Stage 1 remap
A software-only remap for a standard car or van. Nothing on the engine is changed. It’s the right starting point for most drivers.
What a Stage 1 remap is
Every modern engine is run by its ECU, and the manufacturer’s software is set up to suit every market, fuel and driver the car might ever meet. A Stage 1 remap adjusts that software for your engine, within what the standard parts are built to handle.
No parts are changed, and your original software is saved before anything is written, so it can be put back.
What you'll notice
- Stronger, smoother pull through the gears
- Better response when overtaking or joining a motorway
- Less need to change down on hills or when loaded
- Easier towing, with more pull low down
How much changes depends on the engine, the gearbox and the condition of the car. Turbocharged diesel and petrol engines usually see the biggest difference, especially in mid-range pull.
Who Stage 1 suits
- Everyday cars If the car is standard and healthy, Stage 1 is where to start.
- Vans and pick-ups Better pull when loaded or towing. If fuel use matters more than power, an economy remap may suit better.
- Automatics Some automatic gearboxes need their own adjustment to match. We check first, and a gearbox remap can be done at the same time.
- Cars with a fault Not yet. A remap won’t fix a fault, so we find and fix it first.
How a Stage 1 remap works
Start to finish, done at your home, work or yard.
Send us the reg
Message us on WhatsApp with the reg and what you want from the car.
Health check
We scan for faults and look at live data before anything is changed.
Original file saved
Your car’s original software is read and kept safe.
Stage 1 written
The new calibration for your engine is written to the car.
Checked on the road
We check it with live data on a test drive before we hand it back.
You drive away
No parts changed, nothing to collect. If you ever want the original back, it’s saved.
Compare the stages
Each stage builds on the one before it.
Questions people ask
Can’t see yours? Send it to us on WhatsApp.
Do I need any parts for Stage 1?
No. Stage 1 is software only, for a standard car.
Will a Stage 1 remap hurt my engine?
It’s written to stay within what the standard parts are built for. That’s why we check the car’s health first and won’t remap a car with a fault.
How long does it take?
Most of the time is the health check and the test drive. We’ll give you an idea when you book. Our guide on how long a Stage 1 remap takes explains more.
Is a Stage 1 remap better than a tuning box?
A remap changes the engine software itself, while a box changes the signals going in. Read tuning box vs ECU remap.
Is remapping legal, and do I need to tell my insurer?
Remapping is legal in the UK. It counts as a modification, so you should tell your insurer.
Can my original software be put back?
We read and keep your car’s original file before writing anything, so it can be put back if you need it.
Book a Stage 1 remap
Send the reg on WhatsApp, and we’ll come back to you.
