August 2024 Update – VT is no longer offers this service , due in part to to complexities on later (Euro 5) variants.

So , i no longer offer programming, but here is some info from my notes on how i did it . All credit for the following goes to my friend Greg who worked all of this out.

Do with this info what you please & please do not ask for further info. Any auto electrician will understand these concepts. & this applies to Euro 4 vans, not Euro 5, & was effective up to about 2010, if you dont have this “yellow “small oblong relay box under the bonnet then you have a later model one & this guide does not apply. & this isnt a definitive guide, just notes & info on the most simple way possible to do it, changing the least possible amount of parts.

After fitting your manual gearbox & clutch & manual pedals

1 – Find someone reprogram the BSI ( Body Control Module / Body Systems Interface/ Body ECU ) to Manual gearbox type or get a used BSI from a manual. The used one you buy , if going down that route , must be from a tacho equipped vehicle, if you plan to keep using the tacho, & from a non tacho vehicle if your vehicle has no tacho. Your keys wont work if using a used one, so gets keys reprogrammed by an auto locksmith or get the immo removed from your engine ECU so vehicle will start again then get the remotes reprogrammed .

2 – Put a jumper at position T18 in the small fuse box in engine bay pictured below ( you will see a missing relay in that position, on Agiles, so just bridge it ( thats faking a relay’s “output”circuit to be always on / connected )

3 – Use the Agile speed sensor from your Agile gearbox & put that on your manual box, where this blanking plug is:

3 – The TCU must remain connected (otherwise there will be ABS problems), OR bridge CAN lines at TCU loom connector plug so CAN signal bypasses the TCU & carries on to the ABS unit.

4 -No changes are needed to the engine ECU

I no longer have notes on Euro 5’s, or wiring diagram for the TCU connector, but do recall a few people asking about the pedal switches. Most Daily have switches for brake & clutch pedal position, so maybe you need to consider the requirement for a clutch position switch, & maybe the plugs are already in place ( on Agile dash wiring looms ). best look at a manual gearbox model , for reference, if you get problems. I recall the main engine fuse & relay box need a bridge on Euro 5’s but i dont have the exact info anymore sorry.

The alternative to the above is getting a manual donor vehicle & swapping every everything that differs’ including , all ECU’s & modules, all under bonnet wiring & that which goes to the gearbox ECU ( TCU), & maybe the actual ABS unit as well.

Dan  @ In Transit Garage in Strathaven near Glasgow,  Vantuners Scottish  representative  &  true ford transit  expert , now has the latest ford tuning hardware  & can remap all current (as of Nov 2017) ford vans  via the van’s diagnostic socket, this makes tuning quicker , safer & easier to adjust .

New additions :

1.6 & 1.5 2014 onwards Transit Connect Mk2

2.0 Transit Mk8 & Transit Custom

2.2 Transit & Transit Custom from about 2012 on.

For bookings & info Dan can be reached on 01357 521531 or directly on 07872 320173

Ford’s 2017 Transit Mk8 & Transit Custom,  now has an updated engine – the “Panther” 2.0  – complying to Euro 6 emissions specifications.

Available in 3 models there’s also an auto option, finally !.

105ps 360nm

130ps 385nm

170ps 420nm

As of June 2017 , thanks to the usual Italian hacker, they can now be tuned & delimited with all models capable of great gains in power & torque. Like most Ford diesels power varies a little from 1 van to the next but 190ps  /460nm is the ballpark figure.

Many tuning companies will quote  a little more to get you in the door, i quote what they really make, measured on a top quality dyno setup,  & get customers who value honesty, over hype. They can be tuned without opening the ECU as well now so less concern for water ingress after the tuning or warranty considerations.

Most enquires i receive ask about the safely of the engines once tuned but like many models in various manufacturers ranges , one engine is used & its differing ECU firmware that determines the output power level.

Warranty concerns are usual, but Ford, like most manufacturers, cant tell it’s been done. V.A.G & MB can currently but that’s it.

So with lumps making up to 170 stock, 190 isn’t  pushing anything. The 105 & 130 are just detuned 170’s, thats one way of looking at it anyway 🙂 another tuning option that may be unique to vantuner is a stealth factory power  level  change,  it’s not done via the switch like the factory does it during setup  ,

A footnote to engine specs & types, a 2.2 Euro 6 is available on a MK8 mini bus chassis – most commonly as a 125ps .

What will my 120ps Connect new shape make ? 133ps & 335nm is the answer, measured on a good dyno , Hardware wise 100 & 75 versions are identical & the 120 uses a different turbo..

Anyone can enter their registration number or VIN here & bring up quite a detailed spec of their van..follow this link & select vehicle.. if the option to enter reg isn’t showing, go back to the home page , select preferences  & select united kingdom. the reg number entry should now work.. if your reg wont work enter your VIN.  This is a handy service for looking up what axle ratio was originally fitted , among other things.. to search for items once the spec is shown without trawling through every entry, press CTRL F , this in many browsers brings up a search widget for the current pages shown content.

Nice result on Ian Jones’s 2007 Mk7, it was a 110 originally but is now running 115 injectors & software, & is tuned as far as possible in the 6hrs we had.. Exhaust Gas Temperature stayed nicely within limits , smoke level is zero before 2700rpm & “acceptable” after that. The curves as you can see below are very smooth &  boost still stock at 1bar, there’s room for more power & less smoke for sure, roll on the next  session 🙂 as a result of this session, a 155ps (smoke free !) option is now available  if you have a MK7 110 or 115 in perfect order.

My own Transit, a 2008 Ex RAC Short wheel base  / low roof  with a 5 cylinder 3.2l Duratorq engine, makes about 240ps & 580nm Torque, thats about 20% up from a  stock 200 Transit  & about 120% up from when i bought it 2 years back,  when it made just 105ps ( as a 2.4) .. , the plan , now pretty much achieved , was 50ps per cylinder with no hardware mods.

Here is the 1st run, bog standard,  from July 2015

& the 2nd run, with tuning reloaded via the Droid, straight after…….

A hybrid turbo is probably next, but there’s the issue of the stock boost mapping limits or MAP sensor to get around 1st.. the MAP sensor is a 2.5bar unit as used on all other lesser Mk7’s .. it maybe time to test the zener diode trick..

A new addition to the arsenal of things you can do to your Ford Transit by sending vantuner one of Your vans ECU’s is adding factory cruise control. Send in your BCM ( Body Control Module) & cruise can be activated or anti hijack locking turned off or axle ratio changed etc etc..  You need the right BCM & wiring to start with If its a MK7 Transit  ( it varies from van to van ) , but all Euro 5 Custom & MK8 can be done irrespective of what BCM it has so check out the main cruise control page here  & run through the checklist..