Things you should know about Car Tuning (ECU Tuning)

 Tuning of the car is actually the modification or enhancement of the stock car into the most powerful yet efficient ones. This can be done by remapping of ECU (Engine control unit). Most of you have seen tuned cars in F&F, NFS, and maybe on the roads of Japan. Mainly people have a fond of  "Tuned JDM cars." Let's see what actually tuning of car means.

Tuned GTR R32

What is ECU?

ECU (Engine control unit) is typically the brain of a car and contains a small processor which takes all the information about the sensors from the engine such as accelerator pedal angle, engine temperature, oxygen content in the burnt gases, and much more. By calculating errors using these parameters, the right amount of air-fuel mixture, at the right time is provided to the engine due to which its performance increases and becomes more efficient, hence lasts long.

ECU Module

What is ECU Remapping?

When car manufacturers develop a car they take many things into considerations such as performance of the car, economy, emission of the car, pressure at which fuel will enter into the cylinder, accelerator pedal angle, and much more, All these factors must be checked before the car goes out of the manufacturing plant. Also, the sub-standard fuel and temperature of the engine are taken into account. 

Meanwhile, the tuners are supposed to increase the performance and unveil its true capacity within the set parameters of the car manufacturer. What this tuner does to the car is, take all the readings from the ECU's processing chip of the vehicle standard compromised map and adjust different parameters such as fuel pressure, boost pressure (in turbocharged cars), ignition advance, and throttle pedal control. 

They also tune the timing belt and carburetor to give the exact amount of air-fuel mixture. 

ECU Remapping

How ECU Remapping can be done?

The remapping of ECU is done using the On-Board Diagnostics port.

The OBD is a device that helps in monitoring over-all sensors in a car. OBD came into the picture after 1996 and OBD-II is equipped in every car nowadays. All the information about the car can be taken through OBD. It is used to check whether the car is properly working within the limit. 

 

OBD Reader

Benefits of ECU Remapping:-

The benefit to the user is well defined, the user can tune any car he wants and can increase its power, torque, increase throttle response, and linear power delivery. In simple words, more power is accessible most of the time. 

Is car tuning safe and road legal?

Yes ECU Remapping is safe and very well legal in India. car tuning to some extent through modifying the ECU is allowed. Custom physical mods are yet to be approved such as NOS.

-Amaan Attar