Stating that it's "not all it's cracked up to be" without supporting information is worthless. Have YOU used the AEM? I have, every day for 6 months - works great. Closed loop auto-fuel mapping (using a W/B O2) and soon to be released traction control are just two of the many reasons I chose the AEM and I doubt I'll regret it anytime soon.
The AEM isn't hard to program, I'm no engineer and yet my car runs fine. My time is valuable to me and while I'd love to have enough time to design my own system or build someone else's it's not going to happen.
My fun is in the tuning and getting max power\economy not in figuring out what just locked up my realtime OS while driving down the freeway some cold night. If you think the "AEM can be hard to tune" then go right ahead and design your own system. And then tune it. Heck, just get it to start from a bare bones baseline. I think you'll very quickly find out just what "hard to tune" is indeed! Just wait, you'll see.
In my case potentially melting a many thousand dollar engine to save the $1300 purchase price of an aftermarket ECU was insane - but hey, have it your way (ahem). You would be tuning that Civic NOW if you were running an AEM (shrug).
For those interested in this sort of thing the AEM software is available for free on the site I linked before which is an EXCELLENT support forum - not demo software either. The software is based on the GEMS EMS software which is a UK company I'm told. You can also check out the DFI demo off of my site - www.blkmgk.com - the software is buried in the pictures section I think (doh!). I think you'll find that DFI has no such support forum. Nor does Haltech to my knowledge. Or Electromotive. Or FAST. MOTEC apparently had one but I'm unable to find it. MOTEC's software is available from their site and is supposed to be pretty good now that they've moved to a Windows (GUI) platform. The AEM is comparable to MOTEC in features and priced WAY below their insane pricepoint...
And in fact BMW has denied more than one engine warranty claim based on data downloaded. IMO this is CRAP especially when it was later found that BMW had produced DEFECTIVE engines. Nothing like having $10K worth of repairs denied huh?
http://members.roadfly.com/jason/m3engines.htm As for creating a replacement engine management system - why do this yourself? AEM sells a PnP unit for qyuite a few vehicles and has just started. When done they'll have covered a TON of various models and makes. Drives my Supra daily to and from work just fine:-)
http://www.aempower.com/bbs/
Want to get scared? Do some research into the proposed OBD-III engine management spec. Pay particular attention to those things proposed that didn't make it into this round of engine management stuff. Remote shutoff of your car anyone? some of the things our politicians wanted added are frightening!
P.S. There are stories of GM having DL'ed crash data from Corvette's in the past to defend themselves against lawsuits. Don't know if it's true or not but these rumors have existed for YEARS now.
Funny, most of MY friends in the area are selling their townhouses and smaller houses and moving INTO much BIGGER homes - making a fortune at it too. What they don't seem to realize is that while their home has gone up in value so has everyone else's so moving up right now and staying in this area probably isn't that bright an idea but.....
My home is over 10years old and MINE. If I want a nicer one I'll improve this one - the mortgage is low:-)
Having said that - my 401K is decimated. I was up over $100K and am now looking at maybe $30K in that account. I have a second account with a more diverse portfolio that's doing pretty good compared to the other thanks to my employrer but nowhere near good enough to make up for the YEARS worth of losses in the other account. I have to laugh when people say it's not really gone until you sell but when companies go under it's REALLY gone! My girlfriend's 401K is even worse since she started out with more and she's much closer to "retirement age" than I:-( Those who say they will work till they drop can have at it, I want free time to explore all of my interests and hobbies - if you're working too hard to have outside interests you're an idiot. I have hobbies and I enjoy life, so should everyone else.
What's saddest here is that I don't see things changing soon. We can no longer trust the numbers Wall Street puts out and companies that were supposedly doing well LIED. Who exactly feels like they shoudl be BUYING stocks right abotu now? Personally I favor the death penalty for those who have screwed over so many as they certainly don't have the money to pay us back nor do I feel like supporting their fat asses in some country club prison.
Maybe someone will come up with a great way to use all of the zillions of computing cycles going to waste an people will buy more computers. As things sit now I have no need for a faster computer and I've not bought or upgraded one for over a year. Someone write something new and amazing that sucks cycles like crazy so we can all start moving forward again;-)
So what exactly was wrong with that? Seriously, the guy was a thief, knew what he was doing was 100% wrong. You really want this guy around? A little chlorine in the gene pool if you ask me!
But what's your source? All I've ever gotten has been RUMINT and when I asked the lawyer (Dario D. Diaz* - still have his card) in 'Vegas about it he seemed pretty certain that it was a normal vote. Since he'd researched the damned thing (boat hull design provision?!) and had just given a presentation on it I figured he must know more than me and didn't argue with him. I'd love to get a definative answer on this - and better yet a voting record. Can anyone help with solid info?
*www.fernandez-diaz-law.com is the URL on his card:-)
Try finding the voting record for the DMCA. Supposedly, and I've not been able to confirm this, it was passed via VOICE VOTE - no record. However when asked th elawyer who presented on the DMCA in Las Vegas at DEFCON about this he said that it had been passed normally I believe. Anyone know the real answer - and better yet have the real voting record for this damned albatross?! If I find out that ANY of my reps voted for it I can promise they will NOT get my next vote for sure!
I know and I understand why the letter had to be redacted but still - I can dream right?:-)
I hadn't realized that an anonymous person would be "outed" but what you've said makes sense - and is indeed quite chilling.
I've now gotten the search to display the notice for me so it IS working - cool. I wonder what the COS' next step will be? What could they possibly do against this? Sue for linking?! Did the 2600 lawsuit ever end? Like the Russian hacker it's moved out of the immediate spotlight by still more incredible happenings but still... Oh and yes I know the Russian plead out for testimony. I hope he's a hostile witness;-) Wish I'd attended his session - talk about history being made!
I'm not sure I could think of any other response that Google could've made that would have been any better. By doing this they protect their interests, provide information to the public about why they've taken the actions they have, and if you read the letters you should be able to figure out what site was removed! They effectively sidestep this legal manuever, expose the twits who've harrased them, and give us enough information to find the site we wanted.
Actually, it's a bit of a shame that they are hiding telephone numbers etc. on the letters in question. I understand why - to prevent harrasing calls etc. - but hey the letter is apparently public record why not expose them? Seems fair enough to me!:-)
I applaude Google for doing this, it's just a shame I can't read the article in question:-( Score one for my favorite search engine!
Dummy, Ford sells engines over the counter. So does GM, so does Toyota, so do most car manufacturers. In fact GM and Ford will both sell you higher performance versions of many of their engines. Prices are good and in the case of their V8s dyno tested and known to work well. You don't know much about cars do you?
Gateway stores should be selling more than just full on systems if their parts are quality pieces.
Having said that - I had a Gateway that my company had purchased for me. A couple of years after buying it it nearly went up in flames with sparks shooting out the back (!). Called up Gateway, gave them my service number, they shipped me a new one - better model too. I slapped my junk one in the same box and shipped it right back - they had UPS pick it up for free. Cost to me was ZERO and I found their customer service to be excellent. I still use that monitor to this day - it's a decent quality part. A shame Gateway makes it hard to buy them seperate huh? Oddly enough - that's the last remaining part from that computer and it's now at least 4 years old!
Awhile back an entire database of card numbers was taken and STREAMED in an IRC channel. I believe it was EggHead's card database. Golly, this was reported all over and you didn't hear about it? The Reg carried it I'm sure as did others.
It was real, my card number was one of them and my card was cancelled\reissued by my bank. My big question though was WHY EggHead still had my card # on file. I went through my records and found that I'd not bought anything from them in over a year and yet my account was still being held by them - as was my E-mail judging from the SPAM barrage that followed this incident. Needless to say I've not bought ANYTHING from them since nor will I ever again. They lost my trust big time.
Rest assured credit card theft and identity theft happen all the time. I've now met two people who have had their identities stolen and it sux! Depending upon the circumstances getting a new SN can be a real PITA too. One of them hasn't been able to sufficiently "justify" a new SSN and has to explain the whole thing every time they need credit.
HybridZ.org and JagsThatRun.com (.org?) Sorry, not sure how to make links. Am well aware of theDIY-EFI folks but they seem to concentrate on eithe rmaking their own box or using older OEM GM stuff - bleah. I like the later FLASH programmable LT1 and LS1 stuff better but it's still got some gotchas including cost if you don't get it with a motor....
You're ASSuming that they stole code. How exactly did they steal code from a program they cannot get their hands on - Battle.Net's server code? Until Blizzard proves this their accusations are so much manure. Prove that Blizzard didn't steal that code from BNETD while you're at it.
Emulating a service as the BNETD people have done is legal so long as they didn't steal any code. Considering BNETD has been around since 1999 and is Open Sourced it's actually quite possible that the theft went the other way.
IMO, unless BNETD did actually take code, they're in the clear and I hope they win this one. Thye provide a needed service that Blizzard refuses to do and it's not their problem if lizzard feels it screws up their business model - laws aren't supposed to suppport business models.
Blizzard wanted people to use their servers for a limited beta test. These guys were okay with that and did NOT support their beta in their released code. Fine right? Well, it's Open Source so someone modified it to play the BETA!! Well, Blizzard is now upset that the Beta is all over the place (big deal) AND that it's now being played on servers they cannot monitor for performance and testing. Instead of politely asking the "community" to please use their servers and oh maybe letting everyone in on the beta they decided to sue the folks who wrote the ORIGINAL CODE! NOT the code that allowed the beta to play but the original stuff that didn't. DUH! They had NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS! Cry me a river Blizzard - you're WRONG.
Blizzard will LOSE in court over this if it's fought. ALL these guys did was examine the protocols and write code to handle them. TaDa - LEGAL. They used Blizzard source? Prove it Blizzard. Reverse engineering in this case should've been LEGAL. THEY screwed with the "community" they claim to care about on this one and it has cost them at least one sale MY SALE. And that of everyone I know whom I speak to about this. But you'd better believe I've got copies of this code stored off. Jerks!
BTW who EXACTLY lied to them? The developers didn't support the beta and even if they had so what? Blizzard has no standing on that.
Take your basic 4th gen Supra TT. Clean up the exhaust system to flow better, add an air intake, bypass a MAP sensor to remove boost cut, pull a hose under the hood. Result? 390RWHP and 427flbs all day long. Mid 12s if you can hook, a little tuning will net 11s. This is a drive everyday car that will run circles around a big block in the MPG dept. It will retain all ammenaties like A/C and power windows. Want more power? Dump the stock turbos and put ona single - can you say 600RWHP? Not crank, at the wheels. Some are pushing 900+ on the stock block but the internals are worked.
Hrm, and many of thse "rice rockets" weigh FAR less than a Chevelle. I also own a TT RX7 and while it makes less power than the Supra it flat out flies due to less weight. It's as modified as I'm willing to go but with the right parts it's got lot's more in it. That's 1.3liters BTW.
You're right - it's about power to weight! That's why I've got a V8 in a 2500lb Datsun 240Z in the garage. Bye Bye!;-)
Spot on, you know about this stuff. Have yo ulooked at the AEM PnP systems? Just now coming out these will plug into your existing harness, use your existing systems, have additional I/Os, and be FULLY programmable. hese beat the ApexI unitshands down - ApexI will NOT release their software for programming their units with a laptop or to do datalogging. Only their "partners" get this software! Their boxes cost as much as the AEM unit.
Holley has a good box with the Commander, one of their engineers regularly posts on a GM forum. FAST has another good one too. Wide Band O2 sensors are becoming cheaper thanks to LEV vehicles using them OEM (thanks Honda!). Look at the DIY-O2 project over in OZ for a cheap way to build a display\sensor or just buy one from them built. FAR less than the $800+ Motec wants - using the SAME sensor.
You're correct about rolling your own too. The DIY-EFI guys do it for fun but honestly it's too much work for me. Modding an older GM box is also pretty easy but compared to the aftermarket and new OEM FLASH programmable stuff I don't see myself doing it.
Imagine, boost, transmission, fuel, spark, traction, and datalogging all in a box costing less than $2K. That's the AEM with the DFI GEN VII, FAST, and Holley systems not too far behind. Software demos for many of these can be downloaded. Electromotive's new box looks interesting too but I'm not real sure about them these days;-)
Good post, glads I'm not the only gearhead on today who's looked at this stuff...
You can still advance and retard igntion wholesale on newer vehicles, it's just a little harder is all. Hint: move the sensor that detects crank position. Thye make devices for this.
So why do it? First of all it's safe. Whoever told you it wasn't was smoking crack. So long as the engine isn't detonating and you didn't get real stupid chances are you will pick up power. OEMs are conservative with their ignition curves - they never know when some dumbass will put Regualr gas in the car and drive it hard with the motor detonating like popcorn. Advancing the ignition a few degrees on MANY cars will restore power the OEM decided not to give you. To do it right though someone qualified should do it through the chip since wholesale changes moving the distributor or sensor are pretty "brute force". Sometimes an engine really doesn't want the added ignition (shrug).
MSD, Crane, Jacobs, Mallory, and others produce multispark ignitions. MSD and Holley are also producing digital ignition systems for less power draw and higher reliability. Just don't weld on th ecar with one hooked up (ahem). This stuff has been around for years and yes some of them can even manage your ignition for you - overriding the OEM spark if you would like....
That not only aren't car dealers "smarter" than the aftermarket folks but that many of them actively help us right? What, you think the dealer is some clean hospital like bastion? Those mechanics are car nuts too! Set a flag? Okay, reset it using an OBD scanner. Thanks for playing!
Many of those flags are reset by dumping power to the ECU although with OBDII there are some that are persistant - but can stil be reset with the proper tools. SnapOn and others sell these tools as do the dealers. They must, the manufacturers tried to make this all proprietary and the Govt. told them they oculdn't. There are even standards for this stuff....
The comms aren't often encrypted that I'm aware of but the FIRMWARE IS in many late model cars these days. GM has encrypted theirs, I'm pretty sure Ford has, I'd bet that BMW has too. They spend zillions developing these systems, the encryption helps protect them and keep "hackers" out. They often fail though:-) How many car manufacturers are going to reverse the firmware after a bad accident BTW? Not many I'd bet. However supposedly later model Vette's store a limited data set that can be retrieved after an accident - things like speed and throttle position. Not seen that 100% verified though - possible RUMINT.
Now that ECUs are FLASH programmable it's possible to modify things quite nicely once you've got it figured out. This is both good and bad for the manufacturer since warranty claims can go up if someone screws up but then reverts it bck to the old programming. It's good though in that every engine is different and they can tweak in the field a bit.
Suggest you look into LT1EDIT and the new LS1EDIT. OBDII requirements have actually made the ECUs more powerful and this is allowing for lots of playing around.
On the other hand, companies like AEM, FAST, DFI (GenVII), Electromotive, Holley (Commander), Haltech, and Motec are making complete standalone systems that are pretty powerful to include closed loop part throttle - and even closed loop WOT with off the shelf WB O2 sensors. The AEM computer will be PnP for many cars including the Supra and RX7 that I own.
Honestly, this article really didn't tell us jack shit. The world of aftermarket EFI is HUGE as is the market for hacking OEM stuff. This article made it sound like this was new - I laughed. ell new ECUs control the transmission and are being modified. Engine swaps with this stuff are also popular. skip the emissions, have a clean fast car, and it starts every time with good MPG. What's not to like?
P.S. OBDII and OBDIII have provisions to spot tampering. New emissions inspections could even require plugging in for an ECU check. Ways to get around tripping these on OBDII are aleady being reseached. Som o thethings put forth for OBDIII (to include remote kill) have been pretty scary coming from our clueless legislators. Support SEMA!
ard to find harnesses I'm told but I know of at least one late model 4valve Cobra running it. SVO\Motorsport assists aftermarket manufacturers. They get a bit upset when you get into redistributing parts of th eEEC source with your stuff but they're not too bad otherwise fro mwhat I've seen. Mike Wesley ran into some problems for them but that was partly because he used to help design the hardware he was hacking...
However with a shot of NOS or a correctly sized turbo you might just find hat smaller engines can make torque. I've got a 3liter straight six that made 390RWHP and 427ftlbs that was all done by 7K. That was running WAY rich too (shrug). Engines are air pumps, a smaller engine boosted with enough added air can indeed catch up with a V8....
Slashdot wants to run banners? Ads? How about one for this group's legal fund? I've not gotten through enough of the articles to know but is the EFF helping these people out? Is anyone countersuing this guy? I'm not clear on the spelling but barratry? Frivolious (sp?) lawsuits clog the system and cost the community. If nothing he's likely guilty of that.
I'm not into aquatic plants but I AM into various lists where companies are openly slammed for crappy service. I wouldn't think twice about sharing a bad experience and most of my peers in those circles don't either. That's one of the good things about the 'net. Sure, one complaint might be an anomoly or sour grapes but when others chime in? It's no hard to seperate the wheat from the chaff.
If this community is as small as it sounds then this guy's name has GOT to be mud all around. I'm surprised he's got any income at all right about now. I sure as heck wouldn't consider using him if not for his poor service than for his crappy habit of suing. Most companies in his position, if they're as active as he's claimed to be, would try to solve the problems and clear their name the right way. That he's actively attacking his customers speaks volumes and I thank Slashdot for shedding light on this.
How about we all put up banners on our sites linking this? We did it for DeCSS and this guy is almost as bad IMO. My opinion might change when I've read more than the few articles I have but I doubt it. Even if the initial accusations\comments weren't 100% solid his response to it has certainly shown his spots.
Michael J. is a perfect example. He's a perfect example IMO, this was a good guy struck down by a disease that many of us know little about. To watch him fight this is truly heart breaking and at the same time inspiring. I don't know your grandmother but I'm sure there are many others out there just like her and if we can find a way to prevent or cure diseases like that I think we should try. No one I know wants to end up invalid in a bed struck down by something like this - I'd rather die quickly. My grandfather is slowly slipping, not a particular disease just old age has taken it's toll. It breaks my heart and that of my family to watch it. This man was a rocket scientist, literally, who helped get the Posiden (sp?) missle program going and who did lots of engineering things during WWII. To watch him lose his mind is awfull.
Those who would cry out against helping people like these kids should try one of hese diseases on for size themselves. I fully understand that such research could also lead to destructive things but not trying to help could be nearly as bad. We simply have to hope that people use common sense and proceed slowly. Unfortunatly I think common sense is in shorter and shorter supply these days (sigh)....
Slashdot Mirror
Stating that it's "not all it's cracked up to be" without supporting information is worthless. Have YOU used the AEM? I have, every day for 6 months - works great. Closed loop auto-fuel mapping (using a W/B O2) and soon to be released traction control are just two of the many reasons I chose the AEM and I doubt I'll regret it anytime soon.
The AEM isn't hard to program, I'm no engineer and yet my car runs fine. My time is valuable to me and while I'd love to have enough time to design my own system or build someone else's it's not going to happen.
My fun is in the tuning and getting max power\economy not in figuring out what just locked up my realtime OS while driving down the freeway some cold night. If you think the "AEM can be hard to tune" then go right ahead and design your own system. And then tune it. Heck, just get it to start from a bare bones baseline. I think you'll very quickly find out just what "hard to tune" is indeed! Just wait, you'll see.
In my case potentially melting a many thousand dollar engine to save the $1300 purchase price of an aftermarket ECU was insane - but hey, have it your way (ahem). You would be tuning that Civic NOW if you were running an AEM (shrug).
For those interested in this sort of thing the AEM software is available for free on the site I linked before which is an EXCELLENT support forum - not demo software either. The software is based on the GEMS EMS software which is a UK company I'm told. You can also check out the DFI demo off of my site - www.blkmgk.com - the software is buried in the pictures section I think (doh!). I think you'll find that DFI has no such support forum. Nor does Haltech to my knowledge. Or Electromotive. Or FAST. MOTEC apparently had one but I'm unable to find it. MOTEC's software is available from their site and is supposed to be pretty good now that they've moved to a Windows (GUI) platform. The AEM is comparable to MOTEC in features and priced WAY below their insane pricepoint...
And in fact BMW has denied more than one engine warranty claim based on data downloaded. IMO this is CRAP especially when it was later found that BMW had produced DEFECTIVE engines. Nothing like having $10K worth of repairs denied huh?
:-)
http://members.roadfly.com/jason/m3engines.htm
As for creating a replacement engine management system - why do this yourself? AEM sells a PnP unit for qyuite a few vehicles and has just started. When done they'll have covered a TON of various models and makes. Drives my Supra daily to and from work just fine
http://www.aempower.com/bbs/
Want to get scared? Do some research into the proposed OBD-III engine management spec. Pay particular attention to those things proposed that didn't make it into this round of engine management stuff. Remote shutoff of your car anyone? some of the things our politicians wanted added are frightening!
P.S. There are stories of GM having DL'ed crash data from Corvette's in the past to defend themselves against lawsuits. Don't know if it's true or not but these rumors have existed for YEARS now.
Funny, most of MY friends in the area are selling their townhouses and smaller houses and moving INTO much BIGGER homes - making a fortune at it too. What they don't seem to realize is that while their home has gone up in value so has everyone else's so moving up right now and staying in this area probably isn't that bright an idea but.....
:-)
:-( Those who say they will work till they drop can have at it, I want free time to explore all of my interests and hobbies - if you're working too hard to have outside interests you're an idiot. I have hobbies and I enjoy life, so should everyone else.
;-)
My home is over 10years old and MINE. If I want a nicer one I'll improve this one - the mortgage is low
Having said that - my 401K is decimated. I was up over $100K and am now looking at maybe $30K in that account. I have a second account with a more diverse portfolio that's doing pretty good compared to the other thanks to my employrer but nowhere near good enough to make up for the YEARS worth of losses in the other account. I have to laugh when people say it's not really gone until you sell but when companies go under it's REALLY gone! My girlfriend's 401K is even worse since she started out with more and she's much closer to "retirement age" than I
What's saddest here is that I don't see things changing soon. We can no longer trust the numbers Wall Street puts out and companies that were supposedly doing well LIED. Who exactly feels like they shoudl be BUYING stocks right abotu now? Personally I favor the death penalty for those who have screwed over so many as they certainly don't have the money to pay us back nor do I feel like supporting their fat asses in some country club prison.
Maybe someone will come up with a great way to use all of the zillions of computing cycles going to waste an people will buy more computers. As things sit now I have no need for a faster computer and I've not bought or upgraded one for over a year. Someone write something new and amazing that sucks cycles like crazy so we can all start moving forward again
So what exactly was wrong with that? Seriously, the guy was a thief, knew what he was doing was 100% wrong. You really want this guy around? A little chlorine in the gene pool if you ask me!
But what's your source? All I've ever gotten has been RUMINT and when I asked the lawyer (Dario D. Diaz* - still have his card) in 'Vegas about it he seemed pretty certain that it was a normal vote. Since he'd researched the damned thing (boat hull design provision?!) and had just given a presentation on it I figured he must know more than me and didn't argue with him. I'd love to get a definative answer on this - and better yet a voting record. Can anyone help with solid info?
:-)
*www.fernandez-diaz-law.com is the URL on his card
Try finding the voting record for the DMCA. Supposedly, and I've not been able to confirm this, it was passed via VOICE VOTE - no record. However when asked th elawyer who presented on the DMCA in Las Vegas at DEFCON about this he said that it had been passed normally I believe. Anyone know the real answer - and better yet have the real voting record for this damned albatross?! If I find out that ANY of my reps voted for it I can promise they will NOT get my next vote for sure!
I know and I understand why the letter had to be redacted but still - I can dream right? :-)
;-) Wish I'd attended his session - talk about history being made!
I hadn't realized that an anonymous person would be "outed" but what you've said makes sense - and is indeed quite chilling.
I've now gotten the search to display the notice for me so it IS working - cool. I wonder what the COS' next step will be? What could they possibly do against this? Sue for linking?! Did the 2600 lawsuit ever end? Like the Russian hacker it's moved out of the immediate spotlight by still more incredible happenings but still... Oh and yes I know the Russian plead out for testimony. I hope he's a hostile witness
Anyone else get an ADVERTISEMENT sponsored by Scientology when they searched? ROTFL - like I'd give them a penny!
I'm not sure I could think of any other response that Google could've made that would have been any better. By doing this they protect their interests, provide information to the public about why they've taken the actions they have, and if you read the letters you should be able to figure out what site was removed! They effectively sidestep this legal manuever, expose the twits who've harrased them, and give us enough information to find the site we wanted.
:-)
:-( Score one for my favorite search engine!
Actually, it's a bit of a shame that they are hiding telephone numbers etc. on the letters in question. I understand why - to prevent harrasing calls etc. - but hey the letter is apparently public record why not expose them? Seems fair enough to me!
I applaude Google for doing this, it's just a shame I can't read the article in question
Dummy, Ford sells engines over the counter. So does GM, so does Toyota, so do most car manufacturers. In fact GM and Ford will both sell you higher performance versions of many of their engines. Prices are good and in the case of their V8s dyno tested and known to work well. You don't know much about cars do you?
Gateway stores should be selling more than just full on systems if their parts are quality pieces.
Having said that - I had a Gateway that my company had purchased for me. A couple of years after buying it it nearly went up in flames with sparks shooting out the back (!). Called up Gateway, gave them my service number, they shipped me a new one - better model too. I slapped my junk one in the same box and shipped it right back - they had UPS pick it up for free. Cost to me was ZERO and I found their customer service to be excellent. I still use that monitor to this day - it's a decent quality part. A shame Gateway makes it hard to buy them seperate huh? Oddly enough - that's the last remaining part from that computer and it's now at least 4 years old!
Awhile back an entire database of card numbers was taken and STREAMED in an IRC channel. I believe it was EggHead's card database. Golly, this was reported all over and you didn't hear about it? The Reg carried it I'm sure as did others.
It was real, my card number was one of them and my card was cancelled\reissued by my bank. My big question though was WHY EggHead still had my card # on file. I went through my records and found that I'd not bought anything from them in over a year and yet my account was still being held by them - as was my E-mail judging from the SPAM barrage that followed this incident. Needless to say I've not bought ANYTHING from them since nor will I ever again. They lost my trust big time.
Rest assured credit card theft and identity theft happen all the time. I've now met two people who have had their identities stolen and it sux! Depending upon the circumstances getting a new SN can be a real PITA too. One of them hasn't been able to sufficiently "justify" a new SSN and has to explain the whole thing every time they need credit.
HybridZ.org and JagsThatRun.com (.org?) Sorry, not sure how to make links. Am well aware of theDIY-EFI folks but they seem to concentrate on eithe rmaking their own box or using older OEM GM stuff - bleah. I like the later FLASH programmable LT1 and LS1 stuff better but it's still got some gotchas including cost if you don't get it with a motor....
You're ASSuming that they stole code. How exactly did they steal code from a program they cannot get their hands on - Battle.Net's server code? Until Blizzard proves this their accusations are so much manure. Prove that Blizzard didn't steal that code from BNETD while you're at it.
Emulating a service as the BNETD people have done is legal so long as they didn't steal any code. Considering BNETD has been around since 1999 and is Open Sourced it's actually quite possible that the theft went the other way.
IMO, unless BNETD did actually take code, they're in the clear and I hope they win this one. Thye provide a needed service that Blizzard refuses to do and it's not their problem if lizzard feels it screws up their business model - laws aren't supposed to suppport business models.
Blizzard wanted people to use their servers for a limited beta test. These guys were okay with that and did NOT support their beta in their released code. Fine right? Well, it's Open Source so someone modified it to play the BETA!! Well, Blizzard is now upset that the Beta is all over the place (big deal) AND that it's now being played on servers they cannot monitor for performance and testing. Instead of politely asking the "community" to please use their servers and oh maybe letting everyone in on the beta they decided to sue the folks who wrote the ORIGINAL CODE! NOT the code that allowed the beta to play but the original stuff that didn't. DUH! They had NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS! Cry me a river Blizzard - you're WRONG.
Blizzard will LOSE in court over this if it's fought. ALL these guys did was examine the protocols and write code to handle them. TaDa - LEGAL. They used Blizzard source? Prove it Blizzard. Reverse engineering in this case should've been LEGAL. THEY screwed with the "community" they claim to care about on this one and it has cost them at least one sale MY SALE. And that of everyone I know whom I speak to about this. But you'd better believe I've got copies of this code stored off. Jerks!
BTW who EXACTLY lied to them? The developers didn't support the beta and even if they had so what? Blizzard has no standing on that.
Take your basic 4th gen Supra TT. Clean up the exhaust system to flow better, add an air intake, bypass a MAP sensor to remove boost cut, pull a hose under the hood. Result? 390RWHP and 427flbs all day long. Mid 12s if you can hook, a little tuning will net 11s. This is a drive everyday car that will run circles around a big block in the MPG dept. It will retain all ammenaties like A/C and power windows. Want more power? Dump the stock turbos and put ona single - can you say 600RWHP? Not crank, at the wheels. Some are pushing 900+ on the stock block but the internals are worked.
;-)
Hrm, and many of thse "rice rockets" weigh FAR less than a Chevelle. I also own a TT RX7 and while it makes less power than the Supra it flat out flies due to less weight. It's as modified as I'm willing to go but with the right parts it's got lot's more in it. That's 1.3liters BTW.
You're right - it's about power to weight! That's why I've got a V8 in a 2500lb Datsun 240Z in the garage. Bye Bye!
Easy to find, not terribly expensive, but some gotchas that you have to be aware of. Good stuff overall IMO.
Spot on, you know about this stuff. Have yo ulooked at the AEM PnP systems? Just now coming out these will plug into your existing harness, use your existing systems, have additional I/Os, and be FULLY programmable. hese beat the ApexI unitshands down - ApexI will NOT release their software for programming their units with a laptop or to do datalogging. Only their "partners" get this software! Their boxes cost as much as the AEM unit.
;-)
Holley has a good box with the Commander, one of their engineers regularly posts on a GM forum. FAST has another good one too. Wide Band O2 sensors are becoming cheaper thanks to LEV vehicles using them OEM (thanks Honda!). Look at the DIY-O2 project over in OZ for a cheap way to build a display\sensor or just buy one from them built. FAR less than the $800+ Motec wants - using the SAME sensor.
You're correct about rolling your own too. The DIY-EFI guys do it for fun but honestly it's too much work for me. Modding an older GM box is also pretty easy but compared to the aftermarket and new OEM FLASH programmable stuff I don't see myself doing it.
Imagine, boost, transmission, fuel, spark, traction, and datalogging all in a box costing less than $2K. That's the AEM with the DFI GEN VII, FAST, and Holley systems not too far behind. Software demos for many of these can be downloaded. Electromotive's new box looks interesting too but I'm not real sure about them these days
Good post, glads I'm not the only gearhead on today who's looked at this stuff...
You can still advance and retard igntion wholesale on newer vehicles, it's just a little harder is all. Hint: move the sensor that detects crank position. Thye make devices for this.
So why do it? First of all it's safe. Whoever told you it wasn't was smoking crack. So long as the engine isn't detonating and you didn't get real stupid chances are you will pick up power. OEMs are conservative with their ignition curves - they never know when some dumbass will put Regualr gas in the car and drive it hard with the motor detonating like popcorn. Advancing the ignition a few degrees on MANY cars will restore power the OEM decided not to give you. To do it right though someone qualified should do it through the chip since wholesale changes moving the distributor or sensor are pretty "brute force". Sometimes an engine really doesn't want the added ignition (shrug).
MSD, Crane, Jacobs, Mallory, and others produce multispark ignitions. MSD and Holley are also producing digital ignition systems for less power draw and higher reliability. Just don't weld on th ecar with one hooked up (ahem). This stuff has been around for years and yes some of them can even manage your ignition for you - overriding the OEM spark if you would like....
That not only aren't car dealers "smarter" than the aftermarket folks but that many of them actively help us right? What, you think the dealer is some clean hospital like bastion? Those mechanics are car nuts too! Set a flag? Okay, reset it using an OBD scanner. Thanks for playing!
Many of those flags are reset by dumping power to the ECU although with OBDII there are some that are persistant - but can stil be reset with the proper tools. SnapOn and others sell these tools as do the dealers. They must, the manufacturers tried to make this all proprietary and the Govt. told them they oculdn't. There are even standards for this stuff....
The comms aren't often encrypted that I'm aware of but the FIRMWARE IS in many late model cars these days. GM has encrypted theirs, I'm pretty sure Ford has, I'd bet that BMW has too. They spend zillions developing these systems, the encryption helps protect them and keep "hackers" out. They often fail though :-) How many car manufacturers are going to reverse the firmware after a bad accident BTW? Not many I'd bet. However supposedly later model Vette's store a limited data set that can be retrieved after an accident - things like speed and throttle position. Not seen that 100% verified though - possible RUMINT.
Now that ECUs are FLASH programmable it's possible to modify things quite nicely once you've got it figured out. This is both good and bad for the manufacturer since warranty claims can go up if someone screws up but then reverts it bck to the old programming. It's good though in that every engine is different and they can tweak in the field a bit.
Suggest you look into LT1EDIT and the new LS1EDIT. OBDII requirements have actually made the ECUs more powerful and this is allowing for lots of playing around.
On the other hand, companies like AEM, FAST, DFI (GenVII), Electromotive, Holley (Commander), Haltech, and Motec are making complete standalone systems that are pretty powerful to include closed loop part throttle - and even closed loop WOT with off the shelf WB O2 sensors. The AEM computer will be PnP for many cars including the Supra and RX7 that I own.
Honestly, this article really didn't tell us jack shit. The world of aftermarket EFI is HUGE as is the market for hacking OEM stuff. This article made it sound like this was new - I laughed. ell new ECUs control the transmission and are being modified. Engine swaps with this stuff are also popular. skip the emissions, have a clean fast car, and it starts every time with good MPG. What's not to like?
P.S. OBDII and OBDIII have provisions to spot tampering. New emissions inspections could even require plugging in for an ECU check. Ways to get around tripping these on OBDII are aleady being reseached. Som o thethings put forth for OBDIII (to include remote kill) have been pretty scary coming from our clueless legislators. Support SEMA!
ard to find harnesses I'm told but I know of at least one late model 4valve Cobra running it. SVO\Motorsport assists aftermarket manufacturers. They get a bit upset when you get into redistributing parts of th eEEC source with your stuff but they're not too bad otherwise fro mwhat I've seen. Mike Wesley ran into some problems for them but that was partly because he used to help design the hardware he was hacking...
However with a shot of NOS or a correctly sized turbo you might just find hat smaller engines can make torque. I've got a 3liter straight six that made 390RWHP and 427ftlbs that was all done by 7K. That was running WAY rich too (shrug). Engines are air pumps, a smaller engine boosted with enough added air can indeed catch up with a V8....
Google Search finding
Seems there was a time when he thought beating up other companies was okay. Not anymore? Shoe on the other foot now?
Slashdot wants to run banners? Ads? How about one for this group's legal fund? I've not gotten through enough of the articles to know but is the EFF helping these people out? Is anyone countersuing this guy? I'm not clear on the spelling but barratry? Frivolious (sp?) lawsuits clog the system and cost the community. If nothing he's likely guilty of that.
I'm not into aquatic plants but I AM into various lists where companies are openly slammed for crappy service. I wouldn't think twice about sharing a bad experience and most of my peers in those circles don't either. That's one of the good things about the 'net. Sure, one complaint might be an anomoly or sour grapes but when others chime in? It's no hard to seperate the wheat from the chaff.
If this community is as small as it sounds then this guy's name has GOT to be mud all around. I'm surprised he's got any income at all right about now. I sure as heck wouldn't consider using him if not for his poor service than for his crappy habit of suing. Most companies in his position, if they're as active as he's claimed to be, would try to solve the problems and clear their name the right way. That he's actively attacking his customers speaks volumes and I thank Slashdot for shedding light on this.
How about we all put up banners on our sites linking this? We did it for DeCSS and this guy is almost as bad IMO. My opinion might change when I've read more than the few articles I have but I doubt it. Even if the initial accusations\comments weren't 100% solid his response to it has certainly shown his spots.
Mod the parent UP!
Michael J. is a perfect example. He's a perfect example IMO, this was a good guy struck down by a disease that many of us know little about. To watch him fight this is truly heart breaking and at the same time inspiring. I don't know your grandmother but I'm sure there are many others out there just like her and if we can find a way to prevent or cure diseases like that I think we should try. No one I know wants to end up invalid in a bed struck down by something like this - I'd rather die quickly. My grandfather is slowly slipping, not a particular disease just old age has taken it's toll. It breaks my heart and that of my family to watch it. This man was a rocket scientist, literally, who helped get the Posiden (sp?) missle program going and who did lots of engineering things during WWII. To watch him lose his mind is awfull.
Those who would cry out against helping people like these kids should try one of hese diseases on for size themselves. I fully understand that such research could also lead to destructive things but not trying to help could be nearly as bad. We simply have to hope that people use common sense and proceed slowly. Unfortunatly I think common sense is in shorter and shorter supply these days (sigh)....