The Hardware
What do I need to start open source tuning? You need Windows 10/11 operating system on a laptop. Or you can use a virtual machine with usb passthrough if you have MacOS or a Linux OS (I do not reccommend this due to the added complexity and potential reliability issues). You also need to buy the Tactrix Openport 2.0 cable. You can find it on the Tactrix website. You don’t need any of the flashing Jumpers on the 08+ WRX’s or STI’s. You also don’t need to attach any test mode connectors to flash like you would on the previous generation(02-04, 05-07). You will not be able to use older versions of the tactrix cable such as the openport 1.3. They are not compatible with the CANbus obd2 ports in our cars. However older cables may be used to datalog however their abilities are limited to datalogging only.
EcuFlash
The first program you need to download is EcuFlash. This is not only the software used to read and write maps to your ecu. It also loads the Openport Drivers on your computer. To avoid problems install this software before you plug the Tactrix Openport 2.0 cable into the computer.
The Software is available to download here.
RomRaider
The next program to download is RomRaider. This is a Rom editor and datalogger. It also contains tools to scale injectors and the MAF in closed loop. The datalogger is compatible with the following wideband sensors: Innovate Motorsport’s LC-1 and LM-1 as well as the AEM Uego. You CAN use the defogger switch to start and stop your datalogs without taking your eyes off the road. If you are using EcuFlash to flash the ECU,be sure to stop reading ecu data in the RomRaider Logger to avoid conflicts of multiple programs trying to use the openport cable at the same time.
You will also need to have the latest ROM definitions loaded into the RomRaider ECU editor, these definitions map out the maps in the ecu for you.
Download the ECU Definitions Here
You will need the latest logger definitions to load into the datalogger.
Download the latest Logger Definitions Here
Learning View
The Last piece of software you should download is Merchgod’s Learning View Program. This program takes a snap shot of your IAM, Learned Knock Correction and A/F Learning tables. It basically gives you an idea of what has been learned by the ECU.
This program can also display DTC’s. So you know what that check engine light is all about;-)
You can download the Learning View program here.
Spreadsheet
You will need a spreadsheet program like excel to view your datalogs. A free spreadsheet program is available in the openoffice suite called CALC.
You can Download OpenOffice Here
You should now have all the tools you need. There is a wealth of information available at romraider.com.
Stock Roms to download
If you would like to try out romraider and see how powerful it is you can download the stock Roms here and take a look inside your ecu.
http://www.4shared.com/dir/18647317/440439b7/sharing.html
Just as a note….
I have found that it is sometime beneficial to change the com port of the Openport 2.0 to avoid port conflicts. I found changing it to COM 20 makes it easy to remember as well.