A PIWIS for US$75

Hi, this is a cross thread to a thread on ********. A poster there posted complete instructions on how you can get your own PIWIS III for $75. I followed the instructions and after a few bumps in the road I now have a PIWIS III clone running on my laptop. It does all a PIWIS does, except anything where you need a connection to the Porsche network. Meaning no activation of features. https://********.com/forums/997-forum/1448979-a-piwis-3-for-only-75-a.html Ah interesting, I just noticed that mentioning "the other" forum's name get censored here

Thanks! That's not $75. Its "Another $75",. and another aliexpress package I have to bring in before my wife notices it.

I can’t get the link to even work to look at it

You need to replace the ** in the URL with the "banned" word on P9. Hint: It is the name of another (well known) forum and abbreviates to "RL"

Thanks for the linkup... I downloaded the post as a PDF, so I can save it. I plan to find a download for this PIWIS and try it out myself on my laptop... if it works, I will get the recommended hardware as well, and give that a shot. The point is, this is a setup that is well within my price range for this capability! I have the skills to get all this working as well, and to tweak it further if needed, so I'm fine there... again, thanks so much for posting it! EDIT: Screw it, the device is on sale so I am buying it now... EDIT2: Downloads complete, and intact (I love having a 500Mbps fiber connection that costs less than Comcrap!)

You can find the instructions as a PDF at the pdkpirates website.

Now I just need a laptop… smh

Hi gang, I personally may jump in on this at some point and give it a whack. As I already consider myself a passible user with PIWIS 2 , there's no question that this is a lower price to entry as opposed to the former $400 units that work just great. Apparently the price hovers around $30-$35 with this for the v1.6.6 version. TBH, I'm very curious about if it'll just work right out of the box with the PIWIS 2 VMs, but who knows. Before ordering, I've done a bunch of browsing per the online stores and I think what has happened is that the v1.6.6 version is stuck in 2020 just like the PIWIS 2 clone -- which gives me hope that it'll work just fine as-is -- whereas the v1.8.4 seems like that one expires in 2030. However, the latter costs about $65. If you do order one of these, you can also separately buy a USB cord for about $3 that seems to be made to specifically and permanently mount into the box -- not a bad idea given how crappy the connector is (Micro-USB?). A few other minor points I'll throw out there: * If you've got a 987/ 981 and that's all you're working on (not newer models), you may find more goodies/hacks available in a PIWIS 2 vs a PIWIS 3 . Apparently the PIWIS 3 user interface isn't significantly improved either, so YMMV. * If I could get one that works for $65 that bypasses the 2020 bug, I'd happily pay the extra $30 bucks just for the convenience of potentially auto-setting the service intervals for the next five years (assuming that works). I do that manually with the PIWIS 2 -- not a big deal but I'd pay for the convenience. * If you use a non- PIWIS unit (Durametric) and this one does wind up working, I'd strongly recommend one of these simply to complement what you have for the "deep dive" stuff. I don't use it regularly, but it is incredible for the stuff (diagnosis, etc.) that the standard units don't seem to handle. Consider reading per past threads; it's a steep learning curve but is just fantastic once you get the hang of it. Let us know how you get on with the purchase, @schwinn -- I'll certainly be watching this thread.

I have to ask though, would you really trust this to do a PDK calibration? I've heard horror stories of them bricking the transmissions, because they aren't really set up correctly.

@theblooms - YMMV. If I had PDK, I'd likely trust an older PIWIS 2 setup -- as I've extensively tested it over the past few years on other tasks -- and it seems like a much more robust clone than this cheap PIWIS 3 setup. One follow-up is that the v1.8.4 seems like that one expires in 2030 may not work for our P-cars, but then again -- it may and nobody has tested it yet. I'm guessing not and this is the whole VCI thing (internal chip setup from what I gather). Good chance I'll just spring for the cheap v1.6.6 setup at some point and do some testing when I have time. Really curious, TBH.

I've done many, many calibrations (and know others that have done even more) and other actions using both the PIWIS 2 and PIWIS 3 aftermarket setups and have never had an issue that was due to the PIWIS . Possible? sure. Likely? not really.

Does anybody know a source for a well working piwis 2 clone including cable?

@foodbiker do you have any specific examples of what the PIWIS 2 can do on a 987 vs. PIWIS 3? I am just curious.

@Reds89 - I don't, but my understanding is that some of the wacky stuff in the Engineering mode is stripped out in PIWIS 3. As PIWIS 3 does the exact same thing as PIWIS 2, but has less stuff and the only key benefit is support of much newer models, I don't see any real benefit to upgrading to PIWIS 3. This being said, if PIWIS 3 is a rock solid solution at a much more affordable price, there's no reason not to just use that solution. Again, I may just order one and mess around with it as it may be so inexpensive.

@schwinn - I think it may be possible to do that in P2 Engineering mode, but I don‘t know if/how. Was likely someone else?

Certainly possible. I just wanted to know where to find the menu selection. From what I read, it's within the Instrument Cluster section, under the "coding without rules" section, where you can see the X/Y values for the conversion. The parameters are called "Kuhlwassertemperatur kennlinie". I was not able to find this in the simulated 987.2 on PIWIS3 , so I'm wondering if it's there on PIWIS2 ... I was able to find it on the 991, as described. But there doesn't appear to be any "coding without rules" on 987, that's why I ask...

No idea. Maybe check using the P2 VM somewhere on the site?

Okay, gang - I finally pulled the trigger and bought one on sale this morning as a clear impulse buy. The price dipped under $30, and I spent a few bucks more for the hardwired USB cable that permanently attaches to the bottom of it. Given how fragile the (likely) Mini USB cable is, this is clearly a huge stress point that would likely damage the clone with repeated use -- I figure I might thank myself later. It seems pretty clear that the v1.6.6 is a "stuck in time" device and that's fine with me. No, I won't be able to do the automatic resets but that's not a big deal. Apparently, it's very important to not let it update to a higher firmware or it'll brick it. Low cost of entry here meant that I couldn't resist this experiment. I decided that if I could get this to work, I'd ultimately leave this one in the P-car trunk for road trip emergencies (it's so small) and leave the expensive P2 clone at home for shop work -- as @jjrichar has pointed out. Plus, it would be fun to compare P2 and P3. I'm also curious if this just works out of the box with the P2 images on P9, but I seriously doubt it as I think it has to do with a different VCI driver, etc. Although I don't have time to focus on this project right now, I should ideally be eventually able to confirm work that others may do and serve as another data point. I also figure that in the unlikely event that things went sideways per my 987.2, at least I have access to a working P2 to try and revive stuff. In the past for P2, I'm a Mac user and have successfully used VirtualBox (Intel MacBook) via the instructions here on P9. I now also have UTM (Apple Silicon for MacBook Air) but haven't had a chance to test the P2 on that. Finally, I also have Parallels (Win 11), but USB has been kinda flakey on that for other stuff. Obviously, if any of you successfully create a VM and how you went ahead with that, please post that here; hopefully this will become a parallel thread to the one that originated elsewhere. Looking forward to hearing how you all get on. Cheers.

A bit more info on this PIWIS 3 setup for those interested. Do a google search for 'a piwis 3 for only $75' and it will take you to the appropriate forum thread that explains all. I have this as a backup PIWIS for the PIWIS 2 VM I've been using for years. I rate it as a better setup than the PIWIS 2 . Cheaper by a lot. US$30 for the interface is basically free. Far simpler to get the interface connected to the VM and connected to the car. Both aftersales and development mode are available. There are actually two PIWIS 3 versions that can be used once you open 'PIWIS' on the desktop. One has the prefix 38.xxx, which is aftersales mode. The other has the prefix 41.xxx and this is the German development mode where you can do all the option changes. The nice thing is you don't have to go through the mode change like you do in PIWIS 2. You simply open the different diagnostics program. Doesn't seem to have the black menu issue that requires a bat file to open and bypass the issue. If my PIWIS 2 interface fails then I'm not buying another. I'll be using this PIWIS 3. I've had a good poke around and not found any issues, but I've not conducted a PDK calibration with it as I didn't have the need.

The PIWIS VM files are now available for download. Just Google " PDK Pirates tools". @foodbiker please provide a link to the adapter with permanently installed USB cable.

I bought the cheap Chinese VAS 6154 from AliExpress and the USB port came loose the first time I unplugged the cable. I would highly recommend opening up the device and maybe hot-gluing the USB port in place to keep it from falling apart. Otherwise, internally, the component layout looks very professional. Now I need to brush up on my soldering to put this thing back together again. Update : I was going to try to repair it, but the pins to the USB port are surface-mount so difficult to get to. I don't have a soldering iron with a thin-enough tip to get to it. I took it to a couple electronics repair places locally and they didn't have the means to resolder it either, so I opted to return it. AliExpress has a good return policy . I was able to submit a return online, got a postage-paid label to return it, and was able to get an immediate credit as soon as the Post Office scanned the return bar code. I ordered another one the same day - from a different vendor this time. Hoping the soldering is a little better. I will probably hot glue or epoxy the port to keep it from stressing the connection.

@stjoh - Checked the link; thanks. Apparently there are even other VM images floating around out there -- good to know this is v41.5 (as opposed to other ones). Do we have any information about the Y2K20 bug? I'm guessing this one might be frozen in time; I'll have to do some playing around with it. There is no adapter with a permanently connected cable. However, one appears to be able to add a better USB cable connection that's permanent (multiple ones are floating around for sale) after the fact: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806171495543.html ​ From what I can tell, the bottom of the original unit comes off, and you just add this connector to it and screw it in. Looks like a pass-through of the Mini USB cable, so nothing will fall off. If you guys prefer to hang on before ordering, I'm happy to do a test fit once both units come in and will report back.

Just perused the website, @stjoh -- I didn't realize that PDK Pirates was your brainchild. What a fantastic job. Although I don't have PDK in either Boxster, I'm more than happy to help out on the P2/P3 end of things if I can.

Ahh, I had not seen those before. That should work as long as it can be secured to the adapter. Please let us know when you get it. As I mentioned earlier, this is one of the many reasons I like to use the WiFi connection most of the time. These USB ports are quite fragile, easily detached from the board.

I do believe the point of the fixed cord is that it becomes permanently secured to the adapter. It's too bad they're not included, but that's a cost savings thing. I'll let the gang know here how things get on when they arrive. FWIW, on a Mac, I could never get the WiFi to work on P2 -- so just went ahead with USB. It's always been fiddly, but definitely useable. UPDATE : Apparently the VMWare images are only for Intel machines, which means they will not run directly on Apple Silicon off the bat. I suspect it might work on an older Mac laptop, but all this is speculative at this point. YMMV.

Parts ordered but traveling a few weeks, so don't know when it will get built.

Parts ordered, files downloaded. Now what? I'm guessing I have to dig out one of my old Windows laptops? What sort of processor works with this?

Sigh. $6 down the drain. I’ll have to see what actually shows up, I guess!

Ideally you should have an i5 or i7 CPU, 16 GB of RAM.

Both adapter and hard-wired USB cord arrived astonishing quickly. DO NOT BUY THE additional hard-wired cord. As @ledbette pointed out, it will not fit. The USB port extender isn't even centered on the clone. Going to open up the clone and epoxy the original mount in place, so it doesn't fall off. My next issue is somehow getting a virtual machine to work, as I'm generally running Apple Silicon and the images will only run on an Intel box (PC or older Mac). Not rushing into it, but at least I'm ready to go hardware-wise once I have time, etc.

Sheeze... now you tell me.. what are you going to do with two of those hard wired USB thingies?

@deilenberger - Cry? I'm only out ~$6, so I guess I took one for the team. Again, I have the images and will have to figure out some VM solution on an older Intel Mac to see if I can get P3 to work.

I'm out the same $6. I wonder if I want to return it if they'll do what AliExpress vendors usually do - refund your $$ and tell you to toss it out..? Not enough money for a large Dunkin' Coffee so I'm not gonna worry a lot about it. And hey - what are all those CD disks that came in the box with the interface?

I think that's the case, Don. Apparently, word has it that those DVDs that came with it are not the ones we need. Once I've got the stuff sorted, I'll likely just pitch them. Friends don't let friends drink DD. Here in New England, we order a "regular" which is heavy cream, heavy sugar -- to mask the battery acid. Recently, I was meeting someone at a DD and didn't order a regular -- just ordered light on both. Bad call. Ugh. Can't believe I used to drink the stuff. LOL.

Just a quick bump to let people know the original thread on the other forum is sill being added to. I am still collecting parts, so keeping both bookmarked to take advantage of the wealth of information. (Fingers crossed I don't have any problems.)