The weather and terrain conditions unique to the area you live in will also greatly affect the wear and tear of a car or truck engine.
Tuning the Engine Control Unit (ECU) can result in smoother engine operation, better horsepower, and better fuel economy. Therefore, many drivers are often interested in changing the engine control ECU to match their living circumstances.
However, changing the engine controller ECU also has many notes that you need to learn carefully to make the best choice. In addition, the cost of change is also a question many people ask. How much does an ECU tune cost? Let’s find out more details in the article below.
1. Why Should You Change The Engine Control Unit ECU?
The engine control unit or commonly known as the Engine Control Module (ECU) is your vehicle’s main engine computer chip.
The job of the ECU is to monitor how efficiently the engine is operating. ECU tuning allows you to decide which of the many variables that affect engine performance you want to prioritize to suit your intended use and needs.
The engine controller with more than 100 different elements and conditions to customize will make it possible for you to customize your car’s engine the way you want. You can customize the ECU to add more horsepower for towing or hauling if you’re using a truck and often have to transport heavy loads.
You can also customize the ECU to add more horsepower to the speed for smoother engine operation. In addition, changing the ECU will also help the engine operate smoothly, save fuel and reduce fuel emissions to the environment.
2. How Much Does An ECU Tune Cost?
Currently, there are many types of ECUs with different costs, their prices depend on the model of your car, your location, and the type of ECU you want to customize.
An ECU engine control unit will cost between $400-$1,500 for a mid-range car or truck. For expensive cars or race cars, their prices are around $600 to $3,200. If you require a new ECU chip, the cost will range from $150 to $1,600.
In addition, any costs associated with the car also come from the cost of labor in that area. As a result, we have an updated list of fluctuating costs when you make ECU customizations in specific regions.
With the Western United States, you will have to pay for each area such as Denver, Colorado – $195 an hour, Tuscon, Arizona – $400-$800, Los Angeles, California – $550-$720.
With the Midwest United States, the cost can be slightly higher as Kalamazoo, Michigan – $550-$850, Toledo, Ohio – $400-$900, Chicago, Illinois – $400-$900.
In the Eastern United States, the cost to customize the engine control ECU is relatively high such as Baltimore, Maryland – $775-$3,200, Jacksonville, Florida – $550-$725, Boston, Massachusetts – $600-$1,200.
3. Is Customizing An ECU Engine Controller Legal In The US?
It is perfectly legal to customize the ECU engine control unit in the United States under current regulations and laws. However, one aspect where customizing the engine control ECU can get you into trouble in certain areas is emissions.
Local car manufacturers in each region had to design and manufacture cars based on common emission regulations. Therefore, adjusting the ECU to increase horsepower to help the vehicle move faster and smoother can also cause increased emissions and cause you to violate traffic laws.
Therefore, before making ECU customizations, you should consider and refer to the regulations on emissions and travel speeds in your area.
4. What Are The Risks When Customizing The Engine Control ECU?
One of the biggest risks when you change the settings of the engine control unit ECU is breaking the engine manufacturer’s warranty.
In particular, you should be aware that adjusting the ECU to any of its engine performance limits can result in serious damage to the engine and other components.
Changing the engine control ECU settings is also a complicated software change, so you need to consider a reputable site to do this.
5. What Are The Notes When Taking Your Car To The Store?
You should know that this is an important change because it will affect the operation of the engine and all problems related to your car.
Therefore, you need to consider and clarify the following issues before allowing a repairman to customize the ECU engine control unit.
- You will need to give accurate product updates, vehicle model, year, and any aftermarket performance updates. This will help you to check if the customization affects the warranty and after-sales policy from the manufacturer.
- Show the exact performance changes you’re looking for so staff can advise you in detail.
- You need to clearly describe the driving conditions, the location, the weather, and the purpose for which you want to customize the engine control unit. The repair professionals will be able to offer you a more suitable solution for your car.
- You also need to provide more information about how often you use your car for daily commuting or racing to provide the most appropriate ECU customization.
- In addition, you will also need to be clear about how much of a risk your vehicle is to tuning changes from the engine settings. Listen to the advice from the technician and clearly state your intended use to get the best choice.
Summary
Customizing the ECU engine control unit offers many speed and fuel benefits if you live in certain areas. However, changing engine settings is a complex matter involving system software and the entire car’s mechanics. Therefore, it needs to be carefully considered and done in specialized shops.
Changing the engine control unit may also affect the manufacturer’s warranty or after-sales policy. In particular, it may also violate traffic regulations on emissions or engine speed in certain areas.
Therefore, you need to carefully consider the relevant information before deciding to change your car’s engine settings. If you have any queries or questions, feel free to leave them below in the comments section.