Q about ZFG and ECU

[ruddawg]

On ZFGs website there is a bundle that comes with a new or functional used eco which from my understanding Is "unlocked" so you can tune it. My question is if I needed to go to dealer am I able to put my original stock ecu back in and be okay? thanks.

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[SCB FabWorx]

I have the ZFG ECU swap. I don't know for sure that you can just plug and play the old unit back in.
Adam at ZFG will be able to tell you for sure. I will say that if you are worried about going back to the dealer then this probably isn't the mod for you.

 

[ruddawg]

I have the ZFG ECU swap. I don't know for sure that you can just plug and play the old unit back in.
Adam at ZFG will be able to tell you for sure. I will say that if you are worried about going back to the dealer then this probably isn't the mod for you.

How did you like the performance after swap? Just more of a curiosity thing since I've never dealt with swapping units, only flashing.

 

[SCB FabWorx]

How did you like the performance after swap? Just more of a curiosity thing since I've never dealt with swapping units, only flashing.

If you are willing to make most of the other bolt-on mods and willing to run e85 fuel then you will not be disappointed. My 0-60 times are in the high fours and the torque below the curve is amazing. The shifting of the trans also makes a big difference.
Once you do this mod you will never want to go back.

 

[Ducati1098]

There's really no reason you would need to put the stock PCM back in after installing the MG1 PCM from ZFG.
It likely wont make a single difference with any non-engine related dealer repair.

 

[BadmansSAS]

I would 100% put the stock ECU back in if you go back in for warranty work. This is why the JB4 type piggy back systems are great. You can unhook them in a few minutes and there is no evidence you had anything on the truck.

 

[Ducati1098]

I would 100% put the stock ECU back in if you go back in for warranty work. This is why the JB4 type piggy back systems are great. You can unhook them in a few minutes and there is no evidence you had anything on the truck.

There's no way to know it even has a different PCM without completely removing it and looking at the part number. No dealership is going to do that for 99.9% of simple warranty repairs.
Not to mention, I'm pretty sure you need FDRS to even reinstall the old PCM because of PATS

 

[BadmansSAS]

I doubt that very much. There are checksums that change every time a tune is flashed. And it’s not going to match your as built checksum that Ford can both see and verify. In the mustang world, ford can indeed both see when a pcm has been written to as well as pull the actual calibration and see they don’t match up. And if you don’t have any dealer service history in oasis that its been updated or the PCM had been replaced, then it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see it’s been modified. But do what you will.

 

[Ducati1098]

I doubt that very much. There are checksums that change every time a tune is flashed. And it’s not going to match your as built checksum that Ford can both see and verify. In the mustang world, ford can indeed both see when a pcm has been written to as well as pull the actual calibration and see they don’t match up. And if you don’t have any dealer service history in oasis that its been updated or the PCM had been replaced, then it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see it’s been modified. But do what you will.

You can doubt it all you want. The calibration number stays the same as the factory tune.
Sure, Ford can certainly see if the PCM has been flashed, but that makes no difference if they don't have a reason to look for it. They aren't combing though every single FDRS session or warranty repair on a whim looking at PCM updates
So like I said, normal every day warranty repairs likely wont ever make a single difference.

Here is what mine shows. Completely unrecognizable

 

[BadmansSAS]

You can doubt it all you want. The calibration number stays the same as the factory tune.
Sure, Ford can certainly see if the PCM has been flashed, but that makes no difference if they don't have a reason to look for it. They aren't combing though every single FDRS session or warranty repair on a whim looking at PCM updates
So like I said, normal every day warranty repairs likely wont ever make a single difference.

Here is what mine shows. Completely unrecognizable

They sure will comb through all that if you come limping in with a melted piston. This must be your first go round with modded vehicles.

 

[Ducati1098]

They sure will comb through all that if you come limping in with a melted piston. This must be your first go round with modded vehicles.

And you think switching to the stock PCM will help at that point

Clearly you’d be screwed either way in a few situations, but like I’ve already said.. most normal warranty repairs nobody will have any clue either way.

You must be new to Ford

 

[BadmansSAS]

And you think switching to the stock PCM will help at that point

Clearly you’d be screwed either way in a few situations, but like I’ve already said.. most normal warranty repairs nobody will have any clue either way.

Putting back in a stock untouched PCM is definitely going to help your case. That’s the whole point of swapping the PCM out for unlocked one and not unlocking your factory PCM. You have the ability to swap back and you can go in for a warranty work. I feel like I’m talking to the wall here.

 

[Ducati1098]

Putting back in a stock untouched PCM is definitely going to help your case. That’s the whole point of swapping the PCM out front unlocked one and not unlocking your factory PCM. You have the ability to swap back and now you’re stuck and you can go in for a warranty work. I feel like I’m talking to the wall here.

LOL the first thing any dealer technician will look at with a blown motor will be the ignition counter. The second you swap that stock PCM back it resets it. You might as well tell them you have a tune

 

[MWILD]

On ZFGs website there is a bundle that comes with a new or functional used eco which from my understanding Is "unlocked" so you can tune it. My question is if I needed to go to dealer am I able to put my original stock ecu back in and be okay? thanks.

As @Ducati1098 mentioned. If you want to swap back to the stock PCM then you'll need access to FDRS because of PATS. For the everyday person, it's not really feasible. You could pay ZFG Racing to send you their remote kit and do it that way, but for most warranty repairs it won't be needed.

Also, as Ducati mentioned, assuming you're not taking your Bronco in for major engine or transmission repairs, then flashing the cracked PCM back to the stock tune is fine. I just had some warranty work done on my Bronco and flashed it back to the stock tune and it was never an issue.

One last thing, the difference between a piggyback tune and a ZFG Racing custom tune is night and day... I've tried them all.

 

[Bigmoose]

As @Ducati1098 mentioned. If you want to swap back to the stock PCM then you'll need access to FDRS because of PATS. For the everyday person, it's not really feasible. You could pay ZFG Racing to send you their remote kit and do it that way, but for most warranty repairs it won't be needed.

Also, as Ducati mentioned, assuming you're not taking your Bronco in for major engine or transmission repairs, then flashing the cracked PCM back to the stock tune is fine. I just had some warranty work done on my Bronco and flashed it back to the stock tune and it was never an issue.

One last thing, the difference between a piggyback tune and a ZFG Racing custom tune is night and day... I've tried them all.

How would you characterize the difference between the FP tune and ZFG. I find my FP tune to be lackluster.

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