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Cheshire110



Member Since: 26 Jul 2013
Location: Cheshire/London
Posts: 2725

United Kingdom 
Defender tuning box experience
So i bought a 'racechip' for my 2.4 110 as here:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Performance-Box-...4abb3d3c08

And i just thought id post my experience so far (roughly 2 weeks use)

Firstly, quoted power/torque gains are: +32bhp (122 -> 154bhp) and torque +76Nm (360 -> 456Nm)

Id say that 0-60mph has dropped by a second or two (youre not going to win any drag races still) but driveability has increased a lot more. Much better throttle response and it pulls through the gears much better. No added smoke or vibrations, just a subtly smoother running engine with a more torquey feel. The most obvious increase is when you overtake in 3rd/4th/5th, the acceleration is obviously much better.

For £100 im very impressed, its better than the £400 Chip express one which i returned because i was a bit underwhelmed for the price tbh, and needed the £££.

MPG- i always take my MPG when filling up, and it varies from 23-27 usually, last 2 with tuning box have been 24.9 and 26, so no real change but im probably driving more aggressively with the newfound speed Wink

Definitely worth considering before you spend 3,4,5,6,7 hundred pounds on a remap, and as mine is still under warranty i simply un plug it when its in the dealer. Its been on diagnostics twice since i fitted it (having removed it when they had it) for an EGR fault and not spotted/mentioned.

towing is much better too, and may just be me but i feel like the engine isnt working as hard when i put my foot down and let it get to 2750+ rpm with the trailer, and the engine note is possibly a bit grumblier than before, but i have had a couple faults (EGR etc) sorted so could be that.

Overall id say Thumbs Up and very good value, only £100 ish

Hope this helps someone, ill keep an eye on mpg and long term effects and let you know. Cheers, David
Land Rovers of all shapes S3 onwards… Daily is a 110 V8.
Post #257204 8th Aug 2013 10:59am
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Martin
Site Admin


Member Since: 02 Apr 2007
Location: Hook Norton
Posts: 6489

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Montalcino Red
See my comments last year about plug-in boxes: http://www.defender2.net/forum/post151803.html#151803  1988 90 Td5 NAS soft top
2015 D90 XS SW
Post #257207 8th Aug 2013 11:07am
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Cheshire110



Member Since: 26 Jul 2013
Location: Cheshire/London
Posts: 2725

United Kingdom 
Martin wrote:
See my comments last year about plug-in boxes: http://www.defender2.net/forum/post151803.html#151803


Yeah seen that before, but a proper remap is £450+ and mine was £100 inc shipping.

It's cheap and cheerful, and does what it says on the tin. And being able to simply remove it is a big plus for me.
Just to clarify, is anyone saying that Tuning boxes do harm in the long run, or are people just saying that you're better off getting a remap to get the best results?

I'm happy with the results at the price, and when my warranty runs out I can probably start to play around with remaps etc., but for now - as long as no damage is being done - I'm happy (and not broke!) Cheers, David
Land Rovers of all shapes S3 onwards… Daily is a 110 V8.
Post #257209 8th Aug 2013 11:15am
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Martin
Site Admin


Member Since: 02 Apr 2007
Location: Hook Norton
Posts: 6489

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Montalcino Red
Well it's your engine at risk - up to you if you want to do that.  1988 90 Td5 NAS soft top
2015 D90 XS SW
Post #257211 8th Aug 2013 11:20am
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pjb



Member Since: 08 Apr 2009
Location: Sunny Oxford
Posts: 1244

DW just be careful what you post on an open forum - Land Rover do look at the site in fact we encourage their participation Whistle

Just search defender tuning box in google & see your post Exclamation

Not being a kill joy & do appreciate postings on products etc but just do not want you top come a cropper if you have a problem because of a user review Thumbs Up

Although you are nearly out of warranty now 2020 P300 HSE
Post #257213 8th Aug 2013 11:35am
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Cheshire110



Member Since: 26 Jul 2013
Location: Cheshire/London
Posts: 2725

United Kingdom 
pjb wrote:
DW just be careful what you post on an open forum - Land Rover do look at the site in fact we encourage their participation Whistle

Just search defender tuning box in google & see your post Exclamation

Not being a kill joy & do appreciate postings on products etc but just do not want you top come a cropper if you have a problem because of a user review Thumbs Up

Although you are nearly out of warranty now


good point, will keep it to a minimum! and have extended warranty atm Cheers, David
Land Rovers of all shapes S3 onwards… Daily is a 110 V8.
Post #257214 8th Aug 2013 11:37am
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TJ101



Member Since: 30 May 2007
Location: Taunton Somerset
Posts: 3747

Isle Of Man 2015 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Montalcino Red
A proper remap is much cheaper than a new engine,,
Tune box's are a very crude way of just throwing more fuel into the engine

Bargepole springs to mind California F1, 75th 110 "Kermit", 50th Ann V8, 90 V8 Hybrid, 55 Series 1

Main Brian James Trailer Dealer for South West UK
Post #257258 8th Aug 2013 1:59pm
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camelman



Member Since: 27 Feb 2013
Location: Peak District
Posts: 3332

United Kingdom 
I tried the bluespark 'economy' plug in box on the 2.4 110 I had.
Must admit, it was a tad quicker but the economy was exactly the same as without it so sent it back after a couple of weeks..... Went for the superchips bluefin reprogamable remap in the end at around the £300 mark. Plenty more poke and about the same mpg.
Got a 2.2 now and sticking with the standard set up for a while..... 
Post #257270 8th Aug 2013 2:59pm
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Norm4n



Member Since: 31 Aug 2012
Location: Surrey
Posts: 329

United Kingdom 
I went for middle ground, spent a bit more than your 100.

Got the Superchips plug and play thingy. Reputable company, been in business for years, I appreciate its not bespoke.

Has been very good
Post #257275 8th Aug 2013 3:13pm
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K9F



Member Since: 12 Nov 2009
Location: Bournemouth
Posts: 9610

United Kingdom 2008 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Stornoway Grey
£100 for a resistor you can get from any electrical wholesaler for about 50p. "Rodney I've been had!" Rolling with laughter Thumbs Up If you go through life with your head in the sand....all people will see is an ar5e!!

Treat every day as if it is your last....one day you will be right!!
Post #257276 8th Aug 2013 3:13pm
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big steve



Member Since: 24 Dec 2009
Location: hertfordshire
Posts: 2456

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 HT Montalcino Red
I know a certain tuner that fitted one of these boxes to a brand new BMW factory figs were 220hp and 300lb/ft torque with box fitted 120hp and 200lb/ft torque and this was done on a dyno lol

So be leave what you want a bout the boxes but I certainly wouldn't touch one with a barge pole !

Steve 2015 2.2 tdci hardtop xs
3.2 conversion DONE 238bhp and 707nm torque and thats just the start ;-P
hybrid turbo in build -done ready to fit
ashcroft atb in transfer box
6 speed auto in build
Post #257280 8th Aug 2013 4:21pm
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theorangebandit



Member Since: 03 Jun 2013
Location: Stowmarket
Posts: 862

It's funny how mechanics and engineers steer well clear of these yet because an engineer recommends it to someone that has no idea how the evil device makes the car faster, they buy it.

Your engine will break your EGR faults are probably directly linked to the box. Save for a map


Last edited by theorangebandit on 8th Aug 2013 5:07pm. Edited 1 time in total
Post #257281 8th Aug 2013 4:23pm
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GUM97



Member Since: 05 Feb 2012
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 3555

United Kingdom 1997 Defender 90 300 Tdi HT Stornoway Grey
As stated previously, I would steer well clear. There's a reason why people go to the well reputed companies for tuning etc. An engine to TDi for!
"Land Rover- Proudly turning drivers into mechanics since 1948"
Post #257284 8th Aug 2013 4:51pm
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Naks



Member Since: 27 Jan 2009
Location: Stellenbosch, ZA
Posts: 2604

South Africa 2010 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 SW Alpine White
OP: now put some money aside every month for an engine rebuild/new engine for when yours goes *BANG* --
2010 Defender Puma 90 + BAS remap + Alive IC + Slickshift + Ashcroft ATB rear
2015 Range Rover Sport V8 Supercharged



Defender Puma Workshop Manual: https://bit.ly/2zZ1en9
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Post #257458 9th Aug 2013 10:13am
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Cheshire110



Member Since: 26 Jul 2013
Location: Cheshire/London
Posts: 2725

United Kingdom 
Naks wrote:
OP: now put some money aside every month for an engine rebuild/new engine for when yours goes *BANG*


Has anyone actually had/heard of this happen?

If I want a REMOVABLE remap; where do I go?

FYI these companies have literally 1000s of positive feedbacks eBay etc. but I'll listen to the advice if we think they're a problem? Cheers, David
Land Rovers of all shapes S3 onwards… Daily is a 110 V8.
Post #257461 9th Aug 2013 10:26am
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