16 replies to this topic

[malford]

I finally stopped being indecisive about a Bluefin or Live Remap and have made my decision and chose the Bluefin for the following reasons.

I contacted MotorSport Developments on the 21st October regarding what could be done to my ST TDCi in regards to chipping and what would happen in the event of a failure of the chip or warranty claim if the engine failed. It’s a long way to drive (6hrs drive from where I live) if my car needed to go back for tweaking.

2 months on I still haven’t received a reply from MSD, maybe they are too busy to reply to emails, who knows? But they lost me as a new customer.

Bluefin Handset BF05-FORD-T

The Superchip range of chips have had a lot of experience with flashing/tuning and what you are paying for is the software and research and development, the nifty looking handset is just a tool for uploading the Map and once programmed it will live in your drawer unless you have to use it for reading fault codes which is a bonus and could save you money. The RRP of the turbo diesel Bluefin at £511 is a bit steep and put me off buying one for quite some time.
Also the fact that Superchips have changed their policy on resetting the devices means that if I decide to sell my unit on “I can’t”. Superchips will only offer a 30% discount on a new handset.
I was very lucky to have found one on eBay that had already been reset for use with a new car at a cost of £141 to the seller. I paid £290 for the Bluefin and received it the following day by special delivery.
Installation took just over 10 minutes downloading the OEM Map and uploading the Bluefin Map.
Locating the diagnostic plug is very easy on the Mondeo ST, it’s just under the steering column and just pulls down to gain access (see picture)

Test Drive:

I test drove the newly chipped ST and to my surprise didn’t really notice a difference in the normal driving manner whilst the engine was still cold.
It wasn’t until the car had warmed up that I decided to give her a little thrash and ‘phook me’, the difference was very noticeable. I was finding the traction control light coming on quite frequently, before the ESP light only ever came on in the wet under hard acceleration, but the conditions were dry when I tested the Bluefin and the ESP had trouble keeping me under control, wow wee the grin factor had returned and this unit had indeed given my oil burner a new lease of life (not that is was slow before the upgrade)

My next purchase will be an uprated induction kit, (panel filter in preference to the cone filter). Then maybe when the funds can stretch a more efficient intercooler.

Below are actual pictures of my complete installation with the Bluefin which took me about 10 minutes to complete


http://homepage.ntlworld.com/malcolm.bamford/_private/stowners/bluefin/blufin-021_resize.jpg http://homepage.ntlworld.com/malcolm.bamford/_private/stowners/bluefin/blufin-023_resize.jpg http://homepage.ntlworld.com/malcolm.bamford/_private/stowners/bluefin/blufin-025_resize.jpg http://homepage.ntlworld.com/malcolm.bamford/_private/stowners/bluefin/blufin-026_resize.jpg http://homepage.ntlworld.com/malcolm.bamford/_private/stowners/bluefin/blufin-027_resize.jpg http://homepage.ntlworld.com/malcolm.bamford/_private/stowners/bluefin/blufin-029_resize.jpg http://homepage.ntlworld.com/malcolm.bamford/_private/stowners/bluefin/blufin-030_resize.jpg http://homepage.ntlworld.com/malcolm.bamford/_private/stowners/bluefin/blufin-032_resize.jpg http://homepage.ntlworld.com/malcolm.bamford/_private/stowners/bluefin/blufin-035_resize.jpg http://homepage.ntlworld.com/malcolm.bamford/_private/stowners/bluefin/blufin-039_resize.jpg http://homepage.ntlworld.com/malcolm.bamford/_private/stowners/bluefin/blufin-042_resize.jpg http://homepage.ntlworld.com/malcolm.bamford/_private/stowners/bluefin/blufin-047_resize.jpg http://homepage.ntlworld.com/malcolm.bamford/_private/stowners/bluefin/blufin-049_resize.jpg http://homepage.ntlworld.com/malcolm.bamford/_private/stowners/bluefin/blufin-050_resize.jpg http://homepage.ntlworld.com/malcolm.bamford/_private/stowners/bluefin/blufin-053_resize.jpg http://homepage.ntlworld.com/malcolm.bamford/_private/stowners/bluefin/blufin-057_resize.jpg http://homepage.ntlworld.com/malcolm.bamford/_private/stowners/bluefin/blufin-071_resize.jpg http://homepage.ntlworld.com/malcolm.bamford/_private/stowners/bluefin/blufin-072_resize.jpg
All Images have been resized for quick loading
My only complaint about the Bluefin install was I got "pin & needles" holding the damn camera whilst kneeling down.

[simon]

Nice little review there

I must resist, I must resist. if I need a major blast I can take the scoob out but the ST is my daily driver & I want more power

[jbsportstech]

Very nice I didnt have the dedication to film my install but I found the torque on the ST170 is much better and cuts in alot earlier.

What do you think of it now you have driven with it installed???

Some peeps say its has a negative effect on performance?

[mondyman]

Some peeps say its has a negative effect on performance?

That maybe be so on an St170, but on an ST TDCI the perfomance has been greatly increase. Thank you for sharing, Malford.

[drum_dude]

Have fun!!!!

[welshdragon]

Great review mate. Do you or anyone on here know whether the torque restriction on the early gears has been removed by the bluefin? or is the extra wheelspin just caused by the increased power and torque?

[I Turner]

Fords down tune the engine so as to get the emissions through the latest regs.
The engine is more than capable of producing a higher output ( fords have proved this regularly) i know as i see it every day at work.

[PhilT]

Nice one mate, I have had mine bluefinned for about 18 months now, and just recently it seems to be running quicker than ever. Only noticable downside I have had is the amount of black smoke it kicks out, it is not always noticable but get someone to follow you and boot it!! or you can see it better at night as it shows up in the following cars headlights!

You do get used to the extra power though, but just wait until you put the original map back for servicing etc. Drive around with it for a bit in original tune, them re map it again, and that grin will come back all over again!!!

not a great time of year to exploit that new power though wait and see how hard the traction control has to work on greasy roads!!!!

PS unless you can get a panel filter cheap I wouldn't bother, got a K&N panel filter with my Bluefin, and I cant say I can notice any performance difference with it in or with the standard filter. Although saying that I have not had it dyno'd so there may be very modest gains.

[strichard]

pleased you like it mate, its a bit worrying when all the dash display goes blank while instaling though aint it
:thumb:

[malford]

Yes it does make a hell of a difference and the MPG has only dropped 3mpg.

The diagnostic OBDII reader works well on the handset and my ST came up with zero faults.

The other noticeable differences are:

On hard acceleration at night occcasionally I get some black smoke when Im booting it.

Sorry about the speeling, blame Mr Fosters (x8)



Edit: Initial starting stutter completely disapeared after a few days driving

[andy p]

Cheers for the info malford.
I shall have to see what santa brings,FINGERS CROSSED.

I owe you one

[hancorn]

Malford, you are a geezer! Thanks for all your interseting reads!

Fosters, you light weight!

[malford]

I have moved on and now Carlsberg is my favourite tipple

Cheers

[srp111]

nice reviews, i have thought about these and now the price has dropped from their website.

[GingerTom]

£391 for the 2.2 at the moment.

[johnny_boomboom]

OK, I have a service looming and want to remove Bluefin for that.....am I correct in assuming that to remove it involves the same process as installing it....ie plug it in and follow the onscreen instructions??

I also wanna leave it off for my MOT as I'm 'nervous' that all that smoke may result in an emissions fail.....

[thesock]

yep , it will take you through it on the screen bud, same as when it was installed

bet you will notice the difference without it :sad: