Overwriting tune?

pokeybritches · 04-24-2012, 07:39 PM

Car - 2003 Z4 3.0i

I'm getting ready to send my ECU out to VF Engineering for their GIAC-sourced supercharger tune, and the included form requires the ECU to be "stock" with the latest updates from BMW (including a date which the ECU was last updated). How necessary is this? I have Shark Injector software installed, which normally wouldn't be difficult to remove, other than the car is 500 miles away at the moment. Is it truly necessary to revert back to stock before the software is overwritten again for the GIAC tune? Or is there a potential that the Shark software somehow locked the ECU in such a way that any tampering would turn it into a brick? I would prefer to mail off the ECU as-is and avoid having the car sit. Thoughts?

mousitch · 04-24-2012, 07:47 PM

That is a real good question.

pokeybritches · 04-24-2012, 07:59 PM

Yeah, risking it reminds me of this scene:

seank · 04-24-2012, 11:49 PM

I would do exactly what they tell me to do. They are probably not just trying to be a pain. To give you an example, my wife always wants to know why my macaroni and cheese tastes better than hers. Its pretty simple. I follow the instructions.

pokeybritches · 04-25-2012, 07:25 AM

True, but it's easier to throw down a blanket legal form and make it a requirement for all models than to go through each one in a case-by-case basis, deciding if every modified ECU for each model will work. It's the easy path for them to take, and it covers them in all cases. I figure it's left over from the old "chip" days where the ECU was physically modified. I don't know for certain though, and it would be an expensive mistake.

By the way, I love mac and cheese.

Mirko · 04-25-2012, 07:35 AM

I would flash back to stock if that's what they ask for. Cheaper to ship the shark to where the car is and have them detune it than it would be to buy a new ECU.

Let's say it is just a blanket legal arguement and they flash your non stock ECU and it bricks. I wouldn't expect them to pay for it. If they brick a stock ECU then I would expect them to pay for the replacement. Better safe than sorry.

NYZ4 · 04-25-2012, 10:10 PM

^ Agree

pokeybritches · 04-28-2012, 01:43 PM

Update: I found a case on E46fanatics where an ECU was mailed out and returned unmodified to the customer, because it had been Sharked (this was to Technik and not VF). I guess I'll be doing the safe thing and removing the tune.

04-24-2012, 07:39 PM	#1
pokeybritches Colonel 479 Rep 2,782 Posts Drives: ESS/G-Power Z4M, VF Z4, 996tt Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (12) Garage List 2006 BMW Z4M [10.00] 2006 BMW Z4M [8.50] 2003 BMW Z4 3.0i [9.00]	Overwriting tune? Car - 2003 Z4 3.0i I'm getting ready to send my ECU out to VF Engineering for their GIAC-sourced supercharger tune, and the included form requires the ECU to be "stock" with the latest updates from BMW (including a date which the ECU was last updated). How necessary is this? I have Shark Injector software installed, which normally wouldn't be difficult to remove, other than the car is 500 miles away at the moment. Is it truly necessary to revert back to stock before the software is overwritten again for the GIAC tune? Or is there a potential that the Shark software somehow locked the ECU in such a way that any tampering would turn it into a brick? I would prefer to mail off the ECU as-is and avoid having the car sit. Thoughts? __________________ VF Engineering Z4 3.0i, ESS Z4M, G-Power Z4M, 996 Turbo
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04-24-2012, 07:47 PM	#2
mousitch Dark Sider 129 Rep 1,779 Posts Drives: 2008 Space Gray Z4MC Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Missouri iTrader: (11) Garage List 2008 Z4M Coupe [7.50]	That is a real good question. __________________ [URL=http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/153/071jt.jpg/] 2008 Space Grey M Coupe-Euro headers-RPI Scoop-Gruppe M CAI-Eisenmann Race Cans-RE X-pipe-ECU Remap with O2 and EGT delete-H&R Sport springs-Zeck CDV delete-Stock Gloss black powder coated wheels-LED Tekarbon Angel Eyes Project-Michelin Super Sports-Hardwired Uniden R7-H&R front and rear spacers-Alarm module added-stereo amp recoded to vert spec settings
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04-24-2012, 07:59 PM	#3
pokeybritches Colonel 479 Rep 2,782 Posts Drives: ESS/G-Power Z4M, VF Z4, 996tt Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (12) Garage List 2006 BMW Z4M [10.00] 2006 BMW Z4M [8.50] 2003 BMW Z4 3.0i [9.00]	Yeah, risking it reminds me of this scene: __________________ VF Engineering Z4 3.0i, ESS Z4M, G-Power Z4M, 996 Turbo
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04-24-2012, 11:49 PM	#4
seank enthusiast 48 Rep 1,695 Posts Drives: e30 m3,e90 wagon,sprinter,z4m Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: sacramento, ca iTrader: (4)	I would do exactly what they tell me to do. They are probably not just trying to be a pain. To give you an example, my wife always wants to know why my macaroni and cheese tastes better than hers. Its pretty simple. I follow the instructions.
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04-25-2012, 07:25 AM	#5
pokeybritches Colonel 479 Rep 2,782 Posts Drives: ESS/G-Power Z4M, VF Z4, 996tt Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (12) Garage List 2006 BMW Z4M [10.00] 2006 BMW Z4M [8.50] 2003 BMW Z4 3.0i [9.00]	True, but it's easier to throw down a blanket legal form and make it a requirement for all models than to go through each one in a case-by-case basis, deciding if every modified ECU for each model will work. It's the easy path for them to take, and it covers them in all cases. I figure it's left over from the old "chip" days where the ECU was physically modified. I don't know for certain though, and it would be an expensive mistake. By the way, I love mac and cheese. __________________ VF Engineering Z4 3.0i, ESS Z4M, G-Power Z4M, 996 Turbo Last edited by pokeybritches; 04-25-2012 at 07:30 AM.. Reason: I remembered how much I love mac and cheese
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04-25-2012, 07:35 AM	#6
Mirko Major 182 Rep 1,031 Posts Drives: E86 Z4M, E90 328i, E84 X1 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Toronto iTrader: (2)	I would flash back to stock if that's what they ask for. Cheaper to ship the shark to where the car is and have them detune it than it would be to buy a new ECU. Let's say it is just a blanket legal arguement and they flash your non stock ECU and it bricks. I wouldn't expect them to pay for it. If they brick a stock ECU then I would expect them to pay for the replacement. Better safe than sorry.
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04-25-2012, 10:10 PM	#7
NYZ4 Private First Class 17 Rep 141 Posts Drives: 2007 BSM BMW Z4 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	^ Agree __________________ 2007 BMW Z4 3.0i. Supersprint powerloop exhaust and center pipe, Aero bumper (w/ clear bra) and side skirts, Avant Garde 19 inch M310's, Koni shocks, Eibach springs, Tekarbon carbon fiber side mirrors.
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04-28-2012, 01:43 PM	#8
pokeybritches Colonel 479 Rep 2,782 Posts Drives: ESS/G-Power Z4M, VF Z4, 996tt Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (12) Garage List 2006 BMW Z4M [10.00] 2006 BMW Z4M [8.50] 2003 BMW Z4 3.0i [9.00]	Update: I found a case on E46fanatics where an ECU was mailed out and returned unmodified to the customer, because it had been Sharked (this was to Technik and not VF). I guess I'll be doing the safe thing and removing the tune. __________________ VF Engineering Z4 3.0i, ESS Z4M, G-Power Z4M, 996 Turbo
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