Why no ECU Flash?
 

Is there a reason why ECU Flash is not being used on the stock BRZ ECU and instead having to use ECUtek?

What do you mean? I'm looking right at my EcuTek kit right now. The thread just two below yours is specifically about ecu flashing. Visconti Tuning - Latest BRZ Flash Info

This is my first Subaru but I heard people did ECU Flash on the stock ECU for their WRX/STI. Just wondering why it's different with the BRZ.

It's not.

*Specifically, the EcuTek kit you get from Visconti is a usb to OBDII cable, a license of the EcuTek software, and a tune to flash onto the ecu.

The ECU flash he is talking about is for open source tuning using the Tactrix cable. The BRZ ECU hasn't been reverse engineered like the WRX/STI one has so it is not supported yet. There is a thread on here for open source tuning but not much info in there yet.

Hopefully at some point someone figures out the BRZ ECU so flashing and tuning is basically free like the WRX/STI. Well the tuning isn't free unless you can do it yourself.

Ohh. Hmm I'll probably just go to my local performance garage then rather than go with the kit and map from visconti

The R&D done by Visconti isn't something your local garage is going to be able to whip up overnight, much less in a weekend. Even if they do a day of tuning, it won't be near what Visconti has on the market. Something to keep in mind when they price things for you.

I am going to be patient and wait until next year I have decided. My local garage does about 50 subie and 50 mitsu a day so I'd rather wait while I build my relationship with them.

they tune 50 mitsus/subies a day? How many dynos are they running simultaneously?

Not sure I haven't been there but I trust my friend. He drove to Ohio from Massachusetts and placed 2nd place. I know they have a Mustang Dyno.

Either way, I don't think being patient is the wrong decision. I'll see what's available when it's time to boost next year.

They tune 100 cars a day?!!

Even if they tuned 24 hours straight a day thats 4 cars a hour.....15 minutes to dyno tune a car O_o

Yeah I hope open source comes along soon. Right now ECUTek is the only reflash solution.

There haven't been enough WRX, STIs, and EVOs sold in the last 10 years to tune 50/day. Most shops need all day to custom tune 5 cars.

Just to clarify, John didn't do any R&D, EcuTek did the R&D. Technically, your local tuner COULD do what John does in a day if they have the EcuTek software and know what they're doing. John is just helping EcuTek test their updates and tuning the BRZ ECU using the tools that are available. If there was a cheaper solution out there, I'm sure John or any other tuner would support it, but there isn't yet. Currently EcuTek is the only one doing anything with the BRZ ECU so that's the only option we have. For the older Subies and Evos, the ECUs have been completely reverse engineered and can be tuned and reflashed using free open source software. EcuTek actually did a lot of the reverse enginnering and the open source scene only exists because of their work, so in the beginning WRX owners had to wait for EcuTek to do their thing just like we do now. So far it seems like the EcuTek tools have gone way beyond anything we have in the WRX ROMs now, so I think we should be grateful to have them around. Keep in mind the pricing breakdown is not so different from the current WRX solutions, except there's no open source tuning software yet, and to be honest I'm not holding my breath for it.

Current WRX tuning (10 years after the first US WRX went on sale):
Tactrix Cable (only needed if you want to datalog or do your own flashing): $100 or so
RomRaider software: free
Tune by a local tuner or etune (also technically optional, if you want you can DIY): varies, starting around $250 for an etune
total: $0 minimum if you borrow someone's cable and do your own tune - 600ish if you buy the cable and get a dyno tune

Current BRZ tuning:
Tactrix Cable (again not strictly necessary if you are willing to drive to the tuner): $350
EcuTek ProEcu License (this is the main difference. This is required for ANY BRZ with a tune. This is the piece of software that allows you to reflash your ECU): $250
Tune by local tuner or etune: varies, seems like $350 is the cheapest so far
total: $600 minimum if you go to the tuner and use their cable - 1000 with the cable and tune included

We really need an FAQ for this!