this may be a silly question, is ecutek just a tool that plugs into your ecu, which allows you to modify it, and at the end you're still driving around with your ecu in there, or does it actually replace your ecu?

this may be a silly question, is ecutek just a tool that plugs into your ecu, which allows you to modify it, and at the end you're still driving around with your ecu in there, or does it actually replace your ecu?

It is just a software that allows changes to be made to the Ecu's rom files.. Everything is mapped onto the stock ecu, and there is no other physical hardware installed into the car.

Great software to add to that too.

thanks guys

In case you're not familiar with it, it's also fairly expensive software, and there's a several hundred dollar licensing fee that goes back to the EcuTek company for each ECU that you re-flash with it. That's why it's generally the tuners that have it, and not individual owners.

In case you're not familiar with it, it's also fairly expensive software, and there's a several hundred dollar licensing fee that goes back to the EcuTek company for each ECU that you re-flash with it. That's why it's generally the tuners that have it, and not individual owners.

Just asking the question, but why would an individual owner want it? I understand you could attempt to tune it yourself, though what is the main purpose of having the system for your own use when a tuner could do it for you?

Thanks,
William T. Knose Jr.
Lead Programmer
I-Speed USA

Just asking the question, but why would an individual owner want it? I understand you could attempt to tune it yourself, though what is the main purpose of having the system for your own use when a tuner could do it for you?

Thanks,
William T. Knose Jr.
Lead Programmer
I-Speed USA

For said owner to have complete control over what he/she paid for. It sucks to pay that much money for nothing tangible in hand. If it came with an unlock code for taking it to another tuner that would be great. But then again, we get into the whole debate about a tuners IP.

For said owner to have complete control over what he/she paid for. It sucks to pay that much money for nothing tangible in hand. If it came with an unlock code for taking it to another tuner that would be great. But then again, we get into the whole debate about a tuners IP.

From Crawford Performance/I-Speed USA you are receiving a service beyond the reprogramming of the ECU. If is CEL pops up, it is like having a warranty program with a Subaru dealership. Just bring your car in and we will take care of it.

I can understand having nothing tangible in hand but why would you want to get a tune from one shop and then have an unlock code so that you could bring it to another tuner?

Cheers,
William T. Knose Jr.
Lead Programmer
I-Speed USA

I could see it used for customers that are in the middle of no where and need a new map because modifications have changed.

Found an example of someone that has a problem and could use this solution. Though if the tuner had reprogrammed the ECU correctly from the time it left the shop, this car would not have any problems.

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=990335

Cheers,
William T. Knose Jr.
Lead Programmer
I-Speed USA

it would be good if the owner of the vehicle can just take it to any shop/tuner after it has been tuned.... For example what if the car sucks because the tuner didn't tune it correctly? do you think they would actually go back to the same tuner? probably once but that's just to fix the problem.... and most tuners will charge for a retune. so i'd rather have some other tuner that is compitant to do the tune.

it would be good if the owner of the vehicle can just take it to any shop/tuner after it has been tuned.... For example what if the car sucks because the tuner didn't tune it correctly? do you think they would actually go back to the same tuner? probably once but that's just to fix the problem.... and most tuners will charge for a retune. so i'd rather have some other tuner that is compitant to do the tune.
you can already do this... As long as you have the initial ecutek licence on teh ecu from whichever tuner, the new tuner can rewrite the ecu for you. You just pay for tuning labour .

If you're just looking to tune the car yourself there are plenty of open source FREE solutions available.

it would be good if the owner of the vehicle can just take it to any shop/tuner after it has been tuned.... For example what if the car sucks because the tuner didn't tune it correctly? do you think they would actually go back to the same tuner? probably once but that's just to fix the problem.... and most tuners will charge for a retune. so i'd rather have some other tuner that is compitant to do the tune.

Most tuners might charge to fix problem they tune into the system. We stand by our work and if you get a CEL we want to know about it right away. If the problem was caused by our tune we will fix it at our cost that day if need be.

Cheers,
William T. Knose Jr.
Lead Programmer
Crawford Performance / I-Speed USA