Performance Tuning Box review

mac_guy555 · 5th September 2008, 20:09

Hello everyone,
I was posting on Hellstar's thread for the Verna and he gave me a good idea to start a new thread for people who are really keen on owning a performance tuning box OTHER than the much acclaimed Pete's tuning box for their CRDi (common rail diesel engine) Cars.

The only reason I bought a performance tuning box which is not Pete's which is so ever popular in these forums is because I could not digest the cost given to me by the dealer in my city. 31,000/- Rs.

So I decided to do a little bit of research on my own and take little risks. Well it was definitely worth it. Well yes considering I might have lost some money if it did not work but it SURELY DOES

I bought 2 x PowerBox CR for common rail diesel engines, one of which is already installed on my Verna CRDi VGT and it has clocked about 5000 kms. with it working to my expectations. The good parts with the PowerBox CR is that :
1.) It has 24 rotations of adjustment settings for beefing up power.
2.) In all, 24 x 360 degree rotations would give you upto 25-30% more
than stock car.
3.) Does not void warranty since there is no need for cutting wires. Just
plug and play.
4.) Most importantly it works with a wide variety of cars like common rail
engines .... for eg. CRDi , CDi , HDi , TDCi and also is known to work on
the Fiat Palio & the Swift DDIS. So even if you decide to sell your car
you can retain the PowerBox CR by just unplugging it

5.) It cost me about 18,000/- per tuning box landed in India. How's that
for VFM ???

Below if a overview of the same:

The PowerBox CR works by modifying the electronic signals that control fuel pressure produced by the pump in order to optimize engine performance. The PowerBox CR senses and responds to changes in engine load/speed throughout the range of acceleration. With the PowerBox CR, pressure accumulates faster in the rail and is readily maintained to deliver more power and torque. The result is smooth and responsive acceleration that produces sportier handling. The increased torque produced by the PowerBox enables the engine to operate more efficiently, so fuel consumption is minimized.
The PowerBox CR is equipped with plugs that are compatible with those in your vehicle. With the instructions provided, an inexperienced driver can complete the installation in 5 minutes on most models. The PowerBox CR will not override the safe operating parameters of your engine and does not change or interfere with ECU functioning. Other features are highlighted in the product overview below

Product Overview:

For Common Rail Systems
Up to 25% increase in power and 30% increase in torque
Improved fuel efficiency (an average of 2.5 MPG!)
No increased emissions
No interference to the Electronic Control Unit (ECU); original settings are not altered
Will not harm your engine, does not increase injection pressure
Includes OEM plugs (no soldering required)
Will not alter engine diagnostics functioning
Will not interfere with engine error code sensing
Does not change the service intervals required for your vehicle
3-year limited warranty
Detailed illustrated instructions included

Please let me know if you have any questions and I shall be glad to be of assistance to fellow TBHPian's !!! Cheers ........

mac_guy555 · 6th September 2008, 12:33

MODS Please move this thread to the appropriate section. I think I made a mistake in the section where I should have posted. Thanks

GTO · 6th September 2008, 14:31

Good review. How about gtech'ing a 0 - 100 time so we can gauge the actual performance improvement? My only concern is that, this power box seems to be a one-size-fits-all. AFAIK, the boxes from Petes are fine-tuned to each individual engine's characteristics.

mac_guy555 · 6th September 2008, 14:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO

Good review. How about gtech'ing a 0 - 100 time so we can gauge the actual performance improvement? My only concern is that, this power box seems to be a one-size-fits-all. AFAIK, the boxes from Petes are fine-tuned to each individual engine's characteristics.

Hi GTO,
Thanks for your reply. And thanks for moving it to the appropriate section. Yes it is a sort of a one-size-fits-MOST lol. The company makes the PowerBox CR for most common rail diesel engines, they also make PowerBox PD for pump duese engines , and also for the older TDi engines which go into the likes of the Skoda Octavia, Fabia etc etc.

Pete's box surely must be a wonder for sure since it is fine tuned to give the best outright performance for individual cars and I also might speculate slightly better performance of the same. (have not tested it yet)

But I guess there are pro and cons for everything in the world. I would differentiate both between practicality to performance. For eg. Price + retainability + settings for the PowerBox CR as compared to outright performance and non-retainability for PSI Motorsport Box. Please correct me if I am wrong.
Lets say I own a diesel verna right now and after 2-3 years I wish to buy a Ford Fiesta TDCi I can use the PowerBox CR there. If I buy a Pete's Box dedicated for the CRDi Verna .... can I use it on a Fiesta TDCi ??

Cheers,
Adit.

mac_guy555 · 6th September 2008, 14:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO

Good review. How about gtech'ing a 0 - 100 time so we can gauge the actual performance improvement? My only concern is that, this power box seems to be a one-size-fits-all. AFAIK, the boxes from Petes are fine-tuned to each individual engine's characteristics.

Oh yes, I have been meaning to do that ever since I installed the PowerBox CR ..... can you give me an idea where I can or who can help me out here ??

Cheers !!!

Steeroid · 6th September 2008, 14:56

Nice! There are several other european manufacturers of plug-n-play boxes for diesel engines - there are quite a few alternatives available.

mac_guy555 · 6th September 2008, 15:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steeroid

Nice! There are several other european manufacturers of plug-n-play boxes for diesel engines - there are quite a few alternatives available.

Hi Steeroid,
For sure there are many manufacturers and I had a look at a lot of them. I make my decisions on a lot of things, its not just price. I emailed most of them and found out they were too lazy to respond. If at all I got a reply and I would ask another question which would bias my decision towards buying they would not take the liberty of searching their heads for answers and would make you feel like "you're just another indian who just asks questions, not a potential buyer".
Dave Chandler of TDC Tech. was the only one who answered my queries with the utmost respect and promptness that I would have asked for. Each question was treated with respect and individuality.
Hence the immediate decision to buy from them was invoked

Cheers !!!

kpzen · 6th September 2008, 16:27

Interesting!! Nice review.
Here's another tuning box i found on net.
Tunit Performance product range

Steeroid · 6th September 2008, 16:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by kpzen

Interesting!! Nice review.
Here's another tuning box i found on net.
Tunit Performance product range

Interesting - they have boxes for the full Tata range!

model

bhp

torque (lbs/ft)

before

after

before

after

Indica 1.4 DiCOR

70

85

103

125

Indica V2 DiCOR

70

85

103

125

Indigo CS DiCOR

70

85

103

125

Safari 2.2 DiCOR

140

160

236

266

Safari 3.0 DiCOR

115

135

221

251

Sumo Grande 2.2 DiCOR

120

140

184

209

Xenon 2.2 DiCOR

140

160

236

266

Xenon XT 3.0 DiCOR

115

135

221

251

mac_guy555 · 6th September 2008, 17:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steeroid

Interesting - they have boxes for the full Tata range!

LOL thats phenomenal !!! So India is popular in tuning cars

kpzen · 6th September 2008, 17:11

The tunit box is really expensive, almost 40k.

rdkarthik · 6th September 2008, 17:16

Good review.

Cant understand the bit about power increase by not increasing fuel pressure but by "pressure accumulates faster in the rail ".. I think i will talk to these guys...

west · 6th September 2008, 18:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO

Good review. How about gtech'ing a 0 - 100 time so we can gauge the actual performance improvement? My only concern is that, this power box seems to be a one-size-fits-all. AFAIK, the boxes from Petes are fine-tuned to each individual engine's characteristics.

Actual petes box has nothing to do with engine characteristics. There are 4-5 tuning boxes suitable for 4000+engines. It depends on fuel pump fitted into the engine. Think you got it.

abhik · 7th September 2008, 11:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steeroid

model

bhp

torque (lbs/ft)

before

after

before

after

Safari 2.2 DiCOR

140

160

236

266

Safari 3.0 DiCOR

115

135

221

251

!!! Look at these figures, that is a bloody big boost for the 2.2L engine.
If its true then Scorpio mHAWK owners can try this too because the 2.2L DICOR and the 2.2L mHAWK are essentially the same engine designed by a firm in Australia for both TATA and M&M.

A Tuning Box delivering 96BHP increase with just electronics??? Can anybody please explain technically if this is possible and how.

@Sameel if you are following this, your tech inputs would be appreciated by all.

Akshay1234 · 7th September 2008, 11:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by abhik

A Tuning Box delivering 96BHP increase with just electronics??? Can anybody please explain technically if this is possible and how.

@Sameel if you are following this, your tech inputs would be appreciated by all.

dude its 20 bhp. i dunno how you got 96.

5th September 2008, 20:09	#1
mac_guy555 BHPian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Ahmedabad Posts: 111 Thanked: 39 Times	Performance Tuning Box review Hello everyone, I was posting on Hellstar's thread for the Verna and he gave me a good idea to start a new thread for people who are really keen on owning a performance tuning box OTHER than the much acclaimed Pete's tuning box for their CRDi (common rail diesel engine) Cars. The only reason I bought a performance tuning box which is not Pete's which is so ever popular in these forums is because I could not digest the cost given to me by the dealer in my city. 31,000/- Rs. So I decided to do a little bit of research on my own and take little risks. Well it was definitely worth it. Well yes considering I might have lost some money if it did not work but it SURELY DOES I bought 2 x PowerBox CR for common rail diesel engines, one of which is already installed on my Verna CRDi VGT and it has clocked about 5000 kms. with it working to my expectations. The good parts with the PowerBox CR is that : 1.) It has 24 rotations of adjustment settings for beefing up power. 2.) In all, 24 x 360 degree rotations would give you upto 25-30% more than stock car. 3.) Does not void warranty since there is no need for cutting wires. Just plug and play. 4.) Most importantly it works with a wide variety of cars like common rail engines .... for eg. CRDi , CDi , HDi , TDCi and also is known to work on the Fiat Palio & the Swift DDIS. So even if you decide to sell your car you can retain the PowerBox CR by just unplugging it 5.) It cost me about 18,000/- per tuning box landed in India. How's that for VFM ??? Below if a overview of the same: The PowerBox CR works by modifying the electronic signals that control fuel pressure produced by the pump in order to optimize engine performance. The PowerBox CR senses and responds to changes in engine load/speed throughout the range of acceleration. With the PowerBox CR, pressure accumulates faster in the rail and is readily maintained to deliver more power and torque. The result is smooth and responsive acceleration that produces sportier handling. The increased torque produced by the PowerBox enables the engine to operate more efficiently, so fuel consumption is minimized. The PowerBox CR is equipped with plugs that are compatible with those in your vehicle. With the instructions provided, an inexperienced driver can complete the installation in 5 minutes on most models. The PowerBox CR will not override the safe operating parameters of your engine and does not change or interfere with ECU functioning. Other features are highlighted in the product overview below Product Overview: For Common Rail Systems Up to 25% increase in power and 30% increase in torque Improved fuel efficiency (an average of 2.5 MPG!) No increased emissions No interference to the Electronic Control Unit (ECU); original settings are not altered Will not harm your engine, does not increase injection pressure Includes OEM plugs (no soldering required) Will not alter engine diagnostics functioning Will not interfere with engine error code sensing Does not change the service intervals required for your vehicle 3-year limited warranty Detailed illustrated instructions included Please let me know if you have any questions and I shall be glad to be of assistance to fellow TBHPian's !!! Cheers ........
	() Thanks

6th September 2008, 12:33	#2
mac_guy555 BHPian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Ahmedabad Posts: 111 Thanked: 39 Times	MODS Please move this thread to the appropriate section. I think I made a mistake in the section where I should have posted. Thanks
	() Thanks

6th September 2008, 14:31	#3
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 70,546 Thanked: 300,789 Times View My Garage	Good review. How about gtech'ing a 0 - 100 time so we can gauge the actual performance improvement? My only concern is that, this power box seems to be a one-size-fits-all. AFAIK, the boxes from Petes are fine-tuned to each individual engine's characteristics.
	() Thanks

6th September 2008, 14:56	#6
Steeroid Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: N.A Posts: 7,046 Thanked: 2,751 Times	Nice! There are several other european manufacturers of plug-n-play boxes for diesel engines - there are quite a few alternatives available.
	() Thanks

6th September 2008, 16:27	#8
kpzen Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Faridabad Posts: 5,610 Thanked: 1,876 Times View My Garage	Interesting!! Nice review. Here's another tuning box i found on net. Tunit Performance product range
	() Thanks

6th September 2008, 17:11	#11
kpzen Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Faridabad Posts: 5,610 Thanked: 1,876 Times View My Garage	The tunit box is really expensive, almost 40k. Last edited by kpzen : 6th September 2008 at 17:16.
	() Thanks

6th September 2008, 17:16	#12
rdkarthik BHPian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: bangalore Posts: 206 Thanked: 13 Times	Good review. Cant understand the bit about power increase by not increasing fuel pressure but by "pressure accumulates faster in the rail ".. I think i will talk to these guys...
	() Thanks