After market CPU. Can it be detected?
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 54
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From: Inver Grove Heights, MN.
After market CPU. Can it be detected?
Mike,
On another forum someone asked if the Superchips Micro tuner was a good unit and worth the money. I, and a number of other people, told him how much we liked our tuners. How easy they were to use and how we felt they were just about the "best bang for the buck". Someone else got on and said the after market CPU was the only way to go. He could switch his CPUs in ten minutes and even if he didn't the dealer would never know. I would think that the minute they pluged into the test port they'ed know the computer was modified. I thought you'd be the one to ask about this. The guy that asked the question Tows and I think he was all set to buy the tuner but now I think he's a little confused. Any thoughts on this?
On another forum someone asked if the Superchips Micro tuner was a good unit and worth the money. I, and a number of other people, told him how much we liked our tuners. How easy they were to use and how we felt they were just about the "best bang for the buck". Someone else got on and said the after market CPU was the only way to go. He could switch his CPUs in ten minutes and even if he didn't the dealer would never know. I would think that the minute they pluged into the test port they'ed know the computer was modified. I thought you'd be the one to ask about this. The guy that asked the question Tows and I think he was all set to buy the tuner but now I think he's a little confused. Any thoughts on this?
Technical Article Contributor
Joined: Dec 1997
Posts: 9,417
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From: Windsor,Ontario,Canada
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Ask the other poster how much he paid for his extra Powertrain Control Module (PCM) and how much he paid to get the VID Block programmed. The VID Block is left blank on new PCM and must be programmed to the vehicle it is being installed in. His replacement PCM is acting like an expensive chip. It contains only one performance program and must be sent away to be reflashed. Your Microtuner has multiple options and, if I am not mistaken, they can be switched in about 10 minutes. There is no chance of frying the PCM with a static shock, you don't have to undo the 10mm bolt that is holding the PCM connector to the PCM. BTW it is inside the engine compartment. Then you have to reach up under passenger side kick panel to remove the HOT PCM and replace it with the Stock PCM back out around under the hood to connect the PCM and tighten the bolt. This fool obviously doesn't have a clue....
Regards
Jean Marc Chartier
Ask the other poster how much he paid for his extra Powertrain Control Module (PCM) and how much he paid to get the VID Block programmed. The VID Block is left blank on new PCM and must be programmed to the vehicle it is being installed in. His replacement PCM is acting like an expensive chip. It contains only one performance program and must be sent away to be reflashed. Your Microtuner has multiple options and, if I am not mistaken, they can be switched in about 10 minutes. There is no chance of frying the PCM with a static shock, you don't have to undo the 10mm bolt that is holding the PCM connector to the PCM. BTW it is inside the engine compartment. Then you have to reach up under passenger side kick panel to remove the HOT PCM and replace it with the Stock PCM back out around under the hood to connect the PCM and tighten the bolt. This fool obviously doesn't have a clue....
Regards
Jean Marc Chartier
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Joined: Mar 1998
Posts: 13,385
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From: Virginia
Hi Mike,
Yes, you can always buy an extra PCM if you like, but compared to the 3-program Micro Tuner that would be limiting (1 program only), and not the preferred way to do things.
There are vehicles that we are doing the same thing for - the 2004 3-valve 5.4 F-150 and the 2004 SuperDuty 6.0 PSD's, as right now and for months to come, the only way to get those 2 applications tuned is to send in the vehicle's PCM (or a spare) for us to reflash it with the performance tuning. So that *can* and *is* a viable approach, if it's your only choice. For example, with our 2004 5.4 F-150, we've flashed the PCM with the performance tuning we just wrapped the R&D up on, and picked up over 24 HP & well over 40 lbs./ft. of torque to the rear wheels! Our 6200 lb. 2004 SuperCrew ran 130 mph with *nothing* other than our tuning, and that was with no tonneau cover, tailgate up & the mirrors fully extended - actually, it was still pulling, but with the big crosswinds at the time I had to back out - heck, it may have run 135 or more.
And since that is the only way to get a performance tune for the 2004 5.4 F-150, it's *well* worth it.
But any time you have a choice between the 3-program Micro Tuner or flashing the PCM, the Micro Tuner is going to be preferable. It's a no-brainer.
Yes, you can always buy an extra PCM if you like, but compared to the 3-program Micro Tuner that would be limiting (1 program only), and not the preferred way to do things.
There are vehicles that we are doing the same thing for - the 2004 3-valve 5.4 F-150 and the 2004 SuperDuty 6.0 PSD's, as right now and for months to come, the only way to get those 2 applications tuned is to send in the vehicle's PCM (or a spare) for us to reflash it with the performance tuning. So that *can* and *is* a viable approach, if it's your only choice. For example, with our 2004 5.4 F-150, we've flashed the PCM with the performance tuning we just wrapped the R&D up on, and picked up over 24 HP & well over 40 lbs./ft. of torque to the rear wheels! Our 6200 lb. 2004 SuperCrew ran 130 mph with *nothing* other than our tuning, and that was with no tonneau cover, tailgate up & the mirrors fully extended - actually, it was still pulling, but with the big crosswinds at the time I had to back out - heck, it may have run 135 or more.
And since that is the only way to get a performance tune for the 2004 5.4 F-150, it's *well* worth it. But any time you have a choice between the 3-program Micro Tuner or flashing the PCM, the Micro Tuner is going to be preferable. It's a no-brainer.