Swirl Flaps / VSA / Intake Runner Flaps Removal

Swirl flap removal (also known as VSA or intake runner flap delete) is a professional ECU calibration service that disables the control and diagnostic routines of variable intake manifold flaps.
These flaps are designed to improve air turbulence and combustion efficiency at low engine speed, but on many vehicles—especially from the VAG group, BMW, Mercedes, Alfa Romeo and Fiat—they are prone to wear, carbon buildup, and mechanical failure.

When the swirl or intake flaps stick or break, they can cause performance loss, check engine lights, or even serious engine damage if fragments are ingested by the cylinders.
Instead of replacing the entire intake manifold (often costly), a proper swirl flap removal through ECU software ensures the flaps are fully deactivated electronically and that no related diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) appear.

How swirl flap removal works

Our swirl flap delete solution disables both the actuator control and position feedback diagnostics inside the ECU.
This allows the flaps to be safely disconnected or physically removed without triggering warning lights or limp mode.
The modification is performed directly in the ECU software—bench-tested and dyno-verified—to maintain full drivability and proper intake management under all operating conditions.
Whenever necessary, we also provide notes for mechanical blanking or linkage removal to ensure a complete and reliable job.

When swirl flap removal is recommended

– When the swirl flaps are seized, broken, or producing fault codes such as P2004–P2015 (intake manifold runner control stuck or range/performance).
– When the actuator motor or linkage is damaged, leading to irregular air distribution or idle instability.
– When carbon buildup severely restricts airflow in the intake manifold, common in high-mileage diesel engines.
– When performing performance tuning or DPF/EGR delete, as deactivating the swirl flaps helps maintain a consistent air path and simplifies calibration.

Benefits and technical notes

– Eliminates swirl-flap-related error codes and limp mode.
– Prevents potential engine damage from broken flap components entering the intake.
– Improves long-term reliability and reduces intake restrictions.
– Ideal for motorsport and off-road vehicles where swirl functionality is unnecessary.

Important: swirl flap removal is intended for off-road or motorsport use, or where local emission laws allow such modifications.
The service does not affect main ECU safety or fueling functions and maintains OEM-like smoothness and reliability.