Revo Remaps - Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can the dealer see that my car is modified?
2. Can the insurance company see that the car is modified?
3. TUV
4. Maximum BHP levels
5. Are there updates to programs?
6. What do I do if the main dealer updates my factory software?
7. Can I upgrade to switching later?
8. Where do I go to get the new software?
9. Can I use someone else’s SPS to change my program?
10. How long will it take to install?
11. What is variable table control?
12. How do I adjust boost and timing?
13. Why would I want to adjust boost and timing?
14. Can this damage my car?
15. What is the Anti Theft?
16. How do I operate the anti theft?
17. What is the trial program?
18. How long is the trial program active?
19. What is a diagnostic port?
20. Where is my diagnostic port?
21. What is OBD2?
22. What parameters do Revo change in their performance remap?
23. ECU
24. ESD
25. Data logging
26. Dynamometer
27. What if my car is already "chipped"?

1. Can the dealer see that my car is modified?
There is no removal or addition of any hardware so there is no physical indication that the car has been modified. Engine electronics behave exactly as original and if the Revo software is turned to 'Stock' mode using a Revo switch, most current diagnostic equipment cannot detect any difference. If however the car is left in performance mode it becomes obvious that its not standard when someone drives the car, this could be confirmed by datalogging requested boost values. As there are no permanent changes to the ECU the factory original code can simply be reloaded at any point in time.

2. Can the insurance company see that the car is modified?
Insurance companies, like dealers, use different methods of discovery when it comes to chipping. Some use dealer diagnostic equipment to inspect the ECU while others physically open the ECU to inspect the soldering on the chip. The software is only visible to them if the internal ECU code is read out from the ECU by using special equipment or by removing certain Eeprom from the ECU and dumping the code from it.

3. TUV
Since we are not disassembling, changing components, or modifying any hardware on the vehicle there is no need for TUV approval.

4. Maximum BHP levels
All of our code is designed to work well within the load limits of the engine. Some tuners who cannot make efficient power use scare tactics suggesting their max number is the highest number that can be achieved safely. Don’t be fooled, lesser companies with lesser technology simply need excuses for their lack of ability. We do suggest certain procedures to increase the longevity of the vehicle; any vehicle not just modified ones. See what can I do to get the most out of my car? As with any vehicle proper maintenance is paramount.

5. Are there updates to programs?
Sometimes. Occasionally we will revisit a code if newer versions of the factory base code are released. There are updated versions of new code throughout each model year and if the upgrades are relevant to our customers we will introduce those changes into our code.

6. What do I do if the main dealer updates my factory software?
We update our performance software based on the latest factory version of software for the given ECU. Once an update has been released by the main dealer, we rebuild and release a new performance version. If your car is updated at the main dealer your Revo dealer can reinstall your performance software free of charge.

7. Can I upgrade to switching later?
Yes. All of the code is programmed with all of the options enabled and all that is needed is an SPS device to switch programs. An SPS device may be purchased directly from any of our dealers and at any time.

8. Where do I go to get the new software?
Any of our dealers can program the vehicle.

9. Can I use someone else’s SPS to change my program?
Yes. The latest versions of SPS's will work on all switchable Revo programs.

10. How long will it take to install?
Typically the entire process will take less than 10 minutes.

11. What is variable table control?
Found on the Select Plus switches, this function is for those who want to tune their car for every situation. The adaptation will take care of most environmental variables as well as some fuel variables. The variable table control is not designed to take the place of the adaptation but to work along side it. It gives the ability of using different boost and timing levels for different performance desires.

12. How do I adjust boost and timing?
The Select Plus switches have built in controllers for boost fuelling and timing. Using the software supplied with the switch you can alter the three user presets on the switch or alter the settings within the ECU directly. Further instructions on set up are included with the switch or can be downloaded from here.

13. Why would I want to adjust boost and timing?
The ability to adjust the boost and timing levels of a revo program means that your car can be tailored to suit an individuals tailored needs. the boost adjustment allows the user to make changes acording to weather conditions, get the most from add on hardwrae upgrades or change the way the car responds when driving. the adjustable timing allows the user to get the most from the range of available fuels whether it be standard pump fuel or high octane race fuels.

14. Can this damage my car?
The ECU has built in safety mechanisms that prevent damage to engine if the values are set too high. The performance of the car will be less than optimised until the adjustments are lowered or a pre-set program is selected. More is not always better in tuning.

15. What is the Anti Theft?
Anti Theft is a function found on SPS's that will lock out all inputs to the ECU. It will leave the car totally inoperable even if the thief has the key. Unlike other security devices this has no wires and cannot be defeated without using an SPS unit to turn it off.

16. How do I operate the anti theft?
Anti Theft is activated by selecting the anti theft mode, then inserting the sps unit into the obd2 diagnostic port. the ecu is then inoperable and the car will not start. to unlock the anti theft program, repeat these steps. the ecu will then power up with no faults or loss of memory.

17. What is the trial program?
The trial program is a test program we give away free of charge. It is used for people who are not sure if they want to purchase performance software. The software is activated on a special timer and when the trial period expires the car reverts to a standard performance level.

18. How long is the trial program active?
The trial period is active for about 5 hours of actual driving time. The counter is not active unless the engine is running.

19. What is a diagnostic port?
The diagnostic port is the port that the dealer uses to communicate with the vehicle. It communicates with virtually all of the computers in the vehicle and will download faults that will aid the technician in locating problems.

20. Where is my diagnostic port?
Different cars have the ports in different locations. Look at the instructions at the end of this document for a complete list of locations and photos.

21. What is OBD2?
On Board Diagnostics 2 – The newest generation of diagnostic port. All auto manufacturers use this standardised system to communicate with the vehicle. The plug interface is the same for each vehicle as well as the communication protocols. It allows one standardised system to work with all cars. Previous generation OBD1 was not standardised and proved to be insufficient and is no longer used.

22. What parameters do Revo change in their performance remap?
Typically we will change about 35 different tables in a standard remap. Of which load, boost, timing, and fuel are all adjusted as well as the variable cam timing. Some tuners change only one table while most others no more than 6. By increasing one table it may be indirectly increasing another table and causing it to "max out" or be at the limit of the table. This effectively leaves this table ineffective in providing necessary data for the control systems. We have the ability to rescale any table to add to its range. We have many proprietary methods and programs that we use to make the most powerful and smoothest software available.

23. ECU
Electronic Control Unit, also ECM (Electronic Control Module) – The brain of the engine. It houses the processor and memory of the engine functions as well as other functions.

24. ESD
Electro Static Discharge – a very high voltage shock that renders electronic components useless. It is the same effect as sliding your feet on carpet and getting a jolt! However only a small fraction of that is needed to destroy an electronic component.

25. Data logging
Data logging is the ability to monitor different functions of the engine while actually driving a car on the road or on a dynamometer. We sample approximately 30 different inputs simultaneously at over 10 Hz each. That means each channel is updating itself 10 times a second! We monitor requested load, actual load, requested boost, actual boost, timing, intake air temp, knock on each individual cylinder, fuel, rpm, as well as proprietary tuning functions.

26. Dynamometer
A dynamometer is a machine used to measure torque of an engine. "Dyno’s" as they are typically called measure the power output of an engine. "chassis dyno’s" or "rolling roads" are used to measure the power at the wheels and can calculate drivetrain loss. Contrary to popular belief dynos do not actually measure horsepower; horsepower is a mathematical function of torque. Torque is measured and horsepower is then calculated.

27. What if my car is already "chipped"?
Different suppliers use different methods of "chipping". If it is a standard remap there will not be a problem, the software will simply overwrite the other code. If the software is on an encryption module then it will need to be replaced with a factory EPROM. In the second instance attempting to reflash this could cause the ECU to lock out, it is the responsibility of the owner to make the Revo dealer aware of the type of modification on the car. Revo or it's dealers cannot be held responsible for any damage resulting from misinformation. In the case of overwriting with trial software, when expired the ECU will revert to stock performance levels regardless of the previous modifications to the ECU.