I know this might be a really dumb question, but is it possible to just use a basic 20$ laptop USB-obd2 cable, hooked up directly to the laptop, instead of using a cobb or accessport?

 

No it is not.

 

Search for a thread called cracking the ecu
nvm... https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...t=cracking+ecu

History lesson

 

I can tune my car with a paperclip!

 

No need to be a smart ***, it was just a simple question

 

I gave you a simple answer.

/end thread.

 

Thanks, that was what I was looking for. So how exactly does the accessport work in order to do what the computer cant? Does it just decode all that?

 

there are a few very large threads dedicated to the Accessport that you should take a look at.
either that or visit Cobb's website.

 

This guy isnt gonna fit in here at all

 

two funny remarks...

ha ha

 

Cobb disassemebled the ECU and found the maps. They're not releasing that information. That's what it comes down to. On Subarus and Mitsus you can do what you are describing--just buy a cable and reflash the ECU. But those have open source software with people disassembling the factory computers in their spare time.

 

It's being worked on for OpenECU, just not there yet

Oh and Mawnee FTW no need to be a whiner especially starting off with "I know this might be a really dumb question but ...."

If you can't handle the replies, don't ask the question.

 

Ok so we will be able to do what OP is describing at some stage? It's just a case of getting someone 'in the know' to dismantle a factory ECU and find the maps (whatever that means) .... :-D

 

Way to bump a dead thread that's over a year old.

At least you searched.


FWIW, it don't believe that OpenECU has made a whole lot of progress.

 

Flashing through the diagnostic connector requires a J2534 interface, it does not use simple OBDII so it is not, and never will be possible with those interfaces. Currently, a J2534 passthru cable costs $165-400. This will probably come down in the future.

http://www.tactrix.com/
http://www.drewtech.com/products/mongoose.html

In addition, you will need software that will pass Mazda's security access. Presently, there are several options, but they are closed-source and a bit expensive. I imagine that this kind of software may become available as freeware or OS at some point, but not yet.

MMCFlash supports many Mazdas, including the RX8, but runs $317.

Finally, you will need someone to spend a bunch of time reverse-engineering the ecu code and figuring out what the maps do.



I am working on this, and I will release an Xml definition for at least one ROM at some point in the future.

There is one other solution if you are okay with electronics and cheap. You will need correct version of the rom for your ecu.

It is okay to bump these threads now and then, progress is slowly being made...

 

Wellll ... ya know ... it was my 1st ever post on here so i had to choose it carefully!

i know nothing of tuning, turbos, superchargers or bridgeports ... but im suddenly learning very fast on here you guys are costing me a fortune new kit haha ... already ordered 4 new books

we have a chap in the UK now that is tuning 8's properly via the obd port, the 1st on this side of the pond, obviously about erm .... 7 years or so late but ey ho haha His name is Graham ... aside from him there are a couple tuning the ecu's directly (ie removimg them from the car to do)


Oltamann cheers for that buddy! very informative, ill keep checking back when i know and understand a little more of hwat you said

cheers chaps

 

Benedunn the main problem I see here is the cost. You buy a middle of the road cable for $250, then buy the program that lets you get past the security for another $300, you are already basically at the price of the cobb + tune from MM(or whoever else). At that point you still need to find a nice person(oltmann) to do as he said and figure out what everything in there means AND release it to you.

Now, when everything gets cheaper or there are a few open source options as Olt said, then I can see this being more cost-effective for the average person. Of course if you are the type of person that loves to tinker with stuff, then by all means this is a great idea.

 

hmhmmm .... the way i see it is if graham can do it, oltmann can do it, MM can do it, then as a collective im sure we can find someone/ work together to manage it too i agree about the costs but surly your better off investing your money in a system that can map multipal cars at no extra cost than 1 system that will only map 1 car at a time? (shoot me down if im wrong but this is how i undrstand it works right? you sell the port you loose the maps )

i built my engine in my garage, big deal (for you guys) you might think but on this little spot of land surrounded by water people leave the dirty work to the 'specialists' these days and think its a mirrical i managed it 1st time round ... i dont even mension that i street ported it and painted it too (pushing boundries hahaha)






and anyway ive been snuping around here just 3 days now! im starting a bridge port on some old irons i have this weekend, ive ordered books about mapping ... jesus ive even learnt how little a deal turboing is AND that 500bhp reni's are just around the corner ... i think we can manage to decipher a bit of computor code now carnt we?

 

Its true, anyone can do it. Its the experience part that you cannot just read about and suddenly gain. When you decide to change a certain thing or many things to see if there are any gains or whatever, you risk doing damage. Generally the people who have been doing it for a while have a clue about what is good to do and what is not, and only experience(most wont share that info, as its what gives them their $$$) can tell you that.

Like I said I am not saying you cannot do it, just be prepared to possibly go through a few engines if you are just testing stuff. Now if you get some help from people that can tell you "dont try that, it ends badly" then thats awesome. The last guy that tried to create open source tunes for everyone got ran off this site by the tuners that charge money.

Good job on the engine, I am in agreement that ANYONE can rebuild an engine properly. It might not get done in the first try(again, good job) if you are just going in blindly, but it can be done. I would love to buy a busted 13b and tear it down and put it back together just to do it and gain the experience. There are a boat load of videos on the net showing how to rebuild a rotary.

Well according to MM the maps/tunes are his property and its basically being leased to the original purchaser. So when you sell it you are not allowed to give the maps with it.

 

I can see where your coming from with the experience thing!

i hate to see that, vendors literally fighting to discredit those that try to get on without there help (ie paying them) ... ive had experince over here where ive litterally been giving bogus advice by 1 of our most aclaimed rotary specialists but hwat can you do ey?

not that difficult to get blown rotaries over here now, i currently have 6! they can be bought for about $200 or so off of all the idiots that dont understand there cars, they stop starting warm, Mazda dealers in the UK know **** so just tell them they need a new engine, they decide to sell but the cars worth more in parts so now weve got rx8s being stripped down on driveways all over the uk ... im trying to save them all but i carnt! we only have about 30,000 over here in total ... you can buy an 04/05 8 with less than 50000 miles on the clock for about 2.5 - 3000 £ - a 'dud' 1 for about £900 - £1100 - a specialist rebuild costs about £3500 (5,570.59 USD) and thats just a basic rebuild