Ok -so let's say hypothetically that I was going to decide on an ECU tune to unleash power and take better advantage of my Europipe exhaust. Let's also say that I would be concerned about giving PCNA an easy out on possible warranty repairs and about what might happen if I outright sell the car to someone who thinks that they are buying a car with a full year or more of factory warranty in place.

There are two choices - a GIAC stage 2 flash (93 and 100), or EVOMS new stage 2 piggy back tuning kit.

As I see it -

the GIAC makes more power throughout the rev range.

the EVOM tuning kit doesn't offer a 100 octane tune

the GIAC tune writes to the ECU and - if PCNA wants to spend some time reviewing the ECU - PCNA can see that it has been altered, even if flashed back to stock.

Going back to stock with the EVOM tune requires me to go back to the installer to dismount the control module.

Once the EVOM module is out, the dealer cannot tell that any ECU tuning or tinkering had been done.

So it seems to me that the question is whether sacrificing peak power (on 93 tune) and giving up the ability to make monster passes on 100 octane is worth the peace of mind of being able to remove any trace of the tune should a major warranty repair be necessary. If I were to make that decision, I would probably favor EVOMs tuning module.

What sayeth the group?

 

FVD piggyback is good to go with 100 octane and makes almost as much hp as GIAC. I am not sure what a monster pass might be. I got 10.58 at 131 on a positive slope with the FVD.

 

I will jump in the ring.

If you are concerned with the warranty or reselling and not lying to the buyer, don't do either. If you think that PCNA won't know that you have modified the ecu with either you are crazy. Unless a Porsche tech that knows what he is talking about validated that I would be cautious of anyone else telling you it can't.

We played this game with our Shelby GT500's. Doesn't matter what you do and how stealth you think it is, if they want to find out they will and the burden of proof is on you that you didn't do it, not on them that you did. There are a million different ways they know you messed with it.

Having said that if then you don't care about the warranty then buy the GIAC one.

Keep in mind as well, your warranty will only be void for what breaks because of the tuning. For example if there is something wrong with your shock absorber, they can't deny warranty work because the ecu. There is a lot on that and I forget the case law name that it pertains to but there is a name for it.

 

I think the results we've had with the GIAC software on this platform speak for themselves at this point. Probably 100 cars flashed at this point, zero issues, and all making consistent reliable power. Besides a pretty wild car across the pond, we also have the fastest documented 1/4 mile time in the US (Karl's 10.2).

I think your concerns about warranty are certainly valid to some degree, but to be honest....by adding the exhaust you've already thrown some of those concerns out the window. So let's say tomorrow you have some catastrophic engine failure. A PCNA rep comes and looks at your car, spots the exhaust, claims that the reduced backpressure caused the turbos to spin faster, generate too much heat, produce too much boost....see where this is going? The bottom line is that if they WANT to deny your claim, they will. And as I've said many times before...piggybacks are just as detectable as any other ECU mod...even once removed. If people don't want to trust me on that...I don't know what else to say.

That being said, I say do it and enjoy it! It's your car, you worked hard for it, you own it now...so don't deprive yourself of the fun! I can pretty much GUARANTEE the GIAC software is going to put a huge smile on your face.

 

Well said... Should be a sticky.

 

Our tune will adapt to different grades of fuel automatically. From the rated results (performed on 92/93 octane), you'll see another 12-15whp on 100 octane depending on temperature. It will also adapt to 91 octane as well, just with an accompanying reduction in power versus higher octane fuel. This was tested in what we could muster for Phoenix winter/spring heat, 85-90F temperatures with 7-10 back-to-back-to-back dyno pulls before being validated on the street.

Porsche is taking ECU tuning very seriously for warranty and probably copyright protection reasons. The lengths they've gone to to password protect the ECU, and the super tight control they have on the supply chain for 991TT ECUs is evidence of that. Try purchasing a replacement 991TT ECU at your Porsche parts counter sometime.

We are working on development of an ECU flash tune for future release with further levels of modification, but for the time being we have found very good results using the modules on lightly modified cars at the Stage 1/Stage 2 level. We've found the performance is there while some serious questions about the consequences of Porsche finding a modified ECU are not.

 

I have a piggy back I would gladly sell...I had the Porsche dealer remove it when I had to make a visit to the service dept.

I would rather have an engine/gearbox warrantee than 30 HP I won't feel with my *** dyno.

My ECU had to be reflashed back to stock after removing the piggyback...just sayin
I was told the GIAC flash will leave a tell tail in the ECU even though it is refreshed back to stock. This would give PCNA all the reason it needs to void your warrantee if they wanted to.

 

Out of curiosity, who told you that? There seems to be rampant misinformation going around.

 

2 posts...both in this thread, and already insinuating things....hmmmm

 

I don't know anything but unless I heard from an actual certified Porsche technician I would not believe anything. From my nominal knowledge any manufacturer knows and can tell you have touched the ECU. That is all they need to deny your warranty claim and good luck fighting and winning against them.

Bottom line if your worried about a warranty, don't touch your car. Once you do the first mod, play at your own risk. Opinions abound at the end of the day some will have no issue, others with multiple issues.

When I had the Shelby I took the risk and most issues are fairly cheap to fix if warranty claims were denied. With this car, not a chance.

 

The information comes from one of the GAIC dealers...
The thing is ya gotta know what questions to ask before making modifications before the PCNA man tells you you're screwed during a warrantee claim...

I changed out my exhaust system two days ago with a modified BBI cat only system and the piggy back is off and in a clear plastic bag after my car had to be reflashed back to stock to counter act the adaptation of the piggy back when it was removed...
I'm not bashing any flash tune and trust me I would be the first to do it if it wouldn't cause a potential warrantee issue when a very high dollar [to me] engine goes bad...

Make a flash tune undetectable with zero history trail and I'll buy it..
Every time the stock ecu is flashed it leaves a marker... just sayin

 

What piggyback did you have and why did you remove it? What adaptation did the car make that it wouldn't simply adapt out if the piggyback weren't there? Are you sure you really understand the issues here?

 

Exactly, that's why I only did an exhaust and springs on my daily driver...
My toy is another thing all together..




Ronin RS211

 

I'd rather not mention names but I can assure you I know the issues with learning ECUs...
The stock ECU will always adapt, learn and resort back to stock settings over time with a piggyback. The only way to keep the power you are paying for is with a reflash tune..
But they will leave a trail PCNA can follow if they want to argue any claim.

Just the facts...

 

Here is the thing, my car still runs just as fast with the piggyback now as it did when it was installed. I have checked it multiple times so the facts don't back your claim. You aren't the first to make this claim though.