Flashing An Outboard

[Cliffprocraft190]

Exactly what does flashing an outboard involve? Just having something re-program the ECU? Or is there more to it than that?

How much does it cost?

If you bought a boat rated for 225 HP max, which would be cheaper: buying a 225 SHO or buying a 200 SHO and having it flashed (to 231HP is what I have been seeing on the forum)?

I think those two motors are built on the same block, so I think they would weigh the same. Correct? So no gain in performance from a weight loss because there wouldn't be any.

[Highcentered]

For a SHO it's just flashing the ecu and probably going up in prop size if needed. I think the V6 SHO will be around 330hp with the flash. I think it's around $750 plus shipping. Just remember to be careful and keep it on a need to know basis if you fish tournaments.

[okskeetertzx190]

Like mentioned the V6 200, 225, and 250 all get flashed to over 300hp when flashed. The 150 and 175 SHO get flashed to 230. Hydro-tech does flashing as well as several other guys that offer the Nizpro tunes. To the best of my knowledge the Nizpro tunes are 6400 rpm limit and Hydro-tech offers multiple options for the RPM limit. You just remove the ECU(5 mins) and send it in. They flash it and send it back you.

[1ranger487vs]

Do you have to run premium high octane

[Hawg]

We flash the Yamaha SHO engines. It is $899 to flash the ECU. Mail us your ECU or bring us the boat and we can flash it, and re-install it. I recommend always keeping the stock rev limiter. It is cheaper to purchase a 200 and have us flash it to a 332hp, all the SHO 200,225 and 250s are the same block, and will flash to 332. You do not have to run 91 octane, but make sure you are running the 89 (which is what Yamaha states the engine runs on anyway).

Feel free to message me with any questions.

Thank you,

Justin Russell
Russell Marine Products

[Twray]

Justin, will the Yamaha YES warranty still be honored?

[PatriotAW4]

We flash the Yamaha SHO engines. It is $899 to flash the ECU. Mail us your ECU or bring us the boat and we can flash it, and re-install it. I recommend always keeping the stock rev limiter. It is cheaper to purchase a 200 and have us flash it to a 332hp, all the SHO 200,225 and 250s are the same block, and will flash to 332. You do not have to run 91 octane, but make sure you are running the 89 (which is what Yamaha states the engine runs on anyway).

Feel free to message me with any questions.

Thank you,

Justin Russell
Russell Marine Products

Who's tuning do you use? I want to get my 150 SHO done sometime.

[PSM207]

We flash the Yamaha SHO engines. It is $899 to flash the ECU. Mail us your ECU or bring us the boat and we can flash it, and re-install it. I recommend always keeping the stock rev limiter. It is cheaper to purchase a 200 and have us flash it to a 332hp, all the SHO 200,225 and 250s are the same block, and will flash to 332. You do not have to run 91 octane, but make sure you are running the 89 (which is what Yamaha states the engine runs on anyway).

Feel free to message me with any questions.

Thank you,

Justin Russell
Russell Marine Products

Justin - Is this tune basically the Yamaha 300 Off Shore program?

[Hawg]

Justin - Is this tune basically the Yamaha 300 Off Shore program?

No it isn't. Hydrotech's is a 300 off shore tune basically. We use nizpro. There tune is a custom tune. Nizpro is basically hydrotech in Australia but more custom. They are purchasing engines, tearing them down, building their own flashes and view wear on parts etc. Nizpro does more flashes of ECU's than anyone. They do TONS of flashes on offshore boats around the coast.

[Hawg]

Who's tuning do you use? I want to get my 150 SHO done sometime.

. We use Nizpros. My dad has a vf150 SHO, ran 55mph stock, ran 61.7 with a flash with the same prop that ran 55mph and ran 68.9 Mph turning a 26" T2 Yamaha prop. It's on a 2023 Skeeter zx150

[MCIPinkie]

Be sure you notify your insurance company that you are no longer running a 200 HP boat, but instead a 332.

[PatriotAW4]

Be sure you notify your insurance company that you are no longer running a 200 HP boat, but instead a 332.

Why? You don't have to do that and it would be a waste of time.

[Jwknight17]

Can you flash the Mercury engines?

[dean c]

Why? You don't have to do that and it would be a waste of time.

I have to agree…you don’t call your insurance company when you chip your truck to add a 100 HP. I would be more concerned about warranty on the motor if something related to the flash damages the engine.

[SteezMacQueen]

I have to agree…you don’t call your insurance company when you chip your truck to add a 100 HP. I would be more concerned about warranty on the motor if something related to the flash damages the engine.

The beauty of the flash is it doesn’t make the motor less reliable. Nor does it cause failures. It’s simply a software program that is a stock tune for the higher rated HP version of that motor. In the 150-175 motors, they are part for part the same as an F200. So it simply reprograms the computer to the F200 program. The 150-175 motors are simply F200’s with a detuned computer and a different paint scheme. Same basic deal with the SHO 200-225-250. They are the same as the offshore F300….so they get the F300 software and they are then 300+ motors. Nothing about any of the parts are in danger of failure. They simply are the same parts as the “worlds most reliable off shore motors”.

Both companies that are tuning the Yamaha motors state that the warranty is not effected. I think the reasoning for not effecting the warranty is the fact that the motors are not modified. The computers aren’t modified either. They are reprogrammed change the motors behavior. If the F200 is reliable making 231 HP….the VF150 will be equally as reliable making 231hp….since the ONLY differences between the two is the software on the ecm and the paint on the exterior.

…as for insurance? I have a flashed 150. My insurance company, Allstate, said “sounds like fun”.
if something were to happen to my SHO150, I’m sure the insurance would cover another SHO150…doubtful they would cover flashing the replacement. If I wanted to flash a second motor, I would have to purchase the tune and download it to my computer.

The guys that are against the “tuning” of the motors are either upset that their motor isn’t supported, or they just like to bitch. One of the two.

as for one of the other questions above? What other things are involved?
props. Several. I have three different props, soon to be four. I have two props for the stock tune and two props for the F200 tune. Usually you can go up two pitch’s on the VF150 to Nizpro231. I have a 21 and 22 Tempest Plus for stock setting and a worked 23 for summer and T2-25 VMax prop for winter and 231 tune.

[dean c]

That’s all good…I’m sure it’s accurate too. I just wouldn’t want to personally have to deal with it if in the rare case a flashed engine had a problem, and the manufacturer decided a modification of software invalidates the warranty. The ECU is a part installed on the motor after all.

GENERAL EXCLUSIONS FROM WARRANTY: This limited warranty will not cover the repair of damages to your Yamaha Boat caused by abuse, alteration, modification, neglect, vandalism, failure to adhere to product capacity information and/or product maintenance, care instructions, and/or other items listed below. Examples of damage caused by abuse, alteration, modifications, neglect, vandalism, non-adherence and other items include, but are not limited to the following:

1. Racing or competition use, modification of original parts, abnormal strain.

[MCIPinkie]

As much as I hate to admit it, and I've been very open about my objection to flashing motors, very little chance anything bad happening should you chose to. Insurance companies are dumb as long as you pay your premiums. No way tournament directors will know unless some one outs you. And then what? I doubt the manufacturer will ever know should you blow one up, so if under warranty, still is. It's potentially dangerous, and illegal in some areas, to over power a boat, but the chances of getting caught are pretty much negligible. Should you ever be involved in a bad accident with an overpowered boat, be certain that the plaintiff's attorney will find out. But still pretty negligible.

Have at it. Stay off of Pomme de Terre.

Don't start on me. I ran back in the 70's an old Hydra_Sport rated for either 75 or 85 with "Tower of Power" Black Max all hopped up. Probably pushing 200 HP on a potato chip rated for half that. I was young and invulnerable and that boat scared me. I know about over powering boats (and cars).

Regardless how minimal the chances are of getting caught, it still ain't right, but then running 90 down I-70 isn't either.

[MCIPinkie]

It's really no different than changing the cowling on 35HP motor so you can fish on a 25HP lake.

I know a guy that has a 9.9 cowl on his 15. Guess why.

There are always a few in every endeavor that think they are above the rules. Aunt Blabby used to call them "Special'.

[PatriotAW4]

Can you flash the Mercury engines?

It is possible but no one will do it.

[PatriotAW4]

The beauty of the flash is it doesn’t make the motor less reliable. Nor does it cause failures. It’s simply a software program that is a stock tune for the higher rated HP version of that motor. In the 150-175 motors, they are part for part the same as an F200. So it simply reprograms the computer to the F200 program. The 150-175 motors are simply F200’s with a detuned computer and a different paint scheme. Same basic deal with the SHO 200-225-250. They are the same as the offshore F300….so they get the F300 software and they are then 300+ motors. Nothing about any of the parts are in danger of failure. They simply are the same parts as the “worlds most reliable off shore motors”.

Both companies that are tuning the Yamaha motors state that the warranty is not effected. I think the reasoning for not effecting the warranty is the fact that the motors are not modified. The computers aren’t modified either. They are reprogrammed change the motors behavior. If the F200 is reliable making 231 HP….the VF150 will be equally as reliable making 231hp….since the ONLY differences between the two is the software on the ecm and the paint on the exterior.

…as for insurance? I have a flashed 150. My insurance company, Allstate, said “sounds like fun”.
if something were to happen to my SHO150, I’m sure the insurance would cover another SHO150…doubtful they would cover flashing the replacement. If I wanted to flash a second motor, I would have to purchase the tune and download it to my computer.

The guys that are against the “tuning” of the motors are either upset that their motor isn’t supported, or they just like to bitch. One of the two.

as for one of the other questions above? What other things are involved?
props. Several. I have three different props, soon to be four. I have two props for the stock tune and two props for the F200 tune. Usually you can go up two pitch’s on the VF150 to Nizpro231. I have a 21 and 22 Tempest Plus for stock setting and a worked 23 for summer and T2-25 VMax prop for winter and 231 tune.

This is 100% accurate.