More power, less fuel. Diesel Performance Solutions has been quietly changing the game for two decades.
For many in New Zealand’s rural sector, machinery isn’t just part of the job – it is the job. And for the past two decades, Diesel Performance Solutions (DPS) has quietly built a reputation for helping that machinery perform at its best, often delivering gains that are felt just as much in the balance sheet as they are in the driver’s seat.
Founded by Chris Burnell in 2006, DPS was one of the first businesses in New Zealand to specialise in diesel ECU remapping. At a time when the concept was still largely unknown here, Chris saw an opportunity – and grew it.
With a mix of curiosity, technical know-how and a willingness to take risks, he set about building a business focused on one simple idea – making diesel engines work better for the conditions they actually operate in.
Designed for New Zealand Conditions
Modern engines are controlled by an ECU (engine control unit), programmed by manufacturers to suit a wide range of global conditions. That ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach works – but only up to a point. As Chris recognised early on, New Zealand’s terrain, workloads and operating environments are anything but average.
DPS remapping adjusts those factory settings to better match real-world use. Whether it’s a tractor working long hours under load, a truck hauling across hill country, or a ute towing in tough conditions, the goal is the same – to optimise performance where it matters most.
The results are tangible. Increased power and torque are the most noticeable changes, particularly in demanding applications like climbing, towing or heavy field work. But it’s often the efficiency gains that resonate most with operators. A well-tuned engine can deliver more output while using less fuel – a combination that’s hard to ignore in any business.
An Independent Approach
A key part of the DPS story is its independence. Unlike many in the industry, DPS develops its own software in-house, working from the original manufacturer parameters and refining them based on experience, testing and local knowledge.
That hands-on approach has been central to the company’s longevity. Over the years, the Waikato-based research and development team has continued to refine its process, supported by significant investment in equipment – most notably a heavy-duty rolling road dynamometer imported from the United States.
This was a bold move at the time, requiring both financial commitment and a fair bit of Kiwi ingenuity to install. But the payoff has been substantial. The dyno allows DPS to test and measure performance under full load in a controlled environment, gathering precise data on factors like boost pressure and fuel delivery. Today, it remains a cornerstone of the operation and a key reason the team can deliver consistent, measurable results.
From One Man to a Nationwide & International Network
Right: DPS Waikato Taranaki technician Monty Stegen
What began as a one-man operation has grown into a nationwide network of agents, covering regions from Northland to Southland. DPS also has a substantial network in both Australia and Canada. Despite this impressive growth, the business has retained a distinctly personal feel, something Chris and his team have been careful to preserve – regardless of where in the world DPS offers its services.
Customer service remains a defining feature. DPS technicians travel to clients, working on-site with the machines that keep farms, transport operations and contracting businesses moving. It’s a practical, no-nonsense approach that aligns well with the people they work with.
Over time, DPS has also become a familiar presence at field days across the country. From Central Districts to Southland, these events have provided an opportunity not just to promote the service, but to have real conversations with customers – sharing knowledge, answering questions and demonstrating what remapping can achieve.
While the combined expertise of the wider DPS team ensures the business continues to thrive and evolve, Chris continues to keep his finger on the pulse of progress, not only operating as a technician, but also writing software modifications, taking care of development work and new software solutions.
“We write software for every single engine that we remap,” says Chris. “To do a remap, the DPS agent pulls the software out of the vehicle and then we make the necessary changes to that software and send it back. Then the agent loads it back into the vehicle again.
“The idea is to make the vehicle work better based on what its owner wants us to achieve – whether that be more efficiency, more power or more torque or whatever they’re trying to accomplish – that’s what we’ll do for them.”
When it comes to assessing what people want, Chris says that’s usually based on the type of work each individual client is doing.
“Our agents find out lots of information about how the vehicle or machinery is being used. That allows us to tailor the remap to both look after the machine and deliver an improved performance for the job the owners have to do.”
An essential piece of kit for testing results, every New Zealand DPS agent owns a Dyno so when they’re going to carry out a remap, they test the tractor with the Dyno before and after the remap.
“It gives us real clarity around how the engine is performing before and after a remap.”
Proven in the Field
While every machine and application is different, the benefits of remapping are well established. Gains of 20%–30% in power for road vehicles and up to 35% for agricultural machinery are not uncommon. Fuel savings, too, can be significant, with some operators reporting measurable reductions in consumption across demanding workloads.
Those gains translate directly into productivity – fewer trips, faster job completion and more efficient use of equipment. In an industry where margins are often tight and downtime is costly, that kind of improvement doesn’t go unnoticed.
Looking Ahead
Twenty years on, Diesel Performance Solutions remains the longest-standing and largest diesel tuning specialist in the country – as well as one of the most experienced. While the industry has grown and evolved, the fundamentals that shaped DPS in the early days still hold true: practical solutions, tailored performance and a strong understanding of how machinery is used in the real world.
For Chris and his team, the focus now is much the same as it was at the start – continuing to refine their craft, invest in new technology and deliver results that make a genuine difference to their customers.
Because in the end, it’s not just about more power. It’s about making every litre of fuel, and every hour on the machine, count.
