FRPP PP2 Second Owner Difficulties

[FishHeavyIndustries]

Hello everyone -- new to Mustangs, but not to playing DIY mechanic/tuner on other platforms.

I purchased a 2017 GT PP1 from a dealership last year, not really thinking too much about visible modification (CAI/exhaust). Realized after some time that I had purchased a car with FRPP PP2 installed. The prior owner did not leave behind any information, stock parts, or PP2 content.

In my infinite wisdom, I decided I would purchase PP2 including the ProCal license, then re-sell the unused hard parts.

Sounded good, worked out poorly. In practice, ProCal will not do much of anything with what is currently in the PCM. It will not download the FRPP PP2 calibration, because it's already there. FRPP, via email, was able to confirm that much -- HR3A-SEMA2M-5PB is installed and is correct for PP2.

Problems as I see them:

• I cannot revert to stock, as ProCal's workflow assumes I'm starting from stock and creates a backup for me to use in the future.
• I cannot use ProCal to configure what little there is to configure (tire size and especially Octane Adjust are important). The Configuration tab is not available, as it's kind of stuck -- it will not download the PP2 calibration, because it's already on the PCM, but it also will not configure it.
• I have no idea if OA is enabled. I don't have access to 93.

Things I've tried:

• Bought a SVCI J2534 VCMII clone in the interest of using IDS to flash back to as-built temporarily: This failed, because piracy/blacklisting of clone SN.
• Tried using PCMflash to flash back to as-built temporarily: This failed, I bought the wrong (very expensive mistake) module, despite the website being incorrect. No refunds.
• Calling and emailing FRPP: [Useless mouthbreathing intensifies]

Thinking out loud on things I have not tried:

• Would OA be configurable by something like FORScan?
• Would a freelancer w/ legit IDS in my area potentially stop by to flash back to as-built?
• Do I just abort mission and go with a reliable 3rd party tune? Car has super low miles (11k) but warranty is soon to be up based on time.

I'd really like to leverage what I have already purchased if at all possible. Thanks for the ideas and help in advance.

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[IamCDNJosh]

Can you take it to the dealer, have them reflash the PCM back to stock then reload the PP2 flash?

 

[FishHeavyIndustries]

That is a possibility I was thinking about but didn't list in the OP. I suppose if I could find a Ford dealer that would be willing to do it, yes. I'd have to wait until the salt is off the roads, and I'm not a particularly patient man. I'd understand if a dealer said no, it's kind of a weird liability to take on.

Would it even lot drive with the PP2 gear on it? I assume they'd want it out of their way as soon as it was reflashed. Maybe they'd be nice and do it in their lot.

I hate dealers, man. I don't have a relationship with any around here, which is also unfortunate.

 

[IamCDNJosh]

Due to the GT350 body the car likely would be undrivable with the factory flash. My local dealer (also a roush dealer) is able to load Ford Performance as well as Roush tune vouchers.

 

[shogun32]

ask the dealer who sold you the car to reach out to the previous owner and get the gear he forgot to include. why not just run the tune you have? Unless you're just going to drag race it or bounce it off the limiter, throw 91 in it and just drive it. The tune doesn't' just blow up because the user-supplied inputs don't match reality.

93 gas is not the same everywhere - it's just a suggestion for the tune as to how wide to set certain limits. If the knock or other logic tries to advance and your engine says 'nyet' because shitty 93 fuel or you're running 91 it'll dial things back all on it's own.

 

[rileythemustangguy]

ask the dealer who sold you the car to reach out to the previous owner and get the gear he forgot to include. why not just run the tune you have? Unless you're just going to drag race it or bounce it off the limiter, throw 91 in it and just drive it. The tune doesn't' just blow up because the user-supplied inputs don't match reality.

93 gas is not the same everywhere - it's just a suggestion for the tune as to how wide to set certain limits. If the knock or other logic tries to advance and your engine says 'nyet' because shitty 93 fuel or you're running 91 it'll dial things back all on it's own.

To add to this, the OA option is only there if you have problems when running without it selected. The install instructions say not to check it unless you receive a DTC for it. I don't have it checked and run 92, as that's the highest available near me, and haven't had any problems. Although I 100% understand wanting to have the ProCal software actually set up in a way that you can utilize it.

 

[Jackson1320]

So you just need to have anyone retune the car well if you were closer I could help you out. I could tune it with hptuners for the license fee($100) and your good. The dealership will tune it back to stock if you ask them to and release them from any liabilities for like $50

 

[FishHeavyIndustries]

Unless you're just going to drag race it or bounce it off the limiter, throw 91 in it and just drive it. The tune doesn't' just blow up because the user-supplied inputs don't match reality. ... it'll dial things back all on it's own.

Appreciate that insight. I just want to drive the thing to work, no delusions of grandeur.

To add to this, the OA option is only there if you have problems when running without it selected. The install instructions say not to check it unless you receive a DTC for it. I don't have it checked and run 92, as that's the highest available near me, and haven't had any problems. Although I 100% understand wanting to have the ProCal software actually set up in a way that you can utilize it.

Huh, I actually did RTFM this time and didn't catch that part. But, yes, I'd like to actually be able to use the software.

So you just need to have anyone retune the car well if you were closer I could help you out. I could tune it with hptuners for the license fee($100) and your good. The dealership will tune it back to stock if you ask them to and release them from any liabilities for like $50

Will HPTuners reflash a Ford issued VBF file? I've got a buddy that is already set up for HPT for his GM garbage ;)

 

[Grimreaper]

Yes it will allow you to tune the frpp2 tune. No it does not access the VID plug for the octane adjuste feature though. Only procal can access that.

You do not need the OA if you tune with hp tuners. You can manually remove the timing in a few areas if needed.

 

[Brazos609]

Yes it will allow you to tune the frpp2 tune.

So HP can modify a Power Pack 1/2/3 tune for certain things? What if I just wanted to raise the hard rev limiter to 8000RPM just to give a larger buffer, I wouldn't actually plan on reving past 7500RPM. If the Ford Racing tune is meant to be limited to 7200RPM what would happen between 7200-7500RPM? Would you have to write "maps" for that RPM range? I may not be using the best terms but I hope you get my idea.

 

[Grimreaper]

Correct hp tuners can modify the frpp tunes with out issue. The software is free to download and you can download tunes that people share on their forums as well. Several frpp2 tunes floating around. You can look at all the areas you have access to for free before you buy.

The ecu uses the last defined data point if there aren't any more. So if timing map stops at 6800rpm in the tune, it keeps using the value at that 6800rpm point on to 7200 or 8000rpm. Alternatively you can rescale the maps to reflect a different rpm range as well

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