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In tune with the times
Page 43
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CM tests the Bluefin storage device to see if a good tune really can save fuel.
Woia. 1. uitgi tJaf riet The principle behind electronic tuning , of turbo-diesel engines is well established, the market leader Superchips having been around for some 30 years now. You don't stay in business that long, and indeed continue expanding, without getting the basics right.
'Chip tuning' is designed to take advantage of the fact that engine manufacturers build a considerable safety margin into their products to allow for operation in markets with less consistent fuel quality and maintenance regimes than in UK transport. However, the technology used covers a broad spectrum of sophistication, from simple resistors in sensor feeds to trick an engine's ECU into providing more fuel and/or turbo boost, to proper scientifically-modified engine-fuelling maps optimised for each individual engine variant.
Superchips falls into the latter category, but it appreciates that not every operator always needs more power and torque. For example, you may require your van to pull a trailer occasionally, but don't need full power all the time. So it has come up with Bluefin, a handheld plug-in device that stores both the original ECU map and one modified for higher output. Once initialised, the simple process of changing between maps takes about 10 minutes Obviously, as with any tuning process, the insurance and warranty consequences should be considered, although Superchips provides a warranty to cover vehicle failure directly attributable to the Bluefin. The unit costs £391. including VAT and delivery.
Bluefin is available for a wide range of cars and a growing list of LCVs. Units are available for the Ford Transit, VW Transporter and Land Rover Freelander Commercial. It was on the latter that we carried out a carefully controlled test with Bluefin. Although the effect of electronic tuning tends to vary according to the health of the existing engine tune, Superchips' indicative dyno figures show a power increase from 157hp to 190hp, with torque rising from 400Nm to 484Nm.
To eliminate traffic and other variables, we measured performance and fuel economy at our regular proving ground in as close a timeframe as possible. Performance was checked by timing standing start acceleration and, more importantly in the real world, mid-range acceleration in third and fourth gears. Economy testing was split into two parts: first, 20 miles were covered at a constant 60mph on the slightly undulating main circuit with no stops; then came another 20 miles on a hill route, half on flat terrain and half with steep hills and tight bends Each lap included two five-second stops and restarts. The process was carried out on the standard settings, then repeated with the Bluefin settings loaded. For comparison, driving style remained as similar as possible on both sets of runs, with identical gearshift points, etc.
A stopwatch wasn't really necessary to show that acceleration improved, it was felt immediately, but rises of around 10% were noted on all the measurements. The fuel testing showed an improvement of 1.6mpg at steady speed and 1.8mpg on the stop/start cycle.
The verdict
While the objective testing showed worthwhile improvements, we believe the real-world rise is even better. The increased torque and flexibility allow more use to be made of higher gears much earlier. The throttle response and general driveability were significantly better.
Needless to say, there is no such thing as a free lunch. If you take advantage of the increased performance all the time, you aren't going to see the fuel savings. Assuming you drive for straightforward fuel saving, you're looking at a payback time in the region of 25,000 miles, probably within two years for most users, but with the bonus of a much more drivable vehicle that is harder to price. •