ESS S55 ECU flash installed !

[Sales@Alekshop]

We were recently informed by ESS that they were releasing their new S55 ECU flash tune.
This got us very excited as we have been using ESS software in all of our shop and customer cars for years and we have been wanting to see how a proper ECU flash would perform on the M3 / M4.

We wanted to first install this in our shop car but we had a customer that also wanted it so as always customers come first




First thing was to remove the stock ECU which required a little labor. The ECU was then sent off via overnight shipping to ESS.





A few days later the ECU was returned programmed and ready to install. Having driven tuned M4's we had a pretty good idea on how they perform but we were not expecting the performance this car had on our initial test drive. We have yet to dyno it but it feels very strong compared to other tuned cars we have driven. Throttle response is very good, the car drives very nice when it has traction Our customer optioned to have the CEL for catless downpipes coded out along with top speed limit removal. There is also an option to code out the cold start. We are looking forward to getting on the dyno soon as we can and we will post the results.

Next up we will be ECU tuning our project M4 and possibly adding the ESS upgraded turbo package that is in development

[lpphreakx06]

Nice!

[orevah]

when are you expecting to have some dyno graphs?

[JNoSol]

Now this is more interesting than the ESS piggy back tune. DPs mod + no speed limit + Flash tune = 202mph (calculated)

Subscribed.

[///M ARMY]

nice! how much testing has gone into this? For service, will dealers know about the flash?

[chris s]

sweet

[Alekshop]

Originally Posted by orevah

when are you expecting to have some dyno graphs?

Should have it very soon!

[Sales@Alekshop]

Originally Posted by ///M ARMY

nice! how much testing has gone into this? For service, will dealers know about the flash?

ESS has been running this tune in their cars for awhile. For those that know ESS they do not mess around when it comes to tuning.

Like the flash tuning on older models I can't imagine that dealers would know the ECU is flashed when in for basic service. We have never had an issue with flash tuned cars and dealer visits.

[stranger]

Subbed

[Nate@IND]

Nice!

[sA x sKy]

Will drop JB4 once ESS comes out with an OBD II solution..

[VCP]

Sounds crisp!

[GOLFFRR]

awesome guys!

[volkl23]

How easy would it be to revert back to stock? Since this is bench tuned, would we have to send back to be reflashed again? Would there be a cost associated with this?

Thanks in advance!

[jeff@autocouture]

Nice !

[8600RPM]

You guys are a tuner but no dyno?

[Bomex]

Nice!!!

[schnell325]

Like the potential for no speed governor.

[chillindrdude]

Originally Posted by Sales@Alekshop

ESS has been running this tune in their cars for awhile. For those that know ESS they do not mess around when it comes to tuning.

Like the flash tuning on older models I can't imagine that dealers would know the ECU is flashed when in for basic service. We have never had an issue with flash tuned cars and dealer visits.

my experience is with Audis. When the S4 is hooked up via ODB2 port to the dealership service computer, the diagnostic initialization routine will look at certain "checksum" values that are changed if the ECU has been "flashed" and the OEM program has been over-written.

This is how they know if the ECU has been flashed. And then the dreaded "TD1" designation and you can kiss your warranty goodbye.

I can't believe that the BMW computer would not do something similar also.

I would be highly skeptical of any assertion that any ECU flash with 3rd party software would NOT be easily detectable by even a routine diagnostic scan via ODB2.

Now if you reflash the ECU with the OEM program and restore checksums, you would likely come away unscathed. However, with bench flashing, and depending on your time and effort, this may not be worthwhile.

Bench flashing would be my least desireable way to increase power. ODB2 port flashing being my most. The piggyback on this car work well, with verifiable gains. And, it's easier to remove for when you bring the car in for dealership service. Why bother with bench flashing? So it's visually more stealth? Or I guess doing away with the limiter is most important?

[dmk08]

Hopefully customer support and internal product knowledge is better on this than their etronics.

[WVUDrJay]

Originally Posted by ///M ARMY

nice! how much testing has gone into this? For service, will dealers know about the flash?

Be careful asking that. People have been known to get angry around here.

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by chillindrdude

my experience is with Audis. When the S4 is hooked up via ODB2 port to the dealership service computer, the diagnostic initialization routine will look at certain "checksum" values that are changed if the ECU has been "flashed" and the OEM program has been over-written.

This is how they know if the ECU has been flashed. And then the dreaded "TD1" designation and you can kiss your warranty goodbye.

I can't believe that the BMW computer would not do something similar also.

I would be highly skeptical of any assertion that any ECU flash with 3rd party software would NOT be easily detectable by even a routine diagnostic scan via ODB2.

Now if you reflash the ECU with the OEM program and restore checksums, you would likely come away unscathed. However, with bench flashing, and depending on your time and effort, this may not be worthwhile.

Bench flashing would be my least desireable way to increase power. ODB2 port flashing being my most. The piggyback on this car work well, with verifiable gains. And, it's easier to remove for when you bring the car in for dealership service. Why bother with bench flashing? So it's visually more stealth? Or I guess doing away with the limiter is most important?

Most don't want to play the "remove and reinstall" game before a dealer visit. Flash tunes are undetectable to diagnostic equipment.

However, neither solution is fully transparent. A dealer can detect either flash or piggyback (even if it was removed prior) if they have a reason to search. However a simple oil change or maintenance visit will not warrant this, so there's really nothing to worry about in most cases. For those looking for good, reliable power - Flash tunes is the only way to have full and total control over the DME.

This is only the beginning. Flash tunes are going to be a real game changer in the near future.