Did not see this posted yet so here you go:

http://www.autoweek.com/cat_content.mv?port_code=autoweek&cat_code=carnews&loc_code=index&content_code=00435633


Mazda sez: "Mazda officials say after modifying the car’s powertrain control module to meet required federal emissions standards, the RX-8 with manual transmission is producing 238 hp, down from the promised 247 hp, while the automatic- trans model is down 10 hp to 197 hp. Mazda says the drop in power doesn’t affect the car’s 0-to-60-mph times, however."

and the powertrain contol module = ecu?

Things that make you go Hmmm.......

Yes....Powertrain control Module is another way of saying ECU.

BTW this is the first I've ever heard Mazda specifying the Modification of our ECU's! We knew it anyways.....

Aha.. and so that means the changes to the ECU is quite possibly holding back the engine?

Hmmm.. More fire for BOOSTD7's quest.

... more fire to forget about getting a fix from Mazda - we just need somebody who can flash ECUs and who can develop a different set of parameters that will develop the extra power. Get a bunch of ECUs to send out on an exchange basis, and we're set. Someone needs to get the ECU flashing setup and get busy! For an experienced engine ECU tuner (TEC II/III, haltech, etc) this should be easy.

Regards,
Gordon

Sounds a lot like my deductive post from last weeks "heres the letter" thread.

"I believe that this car showed up at America's door with 247HP. It did not meet our EPA standards, waited at all the ports until parts and equipment could be sent to all the ports to reburn ECU proms that would meets the EPA standards (remember the minimum 3 week wait at all ports for no reason). There will be aftermarket chips that will recover all that was lost, plus. Just my opinion. But it kind of explains the whole port hush, hush, thing.
Mazda would not nowingly inport another car after past problems and repercusions. They have spent the last 2 month (quick in corporate time) coming up with an acceptable remedy for the problem."

I hope that this part of my deduction will come true also:

"They are probably leaking good solid burn info to aftermarket companies as we speak, to further remedy the situation."

But this part of my post was not a guess, I mean deduction.

"I'm quite happy with whatever is coming out of it, and the money and service is a bonus."

It's convienient how they don't mention the effect of reduced power on the 1/4 mile times, only 0-60. For those that have done it, do you hit 60mph in first gear? If so, at what rpm?

So I guess this also means that Mazda admits to not putting the reflashed cars on the dyno to see if the new program affected the engine in any way? Or maybe they knew and hoped that people wouldn't notice? :confused: Interesting..

60mph in first gear???? No way 2nd yes.

2nd gear, 9000 RPM = 68MPH...

Originally posted by rx8daniel
2nd gear, 9000 RPM = 68MPH...
So 1st gear, 9500rpm, 60mph? :D

I got 45 mph in 1st at redline on my test drive.

Not the AutoWeek article said "federal" standards, not just Kalifornya.