I realize the answer is likely a big fat no, but I have to ask anyways.

Is there any way to get back to the legit stock ROM from an ECU ('03 Evo 8), after it's been reflashed with a "Basemap"?

My friend bought an '03 Evo for pretty cheap, and decided to modify it (GT30 something turbo, used HKS 272 cams, unknown brand used 1000cc injectors, deleted the EGR, got an OMNI 4-bar MAP sensor to go Speed Density, and a GSC balance shaft eliminator kit). He had a local guy send him a basemap using EvoScan/ECUFlash, through E-Mail while instructing over the phone. Not trying to bash this local tuner, but he (admittedly) wasn't too familiar with those programs (DSM Link being his regular EMS of choice), but had tuned a few cars with EvoScan/ECUFlash. Originally he said to save the stock ROM, while we were in the process of installing parts and putting the engine back together. Well the owner of the car kept bugging him all day to send the Basemap, even though we weren't done. Eventually the new Basemap was sent, and we were told to forget about saving the stock ROM and just flash the Basemap. So a stock ROM was never saved, and the "Basemap" inherited from another ROM in ECUFlash that was likely not the same from which it was created.

So... As I stated, I'm assuming the answer is a clear no, but I have to ask. Is the stock ROM saved anywhere on the ECU other than Memory, that it could somehow be saved (or viewed) after a reflash?

 

Nope, it must have been saved to have the original.

This tuner really sounds like trouble and I personally would avoid him like the plague.

Why did he delete the balance shafts on a non built motor? I have a bad feeling that this Evo is not going to make it long with the new owner.

 

Pretty much what I figured, just had to be sure. That's unfortunate.

Yeah... The engine is already showing some issues. He did the delete because everyone else in the area does them, regardless of how built their engine is. That's pretty much what most DSM/Evo guys around here do, that and light weight crank pulleys. We're pulling the pan and girdle to check for potential bearing issues today lol. Nightmare.

Edit: crank is junk. All main bearings are worn to copper, and rod bearings are at the very least grooved. Block is getting tanked and then rebuilt.