Lorenfb

Here're pictures of a performance upgrade done to a 996 DME ECM which
failed and was replaced by one of the local SoCal Porsche dealers that I work
with.

The 1st is the front side of the DME ECM which looks O.K.
The back side is the Mickey Mouse mod.
The final picture is the modified back cover to make room for the Mickey Mouse
chip attachment.

A very costly upgrade for the 996 owner, i.e. the initial mod (~$750-$1000) and
the replacement (>$1000).

slaaw

Why is it a "mickey mouse" mod? Piggy backing a chip is done in many applications to modify the program in a chip. Perhaps there was a problem with the installation that caused the DME to fail.

spiderv6

why didn't you just post "buy one of our mods".

That is what you meant, no?

LVDell

I'm confused. Why was this thread started?

wrljet

Advertising.

michael.s.under

Doesnt sound like an advertisement. It sounds like a jab at this mod.

Porsche_Smile

hmmmmmmmmm?

Lorenfb

"why didn't you just post "buy one of our mods"

No!!!!!!!!!

"It sounds like a jab at this mod."

You got it.

We don't do ANY type of DME mods and highly recommend against doing such.
If you do a Rennlist search, you'll find that's the case. Even simple changes such
as an EPROM R/R via a socketed chip we discourage. The thread was posted
as insightful info for those that allow someone "possession" of their DME ECM
for a performance upgrade.

The worst is the "piggy-back" type because they usually "butcher" the PCB, and thus
are very unreliable because of this. Furthermore, OBDII cars (late 993s and up)
have enough problems wthout some Mickey Mouse mod to provide questionable
performance enhancement.

The bottom line is that Porsche/Bosch tunes their engines for the best all-around
performance even when one considers the typical hyperbole from the tuners.
For those that wish to waste their money or are unconcerned about reliability,
buy another DME ECM to keep as a spare when you get stuck in a remote location
and the immobilizer fails to communicate with the DME ECM and the engine won't
start.

Chuck Jones

Folks need to read the threads a little more carefully to grasp the real meaning and intent behind the particular posting before your "ready-fire-aim" comments. This one was a warning against butchering your DME, not an attempt to sell a product or service.

Thanks Loren for the info.

chuck

hwk72

Loren, maybe it's a stupid question but I'm confused with the abbreviations, so does this mean that you do not recommend any ECU upgrade (re-programming) like GIAC or do we talk here about different mods?

wrljet

That's one interpretation; maybe the correct one. That ECU doesn't look like top quality work, for sure.

But you've never heard of negative advertising based on fear, uncertainty, and doubt?

Bill

spiderv6

yeah, sure

Lorenfb

"it's a stupid question but I'm confused with the abbreviations, so does this mean that you do not recommend any ECU upgrade (re-programming) like GIAC"

That's correct! I get slammed a lot because of this view, as one can tell by reading some Rennlist
posts and my website. But having been in the Porsche repair business both at the independent and
dealer levels for over 15 years, I dislike seeing Porsche owners get "taken down the path" and
having to deal with costly repairs in the long term.

Here's a 993 DME ECM damaged by a performance mod:

https://rennlist.com/forums/993-forum/338261-993-dme-modification-for-tuning.html

vwrado

What is the percentage of people with these failures? Also, I would like to compare it with people have have had ECU upgrade success.

Lorenfb

"What is the percentage of people with these failures?"

Do a poll! I know I wouldn't let my Porsche be modified by someone in a remote location
with little to no recourse. There're enough problems with local flaky Porsche repair shops
that screw-up the car by doing a minor service. These late cars are so complex and problematic
even without mods.

Bottom line: Are the potential problems really worth the marginal, at best, performance gain?