kngfmsta

what the hell is everyone talking about when they say that we cant crack the code on our 8's. Why is our ecu so complicated and why is it so hard to understand. Why do we have to understand it anyways. and cant we just upgrade our ecu' to like a canzumer.
sry if this doesnt make sense....im kinda a newb in Aftermarket Performance, hell i cant even drive stick that good(but im getting there)

StealthTL

iTrader: (1)

The problem seems to be that the ECU controls so many things.

As the engine revs increase, the computer opens and closes the port shutters and various other valves, at different points up to redline, all dependant on barometric pressure, temperature and gear - it makes other cars seem simple, just mixture/duty and timing.

To take over all these functions (and tune them well) is a big job, If you replace the whole thing, you give up a/c control, oil metering control, and most security features.

S

RX8PDX

I find it kinda of angering, to know I spent so much money on this car that has an outstanding ECU, yet I cant program the damn thing, when its a programmable unit.

I know Mazda doesnt want us to blow up the car, and its a safety measure. But they could void the warranty anyways if it is mod'd from the stock.

Senseless to spend more money on electronics to fool the perfectly good electronics already in the car.

kngfmsta

so if u upgrade the ecu then a/c and other stuff wont work anymore?

mike1324a

no because your prolly thinking about piggybck kits like the interceptor-x. The interceptor controls the engine whilestock ecu control all that other stuff.

peloponisios

The thing is that Mazda does not sell the codes to aftermarket developers, not the complexicity of the ECU. Group VAG had an ECU that changed maps depending on the road conditions(very sophisticated) but it was cracked.
How can u say that 8's ECU is complex and the AUDI RS6's ECU is not, for example.

But ABT and MTM gave a huge amount of money to VAG and she sold the codes and the rest is history. Mazda is keeping the keys to herself, maybe not enough money on the table. So the only viable solution is parallel for the moment and wait for MazdaSpeed's updates(if there are any) and pay them for gold.

zoom44

"cracking" the ecu is not too far off.

Red Devil

If the Interceptor and others like Vishnu, etc...can do what we need and allow us to keep all the comforts, does it really matter anymore?

If anyone can offer to reprogram our PCM, how much of a premium will we be charged for that anyway, let alone the logistics of getting the car to the destined location to have the PCM reprogrammed fine tuned to work with our individual engine parameters.

dazygirl415

I love Zoom's posts. Insightful, yet so mysterious. :D

Japan8

Jeez... import car kids.

Take a look at the domestic sports car aftermarket.... Mustang, Camaro, Vette, F-150 Lightening... companies have cracked their ECU and sell re-flashers for you to do it yourself. no sending it in anywhere like RB has been talking about. Depending on which you choose you can get an easy "yes/no" menu that will load pre-configured maps/settings or you can hook a laptop up to their unit and create your own maps. Even Kenne Bell works with Ford, GM and DC to do their tuning... they get into the ECU code and reflash it too.... but theirs is like what RB wants... you have to send it to them. Anyway the point is that there are plenty of products on the market... just not for most imports.

Japan8

Well Hymee mentioned that this is one of their projects in his S/C thread...

Rasputin

Yes it does, as some of us want to keep close loop fuel control, knock control and OBD monitoring of fuel and ignition hardware.

I'm not realy ineterested in buying a standard recalibration pof some aftermarket company, but I want to get the tools that would enable me to do anything I want in the original PCM.

I'm convinced some poeple in Japan already have access to all the info that's needed to recalibrate our ECUs. I believe the language barrier is preventing us from getting it quicker.

F

Red Devil

"Import Car Kids" - you're three years older than me, nice. Labels and accusations are unnecessary and useless.

Yes, I'm quite aware of power programmers and such...I grew up around Vettes and F Body cars, and for a short time owned a C5. I wasn't entertaining the idea of something like a power programmer. Reason being, how many power programmers have you seen for Supra's or 7's or Z's? It would be nice, but it obviously hasn't happened as of yet. So is the explanation that sending my PCM to say Racing Beat, or whoever that is not logistically viable for me to drive there, to reconfigure going to be better than having my car strapped on the dyno and fine tuned that way? That was my point.

Japan8

Grow a thicker skin. Even if you were quoted it wasn't all directed at you. Much of it was general comments using your post as a starting point.

And as I have mentioned power programmers are likely on the way for the 8. There could be more, but no one tries to make it happen. Or they (car owners) have to do it like the JDM tuners... use JDM only parts, etc.

dazygirl415

My comment was in regards to all of Zoom's posts, not just that one.

Red Devil

I think it would be great if we could purchase something like a Hypertech for the 8. For NA applications, it would probably work very well. But even those available for our domestic market can only work within narrow parameters. Still a better step than what we have now.

kngfmsta

whats a hypertech and why do we need power programmers?

Red Devil

http://www.hypertech.com/

Power Programmers aren't the end all, but they are very user friendly and can offer good gains on many cars.

Japan8

Yes and everyone probably got that drift. I just thought that I'd point out that Hymee is talking about working on one too.

Japan8

There are better choices out there. Try something like SCT XCalibrator or DiabloSport Predator. You can change the drive-by-write throttle settings. Normally set for open throttle on shifts for emissions, one magazine changed this setting and retuned the maps... leaning it out in areas. It is really supposed to be quite functional. The car in this mag with just the ECu flash, cat-back, intake and significantly improved it's 1/4mi.

THe stock ECu everyone paid for is a pretty damn powerful computer. Why spend more for yet another computer that does less? If you need extras like controlling extra injectors.... that's different. Other wise... flashing is the best solution IMHO.

Hymee

iTrader: (1)

Yep, we have mentioned this "project" and it is in our skunk-works. :D

Japan8

^^^
See... :D