Squadra tuning 4C ECU tune.

Now offering Renowned tuner, Squadra Tuning.

Available for tuning here in the US. Bench tuning done in house and shipped worldwide. 

Chiptuning "Alfa Romeo 4C “

What can we do to improve to a 4C?

Well, in terms of torque and power gains it was quickly pretty clear, there is no much to gain. An improvement of about 40 Nm/29.5ft-lb has quite an impact on a car of 900 kg/1984.16lb. The power gain of 24 hp is also significant. Especially if one understands that only increasing the turbo pressure is not going to give the maximum power at a 4C. Much more needs to be done. The software is equipped with many calculation models for the exhaust gas temperature. When it reaches a certain value, the mixture is made considerably richer. As a result, lower power. In practice, this limit is already reached when you launch from a dead stop fully loaded and reach 5000 RPM in 4th gear. In 5th and 6th this will even happen earlier in the RPM range.. On a rolling road, it depends on how it is measured. A quick measurement (less than 10 sec.) it’s fine. With a slower measurement it’s not. In stock parameter the limit is set at around 800˚C degrees exhaust gas temperature. Every tuner knows that a turbo can easily handle 950˚C. This is a calculation model, we maintain some of those margins, just to be safe. When the strategy becomes active under really tough conditions, the enrichment we apply is less strong than the factory does. If low octane fuel is used, the system will detect pinging and retard the ignition. The calculation model is provided for this. If the ignition is corrected, regularly, the exhaust gas temperature is calculated higher. In short, a beautiful model that you have to use as a tuner, provided you understand how and why.

Some other tricks

Another trick to generate more reliable power is to change the operation of the electronic thermostat. Stock it is set @ 92˚C/198˚F when driving slowly. That’s set purely for the emissions. Great, but when a driver suddenly wants to accelerate quickly then engine is too hot and has already lost power potential. We decided to modify this strategy so the engine temperature is set around 80˚C/176˚F. The engine temperature is now lower when you want to accelerate full throttle, allowing for more Hp.Tq to be available. Therefore, it generates more instant power compared to the hot engine

Be careful

We are convinced (with evidence)  that there is a lot of tuning software that is not equipped with such well thought through modifications. We also know that there are promises from other tuners of insane power gains that are not possible. That said, we know that components nor the engine will last with such increases. Every turbo has its limits. For example, we know that the catalytic convertor is a big restrictor in the exhaust system. Without it the power increases about 20 bhp. This means there is very high back pressure to begin with. Increasing power in this situation will result in bad things happening.

A short, performance tests on a rolling road is something completely different compared to a much longer full throttle situations on the open road.

It’s a matter of finding the right balance between turbo pressure and the desired level of pre-ignition. Too much pressure gives a more retarded ignition timing and therefore less power instead of more. Too much retarded ignition also increases the exhaust temperature which can even result in some mis-firing.

Driveability

Let's talk about the 4C’s drivability! Even a car like the 4C should be easy to maneuver through the city/town etc. On the open road it can be loose and on a mountain pass or circuit it must excel. In the case of rain and snow, however, it must be severely restrained. Well that’s possible, that’s why Alfa came up with the DNA+R system.

Unfortunately though, the Alfa engineers made no effort at all to vary the torque and power between the DNA+R modes. They are all the same 350 Nm/240 hp. We think it’s pretty irresponsible to drive with 350 Nm and 240 hp in the All weather “rain and snow” mode. The Alfa engineers did make different throttle responses in all DNA+R modes, but again not very well thought out  We adjusted them with a more logical approach which has resulted in a better driving car in all situations.

Below is a table where it all can be clearly seen.

A, N, D and Race mode

We de-tuned the All Weather mode to 250 Nm and 190 hp which is plenty still to drive reasonably. But the throttle reaction isn’t as explosive. You could almost call it lazy but let's not, let's call it restrained. But in really bad weather conditions, that’s what you want to stay in control.

We have also de-tuned the Normal mode a bit, 300 Nm and 220 hp in combination with a more direct throttle response. Slightly less responsive than standard but more dosable to stay in control. Superb for “normal”driving.

The real tuned torque and power is in Dynamic and Race mode. The Race mode is the same as the Dynamic mode in terms of throttle response. The power and torque is also maximized. 390 Nm and 264 hp. Full potential in the Dynamic mode but still with an electronic safety net of the ESP/ABS etc. In the Race mode, all electronic safety nets are switched off.  Stock, the situation was such that the engine was already full torque and power @ 60% acceleration peddle position. That’s not the case anymore after tuning. The 390 Nm and 264 hp are distributed over almost the full stroke of the accelerator peddle.

The final result better modulation/dosability of this light weight road racer. The Alfa 4C Squadra stile.

Results

• Developed for usage of RON98 fuel. (91 Octane is acceptable) 
• Higher idle speed
• Smoother throttle response in all mode.
• Modified exhaust gas temperature strategy (limit)
• Modified thermostat control