Car remapping/Tuning essential prerequisistes and checklist

Important:

1. A Remap is like nitrous, it won't fix problems you already have
2. Tuning a car in poor health will likely end it's life quicker - "a candle that burns twice as bright lasts half as long"  (Ridley Scott 1982, Bladerunner.)
3. Drive within design limits of your engine
4. A Remap will make a healthy car drive noticeably better which can potentially add longevity (good maintenance and consistent/responsible driving behaviour)

1. No DTC's, OBD Scan-Tool returns zero codes, EML's
2. Compression Test - at a minimum reading spark plugs to assess
3. Leak down test - if you're really serious
4. Fresh Plugs, check heat range is correct, if stepping up 50+ bhp go one plug cooler
5. Fresh Oil & Filter, Clean/Renew Air-Filter
6. Fuel Lines
7. Tappets/Valve clearances adjusted (if adjustable)
8. Timing Chain/Timing Belts within service window
9. Battery in good condition, 12.5V or higher, Alternator charges 13.8V or higher

1. MOT
2. Tyres
3. Brakes
4. Suspension

Tell your tuner what grade/quality you intend to run the majority of the time.  Your vehicle will be optimised for this, and within safe ignition limits of the octane and ethanol characteristics.

• Unleaded 95 RON (E10) - most common with 10% ethanol content
• Unleaded 99 RON (E5)  - higher octane, less ethanol, cleaner, higher quality, more MPG and importantly more safe power
• Diesel:  Shell vs Tesco vs ...  Consider buying from a source with better additives that will keep tank and injectors clean and running well.  Also go to stations where the fuel is fresh. Diesel bug can ruin a set of injectors and/or engine and be a costly repair - consistent MPG in the long run vs getting cheaper fills.

Ethanol fyi:

• used to blend with gasoline with the idea that it is more environmentally friendly, and a cleaner burn
• made with biomass sources such as sugercane and corn
• The drive is that it burns cleaner however your engine actually needs to burn more in the combustion cycle to make the same power
• Provides less MPG vs a lower ethanol fuel, however higher ethanol fuel is cheaper
• Gums up carburetors, attacks fuel lines, o-rings for the old school equipment out there
• Similarly modern cars with direct injection also suffer from gummed up intake tracts
• Very hard on seals, o-rings, fuel lines.  Use Viton and NBR where possible.