Tuning diesel cars | Willys Workshop is a bit of a minefield. The engines are heavier than petrol units and they can throw all that weight around in a way that upsets the handling balance of the car. They burn oil and produce soot if run too lean.

But if you get things right, there’s no reason why diesel cars cannot be as nimble and exciting to drive as their petrol counterparts. And it isn’t just about engine performance – you can also use a range of other upgrades to boost your diesel car’s grip and handling.

oosting Performance: The Essentials of Heavy-Duty Truck Tuning

Modern diesel cars are a lot more tunable than their mechanically controlled predecessors. Most have an ECU that can be modified to alter the fuelling, boost and other variables that control power and emissions. This is called ECU tuning or remapping and it’s possible to see significant gains on even mechanically stock engines by optimising these parameters.

While it is possible to make a huge amount of power on a diesel engine by changing cam/valve lift and air (fuel) flow, this type of modification obeys the law of diminishing returns and there are limits to what can be achieved safely. So it’s not surprising that people look to a bigger upgrade like a rear diff if they want the most out of their car.

This is where a limited slip differential becomes important as it will really help to put all that torque to the road. This can be a bolt on modification with kits available from Quaife, Peloquin and Kaaz for most popular diesel models.