RX-Nut

Wow, how do you keep track of all the versions of ECU out there? Is there a limited number of versions or does Mazda just do it whenever they please?

If I wanted to reflash my ECU, what do I do, just call the Service Ceter and say, I want to reflash my car's ECU? Wont they think I'm crazy? For all I know, they'll say ok, have me come in, sit for 2 hours and then here you go it's done, and they didnt do anything.. possibly even charge me... hmm.

canzoomer

We could sell the bare controller, without the wiring config needed for the Stage3 kit, for about $295
On bulk orders I could probably manage a bit better.
A version with boost control tuning capability is also available at around $390. That price is still not final.

We also have miscellaneous bits and pices, like the 12 pin and 18 pin plugs, and wire terminals for them, to plug into the board, if someone wanted to do their own custom wiring.

Further details of this should probably be taken off list in email.

brothervoodoo

RX-Nut, some dealerships just reflash the thing others will not unless you throw a CEL. I would make the argument that you are getting shitty mileage, show them your log traking and that you know they have a new update that will help in that area.

canzoomer

It is the same ECU, just different firmware flashes on it.
Even the ECU in Japan is identical, other than theprogramming.
As for versions, get friendly with your neighbourhood Mazda dealers mechanic. They can look it all up on their Mazda service system.
There are a total of 4 released so far for N. America, 3 in Japan, 3 in Australia, 2 in Europe..

I am working on compiling all the details so I can post it here sometime soon, for those who are curious.
It is easy to get the version numbers this way, but more difficult to find out what issues each one is targetted at.
As for getting it done, up to now if you had no issues, why bother?

With the latest one, there are some clear gains for everyone, specifically in better fuel economy.

93rdcurrent

I had the latest flash done on thursday. I won't know about my mpg till I can refill and try to control right foot a little more. What I did notice, and please let me know if you saw changes here Maurice, that the idle when the car is warmed up seems smoother. Before the flash I was having what appeared to be a fairly rough idle and though I still feel some misfiring it isn't as bad as before.

canzoomer

I suspect that the smoother idling you see is probably due to the new map. It is leaner down in the lower rpm ranges, so it should idle better.

emailists

93rdcurrent

Do you notice any loss of low/mid range power with the new map? I think someome posted that they felt their car was slower after the reflash.

Sea Ray

Mainly I just wanted to bump this up this morning for all to read, sounds like great news.

Boy, am I glad I was patient for once in my life With any luck, and Maurice's and friends hard work, we should be getting the newest ones soon.

islandsoon

Once again, Canzoomer, I marvel at the effort you're putting into this project. With hind sight you probably wonder what you have gotten into. All the curve ***** thrown would have derailed most folks from building a commercial version as you have. Thanks for the commitment.
Tom

Racer X-8

You took the words right out of my keyboard. CZ is top notch! I'm very impressed how he's already got the answers on all of this. I am most impressed indeed!

racerdave

Hot humid weather? Don't you mean cooler, drier weather?

Hot and humid always means I have to *lean out* the mixture, not richen it.

canzoomer

For good reason.
At first glance colder temperatures result in higher density of charge.

However, this is not the only factor in play:
High humidity means the air is already saturated with H2O.
This means it has less capacity for fuel to evaporate.
This means the mixture contains LESS FUEL.
Colder would certainly make for a denser mixture.
However we get a higher H2O saturation at higher temperatures, because of water's higher condensation dew point.
So, generally you see more problems at low altitude, high temp and humidity than at lower temp, high humidity.
At 35C air can hold almost twice as much water vapour compared to at 15C.


Does this make more sense to you now?

93rdcurrent

I haven't really noticed any lag in mid rpm range. I am going off my butt dyno though and I certainly haven't had the opportunity to run several tests. Unfortunately I don't have the ability to turn off the re-flash and test it under both conditions like I would with CZ's piggyback. But overall the car "feels" a little bit faster. Not enough to write home about.

Thank you Maurice. You answered my question about whether or not the fuel was leaned out at idle.

success07

Hey guys, where did you find the info on the reflash that mazda has come out with? I just got off the phone with my dealership's service dept. and they said they haven't heard anything about a reflash for an adjusted fuel map. I told them of what I had found on the forum and they essentially laughed at me saying that I can't trust everything that i hear on forums. Is there a code or something that I can give them so that they'll reflash my ecu?

They also said that all dealerships are different and that they may not get the same info as the others. I was so frustrated that I could have screamed. Can some help me with this, please?

racerdave

Yep.

I'm generally tuning off of RAD, temp and humidity when making jetting changes on my 2-stroke (plus plug reading, etc). So I can see the rationale.

But I guess one of the beauties of the simple, carbed 2-stroke is the simplicity.

What you're doing is way more complex.

BRx8

i'm simply going by what my dealership told me...the first time i had a CEL and oil light i also asked them to check on my MPG issue and they said there was a flash for it...i got the CEL light again and they said there was another flash for the ECU and was different from the first one...so far my CEL hasn't come back on and my MPG is somewhat better, but not by much

ranger4277

Misfire code worked for me. Also complain about your mileage. I'd also try another dealer.

93rdcurrent

The build as I understand it is "L". Maurice posted it. I told the dealership that there was a re-flash available and they told me that they weren't so sure about it. So I told them that if they needed I would state that I had a CEL warning. They did a check and came up with the re-flash.

success07

They also told me that I couldn't get a reflash just to get a reflash. But the way I see it, if there is something out there that will make my car run better and get better gas mileage I should get it regardless. I'm I wrong?

If, in fact, that I go over there to have the car reflashed, how can I know for sure that they did anything?

Also is there several different reflashes or do they keep updating the reflash to include all issues?

93rdcurrent

They will post a sticker on your fuse box showing the re-flash date and what build it is. They may not want to just do a re-flash so why don't you say that you are experiencing a CEL and poor gas mileage and idle just like I did. Then they will just give the upgrade with out asking too many questions.

RX-Nut

Because if I planned on getting the Stage 1, I want to be sure my version of the firmware is the best one for the Stage 1, 1.1, or whichever.. or would it not matter?

mdw33333

I talked to Maurice today and he said that there were previous reflashes. This current reflash includes the updates from previous reflashes AND the new maps to improve mpg.

He said my Stage 1 will be fine unless I go in for the current reflash (which I have no plans of doing any time soon). Basically, after the reflash, the combonation of Mazda's new maps and the Stage 1's settings will cause the car to run lean at certain rpm's. Maurice stated that it wasn't "dangerously" lean, but is a bit to close to "the edge."

I'm not feeling any sense of urgency at this point, and Maurice seems to have the situation well in hand. He will be a posting a "press release" type of statement regarding this issue and his plans to "correct" it in older Stage 1 modules.

When I asked what I should do at this point, he just said to give him a few weeks to get caught up with things. At that point he said to contact him in regards to sending back my Stage 1 for the updates. With the upgrade my Stage 1 will have the ability to be updated for future reflashes or air/fuel map changes. The unit will then have a USB port on it for future updates by PC.

I'm in no huge hurry, but I'm glad he's got a plan to deal with this issue in the near future. The only down side is that I'll be without my Stage 1 for alittle while, but all will be good after that.

TitaniumRX8MD

I also got my ECU reflashed today and the service manager at the dealer said this reflash would definately help with your mileage. I'll take look at my fuse box to what version it is.

Gyro

What did you give the dealer as a chief complaint?

CEL or just poor MPG?

TitaniumRX8MD

I gave them both, CEL and MPG story but he knew after the reflash I was bullsh*tting him about the CEL because there were no codes stored. Then I just told him that I disconnected my battery to clear the codes. He told me not to do that next time it happens. Just looked at my fuse box by the way, there was nothing there to find out which version I got flashed. Service mangager said that I have the most latest version though.