EZ FLASH ECM cable...needed?

EzekeiL

EzekeiL

Member
Hey,

Going to be dropping money on the performance tune soon. Wanted to know...are there any other ECM cables besides the one that BNR sells that will work? I was looking around a little and...150 for a cable seems really steep. Unless its made of unobtainium...by thousands of little master craftsman wood elves...in the deepest and most mystical forrest. Ok, i think that's enough sarcasm.

I mean...its just a cable...so unless that one is specifically needed for the tune ima find one that is more competitively priced for a cable. Like maybe under 30 bucks. I am a student on a shoe string budget so the $120 i might save goes to my stomach...or more likely bills but i wish it would go to my stomach!

Anyone use a different cable with the tune and still have it work? Or is there some special mojo I dunno about?
 
SabreXray

SabreXray

New member
Not an econ major I see. Simple monopolistic competition model.

Buck up, they will rent you one for, wait for it... Free (after your deposit refund). Can't beat free!
 
sx sonic

sx sonic

New member
Yep gotta have the "red" cable It is a integral part of the tuning process and does more than just relay signals between your lap top and the ECM.

Another solution other than the rental, which requires $200 down (If I was forking over that money temporarily I'd rather buy the damn thing) and is refunded later, Is seeing if anyone nearby has a cable they will let you borrow. Freee and easy
 
SabreXray

SabreXray

New member
sx sonic said:
Yep gotta have the "red" cable It is a integral part of the tuning process and does more than just relay signals between your lap top and the ECM.

Another solution other than the rental, which requires $200 down (If I was forking over that money temporarily I'd rather buy the damn thing) and is refunded later, Is seeing if anyone nearby has a cable they will let you borrow. Freee and easy
Click to expand...

Good point, anyone in central Oklahoma want to help a poor Sabre out?
 
Swordsmith

Swordsmith

242hp/252 ft-lbs BNR EFI
The cable is not simply a cable, it is a cable with a computer chip in it that translates between your laptop and your OBDII port, which have a different number of pinouts and... well no, I don't really know why. Seems to me it would be better to design a cheaper cable and have the software do the translating. But that's not how it works.

Several times a year, BNR has a sale on the Trifecta tune which includes a free cable. If you're going premium tune, then borrowing one from BNR or even from someone on the forum probably isn't going to be convenient, as you'll want to flash the tune, data log, wait a few days (or even a couple weeks, depending on how fast they are getting back to people), flash again, log again, wait again, a couple iterations to "dial in" the tune, and then repeat the performance whenever you do some mods, and also may want to be able to flash back to stock before taking it in to the dealer for work, if you aren't telling them everything up front. A buddy in your hometown with a cable, sure, you only need it a few times a month... but a stranger hundreds of miles away, not so much.

Budget tune is canned, with no adjusting back and forth, so the only need for your own cable is that "flash back" issue. But the whole reason to pay extra for premium is to be able to dial in, so you need it a bunch of times.
 
BNRacing

BNRacing

Supporting Vendor
Guys this type of cable is required for tuning the ECM. It's not something Trifecta is out to monopolize. Before Trifecta came out with the red cable they were using the Tactrix Openport 2.0, which is $180 plus shipping. Trifecta's red cable is actually the cheapest around.

Before the tactrix they were using this- Trifecta Black Box Cable

It's not just a simple converter cable, there's a lot of processing that goes into it.
 
EzekeiL

EzekeiL

Member
well poop.... :sadbanana:

Yea, when I get the tune ima go with the premium so I would want the cable handy at all times for future tuning. Plus, as far as I can tell I haven't found anybody on this forum in South Jersey yet...lots of sonics around me, but all driven by the geriatrics community...

I was well aware that you could rent one btw...but thanks for the info SabreXray.

Trifecta's red cable is actually the cheapest around.
Click to expand...

So, there are other versions of this particular cable out there? Just wondering...what is the red cable? I assume someone else makes it and you just re-brand it? Sorry for the 20 questions...no need to answer if you don't want to, just curious.

I will have to do some more digging to see if I can find any of these answers on my own...jus cause I'm curious.

but now...bed.
 
L

laborsmith

New member
There is a cable which is about $50 plus shipping, which Trifecta will upgrade for about $100. The $50 version is able to receive the OBD II info but not write to the various computers. such as the engine control module. I once posted I thought there are seven computers and was corrected - can not remember how many but do remember I was wrong. Even the fuel pump has its own computer to regulate fuel pressure, if memory serves.

My suggestion, if you are interested in the premium tune, wait for a sale then you get the tune and the cable for the price of the tune. Sales are not fully predictable, but usually occur aound major holidays such as the Thanksgiving tp Christmas period. I would not be surprised if there is a one day or one weekend same associated with Independence Day, so be patient, monitor this board, and your time will come.

Laborsmith

I do not know when the next sale might take place and posted Independence Day based on following Trifecta before the first Sonic CTF rolled off the line.
 
EzekeiL

EzekeiL

Member
wasn't there also a cable sharing thread? search
Click to expand...

Cable sharing was discussed only a couple posts back. Read

Alright, thanks for the info labor. I just find it hard to believe that BNR has the only version of this cable unless its something proprietary, which they state it isn't. I wish I had some more time to search around but between work, school, the band, and my girl...I have no time :( barely find time to wash my car!! D:>

I don't have the money for the tune just yet so maybe I will just wait for the next sale...Seems like a lazy way out for me but it might be best to get their cable because at least I know it will work properly.
 
ftwphoto

ftwphoto

Member
EzekeiL said:
Alright, thanks for the info labor. I just find it hard to believe that BNR has the only version of this cable unless its something proprietary, which they state it isn't.
Click to expand...

I believe you can buy the cable from Trifecta directly, so it's not just BNR.
 
EzekeiL

EzekeiL

Member
Oh ok, gotcha, thanks, dunno why I was thinking BNR made the cable :d stupid me. Maybe I will put more effort into looking when I am ready for the tune.
 
barch88

barch88

New member
Sorry for the bump but I'm about to buy a Trifecta Tune and...

What's the difference between the EZFlash and the RED? Which do I need? One is $215 (RED), one is $150 (EZFlash). I have the 1.8 if it matters.
 
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L

laborsmith

New member
The red, the black and the clear when modded to support the Trifecta program are all E-Z Flash cables. I have listed them in order of newness.

The newest (red) supports the newest Trifecta programming.

Laborsmith
 
barch88

barch88

New member
So this one will work just fine on my 1.8 Sonic then? I guess they both say "RED" - but the price is different.

"Works on all 2008 or newer models"

Trifecta Red EZFlash Cable

The other one I was talking about, with the higher price tag. Is it just because you're renting one, and buying the other? I'd rather just buy it incase I need to data log...

BNR Trifecta RED Cable Rental
 
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