Chip vs ECU flash

CottonBurnerz · Jan 30, 2004

Could anyone educate me the technical difference between these two?

What can a chip do that ECU flashing couldn't do? and vice-versa?

CTGrey02 · Jan 30, 2004

Most of the reflashes allow a degree of adaptability using the cars sensors to manage timing and air to fuel ratios. Chips just hack the computer

DBMSTNG · Jan 30, 2004

one plus that the chip has that the flash does not, is that some chips can have more than 1 program on it. the SCT chip can have 4 programs on it. for people who use nitrous, race gas, or just want more control over mileage/performance at any given time.

JonJon · Jan 30, 2004

Do people ever have problems with a flash? With a chip, you can just remove it if there's a problem... what do you do if there's a problem with a flash down the line?
I can't think of anything so maybe there are no problems that can happen with a flash?

I'm curious too, I'm hoping to get a tune soon.

CottonBurnerz · Jan 30, 2004

The reason I ask is because I'm getting 4.10 install and I decided to have Tim (cobra killer) do the reflash. He said that the reflash will fix the speedometer, set new timing, Set the fan setting so that the engine runs cooler, and put new adaptive strategie for the car. If I buy speedcal + timing adjuster separate.. it would cost almost the price of the reflash..

I'm also thinking about putting in new plenum, 4.10 and new DS, then go dyno. Then send the graph together with my ECU to Tim. Any comments on that?

The thing is that the car is only 7 months old and I don't want to void the warranty yet... I plan on the S/C in the next 3 years once my warranty is expired.. then it's chip time.

Beau · Jan 30, 2004

buy a re manufactured computer from ford, they are about 250 bucks and you need the 4 digit code on your original computer. then you send your original to tim and he tunes it for all your mods. if something happens and you have to take your car back, then just put the remanufactuerd stock computer on and it looks like your car has its original tune.

CottonBurnerz · Jan 30, 2004

That's a good idea. But what could be the worst thing that could happen when reflashed?

Beau · Jan 30, 2004

i'm just thinking in the event you gotta take your car in or something like that happens, you'll be able to show that the computer isnt modified at all..thats all

ken44ny · Jan 30, 2004

CottonBurnerz said:
Could anyone educate me the technical difference between these two?

What can a chip do that ECU flashing couldn't do? and vice-versa?

how much for a reflash?

CottonBurnerz · Jan 30, 2004

Yes I understand.. but if I don't say anything.. can they still prove that it's been modified? Tim said that there's some kind of seal or something that if it's been messed with.. they will know. But the reflash will not touch that part at all.. I'm not worry too much about this matter however.. it's no biggie. Thanks for the suggestion though

cobra killer · Jan 30, 2004

No need for another computer..We donot remove the factory plate on the rear.I flash using a factory obd2 harness...

Tim

CottonBurnerz · Jan 30, 2004

There's their site

http://www.modularfordpowerhouse.com/products.php?id=47

The $499 one is for the Supercharged stang

For N/A it's $300

Beau · Jan 30, 2004

cobra killer said:
No need for another computer..We donot remove the factory plate on the rear.I flash using a factory obd2 harness...

Tim

so when the dealer hooks it up to run a diagnostic they cant tell it's been modified? that would be awesome! and save me 250

CottonBurnerz · Jan 30, 2004

Hey Tim, is it better to install the new intake plenum/TB before I send the ECU to you? Or I can install after you flashed the ECU and it won't make any different?

Also, what degrees will you set the timing to? Do I have to upgrade my octane fuel to 93? Other than adjusting timing/recalibrated gears/set adaptive tune/change fan setting, is there anything else that you do to it? And lastly, what other info will you need from me to do the reflash? Will sending the most recent dyno graph with a/f ratio be necessary? I will call you before I do the purchase. If there's any information that you can't post in public please PM me. Thanks again.

JonJon · Jan 30, 2004

CottonBurnerz said:
Hey Tim, is it better to install the new intake plenum/TB before I send the ECU to you? Or I can install after you flashed the ECU and it won't make any different?

Also, what degrees will you set the timing to? Do I have to upgrade my octane fuel to 93? Other than adjusting timing/recalibrated gears/set adaptive tune/change fan setting, is there anything else that you do to it? And lastly, what other info will you need from me to do the reflash? Will sending the most recent dyno graph with a/f ratio be necessary? I will call you before I do the purchase. If there's any information that you can't post in public please PM me. Thanks again.

I'd like to know these too...

DeadLurker · Jan 30, 2004

cobra killer said:
No need for another computer..We donot remove the factory plate on the rear.I flash using a factory obd2 harness...

Tim

I know if they bring their car to you that you definitely dont' touch the actual computer which makes it real easy to put it back to stock settings quickly, but if someone sends you their computer do you plug it into another mustang gt and then program it through the 0BDII port? so that way you dont' have to remove the plate?

Sam98 · Jan 31, 2004

CottonBurnerz said:
Could anyone educate me the technical difference between these two?

What can a chip do that ECU flashing couldn't do? and vice-versa?

A chip can't do anything that a reflash can't, but with a chip you may have problems with diagnostic equipment. A reflash won't interfere with any of that, and unlike a chip, the reflash can never become unseated and blow your PCM. If you have the option, go with a reflash. You can always add a chip later if you want to change something without flashing it again.

dkshadow · Jan 31, 2004

heres the most important question: Will a flash void your warranty?

MustangLife · Jan 31, 2004

CottonBurnerz wrote

"The thing is that the car is only 7 months old and I don't want to void the warranty yet... "

Ford will void a warranty on as little as a K&N Air Filter cause of the oil used on them. They'll do it for just about anything even underdrive pulleys. Because a modification is not as serious as a supercharger or nitrous doesn't mean service departments don't red flag you.

I'm not trying to get you to stop modifying your car. By all means go all out with it. But don't expect your warranty to always be there.

My warranty on my whole drivetrain was voided when my car only 2,000 miles on it with only a cold air intake, pulleys, and a short throw shifter. And contacting a lawyer and having them call the service tech and seeking assistance up top in the rankings of ford doesn't help either. And the dealership will laugh at the Magnusson/Moss warranty act.

Josh

Sam98 · Jan 31, 2004

dkshadow said:
heres the most important question: Will a flash void your warranty?

It would be invisible to most dealerships because they don't know which version of code your PCM should have. They might discover it if they check the code on the PCM, but they would probably just reflash it back to the original code and then scratch their heads for a couple of weeks trying to figure out why the car won't run anymore. To answer your question though, it depends on the dealership, some are more mod friendly than others.

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