HOw important is a vented enclosure for the factory ECU ?
I see mazda put a TON of effort into their vented enclosure, I'm guessing because of it's location in the engine bay.

I'm considering putting mine In a sealed enclosure between crash bar and hood support bar. So there would be way less heat there compared to factory location.

Is this a bad idea? Does that ECU REALLY need venting?

Include the steering ECU too in this question.

I'm not overly keen putting it in the crash zone either for obvious reasons, but it's way easier then relocating it to the cabin.

 

Not only is it vented, but it has a cool air duct that runs to it. It is a computer so the cooler the better. That said, it needs to be protected from water as well.

 

Do u personally believe mazda would have gone to these extremes if the ECU was located somewhere cooler? Like in the nose.

 

Probably not.

 

They went to more extremes on the S2; more clearance around the ECU within the box and also a thermistor was added in the PCM to monitor it's temperature.

 

Yeah I noticed on the S2 the cover is very different as well.

 

That's interesting, I wonder what prompted the change.

Tis a shame the box is so large, it would be nice to use it.