Salvage US Computer for Japan?

randreed · 08-21-2006, 06:26 PM

I've seen a few posts on here about accidents, and I must first say that I feel very sorry that this happened to those people.

The other side of my head is thinking that this could be an opportunity of some sort.

There is skilled a developer in Japan who is willing to work out some mods for use on US cars, but he does not have access to a US car. We originally talked about shipping a car to him, but that was not feasible due to costs and volunteering a car. We also toyed with the idea of bringing him over to the US for a while, but the costs are still high and the legalities are complex.

NEW IDEA:
What about salvaging the computer(s) from a few of the Prii that have been totaled in accidents? Those could easily be shipped to Japan.

Just an idea . . . . What do you think?

hyo silver · 08-21-2006, 07:05 PM

That sounds interesting. What kind of mods were you thinking about? Assuming you could get a car as salvage for not too much money, and cannibalise the parts you need, and the electronics aren't damaged by the impact, then, yeah. Not that I'm trying to discourage you, cuz I'm not, but I would worry about all that effort spent on broken parts. If there's some way you can verify what you need is in working order, go for it. In any case, this sounds much easier and cheaper than sending a whole car back to Japan.

randreed · 08-21-2006, 09:02 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hyo silver @ Aug 21 2006, 07:05 PM) [snapback]307088[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

That sounds interesting. What kind of mods were you thinking about? Assuming you could get a car as salvage for not too much money, and cannibalise the parts you need, and the electronics aren't damaged by the impact, then, yeah. Not that I'm trying to discourage you, cuz I'm not, but I would worry about all that effort spent on broken parts. If there's some way you can verify what you need is in working order, go for it. In any case, this sounds much easier and cheaper than sending a whole car back to Japan.
[/b]

Take a look at THIS POST to see what I mean. I think we could collectively come up with a couple of computers to ship back and forth as needed for development/testing efforts.

MarinJohn · 08-22-2006, 12:14 PM

I'm a little confused as to why you/he/she needs a US car/computer. Aren't the basics of the car similar worldwide, with only packages differing?

Charles Suitt · 08-22-2006, 04:55 PM

Hmmmmmmm...

What with the multiple computers in the Prius and the interrelationships between them and the overall design, It's difficult to see how "a computer" could be hacked to change the operating characteristics of the Prius.

Not just that... but what of the warranties?

randreed · 08-22-2006, 08:24 PM

I don't know how different they would be - I DO know that programmers are generally more efficient when they have a bench-unit to play with - that allows them the freedom to try out new stuff without possible disabling their own car and/or voiding the warranty.

I'm just trying to find a way to help the developer(s) so they can get new stuff to us faster!

statultra · 08-23-2006, 10:11 AM

www.car-part.com
they usually have ECM's and random other ECU's like the HV
its all junkyards all over uSA

08-21-2006, 06:26 PM	#1
randreed Same as it ever was . . . Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: West Milford, NJ Posts: 591 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #5 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 3	I've seen a few posts on here about accidents, and I must first say that I feel very sorry that this happened to those people. The other side of my head is thinking that this could be an opportunity of some sort. There is skilled a developer in Japan who is willing to work out some mods for use on US cars, but he does not have access to a US car. We originally talked about shipping a car to him, but that was not feasible due to costs and volunteering a car. We also toyed with the idea of bringing him over to the US for a while, but the costs are still high and the legalities are complex. NEW IDEA: What about salvaging the computer(s) from a few of the Prii that have been totaled in accidents? Those could easily be shipped to Japan. Just an idea . . . . What do you think? __________________ Please look for New Jersey Events at New Jersey Forum 2006 Silver #5 with Hitch, EV mod, and several other mods 2008 Black #6 pristine, shiny, and new

08-21-2006, 07:05 PM	#2
hyo silver awaaay Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 7,429 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: Base Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 32	That sounds interesting. What kind of mods were you thinking about? Assuming you could get a car as salvage for not too much money, and cannibalise the parts you need, and the electronics aren't damaged by the impact, then, yeah. Not that I'm trying to discourage you, cuz I'm not, but I would worry about all that effort spent on broken parts. If there's some way you can verify what you need is in working order, go for it. In any case, this sounds much easier and cheaper than sending a whole car back to Japan. __________________ My other high mileage, low emission vehicles are my bicycles and my shoes.

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08-22-2006, 12:14 PM	#4
MarinJohn Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 2,333 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 1	I'm a little confused as to why you/he/she needs a US car/computer. Aren't the basics of the car similar worldwide, with only packages differing?

08-22-2006, 04:55 PM	#5
Charles Suitt Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 1,622 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Hmmmmmmm... What with the multiple computers in the Prius and the interrelationships between them and the overall design, It's difficult to see how "a computer" could be hacked to change the operating characteristics of the Prius. Not just that... but what of the warranties?

08-22-2006, 08:24 PM	#6
randreed Same as it ever was . . . Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: West Milford, NJ Posts: 591 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #5 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 3	I don't know how different they would be - I DO know that programmers are generally more efficient when they have a bench-unit to play with - that allows them the freedom to try out new stuff without possible disabling their own car and/or voiding the warranty. I'm just trying to find a way to help the developer(s) so they can get new stuff to us faster!

08-23-2006, 10:11 AM	#7
statultra uber-Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: cape coral, FL Posts: 575 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	www.car-part.com they usually have ECM's and random other ECU's like the HV its all junkyards all over uSA