RXhusker

I plan to tell the dealer I had better get the reflash or they will get all ZEROS on every satisfaction survey ever sent to me from Mazda -- nothing makes these guys squirm like getting bad ratings -- affects their pocketbook and gets the Mazda Regional rep on their a$$.

SCiMMiA

Yeah, and I'm sure they'll treat your car in a wonderful manner if you threaten them.

emailists

I agree that with such an expensive purchase, any new programming that affects performance, or reliability should be offered for free if the customer ask, ans also as part of any service the car needs. This is not a $100 video card we're talking about. A car is the 2nd biggest purchase people will generally ever make- and at the rate I'm going with apartment prices here in New York, it is the probably the biggest I'll ever make.

shebam

Seems like no practice is universal -- mine was reflashed Dec. 11 but no sticker outside or inside the fuse box.

RXhusker

As a business owner I am not afraid to get another owner on the phone and express myself -- I had to resort to it once with my 8 already and have been treated like royalty every since. The owner of the dealership has called me himself twice after service to make sure I was satisfied and would give them top ratings. You may have mis-interpreted my post -- "threatening" low ratings is a last resort. I plan on asking for the re-flash -- if I am not treated properly ...

shebam

What does a misfire sound like (& what's the code)? (And, please describe a spiral staircase -- but it is a serious question.)

ranger4277

You'll hear your exhaust popping and your revs will not be stable at idle. That's what mine did anyway.

shebam

Hey, my case IS legit -- mine does that too. Thanks.

Omicron

I think that if you were ready to buy an '8, and you told the sales person you insist that they do any reflashes needed before you take delivery, they would cooperate. If they won't, then walk.

Also as RXHskr points out, Mazda dealerships are VEEEEeeyyyyyy concerned about getting high cust sat ratings. Not sure what kind of pressure Mazda corporate is putting on them, but it's considerable. Use that as a tool if need be.

RX-8 friend

Canzoomer will be posting soon on the latest news. I will say he is very up on getting the "L" flash. It appearantly improves the car quite a bit.

The final "new" Stage 1 program is done and the engine now acts like it's electric. Virtually no dips in power. I'm waiting to see a dyno plot, just to see what it's done on paper.

I think the Stage 2 program is also done, but I'll let him comment on that. Still waiting on cats. We're just polishing up the hardware changes (same hardware used in Stage 1 and 2). We learned quite a bit with the first batches of Stage 1 re manufacturing techniques. We think we've improved the reliability quite a bit. If you have one, and it works fine, you don't have to worry. We just had a few units with poor connections and a few were "adjusted" by shippers (broken switches). This improvement is necessary for high volume production, as there are over 90 connections in the box. They've all got to be good or the unit will not work properly.

Making the unit plug and play has benefits and potential pitfalls - all those connections is one potential problem area that we've had to deal with.

Those with Stage 1 boxes will be notified when we're ready to upgrade them. We think you'll like the improvements (a lot!).

All shipments from now on will be the "new" program/hardware.

Racer X-8

That's great, Dave!

What non-stock features were used in testing?

Was Stage 1 testing done with stock exhaust & intake? Was it also tested with something non-stock, and if so, how did it compare to stock?

Same questions for Stage 2. I know it needs a full-flow cat, but y'all don't have the Random cat yet, so please give us the configurations tested.

And, of course, you had the new L flashed ECU, right?

Xavier296

They do have a random cat, it is just the 4" diameter one though. I believe the production cats sold by Maurice will be using a unique 5" cat that can withstand the temps better. Random is in the process of building some of these 5" units for the RX-8 owners. They have not had to use this cat on any other car, but after I burned out the 4" one, we are trying a new route to ensure cat longevity.

Racer X-8

Oh? I pulled this quote from 2/20/04..

Ya got me confused now...

mdmaclean

I did try this procedure out today, and it did sweep the oil pressure gauge. That means I have the "L" version! :p

Xavier296

Talking to Dave at Random, his cat has not been returned and a new one has not been sent yet I believe. I could be wrong. RX friend made it sound like everything was happening now, but I think its going to happen. Again, sorry if that assumption is incorrect.

mdmaclean

Has anyone done a dyno run with the new "Y" fuel maps, and then compared them to stage 1.1, and the old power levels?

Lock & Load

Maurice

JUST read all the 7 pages re the re-flash stage 1 with L reflash GREAT news .

Please let us no when you are ready to upgrade the 2 AUSTRALIAN UNITS .

Aussies are eager as mustard to hear some positive results from your stage 1 upgrade so we can overide the originall hicupp.

cheers
michael

canzoomer

Exactly right. If in doubt, try this procedure:
"1) Turn ignition switch to "ON" position, but do not start engine.
2) Depress and release brake pedal at least 20 times within an 8 second period.
NOTE:
Manual transmission vehicles produced after VIN 40132647 and automatic transmission equipped vehicles produced after VIN 40132607 or vehicles with PCM updated to "L" calibration can confirm the clearing procedure was performed. If procedure was successful, the oil pressure indicator needle will sweep from low to half, and then back to low. Vehicles produced prior to these VIN's or vehicles without "L" calibration do not have an indicator to confirm the clearing procedure was performed."

Rotarian_SC

Canzoomer, i have heard that are concerned because the fuel maps are supposedly leaned between 3-7k rpms. You were concerned that this would b running too lean with your mod on, but this is all secondhand information, and here you say you recommend a reflash before installing stage 1. Is it true that it could b running very close to too lean with your Stage 1 and a reflash?

canzoomer

I am a bit concerned.
Mazda cranked the mixture leaner, and we are adjusting off that base map. It is not the ONLY reference point, but it is still leaner than I prefer.

That is one reason why we want to upgrade existing units, and also the fact that our new maps are simply a lot better.
They deliver more even power across the band.

OBryanRX8

CZ

INTERESTED IN PURCHASING STAGE 2 KIT, INTERESTED IN YOUR OPINION ON THE BEST MIDPIPE REPLACEMENT TO YOUR KNOWLEDGE OR ANY BODY ELSES FOR THAT MATTER. NEW TO THE SITE HAVENT SEEN ANY THREADS ON MIDPIPE RECOMMENDATIONS. WHAT IS THE CURRENT PRICING ON STAGE 2 AND HOW DO I FIND OUT WHAT FUEL MAP MY CAR CAME WITH. FROM READING TO MY UNDERSTADING YOU DONT HAVE TO HAVE THE STAGE 1 BEFORE 2 PLEASE CONFIRM.

THANKS FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE FOR THE RX CLUB CZ

shebam

We're running a few threads in parallel here .. some of the answers are on this thread, others are on https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...&pagenumber=1.

For a full survey, back up to the Canzoomer part of the vendor forums and look at a few .....

93rdcurrent

OBryanRX8,

We definitely appreciate your enthusiasm but in future posts could you please lower your voice a little? Try not to yell so much when your typing. Thanks.

islandsoon

Hello Fellas...

Had a nice visit with the local Mazda Dealer Service Manager today. He advises that the N3H6 18 881L is ONLY a flash to repair a CAT error code. He called Mazda tech support and they confirmed. The guy has a performance car shop background and an engineering degree. Pretty straight. He is going to flash my pre L RX8 to the this latest code, but doesn't think it will do anything for mileage. He is basing this belief on Mazda's statements, but is willing to experiment. He thinks Mazda will be releasing a flash for the cold shut off / flooding issue and that Mazda will try to address the poor mpg with that update. Said he is getting quite a number of non starters, several repeat customers and is billing Mazda $220 each time.

crazy4h20

Had the same discussion with my dealer yesterday. They're pushing back, however, and have yet to agree to apply the flash since my VIN is not covered under either TSB.