Hey guys, how many of you would be interested in getting a reflashed ECU? Considering from all the threads i've read about how wacky the stock one is it wouldnt be a problem to flash the existing ECU.

 

You talk mighty big, stranger........

Yes, I am sure many people are interested, what do you know?
.
.
.
doc

 

We do alot of work with a local company called TechnosquareInc. "Techtom" "SARD" tons of japanese electronics. They are willing to re-flash any car and the turn around time is very quick. If I'm not mistaken the first ones free, if you take your car down to San Diego

 

wtf does re-flashing do?

 

It 'flashes' the EPROM (right?) chip in the engine management system with new software. This then controls the engine in a different way and theoretically could liberate some available power. Of course a bad program could screw the whole system. You pays your money and...

 

how long would u expect this to take? cause i wouldnt mind giving up my car :P

 

What about us over here on the east coast?

If everything works out right, I will be interested.

 

SSR Engineering,

Do you have access to the Japanese files then? I for one would be interested in the file for the 210ps 5speed. If you could email me the file, i would pay for it. I can re-flash my own car as long as the 8 has OBD II (does it?).

 

Hrm... Im in SD and have talked to your people here briefly before...

-Chris

 

I'm interested with going the first product that shows substanial documented gains. You guys need to start working on this pretty soon because Canzoomer and APEXI already have a nice head start.

 

Can you do one that gives me my gas mileage back? Now that I might be interested in. What guarantees you won't hose up the car?

 

Maybe, but probably at the expense of performance

Generally none, and unless I'm mistaken, flashing the ECU will generally void the mfg's warranty of just about everything under the hood. Can anybody confirm?

 

no thank you

 

well the thing about flashing the ECU is that since it's still the stock ECU, it's really hard to tell without doing a few tests, so most dealerships will never notice

i'd definitely be interested, but i want to see some results first and i'm in the midwest

 

I would think that a basic test of the engine would reveal that it's normal operating perameters had been changed, no? I mean, anything that's changed for performance reasons is going to be downright obvious (A/F ratios, timing, etc). I would even wager that a decent tech would be able to tell that something was amiss just by running a standard diagnostic on the car.

 

I suspect even a lame tech would pick the difference, since I strongly suspect that Mazda's diagnostic unit performs some basic handshaking with the ECU when it's first connected. This would doubtless include a flash ID and checksum, and a mismatch should raise a flag to the tech.

At least, that's the way I'd make it work if I was designing the system.

 

strangely enough, I've read a LOT of posts on a WRX forum about people reflashing their ecus without ever having problems with warranty

 

One word PROOF!! I bought it this way and show me i didnt please.I dont think mazda has spies out yet do they?

 

I would think that pretty valid proof would be "Every other RX-8 in the US is configured this way except yours." If there's a checksum change like eccles mentioned or even if the only values changed are those that would enhance performance you will get trounced in court. Period. Besides, you'd have to be the one taking them to court because they denied your warranty claim. Are you going to put out the money it would take for a court fight on the chance that you could convince a judge that the factory only made these changes to your car's ECU and not everybody else's?

 

SSR,

I'm in San Diego and willing to give you a shot with some discussion first. Let me know how to get in touch.

John

 

Does this mean you upload a new/ improved software or maybe just relevant data?

Please educate me.. where does this improved software / data come from?

And if it is better, why didn't Mazda come up with it already? They had enough time...

Or does it have to do with the US standards for clean air and gas consumption versus Japanese standards???


Like other posters I would expect that the Mazda dealership can identify the modified EPROM's content.

-Peter
(software engineer at day time)

 

Checksums.

that is the #1 issue with chip tuners in the world today.

If you re-map an ecu, and the checksum doesn't match.... the car won't run. period!

Ask any tuner that modifies the stock maps on a stock ecu. This is common place with any newer ecu and chip tuners. So not only does the tuner have to remap, they must generate the proper checksums.

Piggyback ecu's are different, they don't modify the original ecu, so no checksums.

 

The only thing that you guys should think about is that if you ever get a CEL, FOR THE ENGINE, BRAKES,TEMP OR ANYTHING LIKE that they will hook up ther diagnostic machine to find out. then they will also know that yor ECM was alterd. i believe you guys have adaptive ecu don't you? the harder you drive your car in time it will perform better." this is a minor effect though" if you ever put an exhaust or a CAI or other modification on your vehicle you should reset your ECM so it will learn quicker. just disconnect the battery and tap the brakes a couple of times to get any residual power out of the vehicle. some of you guyz might know this already but just trying to help. this applies to most engines out there, but i am still trying to learn your particular set up.:D

 

Even if a dealership can detect a reflash, all you have to do is get your ecu reflashed back to stock maps when you need to bring it to the dealer. The procedure is simple enough and it should not be a costly procedure

 

This whole ecu is more and more fascinating to a novice like me. Are you saying that if I don't drive my car harder it won't perform better? Does the ecu somehow get used to my style of driving?

Also how does this brake tapping get any residual power out of the vehicle?

Thanks in advance.