Why do ECU reflash's cost so much?
 

Seriously... why does it cost so much? all they do is put the chip on their device, and hit flash! right? so wtf does it cost so much for? The reflasher hard to come by or something? Just wondering...

no its the R&D the time and the cost of paying for people 2 do the work and the fine tuning etc

Correct. Mitsu's ECU's are the wolverines of the car management field: they do not play well with others. They aren't Kraut machines with readily "chippable" units.

They cost so much because the people who make them take time to make it almost perfect and dummy accessible. They take the time to tune it right and they take the time to test all sorts of features. They probably put in many more hours than you think they do.

Don't forget... you get what you pay for. Also keep in mind the core price.

is it not akin to writing a program? think of how much programmers get paid. there ya go.

no its R&D...the problem is when tuning the chip they **** their cars up (dyno tune dyno tune dyno tune) and they just keep working at it untill its good. that distroy's your car.

I do very basic visual basic programming. I made a program for a company that took me literally a few hours and I walked away with over 3k in my pocket.......

Ever tried to create a fuel map and ignition and valve timing? Lemme tell you what ISN'T fun.

Ever tried to create a (more or less) universal fuel map and ignition and valve timing? Let me tell you what's even less fun.

Most of the reasons have been covered; R&D, time and materials. Most important though, these guys have to buy or lease the devices/software needed to accomplish a reflash. Ask your local garage what they spend just for up to date online manuals and emissions software/hardware every month. It's in the thousands.

And also... when you do that ECU flash.. it isn't just your fuel management and all that... you have to keep in mind, the door chimes, the lighting systems, the dome light, the power locks, the air conditioning unit, the stereo, the keyless entry, the trunk light... every little accessory runs pretty much off the ECU in modern cars for various reasons. Some to more degrees than others. So all those systems have to be integrated in as well. So there is just piles and piles and piles of things that have to be coded and tested when you are completely reflashing the ECU... and it all has to work and work together and not have bugs. You need to figure more or less months of programming and testing in some cases. So lots of man hours = lots of money.

A lot of that stuff isn't modified, but oh man...I bet most people don't know you actually have to adjust the car's idle to run the AC without it stalling. Lord knows I learned the hard way. ...not that I miss AC much. I never used it anyway. :p

There's a lot of ins and outs...

If you get ECU standalones or COMPLETE reflashes there are some reflash cases where they do have to do that. But yeah in general not so much... but the standalone... hahahaha :) Yeah.

ive got a question, will the ecu flash maks my car run that much faster? because from what i understand it wont void warrenty. :)

Actually that might be the one thing that could void your entire engine, electrical and drivetrain warranty. It also may not be easily detected unless the dealership can data log or something. Of course if they found out without your telling them, they might "un-flash" you...and boy wouldn't that suck? :crap:

LoL so true.

i remember in my VW days, when i was shopping for a chip, best out there for my car was $125. Plug ang play in your garage!

mmmm kraut machines