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Wild Card 90



Member Since: 03 Dec 2014
Location: Gerlingen
Posts: 1060

England 2012 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 SW Indus Silver
Bowler Stage 2
Although i get the impression that chipping a Puma diesel has been displaced by the extremely cool LS3 swap trend, I am looking at a Bowler stage 2 upgrade for my 2012 2.2.

The idea of (their current figures) 190 hp and 500 Nm and improved throttle response, less rev hang and speed governer delete sounds like quite enough for what I use my 90 for.

Bowler have been very helpful, answering my emails quickly.
I did note that their stage 2 no longer includes swapping out the turbo. Only intercooler, ECU and their free flow exhaust. For this reason, they now quote the above mentioned figures and not the previous 195 hp and 515 Nm.

I havenīt asked why they now omit the turbo swap.

Does anyone on here have the stage 2 fitted, and have some mileage behind them with it? Is the step from stage 1 to stage 2 (with and without turbo) a significant one? Any comments about the modified turbo, or lack of?

Thanks,
Stephen 1998 Tdi 90 SW,
2008 Td4 90 SW,
2012 2.2 90 SW,
2" raised Trailmaster/Terrafirma
Heavy Track Raids, 255 MTīs,
Recaro CSīs, anorak, wellingtons
Post #608233 9th Mar 2017 8:58pm
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JAY BOY



Member Since: 04 May 2010
Location: Not here
Posts: 1706

Wales 
I have just had mine done with BAS. Pete developed the Bowler map so i would go with Pete.
Mine is at 170-175 BHP and 450 Nm.

Ive just written a small piece on my car MY Firenze Red one.

http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic33571-30.html

Jay
Post #608254 9th Mar 2017 9:46pm
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Thor



Member Since: 17 Dec 2011
Location: Didcot
Posts: 446

United Kingdom 2002 Defender 110 Td5 CSW Bonatti Grey
The stage 2 seems a lot of money to me. When similar figures (195bhp/420nm) can be achieved for about 50% at JE Engineering. Granted you don't get an exhaust in that cost but it's 'only' another Ģ600 odd for one.

I've no doubt that so many people will say Bowler is worth the extra but I wonder how much of the extra dosh is just because of the name/brand?

I've no experience of remaps in Defenders but having looked around on here and other places I'm 95% sure I'll be visiting JE with my TD5.

Just playing devils advocate, I've nothing to do with either company. It just seemed to make sense to me when doing my research. Strong people are harder to kill and generally more useful!
Post #608265 9th Mar 2017 10:11pm
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Wild Card 90



Member Since: 03 Dec 2014
Location: Gerlingen
Posts: 1060

England 2012 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 SW Indus Silver
@ Jay boy, thanks for pointing me to your thread, and that lovely Firenze red 90 of yours Thumbs Up. Your enthusiastic words after picking up the Defender from Pete did inspire me.

As Pete is apparently also the source of the Bowler remap, it does make sense to look there as well. I was drawn to Bowler as I understood it is a more comprehensive mod that achieves the higher figures. Now I am not quite so sure how much difference there actually is between the two. Eliminating the intercooler, which possibly only garantees that the power stays when things warm up (summer, towing), we are talking about Peteīs 170 hp 450 Nm ECU against Bowlerīs 190 hp 500 Nm from an ECU and exhaust. That higher torque did catch my eye!

Now 500 Nm is a burly number. Not quite LS3 (570 Nm) but very much on the level of many naturally aspirated 5.7 litre V8īs. How do they find that much torque. Normally torque isnīt found with a free-er flowing exhaust system, and as the system is "cat back", I donīt know how much it matters, anyway. My own side exit custom made exhaust system (which is staying) is free flowing, without silencers, and I feel it lets the motor rev more freely, but doesnīt encourage low down torque.

@ Thor. thanks for your heads up, too. I shall do a little bit more comparing before taking the plunge. 1998 Tdi 90 SW,
2008 Td4 90 SW,
2012 2.2 90 SW,
2" raised Trailmaster/Terrafirma
Heavy Track Raids, 255 MTīs,
Recaro CSīs, anorak, wellingtons


Last edited by Wild Card 90 on 10th Mar 2017 8:31am. Edited 1 time in total
Post #608311 10th Mar 2017 7:52am
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Wild Card 90



Member Since: 03 Dec 2014
Location: Gerlingen
Posts: 1060

England 2012 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 SW Indus Silver
BTW, Pete quotes 165 -170 hp and 440 - 450 Nm for his purely ECU remap.
with the addition of larger intercooler and turbo he brings that up to 180 - 190 hp and 470 - 500 Nm.
So 500 Nm does require turbo, intercooler and a specific remap to suit.

I do start to wonder where Bowler gets their figures from, and will enquire further. 1998 Tdi 90 SW,
2008 Td4 90 SW,
2012 2.2 90 SW,
2" raised Trailmaster/Terrafirma
Heavy Track Raids, 255 MTīs,
Recaro CSīs, anorak, wellingtons
Post #608314 10th Mar 2017 8:26am
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JOW240725



Member Since: 04 May 2015
Location: Suffolk
Posts: 7906

United Kingdom 2012 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Orkney Grey
I've had Pete Bell's 170AB remap with Hi-Flow intercooler and silicone hoses for nearly a year now and it has transform our 110. The drive is so much better, smoother, more responsive and just pulls and pulls, from really low revs. Highly recommend! Thumbs Up

Just saving for the Hybrid turbo now Whistle James
MY2012 110 2.2TDCi XS SW Orkney Grey - http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic43410.html
MY1990 110 200TDi SW beautifully faded Portofino Red - https://www.defender2.net/forum/post743641.html#743641
MY1984 90 V8 Slate Grey - https://www.defender2.net/forum/post744557.html#744557
Instagram @suffolk_rovers
Post #608322 10th Mar 2017 9:25am
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Wild Card 90



Member Since: 03 Dec 2014
Location: Gerlingen
Posts: 1060

England 2012 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 SW Indus Silver
James, thanks for your feedback. Having looked through the current offerings from BAS, Bowler, Alive and JE, I can absolutely understand your choice. Bang for the buck, and judging by the product description on the website, Peteīs already got my vote.

The 170AB would probably be enough, and like yourself, I will choose to do the intercooler swap just to add a safety margin for hot days, towing and longer motorway runs. The stories of much improved driveability, and the ability to custom modify (in colaboration with BAS) and correct minor issues, do impress me.

Iīm sure that the others, who also have good names, are doing a fine job. 1998 Tdi 90 SW,
2008 Td4 90 SW,
2012 2.2 90 SW,
2" raised Trailmaster/Terrafirma
Heavy Track Raids, 255 MTīs,
Recaro CSīs, anorak, wellingtons
Post #608400 10th Mar 2017 4:02pm
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GEllis



Member Since: 21 Nov 2013
Location: Cornwall
Posts: 58

England 2013 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Indus Silver
I am running a 170 BAS re-map and like you looked around at the options. No regrets with choosing Pete, very helpful and made a big difference to my 110USW not only daily driving but towing it just goes and goes.
Post #608489 10th Mar 2017 9:12pm
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Wild Card 90



Member Since: 03 Dec 2014
Location: Gerlingen
Posts: 1060

England 2012 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 SW Indus Silver
GEllis, thanks for that. Heavy loads and towing up hills is where the standard Puma lets the side down. Hoping that will improve with some remap magic. 1998 Tdi 90 SW,
2008 Td4 90 SW,
2012 2.2 90 SW,
2" raised Trailmaster/Terrafirma
Heavy Track Raids, 255 MTīs,
Recaro CSīs, anorak, wellingtons
Post #608556 11th Mar 2017 8:06am
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Darcy Fairfax



Member Since: 05 Oct 2014
Location: London
Posts: 721

England 2015 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Corris Grey
JOW240725 wrote:
I've had Pete Bell's 170AB remap with Hi-Flow intercooler and silicone hoses for nearly a year now and it has transform our 110. The drive is so much better, smoother, more responsive and just pulls and pulls, from really low revs. Highly recommend! Thumbs Up

Just saving for the Hybrid turbo now Whistle


Hi James, is yours the stage 1 remap?
Post #608560 11th Mar 2017 8:25am
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JOW240725



Member Since: 04 May 2015
Location: Suffolk
Posts: 7906

United Kingdom 2012 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Orkney Grey
Darcy - I must admit I'm not sure on the official "terms" of the stages, if there is such things. I thought stage I was 150hp remap, Stage 2 170 remap + bigger intercooler and stage 3 adds hybrid turbo and sports exhaust taking up to 190hp??

However some people run 170hp with standard intercooler (not something I was comfortable with), so maybe I have stage I?

All I know is it's a massive improvement over standard without over stressing anything too much. Hybrid turbo is tempting as the trouble is you get used to the power and then want more. Going up to 190hp, I think brakes and suspension probably should be upgraded too. IMO 170hp is comfortable limit for standard setup. Thumbs Up James
MY2012 110 2.2TDCi XS SW Orkney Grey - http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic43410.html
MY1990 110 200TDi SW beautifully faded Portofino Red - https://www.defender2.net/forum/post743641.html#743641
MY1984 90 V8 Slate Grey - https://www.defender2.net/forum/post744557.html#744557
Instagram @suffolk_rovers
Post #608641 11th Mar 2017 2:51pm
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Darcy Fairfax



Member Since: 05 Oct 2014
Location: London
Posts: 721

England 2015 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Corris Grey
Cheers thats good to know Thumbs Up
Post #608754 11th Mar 2017 9:29pm
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