Frequently Asked Questions
about Just VW Audi Performance
ECU Remaps
Just VW Audi Tuning
Tunit
Milltek Exhausts
Suspension
Alloys

Q. What
is re-mapping?
A. The most difficult concept to grasp
for most people is that re-mapping is merely engine tuning, albeit that
it's being done electronically rather than mechanically (as in the old
days of carburetters and distributors). A chip is simply an electronic
storage device which is located on a circuit board inside the E.C.U.(the
Engine Control Unit). The chip contains values in a binary form which
the E.C.U's main processor (another device on the same circuit board)
can understand and use to control the engine.
Each value inside the chip is held in its own separate position (known
as an 'address'), and when a car is re-mapped, what we are basically
doing is altering the values at the groups of addresses that control
fuelling, ignition timing and on turbo engines, turbo boost. These are
known as maps, hence the often-used term 're-mapping'. It is these maps
which we massage in order to tune the engine.
Q. How
is it done?
A. The first job to do when a new
E.C.U. type arrives at Just VW Audi Peformance is for the chip content
to be read and stored on a PC. Then, using a combination of in-house
software, in-depth experience of engine management software, and processor
instruction sets the maps of interest are identified. Our engine analyser,
serial data stream reader and a real-time in-circuit emulator are then
used to rewrite the map contents to achieve the required results.
Q.
Why re-map at all?
A. E.C.U's (Engine Control Units)
were first introduced back in the 1980's as a supposedly more efficient
method of controlling engine fuelling, ignition timing, and emissions.
The problem lies in the fact that all new cars have to undergo 'Type
Approval', and part of this is getting the car through the 'Urban Driving
Cycle' tests. Remote from European driving conditions as they are (the
tests are based on a simulated trip around Los Angeles with the resulting
noxious gases collected in a bag for testing), car manufacturers had
no option but to comply. In order to meet the stringent requirements,
engines are virtually detuned to pass the test. As a result the car
never performs as well as its mechanically controlled counterpart, with
hesitancy and flat spots thrown in for good measure. This leaves masses
of room for a creative engineer to re-tune for vastly improved performance,
and without infringing any emissions regulations.
» back to menu
Q. Can
the Tunit put any strain on my engine or damage my engine?
A.
The Tunit is designed and programmed in each case to improve your performance
no more than the engines safety limits will allow. We have never had
to an incident to date where the Tunit has been responsible for any
engine or engine related problem. The longevity of an engine is determined
by how it is looked after and driven. The Tunit is installed on many
high mileage vehicles and have been running on them for 5 years and
more. The Tunit is programmed carefully so as not increase strain on
the engine and any of its components such as turbo and injection equipment.
Turbo boost pressure is not directly altered but a gain in boost is
acheived as a by product of extra exhaust gas flow.
Q.
Will it make my vehicle smoke?
A. If your vehicle does not
smoke to start with then no. If your vehicle does smoke to start with
then in many cases the Tunit can clean up your vehicle emissions. This
can happen because the programming works to increase the efficiency
of the injection equipment.
Q. Why
do I need to adjust the Tunit?
A. The Tunit does not need adjustment in most cases as it comes
pre programmed to your individual vehicle. However the ability to adjust
the Tunit is invaluable if your vehicle power output in standard is
different than what it should be then the Tunit can be adjusted up and
down to reach your optimum setting. This is something a fixed map device
could not do.
Q.
How easy is your Tunit to adjust?
A. It is very easy to adjust. Each Tunit has a 9 position dial
that is reached by a clear plastic removable cover. The dial will always
come set at 5 or 6. You may turn the dial up or down to achieve better
power or fuel economy. The Tunits II, III & IV are adjustable in
a similar way but work with a screw with no fixed positions.
If you have a specific application you need to adjust for, such as towing
or using the Tunit in conjunction with further engine mod's, we can
alter far more parameters with a lap-top tune (available at all our
distributors) and we can alter the Tunit to your preference. ie bringing
the power in further down the rev range or extending it to higher revs.
Please contact a distributor for details.
Q. How
do I know what power I have when I have adjusted the Tunit?
A. The only way to truly ascertain your power is with a rolling
road dynamometer test. These are available at selected distributors.
Please ensure for a list of these. There is no set rule for how much
power is gained each time a Tunit is turned up. One vehicle will react
differently to another.
Q. Do
I need a rolling road test?
A. No, there is no need for setting up on a rolling road. However
if you would like one for curiosity and if this is of interest then
we would be happy to supply one.
Q. Why
is the Tunit better than other similar products I have seen?
A. The Tunit is born out of much research and hard work. It has
been developed by some of the top minds in Europe today. It is more
compact than most, It has adjustable tuning that most do not. It works
by altering parameters pro-rata, not just turbo boost or fuel quantity
as some methods of tuning may use. Our methods and designs are followed
by many other companies in attempts to emulate them. Our aim is to always
bring any advancement to our customers as quickly as possible, so you
can be assured what you receive is always the latest technology. No
rolling road set up is required. We offer a 3 year warranty and part
exchange facility. Our customer service is excellent ! We promote good
service and customer relations as a priority through our distributor
net work. What ever the problem may be we will try our best to help.
Q. Why
don't the manufacturers do this?
A. The answer is down to cost. The Tunit works to individually
optimize each vehicle and engine. Every engine has different characteristics.
When the manufacture receives the engine management software for a new
production car, the components are bulk programmed in batches to a given
tolerance and not prepared to each individual car, treating each car
to an optimum and individual adjustment would increase production costs
and time for the manufacturer.
Q. Will
the Tunit null and void my vehicle warranty?
A. No it can't possibly, it only affects your engine. It is often
thought that if a modification such as this is fit warranty is then
void. This is no more true than any other modification. The Tunit is
retro fit and does not interfere with the original equipment of the
vehicle. If a failure was to happen on your vehicle the Tunit can become
an arguable point, in the event of a warranty claim, like any retro
installed part not standard on a vehicle. To our knowledge to date,
the Tunit has not been responsible for any engine or engine related
failures.
Q. How
long does the Tunit take to fit?
A. It does vary from vehicle to vehicle. Some unit are fit in
5-10 minutes others take up to an hour, but once fit can be removed
in less time . As an average most are fit within 30 minutes.
Q. Is
there a warranty on the Tunit?
A. Yes, the Tunit including all components has a three year warranty.
Q. Does
the Tunit need any maintenance?
A. None at all.
Q. Why
should I fit a performance K&N Filter ?
A. A K&N filter has up to a 30% better air flow rate and
have million mile warranty. The filter generally compliments the performance
of the Tunit and helps your fuel economy.
Q. Why
will giving my vehicle more power achieve better fuel results?
A. The Tunit provides more torque through the engine particularly
in the low to mid range. This allows the driver to change gear more
quickly even with an automatic so as a higher gear is achieved giving
better fuel economy. Granted you will have to do some miles to pay for
the unit but you will have some fun getting there.
Q. Should
I tell my insurance company?
A. You should always tell your insurance company of any modification.
If you have a problem with your insurance please contact us and we can
help with a recommend insurance company.
Q.
I like the idea of buying a Tunit but would like to try it out, is that
possible? A. Actually,
yes. If you are willing to travel to the premises of any of our distributors,
we offer a 'try before you buy' policy where we fit the Tunit, take
you for a test drive to make sure you are completely happy. If you don't
want the Tunit for whatever reason we will remove it and charge the
fitting fee. This way you can be sure about your purchase before you
spend your money.
Q. What
if I have difficulty fitting the Tunit?
A. If you require any help at all either during fitting or even
later down the line we have a free technical help line and a full after
sales back up service to help you out.
Q. Will
I achieve the figures that are published?
A. Our published figures are generally conservative so as even
the under performing or tired vehicles still achieve these figures and
every body is happy. So yes.
Q. Where
can I get Tunit from
A. contact us
via our contact form,
telephone us on the number below or email us at the address below. We
are happy to answer any questions you may have about the Tunit.
info@justvwaudiperformance.co.uk
0845 652 2 653
» back to menu
Power Gains
Q. What
sort of power gain can I expect to get?
A. Each
car has it's own characteristics, and the power gain can vary greatly
between them. 8-10% is about the most accurate general figure to cover
all variations.
Sound Information
Q. I
want a sporty sound, but not one that is so loud that it wakes the neighbours
or annoy me on a long journey. What sort of sound do your systems produce?
A. As our slogan states, 'Performance
to blow your mind, not your ears!' our engineers' mission is to find
the perfect balance between maximum performance increase while maintaining
a responsible noise level. We DO NOT produce boy-racer style exhaust
systems that can be heard from miles away. Our systems are designed
to appeal to enthusiasts of all levels and the main way of controlling
this is by offering resonated and non-resonated versions of most of
our systems - see below for further information about the differences
between resonated and non-resonated).
Q. What
is a resonator and what's the difference between a resonated and non-resonated
exhaust system?
A. A resonator is a chamber
in the exhaust system that contains a specific volume of air which is
designed to cancel out certain frequencies of sound (made by the engine)
- making the exhaust noise quieter.
Therefore, a non-resonated exhaust system will give
you extra performance and a louder exhaust note and the resonated system
will give you extra performance without increasing the exhaust noise
much.
Legal Information
Q. Is
it legal to de-cat my car?
A. De-catting a car in the
UK registered after 1993 is illegal as it will fail an emissions check.
Q. What
alternative do I have to a de-cat?
A. A Hi-Flow cat will increase
flow by as much as 30% over the original manufacturers unit.
Purchasing
Q. Can
I buy parts individually (e.g. can I buy just the cat, or just the downpipes
or backbox)?
A. Hi-Flow cats are available
as stand-alone purchases, otherwise units are sold as either cat back
or rear box only, because Milltek are genuine performance systems you
can't mix and match.
Fitting
Q. Will
I need to modify my vehicle in order to fit Milltek products?
A. No. Our products are direct
replacements for the original systems and come with everything needed
to fit them. There are some vehicles that may require different rear
valances to be fitted to allow tailpipes to exit the rear bumper (e.g.
VW Golf Mk4) but this will be made clear to you.
Q. Does Just VW Audi Performance
offer a fitting service?
A. Yes, all our Milltek exhaust
prices include fitting by VAG trained technicians.
Aftersales Care
Q. Is
my exhaust system covered by a guarantee or warranty?
A. As long as you are the original purchaser of the exhaust system,
you are covered by a lifetime anti-corrosion and manufacturing defect
warranty. We do not cover against any modifications made to our product
after it has left our workshop and also not for unusual use of the parts
- for example, the use of Nitrous Oxide (NOS), damage caused by going
over a speed bump too fast etc. We pride ourselves on our after-sales
support and customer service and will look into each case on an individual
basis.
All warranty cases should be dealt with by Just VW
Audi Performance.
Cleaning Tips
Q. How
do I clean my stainless steel tailpipes without scratching or damaging
them?
A. It is important to note that if you don't clean your tailpipes
regularly (and we know that some of you don't :) ), they will suffer
from discolouration and become harder to clean. Because of the high-quality
stainless steel, you will always be able to get them back to looking
brand new (without any degradation in the materials), but the longer
you've left it without cleaning them, the harder it will be!
Milltek tailpipes are made from the highest quality
polished stainless steel, we have found that the best way to clean them
is to use a Silver Polish. The actual specific product we use is called
Silvo Silver Polish with Wadding. It's important to get the one with
the wadding inside as it's really good at getting it clean. Clean the
bulk of the soot off the surface with an old rag first and then use
the polish/wadding to get your tailpipe(s) sparkling again.
»
back to menu