I'd like to point out that the onus shouldn't fall to me to prove ECU tunes have problems -- rather the responsibility should fall the the ECU tune companies to prove they don't...
But since I like debate/discussion, I'll provide this link:
https://motorblock.at/stalzamt-die-wahrheit-ueber-chiptuning-spassbringer-oder-motorentod/
and an interesting analysis from Reddit:
https://www.reddit.com/r/cars/comments/6wrkhc/the_truth_about_chiptuning_very_long_read/
Yep, I wasn't asking you to prove anything. Just asking for some links since ECU tuning problems isn't something I regularly research. I'm not in a debate but a neutral party (I got my tuner for free from Dinan to evaluate).
Is this an actual ECU tuner, though? I thought those were chips you connect to the onboard computer or something, which the Dinan piggyback is not. Dinan states that this alters the boost pressure through a single sensor. I thought tuners did more than that?
Thanks for sending along the links, though. The motorblock article author said "Stay away from manipulation on the control unit." Is this piggyback manipulating the "control unit" (in quotes because this article was translated from German to English).
I did find this interesting (if I understood it through the poor, but funny! translation):
"the copper content in the flask is increased. Copper is one of the best heat conductors and so you can give piston temperature to the engine oil faster. Second, chromium is added, allowing the piston to have higher strength at 420 ° C.
It can therefore be said that the more powerful engines use not only more pressure-resistant, but also "faster" alloys for the pistons. Unfortunately, a quick intervention in the engine control does not do that. The thermal capacity is exhausted, the piston weakened by operation in the overload range. In the worst case, it breaks through only in the fire - a capital engine damage is the result.
"As far as the damage is concerned, these only occur some time after the tuning. Usually there are problems after 50,000 to 80,000 km. Many then no longer own the vehicle and the subsequent owner often knows nothing of his luck. And then, in the case of many damages, they first drive to the workshop and then just swap them out. That the cause could be in the chip, many do not come to that - the tuner has said, it does not matter.
"And it is with great pleasure that the tuners (and not only those) spread that certain components are a wearing part - eg the turbocharger. [it]He is not! Turbos are broken by chiptuning or wrong handling. Previously, when turbos were the absolute exception, everyone knew that you drive a vehicle with turbo engine after the cold start best once in idle and the first 500m rather sneaks than drives to prevent the still cold turbo with a too high Exhaust gas temperature is confronted. Is also the reason why many who have a turbo damage often not only have one."
Not exactly sure what it means, but would the Dinan piggyback be altering the "thermal capacity" like driving your turbo car cold ("wrong handling")? Is that the underlying issue here? Is adding boost pressure through the sensor the same as tuning the car and altering the turbocharger?
Ironically, the article also said "Of course, this text does not apply to all engines. There are some manufacturers who assume that their engines are still properly styled by the owners. Especially good for Japanese products." Infiniti is Japanese, but... our car is not.
Interesting stuff here.
