Can I reprogram VTCS myself?

[ProtegePower]

Of course I have the infamous VTCS rattle, and I haven't gotten around to going to the dealership yet. I looked at the TSB, and my VIN number seems to fall in the category where they don't replace any parts but just recalibrate the computer.

Is this something I can do myself?

If not, is the dealership going to charge me for .8 hours (about 50 bucks?) since I'm out of warranty? (80k)

I searched the forums to see if anyone has already asked about this, so my apologies if I missed a thread. Thanks in advance!

-Marty

P.S. This is my first post, and this forum is amazing!

[chaosProtege]

I'm not sure if you can do it yourself, but if you can, buying/renting the equipment to do it will probably cost more than taking it to the dealership.

[ProtegePower]

Thanks, so it takes special equipment. I discovered I could reprogram my keyless entry remotes myself and I was feeling bold :-P

[chaosProtege]

yeah, its a little more involved than keyless entry. you have to reprogram the ECU.

[Tom03es]

I recalibrated mine myself. Which is to say that I just removed the POS system all together.

[jhillzoom]

Just got a new intake mani off ebay and am going to remove the VTCS on it as well as port and polish.

From everything ive learned from this forum its just better to remove it.

I will sell you my old mani after im done cheap if you interested.

[ProtegePower]

Interesting. I mean, I change my own oil and stuff like that, but I'd probably need someone to do most of the work to remove the VTCS and replace the intake manifold. Could you tell me about the benefits of your old one that you would be selling me and generally what I (or someone I hire) would be doing with it?

[ho bag]

Remove the intake manifold...

Remove the vtcs...

Plug the hold with a bolt and reinstall the manifold....

[ProtegePower]

Is there a reason why I would want a better intake manifold than the stock one?

[S.A.MSP]

MMM let's see, the stock one is a piece of shit and is hella restrictive

[ProtegePower]

i should probably just keep reading then

[S.A.MSP]

just get a 626 mani my friend and your mani problems will be solved

[ho bag]

just get a 626 mani my friend and your mani problems will be solved

Not really.

You will loose your VICS which will cost you power under the curve. However it can yeild more top end power.

[S.A.MSP]

well my lovely GT28 takes car of that little problem lol

[Tom03es]

Removing the VTCS is a fairly easy process. I had my entire intake manifold out of the car in about an hour with simple hand tools. To remove the VTCS, you just need to remove the top portion of the intake manifold. Once out, you can either simply remove the VTCS butterflies and plug the external hole with something (like a bolt cut flush) or you can fill all the holes and slightly enlarge the intake ports some and smooth out some of the bumps and stuff.

Don't forget new gaskets.

Bottom is the VTCS manifold with the butterflies fully open.
http://www.msprotege.com/members/Tom03es/intake_manifold_difference%20(2).JPG
http://www.msprotege.com/members/Tom03es/intake_manifold_difference%20(3).JPG

And here is the VTCS closed.
http://www.msprotege.com/members/Tom03es/intake_manifold_difference.JPG

[aMaff]

Thank you Jaques...that was helpful.

[S.A.MSP]

you misspelled my name you dick and ur welcome, now go fall into the pit of death

[aMaff]

you misspelled my name
Welcome to my world.

[S.A.MSP]

yeah but mines easy, you missed the "c", i just call you McMuffin anyway

[jhillzoom]

Interesting. I mean, I change my own oil and stuff like that, but I'd probably need someone to do most of the work to remove the VTCS and replace the intake manifold. Could you tell me about the benefits of your old one that you would be selling me and generally what I (or someone I hire) would be doing with it?

I bought one so I could do the VCTS removal on it but not worry about messing it up and not having the car (not the most mechanically inclined but not a dummy ether). There are many different threads on here with all of the pros and cons of the VCTS removal. I’m not the best one to sum it all up for ya so just do a search and read away.

Once im done I will see the old one for $40 shipped if you interested.

[ProtegePower]

Thanks for all the help everyone!

[dwpeek]

The 626 mani and a lighter flywheel will boogie. The loss of the low end will be rejuvinated by the addition of the lighter flywheel.

[aMaff]

lol @ improper use of verbage. Why not get a lighter flywheel, that way you keep low end grunt AND high end w/ the VICS?

[Rusty]

Some more questions:
Does it take much longer for the engine to warm up in the cold without the VTCS? I believe that's what its function is.

I guess you want to remove it to allow better air flow for increased performance, is that the reason?

Does it make much performance difference, and where on the power curve?

The noise only lasts until the engine gets to 140F, so it never bothered me.

[i12drivemyMP5]

Some more questions:
Does it take much longer for the engine to warm up in the cold without the VTCS? I believe that's what its function is.

I guess you want to remove it to allow better air flow for increased performance, is that the reason?

Does it make much performance difference, and where on the power curve?

The noise only lasts until the engine gets to 140F, so it never bothered me.No it doesn't - least not in TX. lol. Remove it for less noise, less parts to get sucked into the motor(altho the recall was for VICS-same concept), more flow, relative uselessness & it makes the car a pound lighter.lol. I doubt it makes much difference until 4000 rpm to redline.

[i12drivemyMP5]

In response to the thread title........No it cannot be reprogrammed because it's a mechanical thing.

[aMaff]

well, the dealership reprograms the ECU with different parameters that stop the 'ticking', but other than that, no, nothing can be done without that reflash.

[Tom03es]

Some more questions:
Does it take much longer for the engine to warm up in the cold without the VTCS? I believe that's what its function is.

I live in Colorado and haven't noticed any difference. I think the primary function of VTCS is help with cold start emissions- which may in turn help to warm up the car faster.

[i12drivemyMP5]

well, the dealership reprograms the ECU with different parameters that stop the 'ticking', but other than that, no, nothing can be done without that reflash.Yes, the ecu is reprogrammed to handle the "mechanical" parts correctly. Still is extra noise with the reflash. All that extra weight.lol. And IIRC, they only do anything at all for like 30 seconds? after starting the car. They don't even wait for any actual warm up. Just dicks with initial startup for a few seconds is what I'm thinking.

[chaosProtege]

stupid ford motor...lol. i'll probably take mine out this spring.