IS THERE A LAPTOP PROGRAM CABLE COMBO?
 

I am an IT expert but new to tuning and OBDI2 interface programming.

The tuning shop I go to just uses a laptop & USB cable.

Is there a cheap program & cable combo that lets us upload the OFT roms to remap the ECU on the FR-S?

I hate to buy a $500 tablet for something I might use once or twice.

Thanks

Tactrix Openport 2.0

Information on it's use can be found here: http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=62332

I'm also an IT guy, and I have done over 1000 flashes with my OFT
 

I've used my tablet 1000's of times, not only for loading tunes, but for logging as well as monitoring up to three channels in real time. I have learned how to tune through trial and error with my OFT. The OFT is much safer than cheap ebay cable methods, with built-in checks to help prevent bricking your ECU accidentally.
Whatever you choose, make sure to read up as much as you can before you load anything to make sure you do it safely.
One advantage the OFT has over other options is the Open Source ability to share tunes and knowledge/experience without revealing any patented secrets, or getting sued/pressured to remove what you have posted. We OFT tuners share what we learn, and help out others when they need it. I also own the Phantom Super Charger system, which is a unique challenge to tune for.
Here are pics of the the AVCS Exhaust tables from my tune, and from the tunes supplied by shiv@openflash for use with the Phantom. This is an example of how many changes I have made to extract maximum performance. I always try for smooth, geometrically progressive changes in the tables I make, because I believe sharp, sudden changes require sharp, sudden compensations if other areas, which can lead to drive-ability problems. I drive an AT, which is great for tuning, since the vastly taller gearing means I feel every flaw in my tunes. To get the same thing in an MT, you'd have to start out in 2nd gear, and then skip every other gear shifting.

As above you can use tactrix, however its not a easy to use or as safe as an oft, and you will likely run into issues logging unless your car is one of the few roms that the logging addresses have been discovered.


You need to understand what you are doing and their are a few traps using oft roms that may result in you bricking your ecu.


you may wish to read here also.


http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=106068


and here


Tips to Avoid Flashing Problems or Bricking your ECU
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2489551

Good point Steve,

OP, if you do decide to go with the "cheap program & cable combo" as I and many others have done just be careful with your definitions and be aware of the Metric/Standard values if copying tables between them and you'll be fine (I use the Open Loop Fueling Table and VVT tables as a guide).

I just want to throw out there that in hindsight I wish I would have purchased the OFT tablet instead of the Tactrix Openport2 - $169.00 plus tax/shipping for tactrix cable + ecuflash, $129 for the intel compute stick I keep in the glovebox and then the $150 for BRZEdit (for realtime logging / live dashboard) I'm $50 shy of the cost of the all-in-one solution of the tablet itself.

Although Shiv lives about 15 minutes from me, Vishnu cannot/will not do a custom e-tune for my Turbo kit because I do not own an OFT, support is basically the Amazon returns department and more than anything, I did not support the original developer for their hard work and devotion to the community.

I should have purchased the Openflash Tablet & you just may find yourself feeling the same way in a few months. YMMV.

Add to above
you can use the oft as a big guage display
and it has unique tuning alert function where you can set alarms for say high oil temp water temp, knock afr running lean at high loads\rpm

pedal dance function

its rearly pretty good value

and they sell rearly well second hand if you sell your car

you can find used OFT's for around $400 in the classified section and then resell it for the same price later on.

There is no doubt the OFT is a great little device.

It is also handy if you are flashing a number of pre-prepared tunes to your ECU - much more portable than a laptop and no power supply concerns.

If your car is a relatively new model, its probably important to note that the real-time display and data logging are not completely working for later model vehicles.
This might influence your decision....

It also might be just me, but I also don't feel 100% right using the OFT OTS tunes without purchasing the device - I think of it as contributing to their R&D :D

FYI - I already owned a Tactrix before buying the OFT