This is What I heard from a Rotary mechanic in Hesperia. If you want that lost 12 hp you can pay $55 and mazda will reprogram your ECU. Is this true???

 

Definately not sanctioned--this could be a way for a mechanic to makes some extra $$--sounds like snake oil. Maybe I'm wrong but I don't think so.

 

I would like to know. Get it done, see if you see any difference. $55 bucks ain't that bad for 12 extra horses. I'm sure it can be done.

 

If this is true, not only will I pay the $55 but I will tip the mechanic 20 bucks on top of that.

I am about 99% sure it is not true but 1% is better than no chance

Dean

 

Would the 8 be able to pass emissions with a J-spec ECU program? Is it even legal to appy a J-spec ECU program to a car in the US?

 

Being a new owner, I was wondering the same thing. I also wonder if there are physical differences between the US and J versions.

Dean

 

It surely will pass emissions, but the CAT will not have the required 120K life that forced the change in the first place. So, what - I'll buy a freakin CAT when it fails - give me my HP back.

 

So the whole going rumor is that Mazda is going to charge people in order to make the NOT meet the EPA2 standards?

 

the mazda reflash invoice said $120 for the official M upgrade

 

NO, it is absolutely NOT true.

- Mazda North America Operations sells the car with an ECU tune compliant with US emissions regulations. It is illegal for them or any of their service people to modify the car to take it out of compliance. MAZDA isn't going to be reprogramming anything.

- Mazda can and does re-flash your ECU when (emissions-compliant) updates are available. This means they just download a new tuning map to the ECU. The ECU tuning map is developed and coded in Japan. The dealerships have absolutely ZERO capability to actually program the ECU (ie adjust fuel and ignition timing parameters) - they can only download programs developed and released in Japan.

That rumour is complete crap, end of story. If you want more power via the ECU, right now you either do it yourself (with something like a Greddy E-Manage) or with a Canzoomer box, which still requires programming by the user to optimize it. You will not be getting it from Mazda.

Regards,
Gordon

 

Well I just finished talking to the Guy and he said his Friend with an Rx8 got a letter from Mazda on this. I am going to see if I can get a copy of this letter. I am thinking it is an M flash letter. I will post a copy when I get it.