ECU upgrade 290 TD

After nearly four years of thinking about it, I finally decided to have my G290 TurboD power chipped.

I found a number of companies on the web offering their services, including Superchip and ORC amongst others.

I finally decide to use Turbo chip UK Ltd following a recommendation from one of the clubs members who chipped his 300 Dturbo.

Some will already be aware the 290 TD 602 engine is almost identical to that used in the Sprinter van. The van produces 125 bhp and the G Wagen 120 bhp standard. Interestingly when I mailed ORC for a cost they confirmed the chip programme is the same as the Sprinter.

The technician from Turbo Chip (Alistair Milne) changed two chips in the ECU.The information from the original chips is downloaded and e-mailed back to his office who intern re-map the code and send it back. The code is then copied to new chips by Alistair and installed into the ECU.

So how does it drive? As I pulled away my first impressions were that there was no difference. I drove the truck sedately until it was warm then gave it a bit of boot. From 0-60 the acceleration felt marginally quicker. But mid range 50-70 felt better and interestingly smoother and quieter. 70-80 was good. Previously I felt the truck was having to work to maintain speed above 70mph, but with the chip it felt more settled. The real test came when I kicked down (Auto gearbox) at 40mph. The truck was very much more alert accelerating with ease to 80.

Turbochip claim the upgrade increased the power to 160hp, an increase of 40bhp from the standard, but more importantly greatly increasing the torque from mid through to high range. Over the coming weeks I hope to have the truck tested on a rolling road to confirm the results.

Cost approximatly £500

Is it worth the cost? Let me live with it for a while.......

Alister can be contacted on 07770 977 867