i haven't read anything about this before, but here goes..

i have a jdm 6 speed manual 8. of course, it has the speed limiter at 187 km/h. the SLD from HKS is waaay too pricey just to have that thing removed. plus, the cobb isn't really an option right now, because it stopped production and i haven't read anywhere that the removal of the speed limiter on the jdm 8 works. i mean it wasn't personally testified. just mazdamaniac saying that cobb says it would.

ANYWAY,

can't i just get a us version, second hand ECU for the a 6 speed manual and swap it out with mine? will that take the speed limiter off? thanks!

The donor ECU won't work unless it is re-programmed with as built data for your car....

You will have to pay the dealer a lot of cash and end up with the same result

An aftermarket ECU flash is your only hope....RE-A or something like that :(

awww.. that sucks. i knew it was too god to be true. lol.

thanks, anyway! especially for the quick reply.

cheers!

A racing beat flash of a 2004 ecu will work. I was using one in a 2005 car with no key or security stuff at all. I want to sell it since I don't use it now after switching to a standalone ecu.

"Flash Process and Procedure
This flash service is performed on YOUR PCM unit. Each RX-8 PCM unit has been programmed for each specific chassis and is intended to communicate with the security “immobilization” system. For this reason we do not offer a PCM “trade-in” service, we MUST flash the PCM unit that came equipped with your car. (The immobilization information for the 2005-08 RX-8 is retained during the Racing Beat flash and is not overwritten.)"

from http://www.racingbeat.com/Mazda-Performance-Parts.html?PartNumber=11308

so it says there that it's not possible. :(

^ Weird. Besides MM still has the Cobb available for the JDM 8's. And why do you want the speed limiter removed anyway?

"Flash Process and Procedure
This flash service is performed on YOUR PCM unit. Each RX-8 PCM unit has been programmed for each specific chassis and is intended to communicate with the security “immobilization” system. For this reason we do not offer a PCM “trade-in” service, we MUST flash the PCM unit that came equipped with your car. (The immobilization information for the 2005-08 RX-8 is retained during the Racing Beat flash and is not overwritten.)"

from http://www.racingbeat.com/Mazda-Performance-Parts.html?PartNumber=11308

so it says there that it's not possible. :(

It is possible if the ecu is from a 2004, in that case it will work on a 2004-2008. I have done it. In the 2004 ecu the security is completely disabled, you turn the key, the car starts and runs. 2005 and up ecu's cannot disable the security. Read the last sentence in the paragraph above the one you quoted.

It is possible if the ecu is from a 2004,...

and you get the "race" flash


REN.V2:
On the 2004 RX-8 REN.V2 flash the security immobilizer feature is disabled, however on all later 2005-2008 versions this feature is retained. The REN.V Track/Race Flash was developed for applications that operate at continued high RPM's utilizing an "open" or very low restriction exhaust system. Specific emphasis was devoted to optimizing mid-range performance as a result of the benefits provided by the low restriction exhaust system

OP - What year is your '8?
Are you actually certain that it is a JDM model? Since you don't list your actual location, I can't tell.
Many people in the Asian market actually end up with European or Australian RX-8s.

In any event, the AccessPORT is still available and it removes the speed limiter on all models that have one.
At the moment, the only JDM model that is intrinsically supported is the 2004 HiPower.

I'm pretty positive that it's JDM. As for the year, i've been trying to figure it out for the longest time, but i can't seem to find the VIN number. It's not on the dash, nor on the side of the door. maybe because it's converted to LHD? Maybe someone can help me out. This is all i could find.

http://flic.kr/p/8JYs6F

and theeen, Mazdamaniac, i thought that Cobb discontinued production for NA cars? If so, how much is a Cobb and will you still include free tuning for 6 months?

thanks a lot!

By the way, I'm from the Philippines and my car's a 6 speed manual.

^ Weird. No VIN plate in the window? No sticker in the door jam? Did you look in the engine bay? if you are looking at the firewall, it should be engraved like this:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4068/5081580106_cd42dd2b46.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/9krpmrx8/5081580106/)

IMG00034-20101014-1112 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/9krpmrx8/5081580106/) by 9krpmrx8 (http://www.flickr.com/people/9krpmrx8/), on Flickr

Is there a sticker on one of the rear doors, just below the striker plate for the front doors.
It will have the VIN and the date of manufacture (as well as the vehicle weight ratings).

Cobb did discontinue the AccessPORT for NA apps.
However, I was able to negotiate a deal with Cobb that allowed me to become the sole, exclusive world-wide distributor of the AccessPORT for the RX-8 and continue to make them available.

yeah, i've seen that, but check mine out. lol. i'm going crazy trying to look for my freakin VIN.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4104/5089291692_fd4d0866fc_b.jpg

nothing on the window, nothing on the doors except for a sticker with the specs of the OEM tires and some japanese characters. i even checked the trunk, still nothing.

oh, that's awesome! i just wish that my car's and 04 so that i'll be able to use the cobb on mine. lol