Dream Science iMap install & First impressions

I spent a long time contemplating what route to take, with Mountune normally being my preferred option, M400 was my intention.  Mixed comments and what seems the mandatory fitting of all the hardware, Exhaust/CAT and cooler held me back.   Trying to keep the balance between modified and warranty friendly.  My current fitted hardware probably takes that to the limit.  Full FPM375 kit, but with added hard pipe and hoses.

Now the 375 I think is a great improvement, the proverbial “no brainer”,  fills in the much needed mid band that felt asthmatic and bit lifeless as standard.   It does seem to fall away at the higher revs.  Basically you make a good initial progress then the VAG cars just pull away…

While I do actually have a MT Intercooler and HJS 200 cell sports cat ready to fit, I was planning on waiting till warranty ends, plus not so sure how many more mods my insurance company will tolerate.

The DS maps have good reviews and seem more flexible in the cars state of tune.  Maybe it’s down to the marketing, or could be technical. No idea which, but I didn’t need to fit all the hardware yet.

I bought the controller from a fellow owner, advertised with 4 lives remain. £310 delivered.

All in excellent condition.  I started by plugging it into the laptop, to check it was up to date.  It did want several updates, one that scrolled through was new firmware.  All updated without a problem.   Checking back through devise info it now reported 5 lives remaining – unmarried.  Result it’s reset itself to as new.

Always nervous about flashing ECU’s for the first time.  Especially as my car hasn’t had the BCM update done as the 375 was done first and there is a known issue with it clashing and wiping it off on earlier cars and is PITA to get it back on so my dealer told me.

I had charged the battery overnight and put the Ghost in valet mode.

Plugged in and started the pairing process, which after some flashing lights and messages popping up it completed. A few instructs for key off key on, then a prompt that further updates/files were required, use Wi-Fi?   Being in range of my router I gave it access to the network.  After the next updates I then could see the map options, no messing straight to Ultimate2+

All updated smoothly, while in the menu I also opted to up the idle RPM from 750 to 800. Something I always thought was a bit low, sitting with either foot on brake or a/c on drags the rpm rather low.  With a roll restrictor it was a little more noticeable, so hopefully this will compensate.

All fired up as normal, it was late, dark and cold, so first test drive was a little tentative.  Allowing it to warm up gently, it drove pretty much as normal.  Then I gave a bit of prod, pulled strong, may be a little stronger, then another go, a bit more, pulled well, then Woowww here she goes, now I got the kick and extra wallop of torque/power at around 4K onwards,  like a second stage, whereas 375 just bleeds away this steps up for more.

Tried out a few B roads, car felt good,  pulling strong, I was being smooth and progressive with the throttle, not needing high revs, now with the PDC also off no fighting the wheel, just needed a fingertip touch to stroke it along.

Then second drive in the morning, damp in places, few roundabouts this time and more open roads.  Yeah it kicks in strong as the revs rise. Sometimes felt a small moment of pull on the wheel, feels just like good old fashioned torque steer, but within a fraction of second felt the LSD neutralise it and it then pulls hard true and straight.

No idea what the improvement would be against the clock, but the feeling is it’s a lot more torque through a much wider range, with big chunk of upper end performance.

Nice that all the previous mods are now being made more effective.  Just an awesome car that’s got better and better.

Magnetic Grey with all the best bits

FPM375/COBB/MSD-  Quaife LSD,  DSC+Tractive  Suspension,  HJS200 cell sports cat and MT Cooler. Sync3 upgrade.

Was UK seller for DSC & Tractive  Active suspension !!!