| Cooper D & Digital Tuning Box
I've been rather surprised at what appears to be a 'fixation' with the remap option for turbo diesel tuning on this site.
A digital tuning box can be a neat hassle free, quick self install solution. It can be removed just as quickly, without trace, for those that have issues in this respect.
I purchased a digital tuning box from Chip Express.
A very simple 10 minute installation, although the injector leads proved quite a tight fit, space wise, when refitting the plastic engine cover.
Unlike other tuning boxes on the market,this one has four separate connector leads, one to each individual injector.[The norm is to have just one plug-in connector to the pressure sensor /atomiser located at the end of the common rail ].
It also has its own power supply from the battery,many others do not.
A waterproof slip-case cover, together with a long velcro strap is provided, useful for engine bay mounting .
Power range is quoted as 137HP to 156 HP and torque from 292Nm to 319Nm. [A Std car is 110Hp and 240Nm, 260 Nm with overboost]. The box is supplied as 'optimised'. In reality this means that the jumper switch is on the middle switch setting.
There are six 'jumper 'switch connector settings allowing you to 'fine tune' the power. All you need is a small torx screwdriver to access them behind the perspex end cover. I run mine one below max.
I've been more than pleased with the results. It really works beautifully.
The punchy engine is very crisp and pulls even more smoothly and strongly throughout. This smoothness is incredibly deceptive because (a) it really doesn't feel like a turbo diesel, and (b) subjectively you don't feel as though you're travelling all that fast. It's pretty quiet and drama free, that is until you look at the speedo !! Tee Hee. Much to the surprise,and consternation, of some other drivers.
The real gain is not so much in standing start acceleration times but in real world driveability. Third and fourth gear 'pick up' is amazing, the magic carpet swell of increased torque really shows.
The 'standard' power setting provides a perfectly satisfactory improvement.
However the highest jumper setting produces a rather more perceptible 'step' in performance, with no noticeable increase in smokiness or soot deposits on the back of the car either.
Inspite of the performance uplift, and remember once you have it you tend to use it more, I'm still getting around 53 mpg real world average.
And it's been 5000 + trouble free miles so far.
Last edited by Seamus Not Faster; Nov 21st, 2009 at 08:15 PM.
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