Lotus Emira V6 ECU Tune - Bench Flash

[Kimmax]

While I do not know if this "loophole" is still possible, we have had customers from overseas send us ECUs without duty if it is "FOR REPAIR / REPAIR SERVICES"

It's not really a loophole but an actual way to declare when importing, however it usually requires setting up a bond with an accepted provider in the US. If it was possible without that would be the best case of course.

Can't you just claim the UK Import Tax back when re-importing the ECM?

EU / GB isn't really that hard, but the US seems to be a bit more complicated to handle

What is the approx cost savings?

I'll try to get it calculated asap

The bigger issue is with that many players, something will absolutely go wrong at some point. And when it does, it turns into the inevitable "I did my part, it got lost somewhere else..."

All legs tracked & insured, there shouldn't too big of risk left open. Sure, risk is never zero with adventures like this

 

[VF Tuner]

It's not really a loophole but an actual way to declare when importing, however it usually requires setting up a bond with an accepted provider in the US. If it was possible without that would be the best case of course.


EU / GB isn't really that hard, but the US seems to be a bit more complicated to handle


I'll try to get it calculated asap


All legs tracked & insured, there shouldn't too big of risk left open, but sure, risk is never zero with adventures like this

Honestly I don't want to do a middle-man type of scenario.
ECU gets to me. I ship to middle man. Lost in the process, I'm on the hook, no thanks.

 

[Kimmax]

Honestly I don't want to do a middle-man type of scenario.
ECU gets to me. I ship to middle man. Lost in the process, I'm on the hook, no thanks.

got it boss

 

[jamesbxxx]

Good Morning!

So, a few things to announce.
1. We are pre-purchasing a few ECUs for extra development, and to test something. While it is *not tested yet* (so do no take this as a "promise") but we may be able to pair ECUs to your car here in our shop. Testing will happen first. (waiting on some from Lotus)
2. We have pretty much everything ready, our equipment, custom code, etc. Now just waiting on a few ECUs from lotus to wrap stuff up.

While I do not know if this "loophole" is still possible, we have had customers from overseas send us ECUs without duty if it is "FOR REPAIR / REPAIR SERVICES"
I prefer *not* to have any middle man between sending us ECUs. That just sounds like a big headache.


There will be 2 ECU tune options so consider carefully
1. VF tuners fully integrated custom code + OBD Flash and VF-Bootloader.
Pros:
- OBD Flashing
- Fully unlocked
- Capable of tuning everything as we release, and as our software releases to shops
- Fast flashing, quick tuning / dyno tuning

Cons:
- Lotus Dealerships will not be able to update the ECU if an update comes out


2. ECU Unlock + Bench tuning capability
Pros:
- Can be tuned
- Fast flashing
- Lotus can install updates to the ECU (****this may "relock it" if that happens. this is To be determined...)
Cons:
-ECU must be removed or you must make a custom CAN patch harness so you can access the CAN lines
- No OBD Flashing
- Limited future custom code support.


Thank you. We are excited! I've spent the last few weeks, dissecting all the code, getting around several layers of security, and we are damn near ready to rock!

- Unlocked, and capable of tuning (via bench/ direct to ECU)

2.0L Emira unlocking is in process

Do both options require sending ECU to you for unlocking or only option 2?

 

[VF Tuner]

Do both options require sending ECU to you for unlocking or only option 2?

Both options require ECU shipping to unlock.

 

[jamesbxxx]

Both options require ECU shipping to unlock.

Got it. Still planning to ship my ECU to you 2nd week of Feb. Who do people recommend for state to state postage within USA?

 

[VF Tuner]

Got it. Still planning to ship my ECU to you 2nd week of Feb. Who do people recommend for state to state postage within USA?

Please use UPS. They have been the most reliable.
do NOT use regular mail.

 

[jamesbxxx]

Cons:
- Lotus Dealerships will not be able to update the ECU if an update comes out

Do you think this applies to all updates, or only engine related tables? I can live with that but improvements to infotainment could be useful!

 

[VF Tuner]

Do you think this applies to all updates, or only engine related tables? I can live with that but improvements to infotainment could be useful!

only directly related to "engine / ECM" updates.
infotainment, BCM, any other electronics are unaffected.

 

[silent cilantro]

I don’t know if this is true, but I was told by a Lotus tech that modules have version dependencies between each other. So in theory if an ECM is out of date and unable to be updated, it may make it so no other modules can be updated either.

Again, I was told this and have no way of verifying it.

 

[NJemira85]

I don’t know if this is true, but I was told by a Lotus tech that modules have version dependencies between each other. So in theory if an ECM is out of date and unable to be updated, it may make it so no other modules can be updated either.

Again, I was told this and have no way of verifying it.

This is also a concern of my friends. We may need to keep a library or get a mole on the inside. One might also use emira DS to do these updates on locked ecus and then send them to mat.

Or may might buy an emira and get emira DS himself, enter the dragon type sh*t.

 

[VF Tuner]

I don’t know if this is true, but I was told by a Lotus tech that modules have version dependencies between each other. So in theory if an ECM is out of date and unable to be updated, it may make it so no other modules can be updated either.

Again, I was told this and have no way of verifying it.

I don't really see anything in the ECU that would point to this being the case.

 

[NJemira85]

UPDATE: the dev car is fixed. Three ecu connector pins replaced and one secondary o2 sensor replaced. Related blown fuse replaced.

Finally, the pesky header flange leak has been sealed, and the fuel trim code from the leak is now resolved.

NB: bflash did nothing wrong here. They did not contribute to these issues at all.

This means we are GO FO DYNO TUNING once Mat gets his obd2 brotocol in place.

*Stay tuned*

 

[neiru37]

As soon as my buddy has his molex fixed

Molex > Rolex

 

[NJemira85]

Molex > Rolex

Bro, ceramic panda molex so hot right now!

 

[VF Tuner]

2 ECUs arriving today

I should be able to so you guys how it all works this weekend.
Then we are go time!
I'm also on the hunt for a new Emira.

 

[NJemira85]

2 ECUs arriving today

I should be able to so you guys how it all works this weekend.
Then we are go time!
I'm also on the hunt for a new Emira.

You should find a white on white, you’ll be much harder to spot against the permasnow backdrop

 

[David s]

I’ve reread read this whole post and not one word on how the car goes after the mod. Has anybody heard anything? I’m finding it hard to believe that people are willing to post their ecu and have someone “flash” it without atleast seeing one video showing the results.

 

[VF Tuner]

I’ve reread read this whole post and not one word on how the car goes after the mod. Has anybody heard anything? I’m finding it hard to believe that people are willing to post their ecu and have someone “flash” it without atleast seeing one video showing the results.

it has not yet been released, but we have one car testing already.
We have already done a lot with the Evora, which uses similar map structure. That is why people trust us. We are open with our R/D. And some of the highest HP lotus evoras in existence are tuned with our tools.

 

[jamesbxxx]

I have absolute faith in VF Tuner with their expertise in tuning Toyota engines. As they say, ours isn’t much different to what’s come before. Just in a sexier body!