Engine Upgrade via Remapped ECU Software

[mbzslk230k]

Next stage of my customisation is to increase performance of my SLK230 without going thru' expensive engine surgery...

I have been looking at the offerings from a company called DMS Automotive based in Thurxton ...

Does anyone have any experience with this company or for that matter, any general experience of installing this sort of upgrades ?

 

[GrahamC230K]

I searched high and low and couldn't find a chip tuning company that could prove they had anything to boost increase to more than about 210BHP on a 230K with a chip alone. Had many conversations with Superchips and Upsolute.

As I have had my car dyno'd twice now with the most conservative reading 205BHP, I decided against.

That was before my K&N filter prematurley killed my MAS (costing me £300) and my ECU dies (costing me £1400).

I very much wait in anticipation and hope you get good results, but I think however tempting I will have to resist!

 

[mbzslk230k]

Thanks Guys ...

I have spoken with the following companies ...

SUPERCHIPS - they dont do anything ... they say that it is nigh impossible to get anything reasonable just by chipping, need to be mechanical eg chg compressor pulley

DIGI-TEC - remapped chip (£1799 + VAT !), 20BHP increase

BRABUS K2 - (£2800 + VAT) - smaller compressor pulley and new exhaust system

DMS (£799 + VAT) - remapped ECU ... a claimed increase in output from 197BHP to 240BHP ... when asked whether this was at the flywheel or at the road-wheels, I did not get a clear answer ...

GDC - yours seems a very reasonable price to pay, was that for a 230K engine ? I will call them to have a chat ...

It is increase in torque that I am more interested in for fast take-off and acceleration ... BHP increase great for top speed ...

 

[mbzslk230k]

GDC - may be humble but it performs ...

 

[Richard W]

Hi,

I got my C220 CDi done by Rob at DMS, no problems with either service or product - in fact the end result was superb

My understanding of tuning supercharged engines is that you have to - either - change the pulley on the supercharger to run it faster, and/or fit a larger intercooler (to lower the intake temp) and then chip it.

I think you'll find if the figures are 197 - 240 bhp and 197 is the standard figure then both are measured at the flywheel. They're just quoting figures given by the supplier.

In many cases these companies are fitting a chip/ECU which has been developed by someone else, i.e. Upsolute is an Austrian company, Superchips are based in Buckingham - so everyone you deal with is an agent and simply fitting a product.

A few companies have their own rolling road and develop their own products - AmD springs to mind in Oxfordshire - excellent reputation with VAG and Porsche etc.

So if you want to find a company who can do the whole remap thing on the rollers then they'll probably charge between £700 and £2000 for a 'custom map'. They may not be able to 'break' the coding on a Merc ECU so it's probably easiest to find a company such as DMS who have been trading for some time (rather than one who is just 'on the bandwagon') and trust them with your pride and joy!

Go on, I did it and every time I put my foot down the grin started.....

 

[mbzslk230k]

Thanks Richard W ... good to hear of someone who have used them before !

I am very tempted - and the guy I spoke to (Mike) was certainly very helpful and confident of their product ... You are right, this is their own handiwork ...

and if the power increase [even at the flywheel] is as they have quoted, then it is a bargain compared to DIGI-TEC or BRABUS ...

I have "exhaust tuning" on my list if things to do but DMS advised me that it was not good value for money as any additional power to be liberated was minimal in comparison to the spend [unless object was to strengthen the exhaust note]

OK - you may have just convinced me ...

Thx again ...

 

[GrahamC230K]

Thanks Richard W ... good to hear of someone who have used them before !

I am very tempted - and the guy I spoke to (Mike) was certainly very helpful and confident of their product ... You are right, this is their own handiwork ...

and if the power increase [even at the flywheel] is as they have quoted, then it is a bargain compared to DIGI-TEC or BRABUS ...

I have "exhaust tuning" on my list if things to do but DMS advised me that it was not good value for money as any additional power to be liberated was minimal in comparison to the spend [unless object was to strengthen the exhaust note]

OK - you may have just convinced me ...

Thx again ...

I have to see a chip produce 240BHP @ the flywheel on a 230 Kompressor. Make sure you get a before and after dyno. If it works, they will have a queue, but I am sceptical.

My prior research said about 210-215 BHP is all that is likely to be achievable.

Although our Kompressors are controlled by an exlectronic clutch so the SC does not run at idle, it is otherwise mechnical and not controlled by the ECU. Hence chipping the 230K cannot (IMO) increase boost so chipping beneifts are similar to those of a normally aspirated car ie subtle as opposed the the chipping of a turbo car where a 197BHP to 240BHP increase would be believable.

Maybe for your £800 you are getting something more, but I would be wary, £300 odd for 10BHP is acceptable - £800 isn't is it?

 

[mbzslk230k]

Graham,

You may well be right ... spinning the SuperCharger faster (the BRABUS way) will certainly increase boost and therefore power ... but do you think that the engine parameters set for a certain SC boost pressure can be altered as well to lift performance ... I am really after increased torque rather than outright BHP boost cos I am seeking betta point-to-point acceleration power rather than max speed increase...

DMS claims that they have been able crack the Merc software ... who knows ? However, DMS offers a "money-back" guarantee ... if I do not feel that there is any appreciable difference before and after, they will remove the fix and refund the money in full ...

Might have to bite the bullet and see ... thanks for feedback again ...

 

[GrahamC230K]

Graham,

You may well be right ... spinning the SuperCharger faster (the BRABUS way) will certainly increase boost and therefore power ... but do you think that the engine parameters set for a certain SC boost pressure can be altered as well to lift performance ... I am really after increased torque rather than outright BHP boost cos I am seeking betta point-to-point acceleration power rather than max speed increase...

DMS claims that they have been able crack the Merc software ... who knows ? However, DMS offers a "money-back" guarantee ... if I do not feel that there is any appreciable difference before and after, they will remove the fix and refund the money in full ...

Might have to bite the bullet and see ... thanks for feedback again ...

Chip Tuning the engine without increasing boost I don't think will get you the claimed 43BHP increase - otherwise the same would be applicable for C180's and C200s etc.

The before and after Dyno plots will prove either their sucess or your right to your money back so go for it

 

[scotth_uk]

Chip Tuning the engine without increasing boost I don't think will get you the claimed 43BHP increase - otherwise the same would be applicable for C180's and C200s etc.

The before and after Dyno plots will prove either their sucess or your right to your money back so go for it

Also you must consider where and how all of these upgrades are deivered in the rev range. I would argue that the Brabus solution would be a very well engineered arrangement with usable power. Torque curves could be quite useful to look at before dropping money against peak torque or bhp figures.