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Focus 9 OBD+ DME worth it?
Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2025 6:15 am
by TerrorBytes
Thinking about updating my DME, For those that have the focus 9 OBD+ DME do you think the extra price is worth it over their basic standalone DME?
Re: Focus 9 OBD+ DME worth it?
Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2025 8:37 am
by NCGermerican
In my opinion, yes it's worth the cost. By using the ODB features, you can see diagnostic details of the car without needing to break out the multimeter (just plug it into a laptop with the software installed).
However, you need to know what those readings are supposed to be. My biggest "feature request" it would be some sort of warning/notification when parameters are out of spec - i.e. font changing to red or a pop up message, etc.
Re: Focus 9 OBD+ DME worth it?
Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2025 12:07 pm
by Spencan
I 2nd NCGermerican's thoughts, completely!
Re: Focus 9 OBD+ DME worth it?
Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2025 11:51 am
by Jotronic
NCGermerican wrote: Thu Apr 24, 2025 8:37 am
In my opinion, yes it's worth the cost. By using the ODB features, you can see diagnostic details of the car without needing to break out the multimeter (just plug it into a laptop with the software installed).
However, you need to know what those readings are supposed to be. My biggest "feature request" it would be some sort of warning/notification when parameters are out of spec - i.e. font changing to red or a pop up message, etc.
That's actually a good idea.
I think it's a worthwhile upgrade as well. It was one of the first things I changed on my turbo when I got it and I noticed an improved idle and small little things that seemed to be better. If I had it to do all over again I'd wait to get the upcoming MAF option as well but I have already invested in MaxxECU. Would have been much simpler overall albeit, yes, fewer features than a full blown stand alone ECU.
Re: Focus 9 OBD+ DME worth it?
Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2025 4:52 pm
by Jc951
also to note, if you do a Vitesse maf kit with the F9 DME, you need to get a riser for the vitesse chip to sit above the F9 board chip thats next to where the vitesse chip should go. A buddy of mine had that problem and they ended up breaking a pin off because they oriented the Vitesse chip the wrong way to clear the F9 one.
Re: Focus 9 OBD+ DME worth it?
Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2025 7:22 pm
by TerrorBytes
Jotronic wrote: Fri Apr 25, 2025 11:51 am
NCGermerican wrote: Thu Apr 24, 2025 8:37 am
In my opinion, yes it's worth the cost. By using the ODB features, you can see diagnostic details of the car without needing to break out the multimeter (just plug it into a laptop with the software installed).
However, you need to know what those readings are supposed to be. My biggest "feature request" it would be some sort of warning/notification when parameters are out of spec - i.e. font changing to red or a pop up message, etc.
That's actually a good idea.
I think it's a worthwhile upgrade as well. It was one of the first things I changed on my turbo when I got it and I noticed an improved idle and small little things that seemed to be better. If I had it to do all over again I'd wait to get the upcoming MAF option as well but I have already invested in MaxxECU. Would have been much simpler overall albeit, yes, fewer features than a full blown stand alone ECU.
Have they mentioned when the MAF option is supposed to come out?
Re: Focus 9 OBD+ DME worth it?
Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2025 8:35 am
by NCGermerican
TerrorBytes wrote: Fri Apr 25, 2025 7:22 pm
Jotronic wrote: Fri Apr 25, 2025 11:51 am
NCGermerican wrote: Thu Apr 24, 2025 8:37 am
In my opinion, yes it's worth the cost. By using the ODB features, you can see diagnostic details of the car without needing to break out the multimeter (just plug it into a laptop with the software installed).
However, you need to know what those readings are supposed to be. My biggest "feature request" it would be some sort of warning/notification when parameters are out of spec - i.e. font changing to red or a pop up message, etc.
That's actually a good idea.
I think it's a worthwhile upgrade as well. It was one of the first things I changed on my turbo when I got it and I noticed an improved idle and small little things that seemed to be better. If I had it to do all over again I'd wait to get the upcoming MAF option as well but I have already invested in MaxxECU. Would have been much simpler overall albeit, yes, fewer features than a full blown stand alone ECU.
Have they mentioned when the MAF option is supposed to come out?
Supposedly some time this year.
Re: Focus 9 OBD+ DME worth it?
Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2025 12:44 pm
by Latitude48
TerrorBytes wrote: Fri Apr 25, 2025 7:22 pm
Have they mentioned when the MAF option is supposed to come out?
The NA version is available now. Joe said he needs to upgrade his flow bench and do a bit more testing before the 951 version will be available, but yeah, "any day now" ha, ha.
Personally, I'd wait to purchase until the MK2 Sport DME is available with OBD+ before moving forward. That was supposed to happen this month, but I haven't seen any recent updates on RL.
Re: Focus 9 OBD+ DME worth it?
Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2025 12:52 pm
by TerrorBytes
Latitude48 wrote: Tue Apr 29, 2025 12:44 pm
TerrorBytes wrote: Fri Apr 25, 2025 7:22 pm
Have they mentioned when the MAF option is supposed to come out?
The NA version is available now. Joe said he needs to upgrade his flow bench and do a bit more testing before the 951 version will be available, but yeah, "any day now" ha, ha.
Personally, I'd wait to purchase until the MK2 Sport DME is available with OBD+ before moving forward. That was supposed to happen this month, but I haven't seen any recent updates on RL.
Im guessing that will be the standalone DME that wont require sending in your original one? I think ill be waiting anyways though as Im thinking ill put the money towards a full 3 inch fabspeed exhaust, maybe do the dme and maf upgrade after that, then last stage will be turbo upgrade and injector upgrade with tuning
Re: Focus 9 OBD+ DME worth it?
Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2025 4:05 pm
by Latitude48
TerrorBytes wrote: Tue Apr 29, 2025 12:52 pm
Latitude48 wrote: Tue Apr 29, 2025 12:44 pm
TerrorBytes wrote: Fri Apr 25, 2025 7:22 pm
Have they mentioned when the MAF option is supposed to come out?
The NA version is available now. Joe said he needs to upgrade his flow bench and do a bit more testing before the 951 version will be available, but yeah, "any day now" ha, ha.
Personally, I'd wait to purchase until the MK2 Sport DME is available with OBD+ before moving forward. That was supposed to happen this month, but I haven't seen any recent updates on RL.
Im guessing that will be the standalone DME that wont require sending in your original one? I think ill be waiting anyways though as Im thinking ill put the money towards a full 3 inch fabspeed exhaust, maybe do the dme and maf upgrade after that, then last stage will be turbo upgrade and injector upgrade with tuning
Correct. The MK2 is 100% new parts and has some nice changes, including updates to the flywheel sensor circuit, injector driver, and an optional ZIF socket for the chip.