Postal TD5 ECU Remap vs In House Remap: Which Option Is Best?
You can bring the vehicle to us for an in house remap, or you can send the ECU in for our postal remap service.
Both options can work well. The best route depends on where you are, what ECU you have, how modified the vehicle is and whether you want the full vehicle checked at the same time.
At Empire Tuning, we offer both options because not every customer is local to us. Some customers want the full workshop process, while others need a practical postal route because they are further away or outside the UK.
What is an in house TD5 remap?
An in house TD5 remap means you bring the vehicle to Empire Tuning and we carry out the work here.
This is the best option if you want the full process.
Before mapping, we carry out a health check and look at the vehicle properly. That can include checking fault codes, live data, boost control, fuelling and general behaviour before the calibration is applied.
Once the remap is installed, we road test the vehicle and monitor live data to make sure everything is doing what it should.
This is the route we recommend for customers who want the most complete service, especially if the vehicle has symptoms, unknown previous work or supporting modifications fitted.
What is a postal TD5 ECU remap?
A postal TD5 ECU remap is where you remove the ECU from the vehicle, send it to us, and we remap it on the bench.
This is useful if you are not local to us or cannot bring the vehicle in.
We can still tailor the map to the vehicle based on the information you provide, such as the model, engine type, ECU type, modifications and how the vehicle is used.
The postal option is practical, but the obvious difference is that we do not have the whole vehicle here for live data checks and road testing.
That is why the information you send with the ECU matters.
Current TD5 remap pricing
Our current TD5 remap pricing is:
- In house TD5 remap: £250 plus VAT
- Postal TD5 ECU remap: £250 plus VAT
The in house service includes the health check, remap, road test, live data monitoring and any adjustments needed after the initial drive.
With the postal service, we tune the ECU based on the vehicle details and modifications supplied by the customer.
Which option gives the best result?
If the vehicle can come to us, the in house remap is normally the best route.
The reason is simple. We can see what the vehicle is actually doing.
TD5s are getting older now and they are not all in the same condition. Two vehicles with the same parts fitted can drive very differently depending on sensors, boost control, fuel delivery, previous work and general maintenance.
By having the vehicle here, we can check it properly before and after the remap.
The postal service is still a good option, especially for standard or known setups, but it does rely more on the details provided.
When is the in house remap best?
The in house remap is best if:
- You can travel to Empire Tuning
- The vehicle has existing running issues
- You have unknown previous tuning
- You have supporting modifications fitted
- You want live data checked properly
- You want the vehicle road tested after mapping
- You are unsure whether the vehicle is healthy enough to tune
This route gives us the best chance of spotting issues before they become a problem.
For example, if the MAF sensor is not reading correctly, boost control is not behaving or the vehicle is already showing signs of a fuel delivery issue, it is better to know before adding more demand through a remap.
When is the postal remap best?
The postal option is best if:
- You are too far away to visit us
- The vehicle is a known healthy setup
- You are outside the UK
- You are happy to remove and send the ECU
- You want a practical and cost effective route
- You can give us clear details about the vehicle and modifications
For many customers, the postal route makes sense. It keeps things simple and avoids the need to travel.
The important part is making sure we have the right information before we tune the ECU.
What information should you send with the ECU?
If you are using the postal ECU remap service, please include as much useful information as possible.
We normally want to know:
- Vehicle model
- Year
- Engine type if known
- ECU type if known
- Current modifications
- Tyre size if relevant
- How the vehicle is used
- Any faults, smoke issues or drivability problems
- Whether it is manual or automatic
The more accurate the information, the better the calibration can be matched to the vehicle.
Please use our ECU Order Form, print it and include it in the box with the ECU.
What about remote tuning with Just Map It?
For some customers, Just Map It is the better long term route.
Just Map It allows TD5 owners to read and write ECU files, log live data, carry out diagnostics and work with us remotely.
This is useful if you want future changes, remote support or a better way of sending us information from the vehicle.
For example, if you later change the intercooler, exhaust, turbo or transfer box setup, Just Map It gives a much easier way to work with us without sending the ECU back each time.
If you are overseas, this can be a very useful option once the ECU is suitable.
Does the ECU type matter?
Yes.
TD5s can have either an MSB or NNN ECU.
The NNN ECU is the later programmable ECU and is generally easier to support for remapping and remote tuning.
The earlier MSB ECU can still be supported, but the route may be different. In many cases, we can upgrade an MSB ECU so it becomes OBD compliant and more suitable for future support.
If you are unsure what ECU you have, send us a photo of the ECU label before booking anything in.
What if the vehicle has a hybrid turbo?
If your TD5 has a hybrid turbo or hybrid CHRA fitted, we need to know exactly what it is before recommending the best route.
Hybrid turbos vary a lot in quality and design. Some setups work well, while others can be a risk if the hardware is unknown or poorly built.
For vehicles with more involved hardware changes, we normally prefer to see the vehicle in house where possible.
That way we can check live data and make sure the setup is behaving properly before pushing it harder.
Is postal remapping safe?
Yes, when the right information is supplied and the vehicle is suitable.
The main limitation is that we cannot physically check the vehicle during a postal remap.
If the vehicle already has a fault, the remap will not magically fix it. A weak fuel pump, poor MAF reading, boost leak, sticking wastegate or tired sensors can all affect how the vehicle drives.
That is why we ask questions before recommending the best route.
Which option should you choose?
If you can get the vehicle to us, choose the in house remap.
It gives the most complete process and allows us to check the vehicle properly.
If you are too far away, the postal ECU remap is a practical option, especially if the vehicle is healthy and you can give us clear details.
If you want ongoing remote support, future map changes or live data logging, then Just Map It is worth looking at.
FAQ
How much is a TD5 remap?
An in house TD5 remap is £250 plus VAT. A postal TD5 ECU remap is £250 plus VAT.
What does the in house TD5 remap include?
The in house service includes a health check, remap, road test, live data monitoring and any adjustments needed after the initial drive.
Can I send my TD5 ECU by post?
Yes. Please use the ECU Order Form, print it and include it in the box with the ECU.
Is a postal remap tailored to my vehicle?
Yes, the postal remap is tailored based on the vehicle details and modifications supplied by the customer.
Is in house better than postal?
In house is normally the best option if you can get the vehicle to us, because we can check live data and road test the vehicle before and after mapping.
Can Just Map It be used instead of sending the ECU in?
In many cases, yes. Just Map It can be used for reading, writing, logging and remote support, as long as the ECU setup is suitable.
Need help choosing the right TD5 remap option?
If you are unsure whether to book in, send your ECU by post or use Just Map It, get in touch with Empire Tuning.
Send us your vehicle details, ECU information and a list of any modifications, and we can point you in the right direction.
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