it is there and the handling characteristics are different but when cruising along it is stable and fairly effortless.