I just emailed COBB, the company well-known for their ECU management/tuning system AccessPORT. I asked them if they would ever consider making a Honda-compatible version, and here is the email I got back:
David,
Honda's have definitely crossed our minds but at this time, we just have too many projects going on to branch out, especially when we just moved into the Nissan/Infiniti, Mitsubishi, and Mazda market. It is quite possible we will support Honda cars in the future but just not likely any time soon.
I know several tuner shops that have switched from catering to Honda to catering to Nissan/Mitsu/Subaru since they have brought the 350/EVO/WRX state side.
People with these cars tend to spend more money and when they go to modify their vehicles are generally looking for more than basic I/H/E. Look at the average age of the buyers and the average income of these buyers. A vast majority of Honda owners are looking for low budget bolt ons and it's very obvious with the repetitive cosmetic and I/H/E threads posted on this forum as well as other Honda/Acura websites.
You also have to consider your own statement, "where is the larger tuner crowd?" You are right, but did you consider how saturated the market is with companies volleying for a sliver of the Honda aftermarket? Ever heard of market share?
It's all about return on investment and I'm not surprised and I'm sad to say the ROI is far greater with the brands Cobb has mentioned.
Yeah, actually all their AccessPORTs are the same price...and I'm pretty sure thats only MSRP. I think the only reason the 350z one has all the videos is because it's one of the newer models they came out with. I was always envious of my Suby friends when they bought these things -_-.
@ COBB: We're 33 strong...and its only been half a day! And only one forum!
^ Why wouldn't it? The AccessPort is on par with the Hondata REFLASH in terms of price. I don't know about you but I would prefer a plug and play tuning system over a lower VTEC engagement. How many people on here have the reflash? Cobb would make a killing in the K-series Honda scene.
Because it's not just a simple matter like taking an existing product, and modifying it to work on the 8th civic? Don't you think if it was, Hondata would've just modified the KPRO?
You don't get to be a successful company by ignoring opportunities for a product that provides a very good cost : profit ratio. If the cost : profit ratio is so amazingly, incredibly, STUPENDOUSLY good like everyone seems to assume, don't you think the market would be saturated with them right now?
Hondata is JUST Honda. That's it. The fact that a company that focuses on just that brand doesn't have one out yet should be a pretty good indication that it's a little more complex than you think.
I would love Accessport for our cars. Good product and a really good company....Hondata's only company is Honda and and they say the Si is their main priority....gimme a break its been out for 3 damn years now!!....Cobb has accessport for 4 different companys...I don't get why people have this state of mind where if Hondata can't do it than no one can
My point is that Cobb said they have yet to even look into Hondas, but are thinking about it. Yet you keep saying if there was money in it they would already have done so by now. That doesn't make sense. I'm simply saying they should give it a looksee based on the size of the 8th community. I'd say it's a little larger than the R35 community but they're pursuing that.
Also, the R35 ECU was supposed to be UNCRACKABLE (and I assume that it's much more advanced than our 20k car's ECU), and Cobb cracked it in months.
You ARE missing the point. I understand it's not easy, I never said it would take an afternoon. From the OP:
My point is that Cobb said they have yet to even look into Hondas, but are thinking about it. Yet you keep saying if there was money in it they would already have done so by now. That doesn't make sense. I'm simply saying they should give it a looksee based on the size of the 8th community. I'd say it's a little larger than the R35 community but they're pursuing that.
Also, the R35 ECU was supposed to be UNCRACKABLE (and I assume that it's much more advanced than our 20k car's ECU), and Cobb cracked it in months.
To be honest, i'm not even sure why i'm arguing over this. Probably because it's a slow work day. I'm not missing your point, I think the problem is i'm arguing a different point, which is my fault for going slightly off-topic.
Yes, I realize what the OP said, and what Cobb said in reply to his email. My original post was how I find it funny how everyone assumes that this would be an "epic cash cow for Cobb". You even said "they'd make a killing in the K-Series" market.
I never said there is "no market for it", I merely question how sizable the market for it really is.
Not to mention it's only $700 (assuming a version for us would be similar in price). I'm sure the Hondata solution would be two times that. If there were no market in it, why would Hondata buy two cars to develop a system?
We are working on a programmable system for the Civic.
1) It is our TOP priority. We have purchased two Civics for this reason.
2) It will not be called K-Pro
We know from the volume of email and phone calls the level of interest. More calls however, cannot make the development proceed at a faster rate, so please be patient.
Here is my question to you SiliconX. Would you buy one if Cobb makes one? I would pay a deposit right now if Cobb says they would release one right now.
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