Ducato remap

7ncj
7ncj Forum Participant Posts: 11
edited May 2019 in Motorhomes #1

Hello,

Has anyone had experience of remapping their Ducato 2.3jtd 110bhp. I’m more interested in fuel economy gains than performance, although a bit more pull over the bigger hills would be great (nearly always go over Haldon Hill near Exeter on our trips).

It must be one of the very last old shape Ducato bases, registered in 2007. So a 5 gear model.  It’s revving at c. 3k at 70 mph, I tend to cruise at 60/65, so think maybe a remap won’t help with the economy as revs will obviously still be quite high.

Local Remap place with a good reputation is offering an increase from 110 to 144 bhp and torque from 300nm to 380nm, so a useful boost. 

Only on 25k miles and running very well.

Comments

  • young thomas
    young thomas Forum Participant Posts: 11,356
    1000 Comments
    edited May 2019 #2

    can't offer any advice on the remap process (or specific recommendations) except to say that the figures ypu quote (144 bhp and 380 NM) are just about bang on the latest ducato '150' model figures, ie 'quite sufficient'wink

  • beero
    beero Forum Participant Posts: 38
    edited May 2019 #3

    You don't get anything for free, not in this life. Any improvements to power will have to be at the cost of fuel consumption, especially if you use that extra power. If you could remap for better power AND better fuel consumption then don't you think Fiat would have done that to improve their sales?

  • lornalou1
    lornalou1 Forum Participant Posts: 2,169
    1000 Comments
    edited May 2019 #4

    most remaps will give better fuel consumption if you drive the same as no need to floor it to get the power. reliability could be the problem and that is why manufacturers don't supply them at peak performance. Your problem is if it's a manual gearbox, will the clutch take the extra power from the engine.

  • 7ncj
    7ncj Forum Participant Posts: 11
    edited May 2019 #5

    Fiat have done exactly that, with a range of power outputs from that engine. Manufacturers have to meet a middle ground for their engines, to suit a number of markets, fuel qualities, types of vehicle etc. A good remap can be a very cost efficient improvement.

    On this particular one, I'm unsure if the 5 speed gearbox / highish revs at speed will actually be the limiting factor in terms of economy on a run, which is why I was keen to hear from anyone with first hand experience. 

  • JollyKernow
    JollyKernow Forum Participant Posts: 2,629
    1000 Comments
    edited June 2019 #6

    Afternoon

    My last van, an Autotrail Chieftain, on the old shape Ducato with a 2.8jtd engine was remapped for more torque. Driving normally gave an increase in two mpg. Using all that extra grunt, especially towing a car became a chore as the clutch would constantly slip trying to cope so I ended up driving in my old style using more revs, and a loss of four mpg. Numerous reliability issues also occurred so after nine months I had it put back to standard. 

    I think it would be fine in a normal van but a motorhome near the weight limits all the time is not worth the money.

    JK

  • MalcMc
    MalcMc Forum Participant Posts: 71
    First Comment
    edited June 2019 #7

    I looked into this, a friend who is a mechanic and M/H advised against as JollyKernow said in his experience most that he remaped for clients came back and reversed back, just passing on my small bit.