FYI: If you are interested in purchasing one of these and you'd like to support this site at the same time, we have them available right now on our own store. The folks that operate the store for us plan to make an announcement about it shortly...

http://f150online.motorhaven.com/cus...cat=193&page=1

 

There is absolutely no PHYSICAL evidence. RWTD is correct.

However the evidence left in the Memory is another story. Like Bill says, no way ford is oblivious to this.

 

4.6 SOHC??

 

ALso FYI

the preditor for the SVT Focus will be out real soon too

 

There will be hard evidence in the print out that Ford does of your computers state. Ford voids your warranty if they see the coating on your chip disturbed and this is no less evidence... actually it is less evidence then a paper printout saying your computer program was altered by a non authorized source.
Personally, I think the Predator will be terrific BUT misleading to say Ford will not know and not void your warranty if a Predator is purchased and used.

 

 

Can't the Predator re-set the date to the original code when you re-upload the factory tune before going in for service?

 

Thats what I thought also.

billarf are you saying that each time the predator does something, it is leaving a date stamp, or some type of signature that lets ford know that it was used.

 

Will the Predator be able to program both my supercharged trucks or will it be married to the first vehicle that it is programing?
I have a 2001 Lightning and a new 2003 Harley Davidson edition that I just picked up last week. I want to be able to go back and forth between my 2 trucks with different programs.

 

I don't know the answer to the time stamp question, so I'm just thinking out loud...

Since a dealer could reflash your PCM at any time while the truck is in for warranty or maintanence work, then the dealer has to be able to know which flash the truck currently has vs. what is the latest.

That could either be with a revision number, a time stamp, or both.

I cannot figure out why the chip itself would record the last time it was flashed. It makes sense to track illegal reflashing, but seems like it's just extra bytes of memory wasted to track a relatively small number of people that would make external modifications like this. Automakers are notoriously stingy about memory usage (just FYI). Not to mention that, if it recorded the last date it was flashed, it would have to know what date it is in the first place, right? I see no indication that the truck has any idea at all what date it is. If it relies on the flashing device to time stamp, then you just change the date on the Predator.

If the Predator restores the original program (which is the first tune it carries), then it would rewrite both the revision number and the time stamp (of the code itself, not the reflash).

Finally, if we assume that somehow the PCM knows what today is (and if it does, I'm pissed that it doesn't display that info on the radio), then the worst thing that could when you restore the original program is that the PCM would show you got the lastest flash on some specific day. Whose to say you didn't?

Anyway, just thinking aloud. With so many techs on this board, I would expect that someone would know how to determine whether a dealership customer has the latest PCM flash and walk us through the process...

--Rip

 

As long as you return the programmed vehicle back to its original backup from the Predator, then you can use it on another applicable vehicle, and the same goes for the other vehicle when you want to tune back the original vehicle or even another, and so on and so on. The Ford Predators are not VIN locked.

 

webmaster, why aren't you pointing to 4 of your supporting vendors as well? Please don't forget REM, PSP, JLP, and Chikenears.

 

People are free to buy from whomever they want, including the online store. There are posts from SV's about this product as well. Being an SV does not imply sales or marketing exclusivity to a product line. What's the point and/or purpose of your question, especially in light of your most recent posting activity?

 

Tim, From what I understand a record is made in the L's firmware when the last time the firmware was altered in any fashion. "time since last reflash" This I have been told by two SVT tech friends. Another words if they/Ford don't have record of an authorized Ford representative fooling with the computer then they look at you and lets say your Predator or another valid reason for firmware access/reflash.. My guess it will be short order when Ford addresses the Predator issues!

 

In essence it is in a way married to your truck. While it does not go by your trucks vin#, you can only use it on one truck at a time..... You would have to return one programmed truck back to its original firmware programming from the Predator, BEFORE you could then use that Predator on another vehicle and vice versa!