1. Reading/Writing - Some free tools on here, how or if they work on ME7.1.1.'s depends on your file. They were in their infancy when I started out on the 711's and were too problematic/didn't work so just got tools instead. They're always being evolved or others are making other types of tools plus they can work on early c167 files so you might get lucky!
If not, you have two ways of read write - full and flash. MPPS & Galletto will tend to get you a flash but seeing as you're doing a project which sounds like you'll need to do some deeper things, then I'd probably look at the K-Tag tools as they will get you the mcu in the read. You'll probably also need tools for the box, CAN/Cluster if this is a big project. Not done these, I've only really done the 5/6 cylinder on ME7.1.1. & DSG but some may tell you what they use or a simple Google with regards to your car/ecu/box codes should tell you.
2. Once you've got your reads then you need to make sense of the data. You'll not likely be able to get any free stuff off the net for these - could be wrong though, spend a lot of time on Google - so you'll want to be buying a definition file. 2 main options on here really - Winols or Tunerpro files. If you're lucky enough to get a T-Pro file then you're all set to tweak n tune, most likely though, you'll want to request a definition ols file from one of the pro's on here in the services area. Generally hundreds to pay for those though!
Once you buy that then you'll want to download winols demo and put it in there and you can see your maps then (I think it'll show you - easy way to find out is dl it and get some other ols def files on here and look at them). Then you'll need to build up your own def file using Tunerpro - dl that too.
Now you can read/write n tune - only prob is checksums! Some tools have checksum buttons nowadays, not sure how trustworthy they are, in which case you'll probably be looking at either asking whomever you get the def file off if you can buy a cs bundle (basically sending them your file every time you make a change so they can checksum it - not recommended - I did 104 changes on my last car in a week for example - each one would have needed that if I didn't have the means to do it myself) - or sometimes the free stuff on here/some can disable in a flash file dep on ecu, if such techniques can work - not too sure on this car though - in which case I'd suggest once you get your read, you might want to test it out in Ecufix and buy the £200 version to save you a lot of hassle;
https://www.andywhittaker.com/ecufix/Then there's the more complex coding/architecture side of things - either pay people or learn it really!
