Transmission Control Module Remap anyone?!

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Dyno on December 18, 2009 at 3:01pm

We have to have the pcm and the tcm in hand to do the reflash. There are several reasons for this;

1. there is no direct link from the pcm to the data connector for the base maping. What the dealers do is change only the correction files thru the data port under the dash. This is know as "reflashing" but in truth its really just an adjustment of the that file.Don't be fooled by someone telling you that it is possable to reflash from the data port, its just a modifier file that sits on top of the base file. Ths same is true for the tcm, but the issue is compounded.
2. The dealer will not be able to "see" the reflash with the equipment they currently use to scan the smart, so you should not have any issues there.
3. because of the fact that this reflashing is so new and so exclusive to Piasini, we are playing this very close to the vest. I'm sure you can understand, that after spending hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars to develop this, we would really hate to have someone have a chance to exploit it.

All this said, please understand, the maps belong to you and your car. If for some reason you wish to return to stock, its free to do so. We will continue to write the files for you, stock or tuned as long as you wish, free of charge.

Ok, we also can travel to you to do this, provided we can get 4-6 cars in one place to do so. As long as we can pay for our technician's airfare, and still keep the doors open, we are game to do that to get the word out

We have been doing the 451 pcm for the past year or two, and with only on exception, we have had the pcm back in the customes hand within 36 hours of time of receipt. This is a fact we are quite proud of!

Hope this helps answer your questions. Please feel free to visit our website, www.dptune.com , for more info

Dyno

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Herb Bell on December 19, 2009 at 12:25am

Thanks again.

As a former field service manager in the die-casting industry, I understand your caution with proprietary data.
However, you are way too short on contact info and re-assurance to your prospective customers that they will be able to reach out and get you back on site if something is not satisfactory. I dealt with GM's Tech Center in Detroit about this very issue, and they were NOT happy about our reticence on operating data for our die-casting machine controllers.

My company (Tymac Controls) eventually went out of business over this issue, for one. I do not envy your desire to play it close to the vest since this means you face a very delicate balancing act (free advice!).

I'm totally unfamiliar with the construction of the Smart's control boxes. Do they contain the firmware in removable memory chips similar to what GM uses? Or are you dependent on soldered-in EEPROM's? Seems like the latter is the correct idea, based on your reply. So you depend upon sending a tech on scene with his laptop and a plug-in dongle to do the re-flashing.

Not the best situation from, a marketing perspective, but you do get data security.

Which takes me to my final remark: How about some contact info? Or have I missed it in your website?

Thank you for you patience.

Herb

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Dyno on December 19, 2009 at 1:41am

Herb, good comments and questions. You point about re-assuring prospective customers is well taken, thank you!

It is not well known here in the United States, but in the EU,file theft is a huge issue for tuners. This is why the files are all locked and signed nowdays. And a major reason most top level tuning firms do not have the plug and play type reflashers, for even those cars that will allow datalink flashing. As I said before, the Smart is built without this feature, as are quite a few of the late model cars.

You are spot on on your guess about the soldered memory. In this case it is a Bosch ME7 for the pcm and Mitsubishi for the tcm. there are more than a few secrets about these units, but the big issue is in the handshake stage.

We have had very good luck with the ship to remap style of service we offer. As I think I said, in the last several years we have had only one issue with a shipped unit. We offer this service to keep the costs down for the end user, but we welcome customes coming by the shop anytime to BS or visit. The fly to you sevice came out of the desire to reach several cutomers on the same trip at car shows and the like. It really is a loss leader for us, but its sort of fun to see the huge grin on the face of a customer after they drive the reflash for the first time.

As far as the contact information, it is listed on the website. But you can always reach me personaly at my email- [email protected] , or if you prefer, give me a call @ 678.488.1011. I am always happy to chat about cars with customers!

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Seumas Warren on December 19, 2009 at 3:31pm

I have another question, how does the re tune effect fuel efficiency? I bought my smart with the belief that fuel prices would go up and for my daily commute back and fourth to the office there is no need for me to drive my 3.0L V6 Maxima when I am the only passenger. Any improvement in shifting speed would be completely welcome.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Dyno on December 20, 2009 at 5:31pm

Well, in truth, we have seen a little incease in fuel efficiency, but that sort of seems to get lost with customers. Most folks are so amused with the increased performance of their car, they forget the got it for economy reasons and keep the right foot planted!

Seriously, after the first week or two, most folks report a little better fuel mileage, but its not something to brag about. Thats not really what we tune for, cause it's sort of hard to beat MB/Smart at that game!

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Herb Bell on December 20, 2009 at 7:18pm

Interesting reply. So the 20% increase in Rear Wheel Horsepower (RWHP) can most likely be attributed to remapping the ignition timing? I see that you also offer reflashes for the engine controller on MB's SL 230K. Does the same software work on the 2002 C230K too? (Same engine).

Can additional gains be had on the Smart 451 by opening up the intake and exhaust tracts and porting and polishing the cylinder head? Probably (standard hot-rodder tricks). The trick here is to find the best, most reliable parts. The Brits have reported a SMART fortwo that makes about 100 HP without benefit of a blower or turbo.

However, my interest in the 451's re-mapping is chiefly to tame the poorly executed transmission software. I have already been able to make the driveability of the Smart much better by shifting it manually when I need better get-away speed. If your new software makes the Transmission work even better than it does now while operating in the manual mode, I'm all for it. Does the new software retain the "automatic" feature?

Thank you for your continued patience.

Herb

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Dyno on December 20, 2009 at 9:51pm

Herb, well it's more than timing. The nitty-gritty of what maps are adjusted and how, is, as you might imagine, secret. But I can tell you that Piasini does adjust timing, as well as throttle maps, fuel curves(including full throttle enrichment, low load, and off throttle enleanment, ect), and a few things one would not expect.

To your question on the NA smart cracking the 100hp line; yes with some cam timing changes, and porting, the 451 here in the US can easily hit 120hp or so. Not cheap, but doable.

Yes, the remaped transmission control works the same in the automatic mode, just quicker and firmer.

You are quite welcome! Please let me know if you have any further questions!

▶ Reply to This

• First
• Previous
• Next
• Last