W210 E320 CDi - Tuning

[spnracing]

I'm new to the forum (didn't know it existed until a google search this morning), I've got an Irish import E320CDi that I got new a little over two years ago. Its fairly low spec (other than leather and 6CD) but had provided pretty reliable motoring and towing over the last 30K or so.

Now the MB warranty has expired I'm considering tuning it. I've searched this forum and the web and there are loads of posts on diesel tuning - but I still can't find anyone that has tuned a W210 E320 CDi. I'm particularly interested in the difference between a DMS Automative 'chip' compared to a Brabus D6 conversion, which costs a lot more.

Has my search missed previous discussion on this? Has anyone got any advice on the subject? What I don't want is decreased fuel economy and black smoke billowing out of the back.

 

[GordonTarling]

I recently fitted a Tuningbox (www.tuningbox.com) to my 2001 E320 CDI - mixed emotions about it frankly. It does give a LOT more 'oomph' when you floor the pedal but it seems to have lost something in the drivability - difficult to describe, but it seems very 'twitchy' at low throttle settings i.e. when you're crawling along in traffic. Economy seems to be roughly the same as before, as does smoke production. The drivability and smoothness is important to me, so I'm considering removing the thing and selling it on Ebay. I have no experience of other 'chip' mods, but I would have expected those that remap your own ECU, rather than an add-on box, should be more directly tailored to the car and hence give improved drivability. Most of the major chipping companies seem to offer some sort of time limited trial now, so that may well be worth a try. Good luck and let us know what you decide!

 

[Dieselman]

Tigger has a D6 upgrade and is happy.

I'm sure he'll reply if you send him a PM.

I read a report of a DMS upgrade and the owner was very happy as in real world driving it was better than his AMG 55.

Always go for a remap as add on boxes tend to cause smoke at low revs.

 

[spnracing]

Does the DMS upgrade include a remap or is that the main difference between DMS and the D6?

The whole point of the car is its driveability, the last thing I want is something that chugs along in traffic. I live in Surrey and sit in traffic most of my life, I had a TVR Chimaera if I wanted to do that uncomfortably!

Thanks for the advice...

 

[Richard W]

I had a DMS supplied Alpin 'box' on my 220 CDi and the smoothness that your looking for was there in spades. When I bought it Rob at DMS explained that some of the boxes only increase fueling, the more expensive ones have alternative maps in which work as an 'off-board' chip.

The smoke did increase a little but only when you really hoof it, and by the time it happens your so far in front it's of lttle consequence....! The fuel consumption I found actually got better, because with the extra power there's actually less reason to use all of it.

I found the Brabus at £900 +VAT +fitting was just too rich when the Alpin could be had for just over £500....

HTH

R

 

[spnracing]

DMS have quoted me £695 plus VAT - is this for something different then?

 

[PeterE320Cdi]

Diesel Tuning Box

Hi Everyone, quite new on here and not sure if I should revive an old thread or start a new one.

I have been looking at the various tuning boxes available and was wondering if anyone had used these people?

http://www.dieselbox.co.uk/1.html

It says the box is digital which I gather is the better type and the prices seem good, £329 including P&P for the top model.

Also am I just asking for trouble looking at tuning boxes for a 6 year old car thats done 140k or are the claims of "No engine damage" true?

Thanks, Peter.

 

[glojo]

The smoke did increase a little but only when you really hoof it, and by the time it happens your so far in front it's of lttle consequence....! The fuel consumption I found actually got better, because with the extra power there's actually less reason to use all of it.

Is the excess smoke due to an increase in fuel being introduced into the cylinder? If so, then would this cause a minor increase in fuel consumption?

Please note these are questions and certainly NOT a statement.

John

 

[se97mlm]

Is the excess smoke due to an increase in fuel being introduced into the cylinder? If so, then would this cause a minor increase in fuel consumption?

Please note these are questions and certainly NOT a statement.

John

There is excess smoke as there is not enough air to burn all the fuel thoroughly (A/F ratio less than 14.7:1). In the factory setup, the turbo boost matches the fuelling so that at 100% pedal, the A/F ratio doesn't get below about 18:1. This ensures up mountains and whatnot there is still a little excess air to prevent black smoke. Problem is, turbos are running at the limits of current technology at the boost levels in the factory setup. Imagine the turbo can spin to about 210000rpm, with an inlet temperature of 820°C all day long: that's some engineering.

A good experiment to do at home to show the black smoke phenomenon, is to get a lit candle and tilt it slightly so that the flame is through some wax at the side of the candle. watch the black smoke billow off! A diesel engine is much like a candle: the fuel has to mix with the surrounding air before it combusts, hence it's called a diffusion flame in the combustion chamber. When you tilt the candle, there is too much fuel (ie wax) for the air it's burning in.

A good comparison between a petrol engine and a diesel engine would be the old bunsen burners we had at school. with the air inlet closed, all the air comes from the surrounding air and the flame burns slowly. This is like a Diesel. if you open the vent, some air mixes with the fuel before combustion, and combustion occurs more rapidly and thoroughly (the blue flame). This is like a petrol engine (non-GDi)- premixed combustion.

The above explains why Diesels don't rev as high as petrols: there is not enough time for the air in the cylinder to diffuse through the fuel spray at speeds above about 5000rpm.

Damn, I should leave work at work really shouldn't i?!

Edit: sorry john, didn't answer your original question, yes consumption will increase a little tiny bit, but only by the amount by which you have overstepped the mark, ie only a few mg per rev.

Regards

Matt

 

[Richard W]

I would've said - yes...... but then again doesn't a proper explanation read so much better!

In my experience the extra diesel used in acceleration was so insignificant it was outweighed by the extra torque meaning more relaxed cruising and in reality the mpg actually went up - only 1/2mpg but enough to be noticed on my sad gits spreadsheet.

 

[muhandis89]

I recently had a large farm tractor(New Holland) chipped by the people below.They had a portable dynamometer,which when attached to PTO produced a readout of torque etc,after the engine was chipped.Torque increased by 50% !! The parent company is Danish,and they develop their own software.The guy who came to the farm(Dave Paterson) was impressive and had a Vito van with a 3.0 Lit Merc diesel with Tiptronic box as well!

www.ecopowergroup.co.uk
01228 712745 (Cumbria)

They offer a full mobile service and will come to you.

 

[maddog]

why bump a thread from 2004???

 

[GCLTuning]

Morning to all ,

There are a few major things that have not been mentioned such as

- warranty

- Approved software

- Custom Development

- Generic (one size fits all)


PS - stay away from tuning boxes

Regards *** Tuning