Just wanted to drop a line here and let everyone know about my experience with Granatelli Motorsports and their Fuego flash tuner.
I have a 2007 Ford Mustang with a 4.0L V6. After installing JBA's H-pipe dual exhaust conversion and the Roush Racing CAI, I decided it would be a good idea to pick up a flash tuner for the Mustang. I looked a several different tuners and chose the Granatelli Fuego tuner. After shelling out my $325 for it I waited for it to arrive.
I recieved it a couple of days later. Plugged it into my car and followed the directions to the letter. The tuner asked me to turn the key off, push "enter", then turn the key back on to the Run position. I did this and the error came back "Update needed" and to call Granatelli back. I did and was told to return the tuner. I had to pay shipping for the return.
I recieved the replacement tuner today and tried to use it again. This time, instead of the update error, the Tuner would simply get locked into the same turn-the-key-off-push-enter-turn-key-on cycle and refused to work. I called Granatelli Motorsports again and was offered yet another Fuego tuner. Rather than play the "Swap The Part Until It Works" game, I opted for a refund. They paid for the return shipping this time and I've sent it back to them.
I spoke with Granatelli's return department and was told I'd have to wait a week for the refund. Given the circumstances surrounding this entire fiasco, I'll probably only give them 2 business days after recieving my returned tuner before I initiate a charge dispute with my financial institution to get my money back. Granatelli offered a new unit but refused to ship it out until they recieved the bad tuner back, and I had to pay to return it the first time. They didn't do much to try to rectify the problem, either, offering some discounts on other products along with the replacement Tuner but nothing really substantial. The Fuego tuner itself actually has a USB port and I did ask them about providing me with the necessary software to patch the myself but was turned down, with them telling me that they didn't plan on putting up the software on their website until next year sometime (Hello? Diablosport tuners already have downloadable flash ROMs for their tuners...)
So if you're looking for a chip tuner, stay away from the Granatelli Fuego tuner and save yourself some trouble. Ultimately I'll probably return to JBA Racing and simply have the car put up on their dyno and tuned, or I'll give the Diablosport tuner a shot. Either way, given the lack of customer service on the part of Granatelli, I won't be buying any of their products for my car anytime soon.
Kind of makes you wish you had spent the extra $75 and bought an SCT or Diablo tuner huh?
The thing about car parts is that you get what you pay for. If you go cheap, expect to get cheap.
I've been in your shoes before; in a dispute with a shop thats too far away from my home to drive over there and raise hell. It really sucks, but its part of doing dealings over the 'net. My best advice is to stick to what the crowd is using, ie; brenspeed, bamachips, etc. because they've got a good reputation for a reason.
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Black 2005 Mustang v6, 5 speed, IUP, EUP and Leather.
Razzi 1/4 window scoops, Mustang GT Sway Bars, Flowmaster American Thunder Single Exhaust, Clear Front Turn Signal Lenses, Demolet CAI, X-cal2 91 tune, Hurst Comp/Plus Shifter, FRPP T-Lock, Ford 3.73 gears
Kind of makes you wish you had spent the extra $75 and bought an SCT or Diablo tuner huh?
The thing about car parts is that you get what you pay for. If you go cheap, expect to get cheap.
I've been in your shoes before; in a dispute with a shop thats too far away from my home to drive over there and raise hell. It really sucks, but its part of doing dealings over the 'net. My best advice is to stick to what the crowd is using, ie; brenspeed, bamachips, etc. because they've got a good reputation for a reason.
Yeah..Lesson learned. I should have known better. It's not like I skimped on the CAI or the dual exhaust kit. Like I've said, if it has "Granatelli" on it, I won't be buying it. The Diablosport tuner is where I'll most likely go.
Granatelli issued the refund sooner than I expected but did not refund the entire price of the unit. Despite the fact that they shipped out two bad units, they still refused to refund the original cost of shipping. Combine that with the fact that I had to pay shipping to return it the first time, I think it's a safe bet to say that any future parts I plan on purchasing for my car will not be made by Granatelli.
I guess twelve bucks in shipping charges is worth the permanent loss of a customer.
After my experience with bamachips, I don't think I would ever buy a tune elsewhere. I love the performance gain I recieved, and the overall transaction went smoothly. With the deal for the Diablo this month, I would get one today if I were you.
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2006 V6 auto with the pony package
adding to it everyday
If you plug into the USB port XP will install a generic USB 2 Serial driver after which the unit powers up just like it was plugged into the OBD .
BUT there are just the usual programming options. No option to load an update. There is another port which appears to be a S-Video. Who knows what this is for. Granatelli's support is non-existent.
I am in the process of reverse engineering the MMC chip that is inside. You can open the unit and pull that right out and read it with a chip reader like you would use for your camera. There are several files on it but I am still trying to determine what type of programming it is.
If anyone knows who actually wrote the programming for this unit I would appreciate a line. I know it wasn't Granatelli. They no doubt bought them from mexico or china and have no more idea how to update or program it than anyone else.
Any help, ideas, etc..........................
A Word on the Granatelli Fuego Tuner 
There is another port which appears to be a S-Video. Who knows what this is for. Granatelli's support is non-existent.
