Getting Started

1.  BEFORE YOU GET STARTED

Q What happened to the Enginuity name and the site?

RomRaider is the new name for Enginuity.

The Wiki, posts, user names, and passwords have been transferred to the new RomRaider site, so you can log in as you did before and access the same information and downloads. The story behind what happened can be found HERE.

Q What is RomRaider?

RomRaider is a program, developed by enthusiasts, which allows for tuning and data logging of Subaru ECUs without having to invest in expensive hardware and software. Best of all, RomRaider is free.

Q How does RomRaider allow me to tune?

RomRaider does not directly edit the data on the vehicle’s ECU. You must first retrieve a copy of your ECU’s image from your vehicle by using an additional program called EcuFlash (discussed below). A special cable, designed exclusively for Subarus, is used to connect your laptop to the OBD-II port in your car (which is located below your steering wheel). Once a copy of your image (also known as a ROM) is downloaded from the vehicle’s ECU to your computer, you can then use RomRaider to make tuning changes to this ROM. Once you’ve finished with your tune, you can then save a copy and transfer this edited image back to your vehicle’s computer in a process known as flashing. As long as you keep a back-up copy of your original image, you can revert back to it at any time.

Q Does RomRaider only work with Subarus?

RomRaider has the potential to work with most ECUs, as long as a method exists for extracting a copy of the ECU’s image from the vehicle in question. RomRaider’s definition file, which is in XML format, allows a sufficiently advanced user to add definitions for their particular car’s image. Currently, RomRaider’s ECU and logger definitions only support Subarus.

Q Which Subaru models are currently supported by RomRaider?

It is difficult to state which models and years are specifically supported, as Subaru likes to revise and make changes to the ECU’s image throughout the year (even within the same model). Whether or not your image is supported depends on whether your particular revision is defined by the software. RomRaider makes use of a separate “ECU definitions file” which describes where to find the tuning data for each supported revision. The most recent definition file: (latest ECU definitions) has support for 186 different Subaru turbo ROMs:

• USDM (United States Domestic Market): 76 revisions (02–07 WRX, 04–07 STi, 04–06 Forester XT, 05–06 Legacy GT, 05 Baja Turbo, 05–06 Outback XT, 06 Outback 2.5i, 05–07 Impreza 2.5RS/2.5i, 06 B9 Tribeca)
• EDM (European Domestic Market): 28 (select 01+ WRX, STi, Outback & Forester)
• JDM (Japanese Domestic Market): 40 (select 01+ WRX, STi, Legacy, & Forester)
• ADM/SA (Australian/South American Domestic Market): 42 (select 01+ WRX, STi, Liberty, & Forester)

Q When will I be able to tune my Audi/Mazda/Mitsubishi/Other car?

There is currently no support for any other ECU except for specific Subaru ECUs (see previous question). To add RomRaider support for your ECU, the following things need to be done:

• A method to read/write your ECU image from your car needs to be available.
• Once an ECU image is available in unencrypted form, the image needs to be reverse engineered and a RomRaider map definition created.

Try checking your specific car’s community forums first to see if anyone has made any progress on the above requirements.

Q What is everything I’ll need to start tuning my car?

You will need:

Note: Some of the links below require you to be a registered member of the site’s forums in order to view the download

• The RomRaider software – always use the latest version available HERE.
• The latest RomRaider ECU definitions file (describes the location and format of data for different ROM revisions) – available HERE. The latest ECU definitions will often be newer than what is included in the RomRaider download. It is important to apply the latest ECU definitions because bug fixes, additional ROM support, and new tables are often part of the updates.
• The latest RomRaider logger definitions file (similar to the ECU definitions except that these work with RomRaider’s logger to define logging parameters) – available HERE. The latest logger definitions will often be newer than what is included in the RomRaider download.
• RomRaider is written in Java, so you need to make sure your computer can support Java written applications and that it is updated with the latest Java software.
• EcuFlash software (to read and flash ROMs) – download the latest version, found HERE.
• Download and install the latest EcuFlash ECU definitions. Note: these updated definitions are only compatible with EcuFlash versions 1.31 and later.
• An OpenPort cable for Subarus (connects between your laptop and OBD-II port) - purchase HERE.
• A jumper block may be required for your Subaru to enable flashing. There are two versions, one for the 01/02 WRX and another for the 03–05 WRX. These can be purchased for $9 a piece or they both come bundled with the $91 OpenPort cable. Additionally, you can buy these adaptors in a complete set at your local Subaru dealer (~$30 part number 24036AA010). You can also use a jumper wire on the flash block as well. Drive-by-wire Subarus do NOT need the jumper block at all.
• A modern laptop with a USB port. A desktop computer could also be used for reading and flashing but you would need to place it close enough to the vehicle for the OpenPort cable to reach (do not use a USB extension cable with the OpenPort).
• Proper gauges are recommended when tuning. These include, but are not limited to, an EGT gauge, boost gauge, and a wideband oxygen sensor.

Q There are several different Tactrix (OpenPort) cables available. Which one do I need?

There are two different ECUs in modern Subarus that can be potentially flashed via EcuFlash:
16-bit ECU (USDM 02–05 WRX, non-USDM 01–05 WRX/STi, non-USDM 01–03 Forester Turbo)

32-bit ECU (All other drive-by-wire USDM 04+ models, drive-by-wire non-USDM 03+ models, and select drive-by-cable non-USDM 03/04 FXT/FSTi models) Note: 07 FXT/LGTs and all 08+ models cannot be currently flashed by EcuFlash.

OpenPort for Subaru WRX and Drive-by-wire vehicles → Purchase this tactrix cable if you wish to read/flash both the 16-bit ECU and the 32-bit ECU. This includes the flash jumpers that are necessary to read/flash the 16-bit ECU (32-bit ECU does NOT require a flash jumper).

OpenPort for Subaru Drive-by-wire vehicles → Purchase this cable if you wish to read/flash only the 32-bit ECU (you would still be able to log the 16-bit ECU, however). You can also purchase the flash jumpers separately for the 16-bit ECU later if you wish.

Q How safe is reading, editing and flashing my ECU?

Remember, that RomRaider and the definitions file are currently in beta status. This means that the software is being tested to fix any bugs and problems that may arise. As such, it is recommended for advanced users. There have been quite a few successful flashes and tunes, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be a bug, error or misrepresentation of data that might cause serious problems down the road for a user. Remember, this software is not a commercial product, with money set aside for R&D. It was created by a group of enthusiasts who work in their spare time, for free, on the project.

Even if you experience no bugs or errors, there are no safe guards in place to prevent you from making tuning changes resulting in a blown motor and/or unexpected behavior when driving. In addition, issues with your particular computer, such as viruses, can cause problems that can lead to the same results.

Q What is the worst that can happen if something goes wrong?

The problems that have the potential to occur include, but are not limited to:

• An unreadable/unusable ECU.
• A blown motor and its subsequent damage.
• Unexpected behavior on the road or track that may cause injury or death to the user as well as others.
• Violation of local and/or federal laws due to the modification of the factory ECU.

DISCLAIMER: By using RomRaider and its ECU definitions file, either directly or indirectly, you agree to assume 100% of all risk and RomRaider’s creators and contributors shall not be held responsible for any damages or injuries you may receive.

Here are some tips to help lower some of the risk:

• Make sure your computer is running well, does not have a tendency to lock up, and is virus and spyware free. When flashing, make sure the laptop is plugged in and not just running on the battery. Turn off any power saving functions, especially those that shut down the hard drive, enter standby/hibernation or “speed step” the processor speed to a lower level (if possible). Close out all other programs except for EcuFlash before starting. Make sure any firewall software does not interfere with EcuFlash’s ability to flash.
• Make sure your car’s battery, charging and electrical system are in top shape.
• Make sure the OpenPort cable is securely connected and not in a position that can be yanked out easily.
• Always check for and use the latest version of RomRaider, as well as the latest ECU definitions.
• Always keep a back-up copy of your original ROM in a safe place.
• When tuning, small changes each flash is better. Use RomRaider’s logger to study the effects of the changes on your car. In addition, it is recommended that you have, at a minimum, an EGT gauge, a boost gauge, and a wideband oxygen sensor.
• Do not flash your ROM if RomRaider gives you an error message that the “real value and byte value conversion expressions are invalid” or any “out of bounds” error. This means there is an error/corruption in the ECU definitions file. If this is the case, it can save the wrong values in that particular table, which may occur whether you specifically edited the table in question or not.
• After editing, save the ROM, close out RomRaider and then reopen RomRaider and your saved ROM. Make sure the changes were actually made. Also, triple check the values you edited to make sure they are exactly what you intended them to be.
• Do not edit a table if you are not 100% sure what it does. Also, be wary of values that don’t seem to make sense as the definition for that table may be incorrect.
• Do not rely solely on the table help text in RomRaider to tune your car as they are simply an overview of the function of the table and not a detailed explanation. Make sure that you understand the impact of changing the data in a particular table and how all your changes will interact with one another.
• Tuning is not for beginners set out to experiment. Even seemingly small changes by a novice can result in a blown engine.