[roadkillrob]

I just have to say, I got a GIAC flash yesterday and absolutely love it.

I previously ran a REV II for a bit and a JB3 1.3 for a bit (and before that an SSTT). I can say anything bad about any of the tunes I have had - SSTT is good for simple install and decent gains (especially for the price of a used one these days). The Procede and JB3 and both awesome and make great power, both are worth the money for the features and ran strong on my car.

What eventually pushed me to the flash was simplicity and everyday drive-ability. I was sick of digging around in the ECU box twice for every dealer visit (and for programming with the JB3), REVII was nice with the USB into the glovebox area for that!

I know I won't beat anyone with a piggyback in a race, but I won't ever race anyone nor go to the track, so I was looking for an install and forget type of thing like a flash.

I love how the flash drives, it pulls very hard down low, more so than the piggy backs feel, this could just be me, or could be they can pull more torque with the flash down low as they don't have to worry about tuner codes. I pulls like a train, is super smooth and just basically is like stock with lot's more power.

I really would recommend if you just want a simple install and everyday drive-ability.

Good value for the money I say!

Almost forgot - big thumbs up to German Performance in Brighton, MA - they did the flash, Marc is super cool, showed me the shop, showed me how he did the flash, let me and my 5 year old hang out and see all the Bimmers and Porsche's they where working on. Definitely a great place to go if your in the Boston area and in the market for a GIAC flash.


Rob

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by roadkillrob

I just have to say, I got a GIAC flash yesterday and absolutely love it.

I previously ran a REV II for a bit and a JB3 1.3 for a bit (and before that an SSTT). I can say anything bad about any of the tunes I have had - SSTT is good for simple install and decent gains (especially for the price of a used one these days). The Procede and JB3 and both awesome and make great power, both are worth the money for the features and ran strong on my car.

What eventually pushed me to the flash was simplicity and everyday drive-ability. I was sick of digging around in the ECU box twice for every dealer visit (and for programming with the JB3), REVII was nice with the USB into the glovebox area for that!

I know I won't beat anyone with a piggyback in a race, but I won't ever race anyone nor go to the track, so I was looking for an install and forget type of thing like a flash.

I love how the flash drives, it pulls very hard down low, more so than the piggy backs feel, this could just be me, or could be they can pull more torque with the flash down low as they don't have to worry about tuner codes. I pulls like a train, is super smooth and just basically is like stock with lot's more power.

I really would recommend if you just want a simple install and everyday drive-ability.

Good value for the money I say!

Rob

Glad you are happy with your new tune. GIAC flashes are gaining on popularity quick from others that have similiar opinions to yours.

Stage II is promised to be even sweeter.

[645Nm]

nice Rob...enjoy the purchase

[alextremo]

Where did you get flashed in MA?

[kirby135i]

isn't there still a concern if you go into the dealership that they can detect the flash? esp on a test drive?

[scottp999]

Just wondering, how far is your GIAC dealer? The first thing I found out is the nearest dealer is over 100 miles round trip for me.

[dlbrooks18]

I've heard so many great things about this flash.. can't wait to see their stage 2

[Glowin]

Originally Posted by roadkillrob

I just have to say, I got a GIAC flash yesterday and absolutely love it.

I was sick of digging around in the ECU box twice for every dealer visit (and for programming with the JB3), REVII was nice with the USB into the glovebox area for that!

Rob

Originally Posted by kirby135i

isn't there still a concern if you go into the dealership that they can detect the flash? esp on a test drive?

Exactly. You're obviously concerned about your warranty if you removed your piggy each time you visited the dealer, so how are you now comfortable leaving the flash in? Just taking your chances that they won't go for a test drive and notice the almost extra 100 HP??? I wouldn't take a chance like that with my warranty...

Or are you planning on getting flashed to stock each time before a dealer visit, and then flashed back to GIAC, which to me is way more PITA than pulling a piggy yourself and re-installing it.

[joec500]

Rob, OT, but how did those Carbon Splitters turn out on your car?

[pellinore]

Originally Posted by Glowin

Exactly. You're obviously concerned about your warranty if you removed your piggy each time you visited the dealer, so how are you now comfortable leaving the flash in? Just taking your chances that they won't go for a test drive and notice the almost extra 100 HP??? I wouldn't take a chance like that with my warranty...

Or are you planning on getting flashed to stock each time before a dealer visit, and then flashed back to GIAC, which to me is way more PITA than pulling a piggy yourself and re-installing it.

+2
I'm waiting for the switcher to come out and than I'm at least going to try it out for the 30 days.

[JeffL]

Originally Posted by alextremo

Where did you get flashed in MA?

GIAC dealer in Mass is:

German Performance Service
70 Hichborn Street
Brighton, MA 02135
http://2002racing.com/

I've talked to the guys down there, way cool. They will flash car back to stock if needed for dealer visits for free. If dealer over writes GIAC flash that's free too (as it should be).

I doubt the average tech would even notice the added power, not all the horror stories about techs driving cars are true. Most drive, feel or listen for the problem and then diagnose. They're not out racing the streets.

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by pellinore

+2
I'm waiting for the switcher to come out and than I'm at least going to try it out for the 30 days.

Switcher has some time before further development, Stage2 is top priority right now.

[roadkillrob]

Originally Posted by joec500

Rob, OT, but how did those Carbon Splitters turn out on your car?

The fit like a glove, but I ran out of two sided tape and haven't got them on permanently - got the tape last week, so will probably get them on this weekend!

[roadkillrob]

Originally Posted by JeffL

GIAC dealer in Mass is:

German Performance Service
70 Hichborn Street
Brighton, MA 02135
http://2002racing.com/

I've talked to the guys down there, way cool. They will flash car back to stock if needed for dealer visits for free. If dealer over writes GIAC flash that's free too (as it should be).

I doubt the average tech would even notice the added power, not all the horror stories about techs driving cars are true. Most drive, feel or listen for the problem and then diagnose. They're not out racing the streets.

I totally forgot in the orginal post, but big shout out to the guys at German Performance - they are about 25 minutes for me and Marc did the flash - great guy, they just moved into their new shop and I was the first 335 done - Marc has done his 08 M3 also with a Giac Flash. Nice new shop - got the royal tour while I was there, nothing by BMW's and Porsche's in site. Marc took the time to show me around, show me how the flash worked and just loves what he does. He also put up with my 5 year old attempting to destroy the shop and exploding his coke on the new floor!

Rob

[roadkillrob]

Originally Posted by kirby135i

isn't there still a concern if you go into the dealership that they can detect the flash? esp on a test drive?

I am not terribly worried, it would be hard to tell if you didn't drive one everyday. I don't drive a lot, so taking a chance that the switcher comes out before I have a major problem, but if I really get worried, I will get it flashed back to stock and yes it will be just as painful. One good thing either way as it won't look like the ECU has been opened up a 100 times to tip them off.

[Mr. 5]

Congrats Rob!!
I'm loving it too.
It's amazing to me how smooth it really is.
The car reacts exactly how you want it to.
There's nothing jerky about any part of the flash.
I just can't wait for stage 2. I pretty much call every day lol!

[only1]

i am also really enjoying my stage 1 but it's not quite enough. I can't wait for stage 2. any idea how long it will take?

[TreDirtyFive]

There is no doubt it is a great tune. My only gripe, on my AT car, is the lag down below 3000rpm. In my JB3 1.4 in 4rth gear at 15mph I could mash it and still get a pretty immediate spool. It flattened out a tad then really pulled hard. On my GIAC, in 4rth at 15mph, if I mash it...the car goes nowhere. It literally takes seconds before it hits 3K and the meat of the powerband to really pull you. The throttle response is great and the pull to redline is flawless (no throttle closure). Perhaps they can get more aggressive with the tune down low in Stage 2.

A quick note, on the same dyno with similar ambient temps on JB3 I did 360 wheel torque and 345 wheel torque with the GIAC. Im completely stock, outside of a drop-in, and you can definitely feel that torque loss. But outside of that, the car is smooth and predictable as can be.

[Mote]

Enjoy the tune! I had the pleasure of driving Craig's (Mr. 5) car with the GIAC and it's an amazingly smooth power delivery. Very anxious to see stage 2!

[Glowin]

Originally Posted by Mr. 5

Congrats Rob!!
I'm loving it too.
It's amazing to me how smooth it really is.
The car reacts exactly how you want it to.
There's nothing jerky about any part of the flash.
I just can't wait for stage 2. I pretty much call every day lol!

Just curious, so with the GIAC flash, unlike with piggies, the car doesn't throw any of the tuner codes, like the

2AAF 10927 Fuel Pump Plausibility
2D18 11544 manipulation cover, maximum air mass
2D25 11557 Mass Air Flow Excessive - External Tuning Box Detected

If so, how do they do it? Is it that they've totally overwritten the BMW code, so basically the code that trips those tuning codes is not there anymore?

[Drj2000]

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

Switcher has some time before further development, Stage2 is top priority right now.

Sorry but it seems like the handheld or PC based flash loader via a BT tool should be a priority. Looks like many people on this and other BMW forums are waiting for this feature before purchasing a stage 1 and presumably the anticipated stage 2 flash. When I spoke to the GIAC dealer in Vancouver, BC. I was told I would be charged labor twice; once to flash back to stock for dealer service and then again to reinstall the GIAC flash thus making the cost approximately $250 for each dealer visit. Three or four visits to the dealer equals the cost of the initial stage 1 purchase.

[deletedelete]

Would a tech honestly be able to tell the car was chipped if he had to go for a test drive? Im sure they drive m3s, m6s, 650s and all other fast cars. I dont think I would notice however my butt dyno isnt sensitive.

My chip from my gti wasnt detectable by vw. Is this giac chip hidden from bmw?