Goose Tune now available

[JustNick]

Then why are there hundreds of other platforms out there where experienced tuners (like Cobb for example) flash the factory ECU?

Because they use significantly weaker encryption, have a security flaw, or don't any encryption at all. It's not like the old days where the ECUs don't have a network of computers connected to it locally, and at least one of which is connected to the internet. There are a lot of security reasons to lock down an ecu, mostly preventing hackers from causing damage or controlling things like the throttle while you're actively driving. This platform not being cracked yet should be expected with modern security needs

From what I've seen tuners aren't usually the ones cracking the ECU, it's the tuner software companies with a team of network and hardware engineers that figure it out. Example is on the Audi platform, only a single company has figured out how to flash the ecu on a 2019+ A6. It's not as simple as plug a laptop into the obd2 port and run hack_this_truck.exe

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[MidnightSpecial]

Because they use significantly weaker encryption, have a security flaw, or don't any encryption at all. It's not like the old days where the ECUs don't have a network of computers connected to it locally, and at least one of which is connected to the internet. There are a lot of security reasons to lock down an ecu, mostly preventing hackers from causing damage or controlling things like the throttle while you're actively driving. This platform not being cracked yet should be expected with modern security needs

From what I've seen tuners aren't usually the ones cracking the ECU, it's the tuner software companies with a team of network and hardware engineers that figure it out. Example is on the Audi platform, only a single company has figured out how to flash the ecu on a 2019+ A6. It's not as simple as plug a laptop into the obd2 port and run hack_this_truck.exe

That doesn't seem right.

I was watching this show Mr. Robot and it should take like 1.5 minutes tops. We just don't have the right people on it.

 

[Goosetuned]

Because they use significantly weaker encryption, have a security flaw, or don't any encryption at all. It's not like the old days where the ECUs don't have a network of computers connected to it locally, and at least one of which is connected to the internet. There are a lot of security reasons to lock down an ecu, mostly preventing hackers from causing damage or controlling things like the throttle while you're actively driving. This platform not being cracked yet should be expected with modern security needs

From what I've seen tuners aren't usually the ones cracking the ECU, it's the tuner software companies with a team of network and hardware engineers that figure it out. Example is on the Audi platform, only a single company has figured out how to flash the ecu on a 2019+ A6. It's not as simple as plug a laptop into the obd2 port and run hack_this_truck.exe

Great answer, this is correct!

 

[Goosetuned]

Then why are there hundreds of other platforms out there where experienced tuners (like Cobb for example) flash the factory ECU?

COBB is not a tuner, COBB is a performance company with many positions within the company. Like reverse engineers and security engineers.

They also have customer service representatives and a shipping department. None of those few positions are tuners

 

[John B]

Experienced tuners crack the factory coding.

I really try to stay out of online drama, and give everyone the benefit of the doubt. But really, your statement is totally wrong on so many levels. Even the group that works closely with Ford (Livernois) has not yet accessed the most recent ecu encryption. Please be open to the validity of what others say.

 

[hand-filer]

Who’s your go to for tuning?

He installed the Ford performance calibration all by himself. That makes him an expert. Absolute legend in his own mind.

 

[AlpineBike]

I really try to stay out of online drama, and give everyone the benefit of the doubt. But really, your statement is totally wrong on so many levels. Even the group that works closely with Ford (Livernois) has not yet accessed the most recent ecu encryption. Please be open to the validity of what others say.

Even the last generation Ranger ECU is cracked and flashed by many tuners.
No need for an ECU swap.
Same with the last gen F150 Raptor, etc. etc.

 

[DaStockST]

Even the last generation Ranger ECU is cracked and flashed by many tuners.
No need for an ECU swap.
Same with the last gen F150 Raptor, etc. etc.

You are correct but the 25’s are not. Can you name one tuner that has “cracked” the 25 ECU’s? No, because there isn’t one. There are only two tuners offering ECU Swaps which is giving us an option until Cobb and HP Tuners are able to unlock the encrypted ECU’s. The 25 Explorer ST’s have the same issue.

 

[John B]

Even the last generation Ranger ECU is cracked and flashed by many tuners.
No need for an ECU swap.
Same with the last gen F150 Raptor, etc. etc.

Since no one has "cracked" the 2025 explorer st, and the 24+ raptors, an ecu swap is the only available option other than the ones available thru Ford Performance. That is a factual statement. Those not wanting Ford Performance tune or an ecu swap will be waiting, maybe for quite a while. That is a speculative statement, most likely true based on availabe facts. You don't need to respond to me as I'm done entertaining your contrariness. There is just nothing else to say on this topic unless you can provide a list of tuners who have actually cracked these ECUs

 

[DaStockST]

Since no one has "cracked" the 2025 explorer st, and the 24+ raptors, an ecu swap is the only available option other than the ones available thru Ford Performance. That is a factual statement. Those not wanting Ford Performance tune or an ecu swap will be waiting, maybe for quite a while. That is a speculative statement, most likely true based on availabe facts. You don't need to respond to me as I'm done entertaining your contrariness. There is just nothing else to say on this topic unless you can provide a list of tuners who have actually cracked these ECUs

I’ll answer for him. Here’s the list:
1.
2.
3.

 

[AlpineBike]

Since no one has "cracked" the 2025 explorer st, and the 24+ raptors, an ecu swap is the only available option other than the ones available thru Ford Performance. That is a factual statement. Those not wanting Ford Performance tune or an ecu swap will be waiting, maybe for quite a while. That is a speculative statement, most likely true based on availabe facts. You don't need to respond to me as I'm done entertaining your contrariness. There is just nothing else to say on this topic unless you can provide a list of tuners who have actually cracked these ECUs

My point, as stated in my first post, is that this is an extremely expensive way to get ~20hp more than the FP tune.
I’m sure a reputable tuning company will crack the 6G Ranger ECU’s in the next year or 2…

If you’re going to spend thousands of $’s and replace the ECU, atleast go standalone and have some real tuning flexibility and motorsport features!

 

[dmac72]

Seeing both of these two (you know who they are) in one thread at the same time is wild. A flurry of arrogance and condescension that's almost incomprehensible.

Anyyyyway.... my question is (I know nothing about tuning) a clarification request: so at some point, the stock ECU can be "hacked/cracked" (for lack of a better word) and be messed with, but for some period of time in the meantime, the ECU would have to be completely replaced by an aftermarket one for certain tuning capabilities?

I have the FP tune, and I'm wondering what my options are (generally) if I wanted a tune that would squeeze some more juice out of the engine. Thanks in advance!

 

[Goosetuned]

Seeing both of these two (you know who they are) in one thread at the same time is wild. A flurry of arrogance and condescension that's almost incomprehensible.

Anyyyyway.... my question is (I know nothing about tuning) a clarification request: so at some point, the stock ECU can be "hacked/cracked" (for lack of a better word) and be messed with, but for some period of time in the meantime, the ECU would have to be completely replaced by an aftermarket one for certain tuning capabilities?

I have the FP tune, and I'm wondering what my options are (generally) if I wanted a tune that would squeeze some more juice out of the engine. Thanks in advance!

I'm not sure who you're referencing but I'm happy to answer your questions.

1. I think some day it will be cracked, but right now we're stuck with a swap unfortunately.
2. The ECU swap is actually the same hardware, just less security features that allows us to unlock for read/write access. So it is an OEM ECU, just older security.

Sure thing, that's always the goal! I feel like this capability is nice because there is no limit as to what you can do with parts/tuning. The FP tune is somewhat limited in that they may never offer tuning for things like bigger turbos where custom tuning is a great option.

 

[pablo94sc]

Here's a question that is about cracking the ECU. Since FRPP has a programmer that works, would that be easier to crack; upload a custom tune to the FRPP programmer and install it that way? Or maybe use it to figure out a backdoor to flash the stock ECU? I'm sure it has some key embedded in it, hardware or software, that allows flashing of the ECU. Maybe that's naive, but it popped in my head and figured I'd ask.

 

[dmac72]

I'm not sure who you're referencing but I'm happy to answer your questions.

1. I think some day it will be cracked, but right now we're stuck with a swap unfortunately.
2. The ECU swap is actually the same hardware, just less security features that allows us to unlock for read/write access. So it is an OEM ECU, just older security.

Sure thing, that's always the goal! I feel like this capability is nice because there is no limit as to what you can do with parts/tuning. The FP tune is somewhat limited in that they may never offer tuning for things like bigger turbos where custom tuning is a great option.

Oh, not you at all, man. Just two trolls with superiority complexes who magically appear in thread after thread, being condescending and dumb, and don't abide by generally accepted social norms like the rest of us.

Thank you for the answers! That is helpful to understand. With wireless tech what it is these days (including wi-fi, bluetooth, etc), does the aftermarket ECU (with "less security" as you said) present any security risks from that standpoint? Of people being able to more easily unlock my vehicle or anything like that? These might be dumb questions (which I'm fine with, lol) but I am new to all of this.

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