Powerchip Stage 3

[BPMSport]

Originally Posted by Leozap

I know that this has been asked already but I will throw it out anyway.

Did anyone in the U.S. got nailed by BMW Service for having this powerchip flash? How easy it is for them to find out? I am very interested but I am a little bit worried.

It's not possible for the BMW dealer to tell that you have software.

Our software looks electronically like the factory software that comes with the car and interacts with their computer systems in the same fashion.

[akh23456]

Originally Posted by Leozap

I know that this has been asked already but I will throw it out anyway.

Did anyone in the U.S. got nailed by BMW Service for having this powerchip flash? How easy it is for them to find out? I am very interested but I am a little bit worried.

i have went in for service a few times and my sa never said anything to me...i didn't get the rev limiter removed tho

[ssabripo]

Is there a way to get powerchips installed in the Miami/Ft Lauderdale area? Not gonna be sending the ECU anywhere!

[mfeltiii]

I would probably bite on a local install deal too (S. fla)
(Mike, come visit... its beautiful here this time of year...mmmmm group buy....)

[xxe92xx]

if you send it out its usually a 1 day turn around...

i found these places from powerchipgroup.com

Stahl Motorsports
West Palm Beach
561-833-0696
www.stahlmotorsports.net

lion motoring
Boca Raton
561-544-8090
www.lionmotoring.com

[BPMSport]

Originally Posted by xxe92xx

if you send it out its usually a 1 day turn around...

i found these places from powerchipgroup.com

Stahl Motorsports
West Palm Beach
561-833-0696
www.stahlmotorsports.net

lion motoring
Boca Raton
561-544-8090
www.lionmotoring.com

I wouldn't go off of what the website says.. It's old and does not contain updated information.

If you would like to start a GB in Florida, please contact me and we'll get something going. I am also sending a flash kit to Florida in the next couple weeks to take care of a couple of cars there.

Thanks,
Mike

[xxe92xx]

Originally Posted by KROD

so where are we with respect to the stage 3 tune? Is it available yet, if not when, and what would be the price? Would it just be programmed to the "M" button or will it be on the regular driving setting.

1.
2.
3.

guess he deleted it

[Tio///M]

Depending on price I think I would most likely jump on this. BIG maybe if it out does what I got now.

[powertrip]

The Powerchip tune will smash your current tune; I know, I had AA originally as well .

Originally Posted by Tio///M

Depending on price I think I would most likely jump on this. BIG maybe if it out does what I got now.

[xxe92xx]

Originally Posted by Tio///M

Depending on price I think I would most likely jump on this. BIG maybe if it out does what I got now.

the stage 1/2 tune will out do what you have now

[BPMSport]

Originally Posted by KROD

so where are we with respect to the stage 3 tune? Is it available yet, if not when, and what would be the price? Would it just be programmed to the "M" button or will it be on the regular driving setting.

There is no such thing as the stage III tune.

Read above...

[MaxL]

Any updates? Really interested in seeing the numbers and reviews for this new software.

[major_kusanagi]

I've been on the fence haggling the price and etc. I will jump on this new software when it's out. Mike, keep us posted.

[niqui]

Originally Posted by Mike@Powerchip

It's not possible for the BMW dealer to tell that you have software.

Our software looks electronically like the factory software that comes with the car and interacts with their computer systems in the same fashion.

mike,
is this feature unique to powerchip ? or are all big tunes like this.
I am asking because I understood that the dealer could never tell unless the limiter was changed or smthg, but AG could always tell if the ECU was shipped or if they checked algorithms and more in depth - in terms of a large warranty claim.

I know its a risk and the price to play, but I was just wondering if anything has changed since I first looked into doing this.

[mixja]

Originally Posted by niqui

mike,
is this feature unique to powerchip ? or are all big tunes like this.
I am asking because I understood that the dealer could never tell unless the limiter was changed or smthg, but AG could always tell if the ECU was shipped or if they checked algorithms and more in depth - in terms of a large warranty claim.

I know its a risk and the price to play, but I was just wondering if anything has changed since I first looked into doing this.

I had this explained to me quickly a while back so the details may be wrong, but I believe that all ECU map files are digitally signed using similar signing/encryption techniques as digital certificates on web sites.

So in theory this should stop the ECU reading a map file that has been modified - however the BMW ECU only checks the digital signatures when the ECU maps are written to and either the ECU only does this if the maps are written in full, or there is a special flag you can set when programming the ECU that disables this checking (it may be a combination of both).

I think the BMW dealer tools probably only check signatures are valid and that the ECU has not detected any unknown programming changes to the ECU. The ECU only records "complete" programming changes - i.e. an entire software package or set of packages (like how the dealer does it) was written to the ECU, and does not record smaller incremental changes (like the one Powerchip does).

I certainly would believe it is possible for BMW to detect the change if they really wanted to, but it is a question of logistics, cost etc (e.g. do they have to send the ECU back to Germany)...

[mixja]

I must say the latest Powerchip tune combined with primary cat delete has turned the car into a monster - it is the fastest it has been - faster than previous Powerchip tune + Akrapovic exhaust.

Makes me wonder if removing the back pressure and flow restrictions caused by the primary cats fully unlocks the extra gains made by the VANOS remapping the Powerchip have applied in this latest tune...

[niqui]

Originally Posted by mixja

I had this explained to me quickly a while back so the details may be wrong, but I believe that all ECU map files are digitally signed using similar signing/encryption techniques as digital certificates on web sites.

So in theory this should stop the ECU reading a map file that has been modified - however the BMW ECU only checks the digital signatures when the ECU maps are written to and either the ECU only does this if the maps are written in full, or there is a special flag you can set when programming the ECU that disables this checking (it may be a combination of both).

I think the BMW dealer tools probably only check signatures are valid and that the ECU has not detected any unknown programming changes to the ECU. The ECU only records "complete" programming changes - i.e. an entire software package or set of packages (like how the dealer does it) was written to the ECU, and does not record smaller incremental changes (like the one Powerchip does).

I certainly would believe it is possible for BMW to detect the change if they really wanted to, but it is a question of logistics, cost etc (e.g. do they have to send the ECU back to Germany)...

I believe the mechanism Powerchip uses is the same as every body else - or at least everyone that uses CMD Technologies who provide the tool that I used to flash my Powerchip tune...

thanks for all the info...
still seems like a very very slight gamble.
do you think it is kind of stupid to tune without a cat delete? cause i dont want the car any louder, even hfcs plus xpipe can kinda add sound and drone, i know some dont but still....all i have is pulleys, envy intake, catback.

[BPMSport]

Originally Posted by niqui

thanks for all the info...
still seems like a very very slight gamble.
do you think it is kind of stupid to tune without a cat delete? cause i dont want the car any louder, even hfcs plus xpipe can kinda add sound and drone, i know some dont but still....all i have is pulleys, envy intake, catback.

It's worth it to tune any car - even in bone stock form. I remember talking with you awhile back. We have a flash kit available - let me know if you want me to send it up to you.

PM or email me with any questions I can help you with.

Thanks,
Mike

[mixja]

Originally Posted by niqui

thanks for all the info...
still seems like a very very slight gamble.
do you think it is kind of stupid to tune without a cat delete? cause i dont want the car any louder, even hfcs plus xpipe can kinda add sound and drone, i know some dont but still....all i have is pulleys, envy intake, catback.

I was in the same boat - so I went with Turner Test Pipes, which just delete the primary cats but retain the rest of the factory OEM system. Basically sounds the same expect more aggressive under WOT.

Check out my review here - http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=379286

The primary cat delete definitely makes a difference, but even the tune without the primary cat delete is worth it...