Noddy said:
Flashing an ECU isn't "tuning a car", and dealers do it to correct issues.
Basically, what I'm saying is that you can't go in and change the timing
map or up the fuel pressure to "tune" the engine.
Like I said, if you get off on the bells & whistles then more power to
you. My OBDII socket doesn't see any action unless the car has a problem.
What I am saying is, yes you can. Tuning the car is about manipulating the
timing maps, boost controllers, timing advance, commanded fuel ratio, open
and closed-loop fuel system behaviour, etc. Depending on what you reflash
your ECU with, the tools allow you to do just that. The only difference in
what the dealer does is that they reflash an entire image coming from the
manufacturer. There a lots of tools on the market that when you reflash the
ECU with them, and you have the correct software and interface on your
computer, you can manipulate virtually any performance parameter you like;
as long as it is not the emission system.
And if that is all you do is read codes when the light comes on, you
probably can just get a buddy to scan it. If you want to do more than that,
the software scanners are about the same price with a lot more capability.