ROM Tuning the ECU?

[Chris Corolla S]

I read this on Corolla Performance:

Compression is a relatively high 10:1, especially considering that the 1ZZ-FE is designed to run on 87-octane gas. Toyota claims no performance benefits from using higher octane fuel, so tuning is probably pretty conservative to avoid detonation. Some power may be hidden away in the ECU if you re-tune it for 92-octane gas. ROM-tuning Toyota ECUs tends to be relatively expensive, but in this case, it may be worth it.

Has anyone heard of this ROM-tuning? What is it? Do you need a specific device to do this? Do you need a shop do do it? Recomended?

These things are so complicated, you can't just advance the timing

[EKam]

Basically you cannot tune a Toyota ECU because they're ROM (read only memory) chip.

To tune it you'll have to replace the chip with a FlashRom chip such as the ones form TechTOM, and that means $$$$$$$.