I'm ready for my power however i am concerned over warranty issues regarding computer flash. Any go arounds or do you all cross your fingers and
take more power??? It is assumed that any computer modifications will void out factory and aftermarket warranties; yes?

CAA

 

you can get the switcher and choose between various programs, so when you take it in for service swap out the program to your stock program.

 

I lost my warranty because of Giac flash and because of all those seller/adviser who said dealer cannot find bla bla bla bla bla....

Trust me, you flash, you will lose against warranty, I am one of them.

Nothing apparent of a flash on the car, nobody knows... I had a giac handheld flash to switch from pump to race...

The service advisor, a really nice guy, did not knew the car was flashed but since my warranty repair was over $2500 (cats, who cares lol), they had my freaking car connected to somewhat computer and porsche tec(not the one from the dealer) was able to get into my ecu and read I don't know what about some banks bla and was able to prove that my car had a flash...

They kept my car 2 days, I ended with a report from Porsche NA syaing that they have downloaded data from the ecu showing is has been altered...

Needless to say, I was defeated...

 

That's what i thought. I guess it's when you turn the corner, there's no looking back....This comes down to a flip of the coin...Tuff decision....

 

UMW Pocket Programmer

Unlike your typical program switcher (where the program files resides within the ECU) ... UMW's programmer contains the programs (stock, performance, valet, race file) ....

Just flash the ECU back to stock before taking it to the stealer .. err, I mean dealer .. and voila ...

 

They are able to see that it has been changed, and then changed back. I hate to say it, but they have figured this stuff out!

 

PIWIS (most larger dealerships have upgraded to this) can detect number of reflashes.

Best answer, clone your ECU, disconnect your battery, then replace it with the stock unit before service.

 

Bastards!

 

[quote=bbywu;1771654]PIWIS (most larger dealerships have upgraded to this) can detect number of reflashes.
quote]

There's always that ...

YES, bastards!!!

 

Do not be a fool and think that Porsche can not detect this.

 

If you have an aftermarket warranty and need repairs, you can take your car to an independant porsche shop (not the dealer) that is mod friendly. You should be fine in this case, especially if you have a flashloader and flash it back to stock.

 

I remember reading that they match the number of hours from your ECU to the computer and if they don't match, they know you have flashed it. Same is true if you install a new ECU, the hours won't match up. I'm pretty sure Kevin from UMW confirmed this over on Rennlist.

 

Using a cloned ECU is the best method, but as you add mileage, the hours vs. miles don't jive when you put the OEM ECU back in the car. Not an issue for minor warranty work, but if a major repair comes up, they will probably check the hrs vs. mileage ratio for normal usage and see that the ECU is reporting too few hours for the miles. They can also examine the mounting nuts and see they have been removed, which would prompt the question...why?

When I did my stage 2 upgrade at 6 months into a brand new 2002 car with full warranty, I was aware that if the motor blew, I would very possibly be paying for it out of pocket...IMO, you have to go in prepared for the worse case. However, chances are you will not have a major issue. Bottom line, don't count on your warranty if you upgrade the ECU.

 

Vishnu proceed rides piggy back it is not detectable

 

MZ3 is absolutely correct....I have to laugh to myself when I see some of the tuners claiming that they can either flash it back to stock or give you a device that will allow you to do it yourself....and that it can't be detected. The truth of the matter is that some dealerships dont' have the sophisticated equipment that can do what amounts to cyber forensics....but if there's a big failure and you're looking at some major $$$ for a replaced engine, transmission or internals....Porsche can come in and say...."wait a minute, let us take a look at this first". Porsche has the expertise and technology to detect ANY flash...or even a "cloned" or replaced ECU. There are a number of cross checks that can be done to detect virtually anything you might do to throw Porsche off track. Some of the previous posts talked about the way they cross check. This is big business for the Porsche folks...they're well aware of all the tuning, flashing, ECU replacements and modifications etc that are going on in the interests of "performance enhancements"....and the bottom line is that if Porsche comes in and brings in their experts and technology....you are screwed....busted...had...ate the weenie. Youur car is under warranty...and you decide to take a chance...don't be surprised if your claim is denied. How can you folks call them "bastards" if you knowingly take the chance and get caught? To me, that's the same as a self inflicted gunshot wound.