New ECU Flash Option: DIY FLASHING

As I have been alluding to for awhile, I have been working with a company to bring the Tenere community a NEW ECU flash option. The company is Flash Tune (www.flash-tune.com). It should be known that I received my interface as compensation for being one of their developmental riders.

What they have come up with is an ECU flashing harness that you install on your motorcycle. Then using software they provide, you can edit all sorts of parameters with the ECU.

I have been using their flash since April, and the interface since June. So far I LOVE the control I have. I am able to adjust the following, directly IN the ECU:

Fueling (each cyl, TPS and MAP based maps, crossover between TPS/MAP)
Timing
Throttle Maps
Engine Braking
Rev Limiter
Fan Temps
Quick Shifter!

Each can be adjusted for "S" and "T" modes separately.

It looks like Flash Tune has them on sale for $379.

Here are some pics of the install and hardware:

The box:


What's in the box:


The harness that gets installed on the bike:


The special USB cable to connect your computer to the ECU:


Here are some pics from the install. Approximate install time: 30 mins

The ECU:


The ECU Connectors BEFORE:


The ECU Connectors AFTER (various pins are added to unused locations in the connector, 1 wire is tapped):


The harness ready to connect:


The harness tucked away neatly:


If anyone is interested, I am able to flash other ECUs. I am a bit hesitant on getting into "custom" tuning, but simple stuff like dropping the fan temps and removing throttle restrictions I am willing to do. Let me know if there is a demand.

ac

Heck you're driving distance from me!

Interesting. I asked about this company some time ago and got a barrage of negative feedback ::017::

elwood said:

Interesting. I asked about this company some time ago and got a barrage of negative feedback ::017::

Click to expand...

Well...it was not a smooth paved road. I am where I am successfully, but there was some work on my part. Chris is the mastermind at FT. Unfortunately, he is VERY busy with REAL race teams supporting AMA racing so he is very tough to get in touch with during race season, but when I do he is an awesome guy to work with. He spent close to an hour on the phone diagnosing troubles I was having flashing initially. It turned out my Posi-tap was the issue.

It also needs to be understood that this is a tuning TOOL, not a plug and play solution. The ECU is unlocked, there is a nice graphical display to edit parameters, it is very easy to "use". HOWEVER, there is no guidance or direction. If you don't know what you are looking at, or don't understand what you are doing, this might be a bit too much for you.

I've learned a lot and figured out a lot by bringing my knowledge over from past Triumph (Tune ECU) and Buell (ECMSpy/TunerPRO).

You won't get much tech support. I've been using the R1 and R6 user forums as a guide. If Tenere guys buy in, we will probably be able to support ourselves sharing maps and experiences. Standing alone has its drawbacks.

I've made some "errors". I created a scary version of "cruise control" playing with reducing engine braking. I made a throttle map so aggressive that the bike would jump uncontrollably at a certain point. The BEST thing about the Tenere is the 2 modes. I have 1 ECU map that I am very satisfied with. I leave this as "T" mode and use "S" for experimentation. I can always switch to T if something is too wonky in S until I get a chance to fix it.

ac

Cool and ouch all at once. Just what I need is another opportunity to spend money on the bike.

Couple questions, I am a rank armature. If I jump in, I would engage the engineering services of my kid, he gets this stuff.

Will this tool save and reinstall specific maps? If you completely bone it up, can you just reinstall the previous map? Will it work on an ECUnleashed modded ECU? Do you need different software for different bikes or just another connector?

Regardless of what I do, thanks for the time you put into this, especially the clutch mod explanation that came about.

We had one of our customers work with flash tune several months ago out in California. We have been working with FT on DYNO runs, road testing, Etc. We have some extensive data we are looking at and going to publish it soon. Keep in mind that the ECM is a write only unit, you can write over the EC-U but you cant save it. This is some very powerful software, if you know what your doing you can control every aspect of the ECM. If you don't know what your doing you can blow your motor up. As stated before, this is not a plug N play unit. We will need to see a few folks with AT or extensive dyno time come up with some great maps. There are other attributes to this ECM we look forward to exploiting in the future !

Bigbore4 said:

Cool and ouch all at once. Just what I need is another opportunity to spend money on the bike.

Couple questions, I am a rank armature. If I jump in, I would engage the engineering services of my kid, he gets this stuff.

Will this tool save and reinstall specific maps? If you completely bone it up, can you just reinstall the previous map? Will it work on an ECUnleashed modded ECU? Do you need different software for different bikes or just another connector?

Regardless of what I do, thanks for the time you put into this, especially the clutch mod explanation that came about.

Click to expand...

You cannot read the map currently in the ECU. Flash Tune provides a "stock ecu" file as well as their "91 Octane" file with the purchase.

If you have the ECU-U flash, I already cleared this with Chris. You will need to send him your ECU and he will extract the file for you and send you a "backup" file of the ECU-U flash. This will let you know EXACTLY what ECU-U did, as well as adjust the parameters to tweak everything in for your particular setup.

You would need a different connector for each of the bikes they support. I THINK I can flash R6/R1 ECUs, but I haven't tried it yet.

BTW: it is VERY difficult to "brick" an ECU.

ac

I know I can go on a bit but here is my take on this..

COOL 8)

Can't tell you awesomely cool I think this is...

Having said that, I'll be on the sidelines for a while as this shit is so far above my head I can't even see it at this point.

Nice work AV - a true pioneer!

I'm very interested in this.
The real value to me is the already extracted stock ECU image and to a lesser extent, the grunt work of identifying the various map areas in the code.
I'm an electrical engineer turned programmer with years of imbedded programming experience, so I'd like the opportunity to analyze the code a bit.

AC, do you know if the stock ECU software image is provided in a form that would allow a curious fellow to disassemble (and modify) it?

If it's in an encrypted form that only Flash-Tune's software can read, then there's less fun I could have. Even if that's the case, it's still better to be able to fine tune what Flash-Tune has exposed, instead of a one shot take it or leave it deal.

The last thing in the world my ECU meeds is me screwing with it. I'll pass. >

jbrown said:

I'm very interested in this.
The real value to me is the already extracted stock ECU image and to a lesser extent, the grunt work of identifying the various map areas in the code.
I'm an electrical engineer turned programmer with years of imbedded programming experience, so I'd like the opportunity to analyze the code a bit.

AC, do you know if the stock ECU software image is provided in a form that would allow a curious fellow to disassemble (and modify) it?

If it's in an encrypted form that only Flash-Tune's software can read, then there's less fun I could have. Even if that's the case, it's still better to be able to fine tune what Flash-Tune has exposed, instead of a one shot take it or leave it deal.

Click to expand...

What are you looking for?

Luckily the coding is just about identical to the R6 and the R1. Those 2 platforms are really driving the development and unlocking. What exists right now is just the preliminary framework. Chris is constantly adding and updating features.

In the works:
Adjustable RPM scales for engine braking to allow finer tuning.
TCS system control!

I'm testing out a quick shifter on my Tenere right now. WOT shifting with an ignition cut-out is ridiculous fun on a 600lb adventure bike! For now I'm just using a spare brake light switch rigged up to activate when the shifter moves:


ac

avc8130 said:

What are you looking for?

Luckily the coding is just about identical to the R6 and the R1. Those 2 platforms are really driving the development and unlocking. What exists right now is just the preliminary framework. Chris is constantly adding and updating features.

In the works:
Adjustable RPM scales for engine braking to allow finer tuning.
TCS system control!

I'm testing out a quick shifter on my Tenere right now. WOT shifting with an ignition cut-out is ridiculous fun on a 600lb adventure bike!

ac

Click to expand...

I'd like to have control over everything the ECU does!
For instance, assuming the ECU conditions data for the display, I'd like to fix the speedometer without messing up the input used for other purposes.
Having access to the machine code makes lots of stuff possible, if you're willing to spend enough time on it.

jbrown said:

I'd like to have control over everything the ECU does!
For instance, assuming the ECU conditions data for the display, I'd like to fix the speedometer without messing up the input used for other purposes.
Having access to the machine code makes lots of stuff possible, if you're willing to spend enough time on it.

Click to expand...

Chris is the guy to talk to. You are delving deeper than I understand. Set me up with a nice GUI and I can work some magic...put 0's and 1's in front of me and I try 1/0 and get sucked into a black hole.

ac

jbrown said:

I'm an electrical engineer turned programmer with years of imbedded programming experience, so I'd like the opportunity to analyze the code a bit.

Click to expand...

Talk to me. ;D

I've just started playing with my Teensy and I need some good advise (sites, resources) as I progress slowly through the simple to the "oh shit I have to do that from scratch" moments.

Trying to bridge the "no senses" computer experience with the "no compute" analogue stuff. If you have any time I'd love a few pointers.

This new ECU tool looks like the perfect way to re-learn how to rebuild an engine as well.

Just another little adventure..

I've seen 2 references to causing damage to the motor from playing with the ECU.

Let me be REALISTIC about this for a moment.

Could you blow your motor up? Sure. Of course. You COULD plug in ANY number you like for timing advance or fuel. Buy why would you?

Guys are driving around dropping numbers into PCV cells without worrying about blowing up their motor, why the sudden fear? CO adjustment, what's it do? no one REALLY knows, but everyone is quick to jump a wire.

No number you could put in the throttle map would blow up your motor. No number on the engine braking will melt a piston or bend a rod.

Rev limiter? ECU-U claims they raise that. I haven't touched it. NO reason to.

Timing? Guys run regular directly AGAINST Yamaha's requirement. The CJM advances the timing more than any reasonable number a user would put in the map, but guys have been blindly doing that for years.

A little bit of common sense and conservatively working your way around the tuning and everything should be a-ok.

ac

avc8130 said:

I've seen 2 references to causing damage to the motor from playing with the ECU.

Let me be REALISTIC about this for a moment.

Click to expand...

I was joking.

Agree with what you say seing I have Zero experience with this thing ::024::

Monday sometimes gets the better of me though. It happens. I am sure I will have the Total engine parts price poster in front of me at all times if I ever get one ;D

avc8130 said:

Timing? Guys run regular directly AGAINST Yamaha's requirement. The CJM advances the throttle more than any reasonable number a user would put in the map, but guys have been blindly doing that for years.

Click to expand...

Hey, AVC...

Didn't you mean to say "The CJM advances the TIMING...", not "throttle"?

Just an FYI.

Dallara


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Dallara said:

Hey, AVC...

Didn't you mean to say "The CJM advances the TIMING...", not "throttle"?

Just an FYI.

Dallara


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Click to expand...

Thanks for catching that. I've edited my post so it reads clean.

ac

avc8130 said:

Thanks for catching that. I've edited my post so it reads clean.

ac

Click to expand...

Just didn't want to see anybody gettin' confused... As you know, there's no telling what kind of debates that kind of typo might start!!! ::025::

Dallara


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