Mapping question

[Andy Kain]

I have heard of a few peoples experiences in relation to mapping the Power FC and just thought it was standard procedure for this to happen, but now I am not too sure.

So.. I have had my car mapped to my Power FC Pro (the one with launch control) and once I got the car home I found that the had controller access was limited to only the diag display screen and if any changes were made to the launch controller they just reset to zero, effectively locking the hand controller. I contacted the tuner and was told that the launch controller could be setup for me, but the map will be locked once done.

My question is this then, should the map be locked or unlocked and what are peoples set at now.

I dont want to turn this into a thread where company names are mentioned, its just a question as to how you have yours set up and thoughts on locking the hand controller.

[Ahapartridge]

Certain tuners will lock the map to either stop others copying it or to hide their mapping technique or worse to hide a crap map :P

I would prefer an unlocked map so that if you made any small changes then the map could be adjusted to suit at any tuner, if you have a locked map you can only get your map tweaked by the original mapper unless he is willing to pass on the password. If you cannot get the password then it would necessitate a complete new mapping session.

[Richf]

I can change quite a few of the settings on mine but i dont play with the map as such

I do use the ign trim as thats was the reason i bought a power fc in the first place but that will reset when the ignition is turned off

I can also set my own rev limits (no launch control on mine) and make other checks and minor adjustments

I have to say i would only use a tuner who would let me access the features on my power fc that i wanted to, but some do insist on locking it down, at the end of the day its a useful tool for checking and diagnosis and i would be lost without it , if it was all locked down without access to the features it would be a doorstop imo

[Rich B]

end of the day....

You own the powerfc.
you also own the map on the powerfc since you paid the tuner to put it there.

If you want the map unlocked then that is your right.. they may however waive any cover if the engine blows up as a result of you messing.. (which is fair enough)

personally if the tuner wont play ball (and unlock it) and you cant be arsed with legal theats, id dig around on the net or contact Apexi direct, there's sure to be a by-pass password to get in without having to wipe the map. (I know there is for the SAFCII)

[Andy Kain]

Oh, dont get me wrong I think that it can be a good idea, but not particularly on a Power FC Pro, as I cannot see the reason for having the hand controller in that case. Would be interesting to hear others views on this topic.

[Squeak]

Have you asked them straight out for the password? One thing you dont want to happen is change settings you don't know and end up with a broken engine. But if you know what you are doing when it comes to engines / power fc then the tuner should feel safe enough to give you the password if they feel.

Have you tried searching on the net to see if anyones posted up their password?

[Abbeymotorsport]

If you have a Dataloggit mapping kit you can get into any Power FC even if it has been locked.

We dont lock the Power Fc,s because of the ability to unlock a locked Power FC

I can say this is a very delicate subject we have spoke about to our legal advisor a number of times.

I will try to find out what the legal issues are.


Mark

[Deggers]

This really miffs me off tbh.

Mines locked down aswell but I always used to adjust the rev limit for when I left the car in a strange place aswell as at garages for service work or with friends whilst Im on holiday.

Now I have just dropped a PS2 extension lead in the car for the purpose of setting the rev limit lower and taking the hand controller with me - having the powerfc locked down screws this up obviously.

I havent discussed this with the tuner but as its the same guys who did Andys then I expect a bit of opposition.

I am of the opinion its my car, my ecu, I paid you to map it... i should have open access to it.

If I dont come back to you then you did a **** job, if I blow my engine up messing then thats my fault and you will make more money out of the rebuild.

Maybe I should start smoking again and chill out.

[Richf]

Maybe you and Andy can buy your own dataloggit kit , think its about £300 , then you could charge £50 to unlock the power fc

[Deggers]

Originally Posted by Richf

Maybe you and Andy can buy your own dataloggit kit , think its about £300 , then you could charge £50 to unlock the power fc

Hmmm... kerrching!

Now theres a plan.

[ivor]

AFAIK it comes down to intellectual property rights you have used a tuner you feel confident in, Now he/she has put all his experience and knowledge into providing you with a usable map so he doesn't want you or anyone else copying his work which i think is fair enough.

[ivor]

lol have you seen the screen for the password

[Abbeymotorsport]

when you lock a Power Fc you can leave certain parts of the maps open as to speak.

We used to leave everything open other than the fuel/ignition maps. So you can tweak rev limits etc etc

[Deggers]

Originally Posted by ivor

AFAIK it comes down to intellectual property rights you have used a tuner you feel confident in, Now he/she has put all his experience and knowledge into providing you with a usable map so he doesn't want you or anyone else copying his work which i think is fair enough.

What if your not interested in his maps but want to have access to rev limits... thats all???

Surely there should be some sort of t&c's agreement if it somes down property rights rather than informally paying a tuner and just having an invoice with no t&c's?

Originally Posted by ivor

lol have you seen the screen for the password

Why? Is it Jap?

[Rich B]

Originally Posted by ivor

AFAIK it comes down to intellectual property rights you have used a tuner you feel confident in, Now he/she has put all his experience and knowledge into providing you with a usable map so he doesn't want you or anyone else copying his work which i think is fair enough.

that really doesnt wash.. i doubt it does legally either.

we are not talking about a patented piece of software here.. the tuner can not claim rights to map. Its not like they can turn round and tell you at a later date you can no longer use their map. Its not even re-usable anyway as every engine is different.
You employed them to create the map.. you own that map.
Id imagine its the same as in my job.. i on occassion write software for work.. however since im paid to do that, i do not own the intelectual rights to the software.. the people who paid me do.

Your powerfc.. your map.

as i say though.. rather than being all fiesty about it with your tuner probably just easier to look for a bypass password from APexi.