Go Back   986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners > Porsche Boxster & Cayman Forums > Boxster General Discussions

Post Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 07-31-2008, 07:04 PM   #1
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Bastrop, TX
Posts: 705
ever hear of a windows OBDII programmer?

Hello,
Just wondering why someone would pay 1000$ to have their computer reprogrammed.

Has anyone seen a setup that would allow me to install software on my laptop and then plug it into the OBDII outlet and allow me to change the software settings?

James

__________________
2002 S
Pedro rear stabilizer bar, CF strut braces, Maxspeed headers with 100 cell cats, Fabspeed cat bypass pipes, H&R springs with M030 setup, TRG rear links, EVO air intake, B&M Short shift kit, Raby IMS upgrade, Raby underdrive pulley
jhandy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-31-2008, 07:41 PM   #2
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Dallas, Tx
Posts: 149
softronics?
__________________
http://www.lifeinwidescreen.com/hosting/ownroad2.jpg

If people came from apes, why are there still apes?
lucky_topher is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-31-2008, 09:38 PM   #3
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Bastrop, TX
Posts: 705
I looked at this after you posted the name, and it is still 900$.

A USB to OBDII cable costs about 30$, I was hoping that there was a "generic" type of ECU program that can be loaded and allow me to change the options in the stock program. I guess there is not a universal ECU reader/programmer software that is available.

What would stop someone from purchasing the softronic program and using it on more than one car?

James
__________________
2002 S
Pedro rear stabilizer bar, CF strut braces, Maxspeed headers with 100 cell cats, Fabspeed cat bypass pipes, H&R springs with M030 setup, TRG rear links, EVO air intake, B&M Short shift kit, Raby IMS upgrade, Raby underdrive pulley
jhandy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-31-2008, 10:26 PM   #4
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Bastrop, TX
Posts: 705
I think I found what I was talking about.

Look at this....
http://www.obdtoolstore.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=71

or even better.......
http://www.obdtoolstore.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=27&products_id=104&osCsid=6b4c1adb466f705cdeb869ad314ccc62

89.00$ and If I am reading it correctly, It comes with 15000+ preset tuning files.

Has anyone ever used this?
For 90$ whats the worst that can happen?

The 986forum could have a whole new section: ECU files....People could upload and swap file configurations.

If I screw up the ECU, will the dealership reprogram it with the OEM software?

James
__________________
2002 S
Pedro rear stabilizer bar, CF strut braces, Maxspeed headers with 100 cell cats, Fabspeed cat bypass pipes, H&R springs with M030 setup, TRG rear links, EVO air intake, B&M Short shift kit, Raby IMS upgrade, Raby underdrive pulley

Last edited by jhandy; 08-01-2008 at 03:56 AM.
jhandy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-01-2008, 06:04 AM   #5
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 1,820
the problem is decoding the proprietary parameters. it's easy to dump the EPROM, but knowing what the various parameters mean and how they function in the grand scheme of things is the million dollar question. when you buy the software, you're paying for the process of reverse engineering the code & determining proper SAFE modifications to the program that actually build power and maintain drivability. if you mickey mouse with this stuff, you will trash your car.
__________________
insite
'99 Boxster
3.4L Conversion

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t...1/KMTGPR-1.jpg
insite is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-05-2008, 12:50 PM   #6
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Surf City, NC
Posts: 1,079
Why would you want a Microsoft product anywhere near your OBD port?
__________________
Mike
04 Boxster S - Basalt/Savanna, 6sp, Carrera lites, hardtop
70 914-6 - Black over tan, original/stock
PCA since 1970

Last edited by 70Sixter; 08-05-2008 at 12:51 PM. Reason: spelling
70Sixter is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-05-2008, 03:08 PM   #7
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Dallas, Tx
Posts: 149
Quote:
Originally Posted by 70Sixter
Why would you want a Microsoft product anywhere near your OBD port?
because you're not brainwashed into thinking microsoft is evil and their products suck...
__________________
http://www.lifeinwidescreen.com/hosting/ownroad2.jpg

If people came from apes, why are there still apes?
lucky_topher is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-05-2008, 06:05 PM   #8
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Depends on the day of the week....
Posts: 1,400
Insite is exactly right. You could easily hack in there (you'd probably still need the DME and Immobilizer codes) and start changing values, however this isn't an Excel spreadsheet with the columns named for you. You would have no idea what you were changing.

When you pay any of the tuners "the big bucks," you are paying for their time to reverse engineer the programs and to create useful "improvements."

All in all, I wouldn't even think about trying to hack this myself.

Patrick
Cloudsurfer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-05-2008, 07:29 PM   #9
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Bastrop, TX
Posts: 705
It is not a hack. Read the info in the links provided. The equipment is the same that is provided by softtronics when you buy their upgrade.

Now the difference is the flash eprom program. They say they provide you with different "performance" settings. Are they as good as REVO, Softtronics,....?
I dont know.

However, for 150 $ you can download and save your OEM program. And then upload a revised program. Drive around town and see.

I was thinking that you may also be able to copy another cars eprom, lets say someone who had a revo, softronics or powerchip upgrade.

That way you could split the cost of the $$ and copy the Eprom.

What I would like is someone who as access to a track or dyno to see ihow well it works, and which of the many preset performance files work the best.
I would buy it for someone, if someone would step up. Insite already is looking into it.
__________________
2002 S
Pedro rear stabilizer bar, CF strut braces, Maxspeed headers with 100 cell cats, Fabspeed cat bypass pipes, H&R springs with M030 setup, TRG rear links, EVO air intake, B&M Short shift kit, Raby IMS upgrade, Raby underdrive pulley
jhandy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-14-2012, 03:15 PM   #10
Registered User
 
jb92563's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Riverside, CA
Posts: 1,665
Did anything ever come of this, good or bad?

The ECU programers are cheap and can be had for $30 but knowing what the codes do is the real trick.

It will just appear as thousands of rows of unintelligible string of numbers and letters and you will have to determine the code strings used in the Bosche ECU and then decide how they would be best remapped.

A big task taking hundreds of hours if you know what you are doing programmatically.

Its a good concept but probably more practical for the Honda crowd where you could afford and tolerate blowing a few engines while experimenting.
__________________
"It broke because it wants to be Upgraded "
2012 Porsche Performance Driving School - SanDiego region
2001 Boxster S, Top Speed muffler, (Fred's) Mini Morimotto Projectors, Tarret UDP,
Short Shifter, Touch Screen Dual Din Radio, 03 4 Bow glass Top (DD & Auto-X since May 17,2012)
jb92563 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-14-2012, 04:29 PM   #11
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Winnipeg MB
Posts: 2,486
Quote:
Originally Posted by 70Sixter View Post
Why would you want a Microsoft product anywhere near your OBD port?
There's my smile for the day. Microsoft haters always make me chuckle. Down with the establishment! Stick it to the man! Make love not war! Dave's not here, man.
__________________
'99 black 986
Mark_T is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-26-2012, 03:04 PM   #12
Mobile Porsche Surgeon
 
kashmir's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Plano Texas
Posts: 239
Yes Ive have been messing with the ecu, this is what my boxsters coding looks like. it will take a lot of work.

__________________
Mike's Specialty Porsche Service
Mobile Mechanic Specializing in Porsche and Select Automobiles

http://www.mikesspecialtyautomotiveservice.com/index.html
Early 1996 / 97 Boxster, 130 k, De snorkeled, IMS, Top Speed Headers.
kashmir is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-26-2012, 07:54 PM   #13
Certified Boxster Addict
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 7,669
Quote:
Originally Posted by jhandy View Post
For 90$ whats the worst that can happen?
Change the maps to run the mix too lean for too long (beyond the range of the ECU to adjust) and burn a piston. That is the first thing that comes to mind.

Altering your ECU maps is not something for the uninitiated. Just because you can, doesn't always mean you should.
__________________
1999 996 C2 - sold - bought back - sold for more
1997 Spec Boxster BSR #254
1979 911 SC
POC Licensed DE/TT Instructor
thstone is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-26-2012, 08:09 PM   #14
Track rat
 
Topless's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Southern ID
Posts: 3,701
Garage
For reference, I believe jhandy roasted 2 Box S 3.2 motors since his op. Choose wisely.
__________________
2009 Cayman 2.9L PDK (with a few tweaks)
PCA-GPX Chief Driving Instructor-Ret.
Topless is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-27-2012, 10:24 AM   #15
Moderator
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: DFW
Posts: 782
Garage
Quote:
Originally Posted by kashmir View Post
Yes Ive have been messing with the ecu, this is what my boxsters coding looks like. it will take a lot of work.

Ah yes, I remember you discussing the subject a while back. Kashmir, I have tools and a durametric at hand, but I don't know if they will be of any use. I am really interested to see the software behind this.

Kenny Boxster is offline   Reply With Quote
Post Reply


Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -8. The time now is 11:56 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page