Ok so you had the box before. I have the ecutek remap but it was done in January on the dyno. It does not have the selectable maps etc but I wonder how different it is from the new software
I had the original Litchfield map (not sure if that was Ecutek rebadged or something else). Initial impressions are:
1) It's a very linear map, I've had maps on other cars where if you accelerate in the mid range to overtake (say at 55-60mph, then drop a gear), you get inconsistency in the boost / power delivery which makes for an unnerving overtaking. This feels very factory everywhere, just more power, no flat spots so on the whole really pleased with that
2) Repeatability - today's a warm day. On cars running higher boost when ambient temps are high I have noted in some cars that as the IAT's rise the car feels slower to respond as heat soak sets in on multiple accelerations. My big concern for this car was the factory intercooler, but I have to say so far I've not noted that the car is holding back at all, so it's unlikely as the car will see no track time that I'm going to bother doing the spray bar mod from the Mk2
3) I've not seen any DTC log as yet, and I can't say that I've noted any negative driving characteristics in respect of the knock on effect of running slightly more power. The biggest challenge is actually me. In the early gears changing from 1st to 2nd comes up so fast now that the 40% short shifter reduction is helping get the gear change in fast enough. Other than that everything else seems fine. I drive it at 6-7/10th most of the time, and it only get's 9/10's for brief spells when the road dictates it's safe or if some overtakes are required. The longest hard it's had has been over the Black Mountains in Wales, but because it's windy even that didn't see the temps go up that much on oil temp
4) I don't think I've seen over 1.5 bar, all other readings on the dash are well within tolerance
I appreciate there is always a risk to mapping cars, my view is if you drive it with a level of mechanical sympathy, you service it slightly more regulary (I do 5k oil changes or every year, whatever comes first, and new spark plugs every 10k max), then you are limiting the risks. Considerate warm up / cool down cycles reduce the risk further, and if you get the slightest sense anything isn't right, stop the car and seek professional input. If your car sits for a while run a lower octane map until you get new 99RON fuel in it.
I've been getting my cars tuned since 1998 and to date I've only had one HPFP cam lobe failure which was a Hitachi design fault. I've always respected the additional ask on the car, and made allowances. Most of the failures are either really bad luck, poor maintenance schedules or pushing too far without preventative investments. Yes I'd like to do more for the cooling, I may wrap the exhaust / manifold, but I'm not sure I can be bothered with the expense of an IC right now.
So in summary I feel like this map has worked round some of the restrictions that the first map may have faced before Ecutek were able to break more of the security on the ECU. It feels faster everywhere, but it's not night and day, it's just an improved urgency, and the biggest gain in my opinion is the improvements over 60 where the OEM car always felt a bit asthmatic going up the clock. If I could turn back the clock, have my money back and make the decision again, yes I'd still go with the new map as it feels so much more responsive. I like the ability to evolve the map, and not have a 6 hour round trip if the map accidentally gets over written. If you're unsure maybe try get out as a passenger in an owners car as paying twice makes it very pricey. Happy choosing!
