Member Since: 27 Dec 2005
Location: Zurich
Posts: 415
ALIVE tuning review
Ok so after having had a TDV6 HSE Disco 3 for 13 years, we upgraded to a 2012 SDV6 HSE Disco 4. I actually never realised until I bought it, that the SDV6 is a twin turbo (pretty dumb really as that's why it has 2 side air intake grills) and then after reading a bit more, established it being the same engine as the RR was just detuned. So I sent off my ECU to ALIVE tuning, whilst I sold the Disco 3 privately. Its not cheap at GBP 400 but the results are outstanding, it drives like a Bentley, is unbelievably quick and even with my wife driving it around town averages 29 mpg (9.8l) vs 22 mpg (12.2l) from our Disco 3, in a nutshell highly recommended. I cannot say that the mpg was before we tuned it as I took out the ECU straight away, so please chime in SDV6 Disco owners
13th May 2018 9:28 am
Brucey
Member Since: 24 Oct 2015
Location: Bedfordshire
Posts: 137
How easy is it to remove the ecu to send to Alive? Is tuning the ecu without the car a good way to remap?
13th May 2018 1:34 pm
richardch
Member Since: 27 Dec 2005
Location: Zurich
Posts: 415
Actually it couldn't be easier, simply remove the battery (earth lead first !!!) and its right there, undo the 4 X 10 mm nuts and then unclip the 2 red capped ECU wire clusters, which have a guide system so you cant install them anything else but correctly. ALIVE have a standard system which is just replacing the chip and then reprogramming, their turn around time was very quick
13th May 2018 4:18 pm
Brucey
Member Since: 24 Oct 2015
Location: Bedfordshire
Posts: 137
Ok, interesting thanks
13th May 2018 7:11 pm
Maxxed_Ross
Member Since: 14 Mar 2018
Location: Bathgate
Posts: 310
I always thought the Alive remap was done via a download on the D4? That's what I was planning on doing
Taking the ECU out, even with a quick turn around, is still a huge pain as my D4 is used daily 2013 Discovery 4 HSE Lux | 2001 Defender 90 TD5 | 2007 Prodrive RB320
14th May 2018 4:19 am
Disco_Mikey
Member Since: 29 May 2007
Location: Dundee, Scotland
Posts: 20727
Member Since: 25 Mar 2015
Location: Burntisland
Posts: 396
I left Disco mikeys workshop a couple of hours ago with what feels like a different car.
The Alive remap is outstanding and I wish I had got it done sooner.
Acceleration is certainly interesting but it’s also the improved throttle response and no more dangerous hesitancy when taking off.
Really wish I had got it done sooner, thanks mike
1st Jul 2019 12:45 pm
Disco_Mikey
Member Since: 29 May 2007
Location: Dundee, Scotland
Posts: 20727
Member Since: 13 Aug 2010
Location: Wiltshire
Posts: 13882
I'm intrigued. I don't need any more power but the hesitation from the off at a junction is frightening at times. Will this remap resolve this?New Defender L663 110 SE (known as Noddy!)
Sold Volvo XC90 R-Design (known as Basil)
Sold - D4 HSE (Known as Gerty)
No longer the Old Buses original owner
231,000 miles and counting
05 S manual owned from March 2005
D4 Face lifted
Still original injectors and turbo
V8 Front brakes
BAS Remap, Allisport Intercooler and deCat
EGRs blanked
T-Max split charge
Hanibal Expeedition rack
Prospeed ladder
Duratrac tyres
IID BT
BAS FBH control
Ok so after having had a TDV6 HSE Disco 3 for 13 years, we upgraded to a 2012 SDV6 HSE Disco 4. I actually never realised until I bought it, that the SDV6 is a twin turbo (pretty dumb really as that's why it has 2 side air intake grills) and then after reading a bit more, established it being the same engine as the RR was just detuned. So I sent off my ECU to ALIVE tuning, whilst I sold the Disco 3 privately. Its not cheap at GBP 400 but the results are outstanding, it drives like a Bentley, is unbelievably quick and even with my wife driving it around town averages 29 mpg (9.8l) vs 22 mpg (12.2l) from our Disco 3, in a nutshell highly recommended. I cannot say that the mpg was before we tuned it as I took out the ECU straight away, so please chime in SDV6 Disco owners
If I recall correctly, one of the vents is a dummy and only one actually takes in air. Nothing to do with two turbos.
2nd Jul 2019 8:17 am
kajtzu
Member Since: 11 Aug 2017
Location: Helsinki
Posts: 6568
The D4 V8 and the D4 SCV6 (so both petrol) really do have dual engine air intakes. Indeed, I think the diesel versions take air only on one side of the vehicle - on the right hand side which in the UK is also the side the driver sits.
2nd Jul 2019 8:30 am
M3bobby
Member Since: 21 May 2018
Location: Sleaford, LINCS.
Posts: 857
I can confirm above as mine has both.
2nd Jul 2019 8:57 am
sycove
Member Since: 25 Mar 2015
Location: Burntisland
Posts: 396
Moo wrote:
I'm intrigued. I don't need any more power but the hesitation from the off at a junction is frightening at times. Will this remap resolve this?
I'll report back once I have had it for a while but certainly on the drive home yesterday the hesitation wasn't noticed.
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but it’s also the improved throttle response and no more dangerous hesitancy when taking off.
