What interest would there be in a handheld flash tuner that would back up your original OEM Program, and then allow you custom tunes for the different mods, or use the base OEM tune with alteratons to boost levels, timing, a/f,rev limits,idle control, fan control, O2 sensor control , fault code reader and resetter, tire sizes? For say $400-$500

 

I would definitely be interested, but $300 would be my limit for something like that.

Would it be possible to have a software package that does this from a palm pilot (palm OS) and a special cable?

Cabo

 

Well, the good news is almost everyone would want the tuner.. Even the guys doing flashes right now would like something that does that so they can sell their flashes to the enduser..

The problem with japanese cars (and other cars) is their not really like the Fords and Chevy ECU's.. you can't easily download the stock maps off the ECU through the OBD-II port, and its a little more difficult to write a new map onto the ECU due to its encryption and checksum.

I'd love to see someone figure out how to reflash the ECU using software without it costing thousands of dollars in hardware and software though..

 

I would think the main issue for a handheld flasher would be first, doing the necessary research for each region's ECU to be sure that the integrity of the tune is held when flashed onto the ECU, and secondly that it safely performs the task without burning anything out. Flashing ROM is a tricky proposition, can go horribly wrong on motherboards/video cards and I'm sure any potential manufacturer of a low cost flashing option would rather simply market a piggy back system, i.e. the E-Manage.

 

Also most japanese cars aren't meant to be "Reflashed" frequently.. where many american ECU's are designed to have its parameters altered frequently (My 97 Z28 was reprogrammed several times at the dealer to fix issues)

 

Id buy one in a heartbeat!!!

 

Since OBD-II is not really an interface option, would it be possible to come up with a custom cable that interfaces directly with the ECU?

Cabo

 

I'd be interested, but are you asking this from a point of view of "if we get enough people together maybe we can do this" or from the point of view "I'm already looking into it how to do this and wondering how much people think is a fair price" ?

 

I think the techtom flash programmer allows you to program it through the OBDII port or by disconnecting the ECU from the car and programming it direct through the ECU connectors.

 

I am asking from a point of view that "if we get enough people together maybe we can influence someone " @ the very least show some of the major handheld manufacturers that it would be worth putting in some R&D to produce it.

 

I had a Conforti shark injector for my 98 M Roadster, loved it. Could go back to stock map whever I wanted. That flashed the ECU through the BMW diagnostic port, not the OBDII port however. Would sell like hotcakes if you could figure out one for the Evo. I know people are never real comfortable sending out thier ECU by mail, even if it is overnighted....

 

Yes, i know this thread is ancient, which is one of the reasons I wanted to revisit it. Are there any tuners out there looking into a hand held Flash for the Evo these days? (Vishnu, Dynoflash, AMS, TT... etc..) I think the market would go crazy over one.

 

Would this be similar to the Accessport for Subarus?

 

AccessECU whos does the accessport (Cobb is a branch) for the Subarus has one under development for the EVOs ... its just taking forever!!!

 

That is why I was wondering if that was a similar product. COBB Tuning has had this on their to do list for a long time. Recently they were requesting stock/lightly modded with stock ecued evos to begin work on the project. I am sure it is still a ways off but at least they have started.