Ok... I don’t know much about engines and their computers. But when I bought my rx8 AT last May, I thought, without looking first on the web, that it was going to be easy to find on the internet how my rx8 197hp from Mazda can go back to 210hp as in the rest of the world (i.e. Japan)

Knowing now a little bit more of engines and how cars work, I still don’t get why is not easy to get back to 210hp as Mazda declared at the introduction of the car, when apparently the only thing they modified was the computer so they can sell it on the states.

A friend today told me that the only thing that I need to do is to find an rx8 VIN from outside of the states and resent the computer putting this VIN... and back as originated... Seems doubtful... Anybody with a why? why not? etc?

Thanks for the info...

 

Stealing someones VIN, nice and illegal.

 

Hmm, you live in florida, right? Ask Mazsport if thier new ECU will work on Automatic Transmission cars, then you can get every last ounce of juice out of the engine. Not going to be cheap though.

Mazsport

Local Phone Number: 727-530-9960

Other Areas: 1-800-538-9989

2100 34th Way North
Suite A
Largo, FL 33771

 

i dont know what he means by changing the VIN number...i think he means get the ECU out of a car that has the 210hp....while you could do that, other systems would be affected, such as the miliage on the car...it would also make you car a 'black' car and couldnt be flashed with futures updates from the dealer. Differences in the emissions system could also cause it to throw check engine lights. I would say its not worth it.

Plus....your car doesnt have 197hp now anyway....very few of the motors (both AT and Manual) seen to have less power than the Indicated number from mazda.

If you didnt know what the power rating on the car was....would you still be unhappy? If mazda just made the car and didnt put a number with how much power it has...do you feel the car is slow and slugish? Then why did you buy it? Or was it that you were happy with the car, and now find out that other markets have more power, so you unhappy and want that extra power cause it feels so much faster?

 

yet another silly owner fixated on numbers......

 

First, thanks for answering my question. Second, I never said I was unhappy with my car. I still love it being 197hp or less. I just thought it was going to be easy to get back those 13hp. I thought they were there ready to unleash. But if they are not, fine. I just love driving on it. I bought because I like it. Maybe a 350Z has more power, but they look at us because our car has the looks. And for last I use my car to get to work and get around, I don’t do race tracks. I don’t need to be at 60mph in 5 or 6 seconds, the way responds and moves is just more than great for me. I knew what I was getting; again I just thought that those 13hp were there to get them back.

Thanks again...

 

And just for the record, I want to stay legal. I was just looking for options, if there were any...

 

to get back 13hp, you could get close with an intake and exhaust....although that could affect your warrenty coverage and also will change the sound of the car a bit.

 

Just get a K&N cold air intake and any after market exhaust. You should get more than 13 hp....

Why do you care about 13hp anyways....?

 

An intake and exhaust will most likely not get you 13 hp at the wheels, and 13 to the wheels is not a small amount. It will definitely be a difference you can feel, not just the placebo effect. Nevertheless, even the revi i got makes the car more fun to drive, so an intake/exhaust combo is not a bad way to try to get some of those 13 ponies back.