I did the search on the chip info already. There are still a few questions I have. I would like to get a flash programed chip in the event APR doesn't release its chip soon.
1) The only company flash programming now is Neuspeed corret?
2) If I need to go to the dealer can the flash program the chip back to stock? and then when out of the dealership can it go back to the mod program?
3) Is there a possibility APR will offer flash programming or are the set in a soldered chip?

Thanks.

 

1) The only company flash programming now is Neuspeed corret? Between Neuspeed, APR, and GIAC, yes, it's only company (that I know of) that "flashes".
2) If I need to go to the dealer can the flash program the chip back to stock? and then when out of the dealership can it go back to the mod program? Yes, however, each time would require Neuspeed to do that. They would remove it, flash it to stock, put it back and use new screws.
3) Is there a possibility APR will offer flash programming or are the set in a soldered chip? To the best of my knowledge, they are set in a soldered chip.

If there is anyone that can add or verify my answers, please do.

 

I have been asked lots of questions about this topic lately, so here's what chiptuners do:
The chip is a Flash ROM that stores all of the operating instructions for your car (sort of like the OS installed on your hard drive). There are also EEPROM's that store stuff like Immobilizer ID #'s, Fault Codes, Trim Settings, etc. This info is kinda like the BIOS on your PC. So, even if you swap hard drives (Chips), your BIOS doesn't change. Make sense? This why you do not need to mess with the Immobilizer if you get your original ECU chipped, but you do need to mess with it if you install a different ECU.

APR: They desolder the Flash ROM and replace it with a soldered-on circuit board that contains a couple ROM and one EEPROM (I think). This allows them to have multiple programs and prevents overwriting by the dealer. There would probably be an error that tips them off if they try to flash it.
It doesn't look like a stock chip if you open the ECU.

GIAC/Wetterauer: They desolder the Flash ROM and replace it with two sets of soldered-on pins rising up from the circuit board. Onto these pins, go either:
A) A circuit board with an encryption circuit and a socket holding a FLASH ROM with the performance program. The encryption circuit may prevent overwriting at the dealer, but would probably result in an error that tips them off if they try to flash it.
B) A circuit board with a socket holding a FLASH ROM with the stock program. This could be flashed at the dealer, just like the stock chip in its original configuration.
It doesn't look like a stock chip if you open the ECU.

Upsolute/Neuspeed/Autotech/Autothority : They desolder the stock chip and reprogram it with a performance file before resoldering it in place. This could be flashed at the dealer, just like the stock chip in its original configuration. There is the capability in the chip-burning equipment to prevent flashing - not sure which tuners use this. If done correctly, it looks like a stock chip if you open the ECU.

Any corrections or additions are appreciated.

 

know if there's any truth to the GIAC and Wett chips being able to work in each others sockets?

I'm pretty sure I read about someone actually doing this without a problem, but I can't find the thread.

 

GIAC pins are square, I heard Wett pins are round

 

Thanks for the info...was a nagging question that's been eating at me :-)