Forum Member Airdata (Sam) has been in contact with Rene from Upsolute about a discount for a volume purchase. He has decided to wait, and asked me if I would post this to the group.

Here is the information he received from Rene at Upsolute:

No hassle Sam, get ten guys, that will ship their ECU's where I direct
them to, and we will offer a $50.00 discount, cost will be $350.00 plus
shipping unless they have a distributor local to them, this will be for
the first ten only who sign up, no more, no less. I must have their list
of names and locations.

Regards,

Rene

I am waiting to hear what the increase in mpg is from WM before I make up my mind, since that would be my reason to upgrade. I am happy with the performance of my car as it is.

But this does sound like a good deal.

OK, it is time to make a decision. Who is in? The first ten that sign on will be it. If I don't hear good mpg numbers, then I will pass, and number 11 can have my spot.

 

Sounds like a good deal!!! How long will we be without the ECU? I read it is soldered in and should be done by someone with some experience with that kind of work. What do you think... is it a DIY kinda thing or not?

 

My understanding is that the chip is soldered in, but the entire ECU is just connected by some cables that can be disconnected. Would have to get some more info on that from the people at Upsolute.

I figure the time frame would be three days. 1 day to Fed-Ex the ECU to the dealer, 1 day to upgrade, and 1 day to Fed Ex back to us. I would call the dealer that I get assigned to first, to set it all up. If he could do the upgrade and ship back the same day, it would only be two days.

The only concern would be if the ECU is returned, and it does not work....

 

Thanks.... keep us posted. Closest dealer from Phoenix is in LA, a six hour ride.

 

I'm in... there are 2 distributors in NJ that are close to me. I don't want to ship out the chip because the Crossfire is my only car...

 

The person Rene had me talk to in Dallas said it would take 2-3 days. One day shipping there, make the update and should be able to ship it back out the same day. But Rene said he would pick the dealers to do it unless you live near a dealer. He also said the price for shipping back was $25.00 for overnight Fed Ex. Of course that cost would depend how you want it shipped.

So, using his shipping costs the total would be $25+$25+$350=$400...the original cost of the update itself. For those that live near a dealer it would be $350.00

I have decided to wait as my car is not broke in yet. But, I will probably do it at a later time.

You pull your ECU out and send it to them.

Here is the Dallas person's info:

Jason Upchurch
UPsolute DFW
Kraut-Burner Performance
www.kraut-burners.com 817.501.2635

(hehe...Kraut Buners!)

Good luck and let me know how it goes!!!

Sam

 

Instructions on how to pull your ECU are here:
http://www.renntechmercedes.com/instructions/ECURem.pdf
They don't list Crossfire in the applicability, perhaps the "SL" instructions apply?

 

I took a look at the Crossfire Manual on CD-ROM. The instructions look very similar. I will try to post those pages from the manual.

This module really controls alot of the car. I am a bit worried about taking it out, and mailing it somewhere, and then re-installing it. The worry is, what happens if it does not work? Bobbafett problems have me concerned.....

 

As anyone would be. It's not for the faint of heart to pull the brain out of their car, send it somewhere for surgery, and then put it back in. I was willing (and able due to location) to go a local shop and have it done, it was worth the $50 extra I paid IMHO. Mailing away my ECU is what kept me from considering Renntech or PowerChip, the $300-500 cost savings was a bonus. I wish everyone had the option... Cyril drove several hours to get his done, and noticed the difference on the trip back home.

 

The chip is secured if you mail the whole ECU box. It's easy to remove it, just be extra carefull and don"t try to push things TOO MUCH! The chip is soldered to the motherboard and needs special tools like the heater gun and soldering rod to remove it..it takes some technical skills and experience to do that....which I won't do or bother trying it at all. It'll take Jason probably 15 minutes for each ECU to be flashed.

WARNING: DONT REMOVE YOUR BATTERY TERMINALS! It may be a myth that your car won't start if you removed them but I won't risk it at all

 

The very first instruction in the Crossfire Manual for the removal of the Powertrain Control Module (Their name for the ECU) says to disconnect the negative battery terminal......

I am in the computer business, and have no fear of removing the ECU, or even unsoldering and resoldering the chip. My concern is what do I do if I get it back together and it doesn't work. I am worried that finger pointing will start to happen. D/C says it is Upsolute's problem, and Upsolute says it is a D/C problem, and I am in the middle with a bobbymobile....

It may be worth a 3 or 4 hour drive to have them do it directly at an Upsolute dealer.

 

I thought it strange that the Renntech site didn't mention disconnecting the battery... I'm a big fan of disabling incoming electrical current before working on stuff :P My Upsolute delear was up front with me about having to disconnect the battery, and that the stero might become deprogrammed and require a reset via a code from my DC dealer. But it came back fine, and he even reset the clock 8) on the dash (Wes' guy didn't :P ).

I hear ya. I guess one option is to not mention to DC what you've done, and let the warranty replace the ECU. Not the most honest approach though. ops:

 

Don't let the dealers remove the ECU too :lol:

 

OK, if there is room left I am in... but only if I can use the Tampa, FL distributor (I am in Sanford, FL).

I was unable to get a response from the distributor via email but maybe the higher ups will have better luck.

Thanks, Jay

 

I am definately in on the Upsolute upgrade... I will drive down to Los Angeles to get mine done however.
Please let me know asap the details as I am eager to get the mod soon!

Hope everyone is having as much fun with their X-Fire as I am!!!

 

I am in for this deal only if I can use Scott Ramsey in Mass. I will also wait until someone with a six speed has been done so I do not have to return for a second visit. If these terms are OK, I am in.

Steve

kiptech@earthlink.net

 

Anyone in Washington interested in doing this contact John Betz at BBM in Auburn. Quoted me $325 +sh; I can drive mine there, so it's a pretty good deal

Bahn Brenner Motorsport, llc
3420 C Street NE Ste. 301
Auburn, WA 98002
tel: 253.833.2299 X102
fax: 253.735.9561
email john@bahnbrenner.com

 

After reading WM's mileage post, I have decided to pass, so someone else can take my place.

I was hoping to see a 10%-15% improvement in mileage. But it is only up about 5%-6%.

It is just too long of a payback time for a car upgrade....

I got the same mileage improvement just by changing over to K&N filters, which cost less than $100.

 

I am in....if there is still a slot available. As per my profile I am in SoCal so I'll ship the ECU via Crossfire Express to the folks in LA.
Send me an e-mail with the details please.

 

Has anyone had their chip done .dan root ventura,8057019017