Can I do some programming to my ECM (and TCM if I have one) myself?

[DoubleJ]

I have this old Subaru. I buy a thing called a Tactrix, plug it into an old Windows 7 laptop, and I can change anything. Fuel mapping, boost curves, ignition timing, idle speeds, emissions equipment. Everything.

I have this old Silverado. I put a big motor in it with a small cam, sent the ECM and TCM to a guy, he changed everything and I'm making over 400HP and can activate traction control on a 1-2 shift.

I have this old Lincoln (2011). The dealership won't deactivate my DRLs because safety. The transmission takes 4 seconds to shift and is hunting gears on Colorado hilly roads more than it's accelerating because mushy Lincoln. Other than my 69 beetle, it's the slowest thing I own. Is there a doodad I can plug into it, plug in my laptop, and make these changes myself? I've been told such, but looking to confirm.

 

[SGilbert]

I'm no mechanic, but years ago I had a 'slushy' tranny in one of my cars (can't even remember what car) and the tranny shop installed snap bands. No idea what that is, but all shifts were fast and hard. I loved it!

 

[DoubleJ]

There is a thing you can do to the trans, mustang people do it, I don't recall what it is but it's a minor modification that firms everything up. I'd still have DRLs though, and they're the devil.

 

[wolf_walker]

J-Mod might help on the trans, it's a physical mod not a electrical one.

There are tuners and such you can plug in, but they ain't cheap and I don't know to what degree you can readily alter things.
Might find a shop that tunes mustangs and ask them, same junk basically.

I can imagine it's a huge pita trying to drive in hilly terrain.

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[04TC]

J-Mod might help on the trans, it's a physical mod not a electrical one.

^what he said. It makes the shifts quicker/firmer, but if your car has higher mileage, I would be wary about drilling holes in the transmission.

 

[04TC]

I'd still have DRLs though, and they're the devil.

Forscan and an OBDii tool can change that I think?

 

[dave42]

Forscan and an OBDii tool can change that I think?

I think that is correct. It is a function in the LCM.

 

[DoubleJ]

Checked the Forscan page, just says diagnostics and some service stuff. It's also written in engrish, makes me nervous. J mod is the one I was thinking of, supposed to be pretty easy, but if I need to pay a tuner anyway I'll probably just get the DRLs turned off, maybe I can get some more timing and run premium and they can turn up my line pressure or something to speed the shifts up.

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[charlesw62]

I have an 01 TC and I used my FORSCAN and about the only thing you can do is turn on/off DRL's and a couple other things like the easy entry/exit feature. Not really much with tranny tuning. I can change the mapping on my Flex, but not on the TC....Give it a try it could work on the 2011.