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Old 02-27-2008, 11:09 AM   #1
Moviemaker
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Default Help!!! Prodrive won't reflash my ECU!!!!

Hi gang,

So here is the story. Last year I bought a Prodrive Power Pack 3 from a authorized dealer. All arrived as it was supposed to including the form to send my ECU back to the Prodrive office here in the States to get the reflash. Problem is I had some family emergencies come up and I wasn't able to get to installing it until now and come to find out from my local Subaru dealer Prodrive has pulled all of their operations out of the US. They are maintaining an office to handle the distribution of their products but that's it.

I got an e-mail repsonse from them today stating they were reviewing their policy on reflashing of ECUs in the US. I was told I would be put on the list to be informed once a decision was reached. That sounds to me like its never gonna happen.

Anybody have any thoughts on how I might get the "correct" reflash on my ECU to use my Prodrive parts the way they intended? I don't want to hack up the kit, I want to do it the way it was supposed to be done.

HELP!!!! PLEASE!!!!!
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Old 02-27-2008, 11:30 AM   #2
nixgame22
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Since it's still new, is it too late to get a refund, and go another route with EM?
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Old 02-27-2008, 11:37 AM   #3
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Just get a tune like everyone else, it'll be safer and make more power anyway. Accessport, utec, RomRaider..take your pick.

Or return the whole thing. Buy a downpipe and exhaust like everyone else, save a whole bunch of money, make more and safer power with a real tune, and be happy. There's nothing special about the Prodrive kit that makes it any different from any other TBE and tune...you just pay alot more for it.
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Old 02-27-2008, 01:16 PM   #4
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Just flash it Stage 2 with the AP, that's what my friend did on his 9-2X. He has the Prodrive UP, DP, midpipe, and axleback, along with the Prodrive boost solenoid which he ended when he got Protuned, but before that he had the OTS Stage 2 map without any problems.
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Old 02-27-2008, 02:24 PM   #5
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I was afraid that might be the only route (tune job) anyone knew of. Maybe there is someone out there who has the answer. I just don't want to buy more stuff if what I have will work. I'll have to look into returning it but I don't know if that will be an option. Thanks for the responses guys.
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Old 02-27-2008, 02:51 PM   #6
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So they are saying they have a policy now on reflashing but they have no policy on selling DP's and intakes to people to put on without reflashing? Sounds like it's time to return the stuff and buy used here on NASIOC. You'll end up with more power and money left over to pay a nice weekend with your wife/girlfriend.
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Old 02-27-2008, 03:27 PM   #7
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Here is the email I got this morning:

Hello Michael,

Thank you for your e-mail. I would firstly like to inform you that we have appointed a distributor to manage the distribution of Prodrive parts in the US. An official announcement should be made shortly.

With regards to your enquiry below I can inform you that we are currently reviewing the situation on ECU reflashing in the states and hope to have a solution available soon. I will keep you updated with any progress and if there is anything else I can assist with in the meantime pleased don't hesitate to contact me.

Regards,

Adam


In all fairness to PD they haven't said they won't do it but they haven't given me any alternatives or even a glimmer of hope that it will happen. I have only to assume that some EPA stuff must be part of the mix. Hopefully I am wrong and they will come through but at this point I am thinking I will have to entertain other tuning options like was suggested here.

We'll see, hopefully someone knows somebody that can do it. But I will keep people on what PD says. I did just send them another e-mail asking if it is possible to send the ECU to them in the UK.

Thanks guys.
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Old 02-27-2008, 03:55 PM   #8
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When you bought the kit, part of the price is the reflash right? If you paid for it, they are obligated to do it or refund you the value of a tune...I'd say a reflash from Prodrive you could reasonably value around $350-400.

edit: I don't see where they have to 'look into it' they owe you the rest of your product that you've already paid for. I googled the kit and I see it def. says ECU Upgrade in the "parts list"
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Old 02-27-2008, 05:54 PM   #9
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I hate to go off on a tangent here real quick, but does that e-mail mean that Prodrive is going to start distributing parts in the US again? (*cross fingers* Prodrive lip COME ON!)
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Old 02-27-2008, 05:59 PM   #10
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I'm sure glad I went out and spent money I don't have on Prodrive rims thinking it would be a pain in the a-- to get them in the future. Come to find out they now are going to have a distributor.
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Old 02-27-2008, 06:05 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sluflyer06 View Post
When you bought the kit, part of the price is the reflash right? If you paid for it, they are obligated to do it or refund you the value of a tune...I'd say a reflash from Prodrive you could reasonably value around $350-400.

edit: I don't see where they have to 'look into it' they owe you the rest of your product that you've already paid for. I googled the kit and I see it def. says ECU Upgrade in the "parts list"
I would say ^ has the correct idea!
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Old 02-27-2008, 06:06 PM   #12
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Based on what I read in the e-mail they are going to continue selling their stuff here they are just in the middle of getting the distributorship put into place. As far as the ECU work goes I have no answer as of yet, I am still clinging to the hope that there will be some support over this part of their product line-up.

Prodrive from what I have heard and read is a very stand-up organization so I am hoping they will resolve this matter without issue on my part.

Time will tell. Til then if anyone knows where else I might go to get this done that would me most excellent. Otherwise, I will have to look into other alternatives for tuning as others have suggested earlier in this thread.

Thanks guys!
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Old 02-27-2008, 06:16 PM   #13
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before you do anyting to the EXU, exhaust the Prodrive route like sluflyer06 said.
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Old 02-27-2008, 06:31 PM   #14
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Thanks Leonardo, I really think that is the best route. I can't do anything with the car now anyway. I had it all torn apart to do this and I don't want to burn up $120 worth of new gaskets just to put the car back to the way it was so I can drive only to rip it back apart later and buy more gaskets again.

Guess I'll keep driving my drafty softtop Jeep, man I want my Suby back.
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Old 02-27-2008, 06:37 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Moviemaker View Post
I have only to assume that some EPA stuff must be part of the mix.
Could be. I bet Prodrive would really hate to have their reputation sullied by "emission systems tampering" fines from the US EPA.
http://www.epa.gov/otaq/regs/fuels/cff/memo-1a.txt
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Old 02-28-2008, 12:18 AM   #16
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have harvey tune your car. he's on awdpirates as 'theboostcreep'. he's the #1 tuner in the denver area
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Old 02-28-2008, 12:59 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Moviemaker View Post
Based on what I read in the e-mail they are going to continue selling their stuff here they are just in the middle of getting the distributorship put into place. As far as the ECU work goes I have no answer as of yet, I am still clinging to the hope that there will be some support over this part of their product line-up.
Was just chatting with Armin over at World One, he told me the distributor is going to be Cosworth.
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Old 02-28-2008, 01:03 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vecdran View Post
Was just chatting with Armin over at World One, he told me the distributor is going to be Cosworth.

very interesting...
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Old 03-05-2008, 12:11 AM   #19
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Default Just an update for anyone who is interested!!!

Well, it is official I got my formal acknowledgement from Prodrive that they will not re-flash my ECU. See the e-mail below (I have not altered the wording in any way.)

Hello Michael,

Unfortunately it is impossible for us to reflash your ECU in the UK, due to the fact that we don't have the ROM files to do it.

With regards to re-flashing ECU's in America; Prodrive has not officially re-flashed ECU's for approximately 2 years now and this is something that still stands. There is the potential that we will look at doing an official re-flash in the future however this is something that isn't currently offered.

I apologise for any inconvenience caused and if there is anything else I can help with please don't hesitate to contact me.

Kind regards,

Adam


So, there you go for anyone who wants to know.

Thanks to all for their comments and/or suggestions.

Mike
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Old 03-05-2008, 12:15 AM   #20
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just get a different EM...its not that big a deal. the prodrive power pack is nice but doesnt make any more power than a downpipe and enginuity tune.
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Old 03-05-2008, 12:30 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Moviemaker View Post
Well, it is official I got my formal acknowledgement from Prodrive that they will not re-flash my ECU. See the e-mail below (I have not altered the wording in any way.)
go to revolutions performance in springs or head up to boulder and have harvey tune your car. harvey tunes with everything (opensource, cobb ap, ecutek, autronic) and uses the dyno at super-rupair. check awdpirates.net if you haven't already for info or shoot me a pm.
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Old 03-05-2008, 12:32 AM   #22
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Man you better make sure you get your money back for the tuning part of the package. they are ripping you off like 400 dollars
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Old 03-05-2008, 01:20 AM   #23
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nettalp View Post
Man you better make sure you get your money back for the tuning part of the package. they are ripping you off like 400 dollars
+1
That is enough money for a used AccessPort V1 or a re-flash.
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