MrJynx

So I've been thinking over the last little while about the ECU in the 8 and have a question.

If companies/people who create ECU mods for the 8 are having such a tough time with figuring out how it works, why doesn't Mazda release the ECU information as open source so all of the people who modify the ECU can take a look.

I don't necessarily mean how exactly it's designed, but if it's like any regular CPU, there has to be an agreed upon assembly language on the chip and conditions, etc for it to work properly.

Am I making any sense? lol


MrJynx

Nemesis8

iTrader: (3)

That's a pipe dream - Mazda will never give out its source code to anyone, except Racing Beat.

Brice-RX8

Ok, then with the tuning being so rich and not optimal with the factory flashes why doesn't Racing Beat work harder to release a flash that satifies the masses? There is bound to be someone there that checks this site and sees all the talk about the ECU, but they don't seem to be in a hurry to release their own flash.

Nemesis8

iTrader: (3)

Here are the only other threads about the OEM ECU hacks

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-aftermarket-performance-modifications-23/15%25-power-gain-software-install-done-60869/
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-major-horsepower-upgrades-93/370hp-roaring-%40-bologna-motorshow-47822/

MrJynx

the question was more for the computer science side of my thinking

I understand how difficult it is to understand what the hell is going on in a CPU without any prior knowledge of how the chip is designed and what all of the different codes are. I'd probaly of lost my hair by now if I was working on this. Good work to all of the people who have gotten anywhere with this.. it's no easy task


MrJynx

zoom44

because they(racing beat) have more to do than just rx-8 stuff. and beyond that Mazda has NOT given them any help what so ever they have to slog thru the code and figure out what is what. they have to work thru it the same way you or I would.

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

yes, but $2000 euro for the internal hardware change and initial program, then a few hundred euro for each reflash plus shipping back/forth to Italy

Nubo

I'd suspect that people running street with rogue ECU code would be nothing but headaches for Mazda. There is no upside for them to make that information public.

tuj

The ECU is a bit more complex than people give it credit for. Its NOT programmed in assembly, at least not by Mazda. Denso provides the hardware along with a basic vehicle operating system. Mazda customizes this code using the API's available to them, along with determining all of the parameters, maps, etc. This is a bit different than ECU's have worked in the past.

tuj

My take on the various 'reflashers' out there is that they have dissassembled the compiled flash and modified the data area to change the fuel maps. With a bit of hacking, I could see how this could work, especially since you can get the flash files off various websites for a minimal fee.

The other approach could be a special mode in the WDS. I believe that it is possible to modify the maps in real-time using the WDS. I don't think anyone has access to the actual ECU code that Mazda has written for the ECU yet.

zoom44

it is not possible to modify the maps in real time using the wds.

tuj

I was told there was a special mode that could do it, but that that mode was normally not accessible by your average dealer. Its supposedly for regional engineers to debug problems? Not sure if this is true or not.

zoom44

there is a way thru the wds that the service peopel can alter things while diagnosing. but the change is not permanent and reverts back to its normal operation once wds is disconnected. for instance they can alter the idle speed while connected but it doesnt wstay at what they changed it to.

tuj

But you know what that means, right? That its possible to build a little box that emulates the WDS and lets you change the values the ECU is using. Sure its not a 'permanant' change, but it would be as long as your little box was connected. Just a thought.

Nemesis8

iTrader: (3)

Hmmm, a little hand held box with software on it...

zoom44

yes that would be a good idea...... imagine a little black box that came with your FI kit(thre would be an NA version(s) as well) that told your stock PCM "this is how you will work from now on- everything is ok" instead of tricking it or taking all the control away from it.

tuj

Well I suppose we shouldn't feel too bad. It took a number of years for the Honda guys to decipher and remap the OBD-I ECU's, and I don't think they've gotten very far on the OBD-II units, let alone the modern CAN units.

Nemesis8

iTrader: (3)

It's a shame, that after a new RX8 is out of the factory warranty, you cannot tune it. Makes me want to go back in time to the muscle car days. At least I knew what I was doing when I popped the hood.

zoom44

exactly my feeling Kevin