ECU Tuning Question

[Ahernandez0909]

What the hell is it? How will it make the car better? Couldn't Scion/Subaru/Toyota have done it themselves? Would that void my extended warranty? How is it done? Do I stick a USB drive into my USB port and press a few buttons that makes my car have 10+ whp? I'm confused!!! Help?

[EvilBeaverFace]

Start searching on google maybe?

[polancd]

Originally Posted by Ahernandez0909

What the hell is it? How will it make the car better? Couldn't Scion/Subaru/Toyota have done it themselves? Would that void my extended warranty? How is it done? Do I stick a USB drive into my USB port and press a few buttons that makes my car have 10+ whp? I'm confused!!! Help?

At a really basic level, you are changing your cars afr ( air fuel ratio) and timing to make more power.

How will it make the car better? when you add parts to your car it can change the afr, tuning can correct this and maximize the power from your parts. yes you can tune a stock car and make more power.

Couldn't Scion/Subaru/Toyota have done it themselves? They did, it is the factory tune. they were not trying to squeeze out every ounce of power due to different factors around the world, ( like altitude and fuel )

Would that void my extended warranty? Yes. It is possible for a tune to void your warranty, but most systems can revert back to stock quite easily.

How is it done? It can be done a couple of different ways. standalone's replace the entire ecu, piggybacks work with the stock ecu, and flashes replace the stock ecu maps.

In general a tuner will put your car on a dyno, datalog it , then change the map and repeat until he/she thinks they cant extract any more power safely.

[Ahernandez0909]

Originally Posted by EvilBeaverFace

Start searching on google maybe?

It's easier to have a Q&A. If I have a question I ask and it's answered compared to searching on google and it explains something, then I have a question and search more. Why is there a forum if everything is on google? I don't understand why people always say "Search" if I hadn't searched it probably wouldn't be posted. But it's okay, if it gets you off feel free to tell me to search all I want. I've looked.

[Ahernandez0909]

Originally Posted by polancd

At a really basic level, you are changing your cars afr ( air fuel ratio) and timing to make more power.

How will it make the car better? when you add parts to your car it can change the afr, tuning can correct this and maximize the power from your parts. yes you can tune a stock car and make more power.

Couldn't Scion/Subaru/Toyota have done it themselves? They did, it is the factory tune. they were not trying to squeeze out every ounce of power due to different factors around the world, ( like altitude and fuel )

Would that void my extended warranty? Yes. It is possible for a tune to void your warranty, but most systems can revert back to stock quite easily.

How is it done? It can be done a couple of different ways. standalone's replace the entire ecu, piggybacks work with the stock ecu, and flashes replace the stock ecu maps.

In general a tuner will put your car on a dyno, datalog it , then change the map and repeat until he/she thinks they cant extract any more power safely.

What does Visconti do? I don't understand how he sends you a "flash" a "license" and a cable

[industrial]

Originally Posted by Ahernandez0909

It's easier to have a Q&A. If I have a question I ask and it's answered compared to searching on google and it explains something, then I have a question and search more. Why is there a forum if everything is on google? I don't understand why people always say "Search" if I hadn't searched it probably wouldn't be posted. But it's okay, if it gets you off feel free to tell me to search all I want. I've looked.

From a sticky at the top of this forum you lazy and blind assholio~


I've seen some questions about available tunes and thought it would be a good opportunity to create a quick reference (perhaps a sticky?)

I'd like to focus on resources and objective differentiators. My goal is not to endorse any specific solution or tuner. I don't plan to consolidate dynos or other feedback but leave that to the user base to research.

Intro:
The purpose of this thread is to provide a reference for owners on available options and solutions for engine and ECU tuning. This is an objective information-based perspective with the intent that the user will further research the options to make their own conclusion.
* Disclaimer* If you are considering a tuning solution please search this forum, talk with other owners, vendors, and tuners about your specific goals. This thread is not the end-all-be-all. It's merely a community resource.

Tuning Primer ----------

FAQ:
- What is engine tuning?
- How can modifying the cars Air, Fuel, and Timing increase performance?
- What is E85 and Flex Fuel? How can these fuel mixtures enhance performance?
- What's the technical difference between a flash, piggyback, and stand-alone solution?
- What kind of performance gains can I expect by using a tuning solution?
- Why should I consider a dyno-calibrated tune?
- Can the dealership "see" that I have a tune installed?
- Will a tune void my warranty?
- Will a tune effect my MPG?
- What other capabilities or features should I consider with a tuning solution?

Available Solutions:

EcuTek - via the EcuTek Cable an owner or tuner can reflash the factory ECU with the EcuTek RaceROM.
Features: Map Tuning, Data Logging, Map Switching, Rev Limit Control, Launch Control, Auto-Blip Throttle, Flat-Foot Shifting, and e85/flex fuel support.
Pricing: License $250, Tune ~$200-400, Cable (Optional) ~$350

Tuners (Other vendors, please let me know if I missed you):
Visconti
FA20Club.com
Drift Office
PERRIN
Moto East
PTUNING
DD Performance Research
Evasive Motorsports (also Fcon IS tuning available)

Other/Resellers/Authorized Dealers:
FT-86 Speed Factory
Pure Automotive


Unichip - a plug and play EMS/piggyback unit. Maps can be downloaded via the Unichip file-share library and flashed via the Unichip USB flash cable.
Features: Map Tuning, Plug and Play Harness, Map Switching, Map Library (all maps are free), Doesn't Require a VIN License, OBDII Reader, and Additional Features Under Development.
Pricing: Plug and Play Kit (Harness + Tune) $445, USB Flash Cable (Optional) $45, Flux2 Unit (Optional) $265 + $45 Cable
Unichip EMS
Unichip Map Downloads Thread
Unichip MapsQ software Thread


BRZEdit (ECUEdit) - via the Epifansoft cable an owner or tuner can reflash the factory ECU.
Features: Map Tuning, Data Logging, Map Editing, Rev Limit Control, and Additional Features Under Development.
Pricing: Personal License $499, Tactrix Openport 2.0 (Optional) $169
Epifansoft


Hydra EMS 2.7 - a plug and play EMS/Stand Alone unit.
Features: Map Tuning, Data Logging, Map Editing, Launch Control, Flat Foot Shifting, Rev Limit Control, e85/flex fuel support, and Additional Features Under Development.
Pricing: EMS Plug and Play Kit $1899, Wideband O2 (Optional) $449, Flat-Foot Shifting Harness (Optional) $79
Element Tuning
__________________
BMW E46 M3
Porsche 996 911 C4
Black Limited BRZ (Build Thread)

Last edited by swift996; 03-09-2013 at 01:08 PM.

[Ahernandez0909]

Originally Posted by industrial

From a sticky at the top of this forum you lazy and blind assholio~


I've seen some questions about available tunes and thought it would be a good opportunity to create a quick reference (perhaps a sticky?)

I'd like to focus on resources and objective differentiators. My goal is not to endorse any specific solution or tuner. I don't plan to consolidate dynos or other feedback but leave that to the user base to research.

Intro:
The purpose of this thread is to provide a reference for owners on available options and solutions for engine and ECU tuning. This is an objective information-based perspective with the intent that the user will further research the options to make their own conclusion.
* Disclaimer* If you are considering a tuning solution please search this forum, talk with other owners, vendors, and tuners about your specific goals. This thread is not the end-all-be-all. It's merely a community resource.

Tuning Primer ----------

FAQ:
- What is engine tuning?
- How can modifying the cars Air, Fuel, and Timing increase performance?
- What is E85 and Flex Fuel? How can these fuel mixtures enhance performance?
- What's the technical difference between a flash, piggyback, and stand-alone solution?
- What kind of performance gains can I expect by using a tuning solution?
- Why should I consider a dyno-calibrated tune?
- Can the dealership "see" that I have a tune installed?
- Will a tune void my warranty?
- Will a tune effect my MPG?
- What other capabilities or features should I consider with a tuning solution?

Available Solutions:

EcuTek - via the EcuTek Cable an owner or tuner can reflash the factory ECU with the EcuTek RaceROM.
Features: Map Tuning, Data Logging, Map Switching, Rev Limit Control, Launch Control, Auto-Blip Throttle, Flat-Foot Shifting, and e85/flex fuel support.
Pricing: License $250, Tune ~$200-400, Cable (Optional) ~$350

Tuners (Other vendors, please let me know if I missed you):
Visconti
FA20Club.com
Drift Office
PERRIN
Moto East
PTUNING
DD Performance Research
Evasive Motorsports (also Fcon IS tuning available)

Other/Resellers/Authorized Dealers:
FT-86 Speed Factory
Pure Automotive


Unichip - a plug and play EMS/piggyback unit. Maps can be downloaded via the Unichip file-share library and flashed via the Unichip USB flash cable.
Features: Map Tuning, Plug and Play Harness, Map Switching, Map Library (all maps are free), Doesn't Require a VIN License, OBDII Reader, and Additional Features Under Development.
Pricing: Plug and Play Kit (Harness + Tune) $445, USB Flash Cable (Optional) $45, Flux2 Unit (Optional) $265 + $45 Cable
Unichip EMS
Unichip Map Downloads Thread
Unichip MapsQ software Thread


BRZEdit (ECUEdit) - via the Epifansoft cable an owner or tuner can reflash the factory ECU.
Features: Map Tuning, Data Logging, Map Editing, Rev Limit Control, and Additional Features Under Development.
Pricing: Personal License $499, Tactrix Openport 2.0 (Optional) $169
Epifansoft


Hydra EMS 2.7 - a plug and play EMS/Stand Alone unit.
Features: Map Tuning, Data Logging, Map Editing, Launch Control, Flat Foot Shifting, Rev Limit Control, e85/flex fuel support, and Additional Features Under Development.
Pricing: EMS Plug and Play Kit $1899, Wideband O2 (Optional) $449, Flat-Foot Shifting Harness (Optional) $79
Element Tuning
__________________
BMW E46 M3
Porsche 996 911 C4
Black Limited BRZ (Build Thread)

Last edited by swift996; 03-09-2013 at 01:08 PM.

I completely mistook this forum for a mature bunch of people.

[industrial]

Originally Posted by Ahernandez0909

I completely mistook this forum for a mature bunch of people.

Is your question not answered? Did you want me to re-write all the information in that thread just for you? wtf guy?

[Ahernandez0909]

Originally Posted by industrial

Is your question not answered? Did you want me to re-write all the information in that thread just for you? wtf guy?

Haha no buddy that didn't answer every question. You act like I haven't read that. I don't know your age but you sound like a 17 year old who got his car from his stepdad. I was asking for a mature answer like the other guy gave me. Please do everyone a favor and get off of this forum. I appreciate the insults and the copy and paste. I hope you have a great rest of your day. I will no longer reply to you so feel free to say whatever you want knowing that you won't get a response.

[schtebie]

Originally Posted by Ahernandez0909

What does Visconti do? I don't understand how he sends you a "flash" a "license" and a cable

Visconti is a tuner. He writes the software that gets loaded onto your ECU aka tune. The flash is a data file (if I understand correctly) and the cable is how you load/transfer that data into your ECU so that your car can use it. The license is for the software that enables you to load the new tune on the car (just like you need a license to use Windows on your computer).

Not sure if that makes any sense, so continue to ask questions as needed.

[Ahernandez0909]

Originally Posted by schtebie

Visconti is a tuner. He writes the software that gets loaded onto your ECU aka tune. The flash is a data file (if I understand correctly) and the cable is how you load/transfer that data into your ECU so that your car can use it. The license is for the software that enables you to load the new tune on the car (just like you need a license to use Windows on your computer).

Not sure if that makes any sense, so continue to ask questions as needed.

Awesome. You're great man, if I bought a Visconti tune, would I just plug it in and when I need to take it in for maintenance I can load up the stock one?

[NorseLegend]

Originally Posted by Ahernandez0909

Awesome. You're great man, if I bought a Visconti tune, would I just plug it in and when I need to take it in for maintenance I can load up the stock one?

I'm not a wealth of information here, I am in the same boat as you actually, don't really know the first thing, but I do believe that is how it works.

[schtebie]

Originally Posted by Ahernandez0909

Awesome. You're great man, if I bought a Visconti tune, would I just plug it in and when I need to take it in for maintenance I can load up the stock one?

That's how it should work as far as I'm aware. I'm no expert though because I've opted not to get a tune for my BRZ for the time being.

[AllDayJonRay]

About as valuable as this entire thread. I wish mods would do a better job of locking threads that go the following direction:

1. Uneducated question asked by OP who refuses to read information on the topic unless the information is in direct response to his question.

2. OP is inevitably told to use the search function, and to stop being lazy.

3. OP swears he did search.

4. Another member does this OP's research, just to either post a link to search results that yielded the answer or, in this case, COPY AND PASTE A FORUM STICKY WITH THE ANSWER.

5. OP gets into flame war with anyone who doesn't do his research legwork for him.