I found an abandoned RX8 a few years ago. I replaced a number of broken parts on the car and got it running. I took it to get it tuned. My buddy that was going to do the tune for me said that the ECU is locked. I did some research and I think the person that had the car before me had a COBB and locked the ECU. What would be my best course of action? I live close enough to a junk yard where I could get a used ecu then try and tune it or I could try and get the COBB unlocked.

 

Bring it to the dealer to be returned to as programmed from factory OR get a replacement ECU and have the dealer program it to the car (yes this is a thing).

 

If the ecu is locked, how did you start it? What are you trying to tune on a stock ecu anyway?

 

I don't think the dealer is going to be able to do anything with the ECU if it's locked. If you can't get it unlocked and reset to OE condition you're going to need a new ECU.

If you can get an identical replacement ECU (same model/year/options/part#/etc), take the car and the new ECU to the dealer and they might be able to make it work with the car. They will need to reprogram the replacement with the correct "As Built" data or it won't talk to the rest of the modules.
https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discuss...3/#post3661241
https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discuss...3/#post3661293

If you can somehow get the "As Built" data, you can reprogram it yourself using FORscan but that may be fairly advanced stuff.

 

Thanks for the advice I will get an ecu one day. The local junk yard sells them for like 40$. Ill see if the mazda dealership near me will be able to help get the as build data uploaded.

 

It was tuned before I got the car and I cant see what is changed. ie how much oil the oil metering pump is putting in if any.