Supposed ECU upgrade from 250hp to 300+

[bassburch]

This has been making it's rounds on Facebook and other places. People claiming to be able to program the ECU for more HP similar to Yamaha.

Is this snake oil? Real? Obviously a warranty void, but I am curious to hear from BBC on this.

[PMantle]

Sorry for the ignorant question, but is that a product for sale?

[bassburch]

I don't think so...? It's a video. Just curious what's going on.

[Jaredn]

The only way to know for sure is to wait for PatriotAW4, who will inevitably be posting the truth on the matter here shortly

[bbqpitboss]

The only way to know for sure is to wait for PatriotAW4, who will inevitably be posting the truth on the matter here shortly

Surely not!!!!!

[Jaredn]

Surely not!!!!!

He’s just busy right now doing his daily tests of all outboards along with every powertrain combination of major truck brands but rest assured, he will be here shortly to pass along his findings

[Cbprov]

I am sure it's true ,nothing new ,simons was selling this a few yrs back for the L6 and new v8s

[EuropeanAM]

Ok guys- give PatriotAW4 a break.

Basschurch:

In response to your question: It's possible. It can be done. That video appears to be a real case of someone utilizing software and a "flash dongle" to tamper with the PCM Calibration.

In most cases, this is simply someone that has pirated the calibrations from larger HP engines, and is using them in other engines. Some of these aren't even production engine calibrations, as I understand it.

Totally aside from the EPA standards and guidelines: There is a very real potential for legal actions regarding Intellectual Property, Copyrights, and infringement on those rights. When a company builds a calibration, assigns it a number, loads it into a computer, and markets it: Someone that steals that information (or any portion of it) and then publishes or sells it to others is in a position that I suspect most competent attorneys would advise against.

Mercury issued a Service Bulletin clearly advising of this several years ago. Service Bulletin 2019-08 outlines the fines and penalties those participating in these activities may be subject to, including EPA Fines, Copyright Violation penalties of up to $150k per work/calibration, AND CRIMINAL penalties for those found to have violated anti-circumvention laws with penalties that climb as high as $1M and 10 years imprisonment for multiple/repeat offenders.

So in short: It's real, but it will probably get REAL. Based on the above info: This isn't something we support here, and we very specifically and strongly advise AGAINST it.

[PatriotAW4]

Looks to be from another country so I don't know if I would trust it. Also good luck finding the bigger throttle body if you have a 200 or 225.

[bbqpitboss]

You are correct Don, The EPA loves to go after folks that violate the clean air act. I have a good friend that is in the diesel repair business and learned a very expensive lesson for doing deletes.

[PatriotAW4]

You are correct Don, The EPA loves to go after folks that violate the clean air act. I have a good friend that is in the diesel repair business and learned a very expensive lesson for doing deletes.

Two completely different things. Tuning isn't illegal as long as you don't remove any emissions equipment.

[bbqpitboss]

Two completely different things. Tuning isn't illegal as long as you don't remove any emissions equipment.

Did you read Dons reply? They are changing the horsepower rating thus they are tampering with ECU calibration codes which is illegal on a number of fronts.

[PatriotAW4]

Did you read Dons reply? They are changing the horsepower rating thus they are tampering with ECU calibration codes which is illegal on a number of fronts.

It's not illegal to tune any motor to get more power out of it as long as the emissions equipment remains. The copyright by Mercury that he mentioned is plausible.

[mikeky]

Did you read Dons reply? They are changing the horsepower rating thus they are tampering with ECU calibration codes which is illegal on a number of fronts.

The word "illegal" is nowhere in Don's post.

[EuropeanAM]

The word "illegal" is nowhere in Don's post.

True... but it is illegal. Can't have fines and criminal penalties for "perfectly legal activities".

[yam911]

Interesting.

I can see Mercury Marine's position if someone were to pirate their data and use it to make a sale, depriving Mercury Marine of some revenue.

From the EPA's position it should not matter. A 250 HP motor converted to a 300 HP motor should be no different than Mercury Marine configuring the motor at 300 HP in the first place.