As the title implies I am considering getting the ecu remapped, has anyone had this done to a 1.8 freelander and did it show any gains over std settings. I have just recently changed the caravan for one weighing 1250kg and find that I'm up and down the gearbox a lot more than when towing the old van at 1050kg with the fuel consumption between 17-20mpg when I used to get 22-25 with the lighter van. I know the increase in bhp is only 12bhp but is it worth the expense of approx £150 or am I wasting my time.
Singvogel
Well-Known Member
I don't think that you will benefit much.
I would be thinking more along the lines of finding a TD4.
I can tow a fully loaded 2 axle 2 tonne gross trailer with mine, and still keep up with the general flow of traffic.
With a load equal to your caravan I would not be under any strain at all.
Depends how much towing you do of course.
I would be thinking more along the lines of finding a TD4.
I can tow a fully loaded 2 axle 2 tonne gross trailer with mine, and still keep up with the general flow of traffic.
With a load equal to your caravan I would not be under any strain at all.
Depends how much towing you do of course.
Thanks for the reply, I do about 2k per year with the van on, have looked on the Caravan club match site and it complains about the power output on all Freelanders, 32 bhp per ton for the 2l diesel, 35 for a Td4 and 37 for a 1.8 petrol yet you look at a car with 42bhp per ton and they don't have a problem with it. I used to have a MGF and put a 52mm throttle body on that and it's response was much improved and might just be a cheaper option to chipping, which having spoke to a company in Sheffield the rewards don't rate that high and have now abandoned that idea. I am happy enough with the general performance just wish I didn't have to change up and down so much, so I might change the throttle body and see if it does improve and I can do that for about £50.
Singvogel
Well-Known Member
That's what I was thinking of when I said it depends how much towing you do.
Unless you're going to go touring in the highland of Scotland I would not be spending a disproportionate amount of cash on uprating it.
IMHO the Caravan Club BHP/ton is not a good indicator of towing ability in every case. The 1.8 Freelander may well have more BHP/ton than the TD4 version but that power is only available at high revs (hence the gear changing required to keep the revs up) however the diesel has loads more torque low down where you need it for towing.
Unless you're going to go touring in the highland of Scotland I would not be spending a disproportionate amount of cash on uprating it.
IMHO the Caravan Club BHP/ton is not a good indicator of towing ability in every case. The 1.8 Freelander may well have more BHP/ton than the TD4 version but that power is only available at high revs (hence the gear changing required to keep the revs up) however the diesel has loads more torque low down where you need it for towing.
martin1512
Well-Known Member
As has been said before, you are better off changing to a TD4. The cooling system on the 1.8 struggles enough as it is, so tuning the engine is not going to help that at all. The other problem is the nature of small petrol engines. They only make a useful amount of torque, when you are in the higher rev range, and tuning the engine doesn't make any noticeable difference at low RPM's, which is where you need the power when towing.
Just a quick update on the Freelander, well I have now fitted the 52mm throttle body and I can't believe the difference. Used to get 22ish around town ( living in Sheffield it's nearly all hills) I have done 220miles at an average of 27mpg with no dual carriageway use, the engine responds much quicker pulls up hills in a higher gear without problems altogether a much better drive all it cost was £35 and my old throttle body. Just to finish it off I have also replaced the gear linkage, so it's no longer like stiring porridge trying to find a gear, happy with it all, too right!
did yu get the metal or plastic throttle body?
I have drive alot of FL1 1.8k's before and after plastic to alloy throttle bodies, it does make a difference in throttle response. Its mostly because those plastic ones stick and hold randomly when hot. They drive crap.
It sounds like what your confusing with your question about mapping your 1.8k, is the difference between bhp and torque.
bhp is very unimportant compared to torque when it comes to towing. If you tow alot, reguardless of anything, diesels do it better.
It sounds like what your confusing with your question about mapping your 1.8k, is the difference between bhp and torque.
bhp is very unimportant compared to torque when it comes to towing. If you tow alot, reguardless of anything, diesels do it better.
No I'm not confusing bhp and torque for pulling power but I do accept your is torque is the requirement for towing. The answer to the throttle body question is as standard it's a 48mm plastic or alloy, the plastic ones were made by S.U as in the old carburreter, they went out of business around 2001 then Dellorto again a carb' maker started producing the alloy ones. The 52mm was std fit on the MG ZR160 and MGTF135/160, and can be found on flea bay or try ringing Jill or Darren at MGFnTF bitz in Glossop. They are a straight swap for the 48mm takes about 10mins to swap, google MG 52mm throttle body and you will find all the info you need. 4mm might not sound like a big difference but it is actually a 17% increase in the throttle area. Hope this helps.
Do not be tempted with a 56mm as this is too big and will reduce performance not increase it.
Do not be tempted with a 56mm as this is too big and will reduce performance not increase it.
not sure you benefit much more than that tho
