Stage 1 remapping
More power, better response, no hardware changes. A stage 1 remap is the most popular upgrade we carry out at Manchester Dyno Centre, and for good reason. It's a software-only modification that unlocks performance your engine was already capable of, verified on our 4WD Bapro dynamometer before the car leaves the bay.
What is a stage 1 remap?
A stage 1 remap works entirely within your engine's ECU. No intercooler upgrades, no new exhaust, no hardware modifications of any kind. Our lead tuner Samuel Gunnell writes directly to the factory calibration, adjusting the parameters that the manufacturer left conservative for emissions compliance, fuel grade variation, and global market compatibility.
Depending on your engine, the following areas are typically revised:
The result is an engine that responds the way it was built to, not the way the manufacturer needed it to behave across 40 different markets.
Power and torque gains
Stage 1 tuning gains vary by engine type and specific vehicle, but as a general guide:
Turbocharged petrol engines commonly see a 20 to 40% increase in power output. The ECU in a forced-induction petrol has significant headroom built in, and unlocking it through careful calibration produces gains you feel immediately on the road.
Diesel engines typically gain in the region of 30 to 40bhp extra torque, with improved mid-range pull and stronger throttle response throughout the rev range.
These are typical figures. Every vehicle is different, and we will always give you an honest picture of what is achievable on your specific car before we begin.
Our process
Every stage 1 remap at Manchester Dyno Centre follows the same structured approach.
We start with a baseline run on our 4WD Bapro dynamometer. That gives us your car's actual figures, not the manufacturer's published numbers. Samuel then develops your calibration file using Kess3 and CMD tooling, with the adjustments built around what your engine is genuinely doing, not a generic file loaded from a database.
Once the file is written, the car goes back on the dyno. We verify the gains are real, the air-fuel ratio is safe across the rev range, and the engine is behaving exactly as intended. You drive away with figures you can see on paper.
Samuel has over 10 years of experience in automotive software programming. The attention to detail in how a file is developed makes a significant difference to the end result. That is why we do not skip the dyno stage.
Book your stage 1 remap
We cover petrol and diesel, naturally aspirated and turbocharged. Manchester Dyno Centre is based at HNA Facilities, Plot Zero, James Nasmyth Way, Eccles, Manchester M30 0SF, in the heart of Eccles, Manchester, with straightforward access from across Greater Manchester and the surrounding area.
We do not publish a fixed price list, because the right answer depends on your vehicle. Call us on 0161 302 5117 to discuss your car and get a quote.
