Best ECU Flash?
 

Hi, I'm going to flash my 2.7 2001 Box, it's stock with the exception of sport muffer and de snorkel. I was thinking of Softronic? Any advice???
Thanks.

Find a local company that has the ability to p[perform a live tune of your vehicle on a chassis dyno.

All I see from generic tunes are issues. Most tuners just raise thresholds to borderline safe levels to make power.

I learned these things first hand when we started our own live tuning initiative. Being able to open up the generic files to see what these people are doing is eye opening.

So you would not recommend Softtronic or similar to get a little extra from the engine?

If you want to increase performance, the best way is driver training.
Unless you are a pro, you probably do not get near the performance limits of the car

A wise man who posts often on this forum stated that you "improve your driving first, then improve the car" sic

Unless the file is generated for your car, and done live, I wouldn't touch it. I don't care who does it, you can't make a blanket file and throw it at every car out there with 100% positive results.

Listen to Jake!! A wise man indeed. JayG also provides some great advicetoo. Why do you want more when you aren't even using or capable of getting 100% out of what you have.

To give you an idea my last car spent 3/4 day on the dyno. The stock map was downloaded, tweaked and re flashed then run on the dyno. This process was repeated around 5 or 6 times from memory.

what programs (hardware or software) is available? who are authorized tuners / dealers? is there a tuner directory or listing for someone who would like to get dyno tuned?

If your State uses the new DAD Smog Machines, you need to be able to return the ECU data to stock .The new DAD machines will detect any Flash.You will then be flagged as a Gross Polluter/Tamperer. Solving that mess will be a nightmare and expensive.
All this is irrelevant since Jake advises against it for engine durability reasons.
Here are a few of the nasty details of the new Smog Test:
Clean Scanning

• The communication protocol that the vehicle uses. This includes SAE J1850,
ISO 9141-2, ISO 14230-4 (Key Word Protocol 2000), and ISO 15765-4 (CAN
Protocol). Some of these protocols permit the use of options that effectively
create distinct sub-protocols.
• The readiness profile of the vehicle. This provides information on which of the 11
readiness indicators are “supported” by the vehicle. The indicator profile is most
often affected by whether or not the vehicle is equipped with secondary air or
exhaust gas recirculation.
• Module ID’s and addresses. Vehicle computer networks typically connect
multiple computer modules together, including the engine control module, the
transmission control module, and often times other modules. The manufacturer
assigns an ID or address for each of these modules. There is no required
convention for how these module ID’s are assigned, so they typically vary
between manufacturers and even between models within a manufacturer’s
product line.
• Parameter Identification Count (PID count). This value can be calculated by the
inspection equipment from information reported by the on-board computer and
indicates how many parameters are available for downloading through the
vehicle’s data stream. The value varies for different vehicle makes and models.
The data parameters identified above can be compared to known values for each
vehicle being inspected. The comparison can take place while the vehicle is being 8
inspected so that discrepancies can be immediately addressed, or it can take place
during post-inspection processing of the data. For the latter, discrepancies could trigger
enforcement investigations against specific inspection stations or inspectors. Most
states performing OBD inspections already collect this data and are successfully using it
to identify fraudulent tests and take action against the inspectors and/or stations without
the need to do further undercover observations or evidence gathering.
Newer vehicles include additional sources of information, which can go as far as
positively confirming whether or not the downloaded data is from the vehicle purportedly
being inspected.
• Calibration ID (Cal ID), a number assigned by the manufacturer to identify the
software calibration of the vehicle. This ID is usually unique to a particular
vehicle model.
• Calibration Verification Number (CVD). This value is computed based on
contents of the on-board computer’s software. It is typically unique to a specific
CAL ID for a particular vehicle model, or even at the sub-model level.
• Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Newer model year vehicles store the VIN
electronically in the on-board computer. This value uniquely identifies the test
vehicle, and can be compared to the VIN on the registration renewal form.