AMD serial port tuning

[DuncS3]

I saw an AMD advert in Top Gear magazine (last months) and they advertise serial port tuning - anyone know details about what they are offering exactly?

Cheers

Dunc [img]images/graemlins/s3addict.gif[/img]

[Bushy]

I heard they had done a deal with APR or something like that, basically they get APR's technology

Not sure on exact details?

[Joshie]

Apparently it is different to the Revo system. The way it works I think is that after receiveing the ECU number AmD offer the software which is loaded onto a laptop. It is activitaed a bit like VAG COM. It means that the user can activate a power increase and then reset the system for services and the like.

Not sure what stage of development the project is in though.

[Riz_RS4]

Mmmmm looks like a dongle to me?
No info on the AmD site though. [img]images/graemlins/sekret.gif[/img]
[img]images/rsul/21228-30506-oops.jpg[/img]

[Paul-RS]

Yes its dongle based.

I have seen the above dongle last tuesday which is going to be released for the MINI next week.

I was told the dongle saves your current standard map, and then uploads the performance one. plug it in again and it swaps them back.

It will be primarily a mail order ,device which is programmed for you once they know your ecu code. it will be linked to the car on its first use.

You can also have a customisable map written if carried out with a Rolling road as per current system.


im told the BMW US market is being done first, (AMD are going into the US)

then VW/AUDI oil burners then Petol Engines.

seems a bit of a way off for us.

[Riz_RS4]

So let me get this right it actually pulls off the original ecu code and stores it on the dongle and then re-flashes the ecu with the performance code? seems a good idea, is there any more info on this? i.e. documents etc

[Paul-RS]

thats what Hopsta and I were told when we asked AmD about the ad in Evo.

-----------

or it could be the dongle is already programed with both standard and performance maps already (from the ECU number)

and it just reflashes one over the other... (whilst always retaining its orignal copy.)


but from what we were told, they could just post the dongle to you, you plug it in, and away you go chipped.

You need never vist them, unless you want to do a rolling road cutom map.

[Paul-RS]

no documents or info yet, only what amd told us in person, and actually seeing the dongle.

although we were told the Mini one will be released next week, all they were waiting for was some stickers.

I guess you can check out the AmD's mini site for details as the application and dongle will be the same, when it comes available for us.

[Riz_RS4]

Mmmm ive had alook on the mini site and it seems to work in a similar fasion the the Revo SPS dongles except somehow AmD have developed away to alter the table settings without the need for additional programming to the standard ECU, i.e no need for visiting the tuner.
Cheers for the info [img]images/graemlins/beerchug.gif[/img]

[DuncS3]

Do you think AMD must have teamed up with someone to be able to do this serial port stuff? Because it has taken long enough for APR to release their serial port stuff, and not long for AMD - or is it that APR and AMD have teamed up to enable them to use the flash technology, using AMD maps? (based on what Joshie mentioned before)

Dunc

[Riz_RS4]

Im not sure but it could be a team up, but if it was wouldnt AmD bring out the VAG one`s first?
Also Revo SPS dongles have Patent Pending on them, i would like to know how detailed that Patent is?

[Paul-RS]

havent a clue.

they didnt mention any tie up at all (i didnt ask) , other than Geoff, allthough not "at" AmD is working on it with them.

re joshies method. there was mention of a update kit going to be available so you can upgrade to newer maps as they become available. I assume this is the laptop kit so you can reprogram the dongle.

[Joshie]

Why don't AmD come onto the site and explain [img]images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

Looks like a great opportunity fo AmD to enlighten and inform and probaby increase sales [img]images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

.......or will this be just another missed opportunity [img]images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

[Dippy]

Cos they're too busy and they don't need any more sales!

[Thorney]

I had a chat with Scott about all this yesterday. It seems they've been busy little bees of late and have been working on this for over a year.

Mini is all done and now being sold. Basically you plug dongle in, it stores original map from car, installs upgraded map, beeps at you and you're done. To replace original map you just repeat.

The dongles looked well made and they're knocking them out for £300 (I think, I wasn't paying attention then as Mini's are bitches cars [img]images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]).

They about to release all other VAG code (but a reckon will be a little while as they're a bit rushed with Mini stuff in US). You can still do the RR bit for custom map as well, but this is really more of a mail order upgrade route.

TBH I was very impressed, personally I still reckon the RR route of custom install is king but for the person simply looking for a bit more power for cheap outlay I can't see a downside. [img]images/graemlins/jump.gif[/img]