109: The Gap Between Reflashing and Standalone is Only Getting Smaller!

Tuned In

As cars become more and more complex and ECU reflashing technology becomes more advanced, the gap between sticking with a vehicle’s factory computer and going to an aftermarket standalone only gets narrower and a little less clear. On this episode of Tuned In, we dive into this topic, along with many others, with PCMTec’s Roland Harrison.
Use “PCMTEC50” to get 50% OFF our HPA Practical Reflash Course: https://hpcdmy.co/reflashb
As a co-owner and founder of PCMTec, Roland is extremely well versed in the world of reflashing, with the company traditionally focusing its efforts on the Australian market Ford Falcon platforms, which of course includes the famous four-litre Barra straight six. Recently though, PCMTec has been moving into the more global Ford market, offering advanced tuning options for Mustang, F150, and Explorer models.
It wasn’t always all about cars for Roland though, having spent a good majority of his working life in the oil and gas industry, calibrating and maintaining massive industrial engines and electrical systems. After learning all he could from the business, Roland, along with a business partner, decided to turn his hobby of messing around with reflashing into a business and full-time career.
Roland takes us through the whats, whys, and hows of making this transition — even spending some time discussing some of the more surprisingly interesting aspects of his work in oil and gas. With that said, the real meat and potatoes of this conversation come when Roland and host Andre Simon move into the world of reflashing, discussing all aspects of this sometimes very complicated field.
There’s a lot to learn here as Roland breaks down the process of creating a reflash solution for Ford’s sometimes extremely complex ECUs, as well as how they’ve added an impressive array of custom functionality to these computers, and more.
You’ll also find a great discussion around one of the main differences between most reflash options and standalone ECUs — live tuning, as well as map switching on the fly and plenty more.
PCMTech is currently offering solid discounts off its US DIY and Workshop Editor editions, and the deep dive development blog mentioned in this episode can be found here.
Follow PCMTec here:
IG: @pcmtec
FB: PCMTEC
YT: PCMTEC Tuning
WWW: pcmtec.com
Don’t forget, you can use “PCMTEC50” to get 50% OFF our HPA Practical Reflash Course: https://hpcdmy.co/reflashb
Time Stamps:
3:38 How did you get involved in the automotive scene?
5:40 Do you have any formal mechanical education?
13:28 PID algorithm cross over from oil and gas to auto industry
19:01 Mechanical issues vs software issues while tuning
23:25 Ziegler Nichols Method?
25:18 How did PCMTec come about?
42:25 Accessing parameters within the ECU based on the amount of modifications
44:36 Features you’ve added that weren’t available in the OE controller.
48:13 Reasons for re-flashing over standalone ECU
51:55 How do you add features into an OE controller
1:03:13 Overview of PCMTec today
1:09:22 Weighing up functionality options for software
1:13:25 Do you support live tuning or is it re-flash only?
1:24:25 How does your data logging work?
1:29:56 Are you providing any support for trans tuning?
1:34:13 Final three questions

Chapters

1. Custom Tune Development and Aftermarket Solutions (00:00:00)

2. Crossing Paths (00:05:26)

3. Understanding PID Control Tuning in Automotive (00:14:42)

4. Automotive Tuning Software Development Journey (00:22:55)

5. From Hobby to Successful Business Venture (00:35:18)

6. Scaling and Features in Automotive Tuning (00:38:45)

7. Aftermarket vs. Factory ECU Comparison (00:48:11)

8. Tuning Process and Business Expansion (01:01:30)

9. Reflashing Solutions (01:08:30)

10. Tuning and Data Logging Techniques (01:21:25)

11. Focus on Passion and Niche Markets (01:35:30)

12. High Performance Academy Review and Offers (01:42:30)