VF HEX TCU tune vs. GTS TCU flash by Alex@Alpine

[Rx7andy]

What are the differences between these? Can both be done to the car at the same time?

[EBM4]

Bump +1 I want to know also. In addition what WHP will the VF TCU flash hold.

[itsdg]

+1 It would be good to get some insight from VF Engineering about this?

[hdubf80]

i was thinking the same thing. Very different price points.

[JDE92M3]

I remember during the E90/92/93 days there were shops offering the M3 GTS DCT SW for sometimes double/triple price of Alex@Alpine. But I'm not sure if it's the same case for the F80 chassis.

JD

[Rx7andy]

The reason I ask is because VF TCU flash has to be done onsite accessing the TCU in the tranny while it seems Alex can do his TCU flash remotely so perhaps they are different types of tune?

[M3CLESS]

subscribed

[A Frankfurt]

Originally Posted by Rx7andy

The reason I ask is because VF TCU flash has to be done onsite accessing the TCU in the tranny while it seems Alex can do his TCU flash remotely so perhaps they are different types of tune?

The VF TCU flash is done remotely as well.
The vehicle would need a specific OBD-Ethernet cable and a stable voltage supply.
I just programmed a F82 M4 with VF HEX Tune for both the ECU with GTS features and TCU tune.
The ECU had to be removed of course but the GTS features and the TCU programming was all done remotely.

[F80R]

Wait so you can do GTS features and TCU tune without removing The ECU just through OBD2 ? I'm confused .. Thnx

[A Frankfurt]

Originally Posted by F80R

Wait so you can do GTS features and TCU tune without removing The ECU just through OBD2 ? I'm confused .. Thnx

You will have to verify the GTS features with Alex @ Alpine
VF does not sell the GTS features separately
But, it is done before removing the ECU. That and the TCU tuning are both done thru the OBD port.

So if Alex is capable of adding the GTS ECU features alone then my only question would be if the ECU gets a performance flash from a company, are the features lost or would then need to be added after the performance tuning.
I'm sure the can do the TCU programming separate on its own.
2 different control modules.

[///F80M3]

Originally Posted by F80R

Wait so you can do GTS features and TCU tune without removing The ECU just through OBD2 ? I'm confused .. Thnx

Nope. The gts dct update is from bmw. U don't have to unlock anything.

[F80R]

That's kool so I'm going to get GTS TCU tune .. Anyone got one can share some light is there a noticble difference?

[jeff@autocouture]

Originally Posted by F80R

That's kool so I'm going to get GTS TCU tune .. Anyone got one can share some light is there a noticble difference?

If anyone is looking for the GTS DCT Software we do on site flashing with Alex@Alpine, Feel free to shoot me a pm to set it up

[G35POPPEDMYCHERRY]

yall sell them burbles?

[Bvt13]

I'm still a little unclear, is it possible to tune the burbles, start up "roar" and GTS TCU all remotely? Or is only the TCU tune remote and the others must be done via ECU removal.

[CaryTheLabelGuy]

Originally Posted by Bvt13

I'm still a little unclear, is it possible to tune the burbles, start up "roar" and GTS TCU all remotely? Or is only the TCU tune remote and the others must be done via ECU removal.

It's the latter. The TCU flash can be done remotely and the DME upgrades (more boost, GTS/ZCP features) has to be done on a bench (requires DME removal).

[kitesurfer]

Whats the Consensus is the Hex TCU flash the same as the GTS TCU flash offered by Alex @Alpine and others?

[CaryTheLabelGuy]

Originally Posted by kitesurfer

Whats the Consensus is the Hex TCU flash the same as the GTS TCU flash offered by Alex @Alpine and others?

No one knows, but I have my suspicions.

[VF-Engineering]

Originally Posted by Bvt13

I'm still a little unclear, is it possible to tune the burbles, start up "roar" and GTS TCU all remotely? Or is only the TCU tune remote and the others must be done via ECU removal.

I think the confusion is that this conversation has touched on different products, which may offer similar features, but do so through different methods of updating/flashing/etc...

The HEX Tuning ECU and TCU software options are not available remotely, and do require the vehicle to be present at VF Engineering, or a Certified VF Engineering Installation Center.

These are full software re-calibrations that were described as offering 'GTS' features, but should not be confused with coding options or factory BMW updates which are offered for the BMW ZCP and GTS optioned vehicles.

[Alex@Alpine]

Hi guys.

Please understand that the DCT (transmission) has its own standalone ECU (Electronic Control Unit) and the motor has its own ECU.

The features most of you guys speak of like burble, start up roar, and etc are all located inside of the motor ECU (not transmission/DCT.) I believe for this your ECU would have to first be shipped to VF, opened, flashed and patched then in the future you can make changes yourself with their tuning cable (I.E. Different maps, stock map.) I do not offer these tuning services currently and you guys would need to contact VF or other tuners who currently offer this service.

I am not sure what VF offers for the DCT flash. But I am sure they can do it remotely without shipping the ECU in for the transmission.

Our GTS DCT flash can be done remotely worldwide no problem.

This will not be offered by BMW as an update.

[Arcades]

I'm still a bit confused though.

Is the ZCP update available for cars pre ZCP? I been looking to do this since I don't want to do the full VF flash. I don't need all that power.

[VF-Engineering]

Originally Posted by Arcades

I'm still a bit confused though.

Is the ZCP update available for cars pre ZCP? I been looking to do this since I don't want to do the full VF flash. I don't need all that power.

I don't believe this is something that can be accomplished as an "update".

As far as our HEX Tuning Features Only software, this will be released very soon. I see that you're located in Los Angeles, so feel free to PM or e-mail and I can get you set up right away, pre-official release.

It will include all of the "GTS" like features as our Stage ONE/TWO/TWO+ software, just without the change in power level.

In the future if you want to upgrade and/or switch between the various performance Stage Levels, or go back to stock, this can all be accomplished through the OBDII Port.