I got the "L" PCM flash installed this weekend. Note that I'm running stock, without canzoomer's mod. I've noticed the following changes but some of them might just be wishful thinking. I really haven't got enough miles on the car since the reflash:

1. the car seems to idle more smoothly. It's not electric motor smooth (I wish!), but the obvious misfiring has reduced.
2. the engine seems a bit more responsive in the 3,000-4,000 rpm range.
3. acceleration to the red line in gears 1,2 doesn't seem much different though I chirped the tires on dry pavement in the 1-2 shift which is a first.
4. I cleaned the soot out of the tailpipes after the reflash and after a few short city driving trips they're still clean.

I'm not watching fuel economy and don't plan to try to optimize mpg. We'll see if things improve. I've been averaging 17mpg.

 

rex pretty much summed up for me what the "L" revision has changed. Overall the engine feels smoother and slightly noticeable power in the mid rpm range. Even if mpg does not improve I am still happy I got the update.

 

yeah, just got mine reflashed today on top of the recalls. At first, the service manager was playing games, and denied hearing anything regarding a PCM reflash. Then I pulled out the paper i printed from the TSB, and started to talk about how forum members here have already received the reflash. He then glanced at my paper and turned back to his computer saying, "OK, here's what I'll do...i know about the reflash, and here in the description i'll say that, 'Customer has noticed lack of performance since purchasing vehicle.'" And that was it.

so, yeah...for those who haven't had their ECUs reflashed and want to. You just gotta keep at it. Chances are, your dealership is just playing dumb so it doens't blow up like the misrated hp issue.

I'm pretty much echoing what other forum members say about how the car drives after the reflash. i'm not sure if it has anything to do with the dynamic damper..but 1st to 2nd shifting from high rpms is no longer difficult. it's a smoother shift now, wheras before it wouldn't go to 2nd unless you really jammed it in.

i haven't noticed any performance gains, but then again i didn't have much open road to really see.

still too early to report any gas mileage results...but i'm anticipating at least a 3 mpg improvement (i consistently got 14 city).

 

Just had my reflash done today, I wrote the following letter and gave it to the rep regarding the reflash. I'm sure you can "word smith" it better but I didn't seem to get any flake and they went ahead and did the work. After the procedure, I confirmed by pumping the brake and saw the oil pressure gauge do the "sweep". Here's the letter, fill in the blanks were necessary, Note, I have a manual the automatic reflash is a different number..


================
Updating RX-8 Power train Control Module – (PCM) to the latest “L” calibration (N3H6 18 881L):

I have an early production VIN vehicle; Mazda has come out with 4 updates since the inception of the car. The latest “L” calibration leans out Air/Fuel Ratio in many places in the RPM range, as well as retarding timing to prevent pinging that has been reported to cars in areas that are hot, humid or at sea level. This leaning of the AFR will also improve fuel economy which is my main concern. I have been keeping strict records of all my fill-up’s and over the course of xxxxxx miles and have averaged only xx.x MPG on mixed driving. My car is definitely running pig-rich; exhibits immediate tail pipe carbon build-up and rough idle when cold.

I’m requesting this latest PCM reflash be applied to my car because the mileage is unacceptable given that the EPA has given this car 18-24 MPG rating.

*Attached: The following TSB (Clearing Eccentric Shaft Plate Profile Memory) explains yet another circumstance in which flashing to the “L” calibration is a good idea.

Thanks,
xxxx xxxx
================

 

I also had the "L" today. Even had the Mazda Rep there. Both He and the Service Manager okayed the move to "L" after I handed over copies of the notes written by forum members noting changes. After driving the car, I find that driving with the traction control completely off has a more noticable effect on driveability than the reflash, however I don't have enough miles on the "L" to say for sure. Now we wait to see if the mpg improves.
Tom

 

Had mine done today in conjunction with the two recall items. Verified with the brake/oil pressure gauge trick.

My invoice lists the following regarding the update:

A 6X 9W N3Z1-18-881 0 F0008XDX

Not enough time to verify any MPG changes. So far I've just noticed that it sounds and feels a little smoother on hard acceleration. Just waiting for my Stage 1 which is on its way (finally).

 

vix8...

Your dealer give you any lip on the "L" flash?

Other than mpg, I wanted the "L" to make sure the stage 1 performed to the max, no surprises.
Tom

 

Is there an L-flash in germany too?
Got my car in Feb, maybe it is allready on.
Nobody knows anything about this flash in Germany yet.

 

I have the same inquiry as albertini. It seems that my dealer is not aware at all about new reflash!
I got my car this month and I was unable to confirm the ECU version by doing the 20 brake push-ups (no light on on the dashboard)

Is anybody did a reflash in Europe?

Thanx for sharing experience

 

Cosmos, you shouldn't see any lights on the dash, keep an eye on the oil pressure guage. The needle should sweep from low to mid, then back to low - if the "L" version of the PCM calibration has been applied.

 

Somewhere in one of CanZoomer's posts he mentions the number of flashes in Japan, Europe, the States....all different. Remembering it, I would say you guys have something else. You might check the Australia section of this forum. I think Lock and Load and others are checking what is going on over/down there and it might help answer your question.
Good Luck,
Tom

 

Show them the bulletin.

 

I had my dealer check mine on the WDS. I observed. The WDS reported the calibration is:

N3J6-18881-E

And that was up to date (no updates available). I was also assured that the WDS was up-to-date.

This number is also written on the decal on the PCM itself.

For some other Aussie's views on this, see https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...threadid=21879

Cheers,
Hymee.

 

So we have a few guys reporting trouble at 4500 to 7000 RPM using the "L" flash. They are reporting this "clang in the engine" and a loss of power. mdw333 using "L" and stage 1.1 at 6500; hac using "L", green drop in filter and aftermarket exhaust at 4500; RXguy with intake at 7000; Searay "L" only with midgrade (89) gas at 6000. Anyone else reporting troubles?

Edited to correct RXGuy's NOT having the "L' at the time of the "clang".

 

Islandsoon, please allow me to clarify. I was trying to describe a similar event that happened to me when I tried on an air intake. I did not have the "L" at the time. Sorry if I misled you.

 

Nice summary, islandsoon.

I think someone from Canzoomer's staff should speak to this issue...

 

Considering it's only happened to 1 car with L and stage1.1, I think it's more a L issue.

 

Yes. They played dumb at first. I finally suggested that they could do it in conjunction with the recall items. That seemed to lower their resistance to the idea. So now everybody is happy.

Should get my stage 1 today. Fed Ex shows it on the truck in my area. Yippeeeee!!!!! :p

 

He took off stage 1.1 and hasn't had the problem since. So I don't think it's and L issue.

 

I think it is karma coming back to bite him for being so impatient before getting stage 1. :D No... it really sucks that he's having trouble, hopefully it isn't anything wrong with his car that warranty won't fix.

I have trouble believing that the stage 1.1 is that wacky. CZ put a lot of time into testing for this very reason. How could stage 2 possibly be viable if the more conservative stage 1.1 isn't stable? Too many variables to pinpoint the cause at this point.

 

I think he needs to clear things up since he mentioned before that he had that happen occasionaly before the upgrade/update.

And there's 3 people WITHOUT a stage1 that have similar problems. So 1 ocasional with a stage 1 vs 4 instances of no stage1 and still the issue, tells me it's not the stage 1 directly.

 

OK, just got my Stage 1 installed (man, those last 3 connectors are a bitch).

Got the "L" reflash yesterday.

Test drive went just fine. So no problems to report from here.

Sure gets to red line a bit faster!

 

Great news. Is Redmond near sea level?

 

Everyone is calling this new one a stage1.1

My unit that came today just says stage1, dated March 5th

What about anyone else?

 

CZ said in a post that as of when they started shipping Monday, all the units shipped out would be 1.1. I believe he held up shipping for a while until he was ready to do this. If your unit has a USB port on the front that's what it is. Us early Stage 1 guys have been sending them back and getting them upgraded. When I got mine back today it had the USB port on it.