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Cant see any problem in re-mapping a Sprintshift !! It is simply a robotised manual gearbox and clutch. In fact I would suggest re-mapping a Sprintshift would casue less problem,s than re-maping a fully manual version..
My reasoning being that the Sprintshift automatically matches engine revs to road speed so it removes the chance of clutch slip when changing gear, or unecessary clutch slip when pulling away from rest.
I have a Sprintshift and I am very pleased with it, ease of an auto but fuel economy of manual. (25 mpg with Autotrail Dakota MAM of 4000Kg)
The reason I say this is because the SprintShift box has its own dedicated ECU.
If the gearbox ECU fails to communicate or get conflicting data from the Engine ECU or other sources. This in my humble opinion, this could be an issue.
I speak from experience when I had no end of trouble with my Sprintshift.
The engine has an ECU (ENGINE Control Unit) The gerabox has its own control unit that uses a combination of engine speed, road speed and throttle position to determine the correct gear.
The gearbox control unit collects that data from the ECU NOT the other way round.
So therefore the dog (engine) wags the tail (gearbox) If you had problems after remapping then I would suggest that there was an underlying problem already, because the gearbox control unit would not be altered at all by engine re-mapping
Like I said I can see no reason at all to remap a Sprinter, there is more than enough engine torque and the economy is pretty good. In fact I sometimes wonder what the testers working for the magazines do to only get low 20's mpg from much smaller motorhomes. Perhaps they have bigger feet than me !!!
well mine was re maped and its the extra HP i needed the MPG is no difference, but the extra "grunt" is what I have, the poor little engine in this MH i have is not realy large enough but now seems to be a lot better going up the hills.. thats my view. All work done by C & M autos of lancaster...
I have always steered clear of the temptation to have the Hymer re-mapped. Mercedes are quite clear in their information that changing the factory settings invalidates any warranty and may render the vehicle non-compliant with its European Type Approval. I'm very happy with the power available in standard trim.
Perhaps more concerning is a reference I have seen to changes in the MOT regime from sometime next year (end 2011 I think). I have read an extract from a VOSA notification to the effect that illegal chipping or re-mapping will be grounds for an automatic test fail. Quite what "illegal" means in this context is not clear, neither is it apparent how test centres will detect re-mapping. However, if the manufacturer (Mercedes) is saying that re-mapping invalidates type approval, I suspect VOSA will not look kindly on the practice.
I have no experience in this area, merely raising a note of caution. If you search for information on the issue, you will find a few references to it. And if proceeding with a re-map, I suggest you get written confirmation, from the company doing the work, that the procedure will comply with forthcoming changes in MOT regulations.
Our first camper van was a petrol powered Talbot Camelot, and when I drove it home form the old Brownhills site at Farndon, I turned round and took it back beacuse I thought there was something wrong with the engine
I eventually conceded that the gubbins they pile into the base vehicle plus high tops, wider bodies et al, all contribute to the drop in performance from the base vehicle
We had our next van 20 years later, 2.8 ducato remapped by TB Turbos and cannot praise them highly enough
It made a tremendous difference to safe overtaking on motorways, dealing with headwinds etc
Mrs de-froste's Skoda Fabia VRS was remapped by the Skoda dealer to 190 bhp, and is ridiculously overpowered for Old Age Travllers like us - but does return 75 mpg when driven like a CO-OP hearse
It smokes like an old Eight Freight though when the loud pedal is buried, leaving Porshes gasping in the aftermath, and my passengers disregarding the Doppler effect to passing scenery as they strain to reach for a brown paper bag
Van manufacturers and converters are generally aware of customer requirementrs these days, and most new vehicles should be powerful enough to propel a MH at a speed appropriate to its purpose, size, stopping power etc
Our Bessie E460 is admittedly quite small, but with the 2.3 engine option she can outrun plenty of cars, shrugs at hills and with SWMBO at the wheel can get around 30 mpg
I would not be inclined to remap it as it is still under warranty, and is after all a motorhome and not a hot hatch
But I would probably do it if it had a luton or tag axle
Whilst I accept that there may be issues with type approval, I was remapping a 1998 Mercedes 312, and to be honest, I would have been highly surprised if any MOT station would go so far as to check the output, unless of course it FELT like it had 600 horses under the bonnet. Mine was upped from 122 to 156 bhp, but I knew the brakes and suspension was geared up to that output, as that was the top spec of tune out of the Merc stable.
What I wanted was a vehicle that would climb hills a bit more efficiently, and have a bit more go in the lower gears, whilst maintaining the same mpg. I explained that to TB turbo, and that's what I got.
I suspect that, like any modification, it's fine if done with a degree of realism / commonsense as to what the vehicle can do. Obviously if you have a Hymer that can do 0 - 60 in 5 seconds, but still handles like a supertanker, then there's going to be a problem.
Suggest that you work out what you want, and don't go mad. Most important, tell your insurance company what you're contemplating. Mine just signed it off without comment.
I don't see how they could ever tell at an MOT station.
I've had mine remapped and i have to say it is a lot nicer to drive. I wasn't looking for 'speed' per-se, but the car is so much more responsive in-gear. I haven't lost anything in terms of economy either.
What i have heard is that if the dealer updates the ECU with an update when completing a service, it can wipe the remap.
The engine has an ECU (ENGINE Control Unit) The gerabox has its own control unit that uses a combination of engine speed, road speed and throttle position to determine the correct gear.
The gearbox control unit collects that data from the ECU NOT the other way round.
So therefore the dog (engine) wags the tail (gearbox) If you had problems after remapping then I would suggest that there was an underlying problem already, because the gearbox control unit would not be altered at all by engine re-mapping
Like I said I can see no reason at all to remap a Sprinter, there is more than enough engine torque and the economy is pretty good. In fact I sometimes wonder what the testers working for the magazines do to only get low 20's mpg from much smaller motorhomes. Perhaps they have bigger feet than me !!!
ECU = Electronic Control Unit
EMS = Engine Management System
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