Xyntax

I just got mine today! Wow! There's more power on the low-end. I noticed how the rpms climb faster from 1K - 5K this time. I also didn't feel any power loss on the high end, but maybe that's just me. I was flashed with "M" directly from "K". Nothing indicates that I was flashed with anything else before "M" unlike others here who mentioned they were flashed a couple times with previous versions before getting to "M".

Also, I noticed that my fuel gauge just passed the 1st 1/4 line with 80 miles on the tripmeter. That's good news for me coz I usually have 40 - 50 around that fuel level. We'll see how mileage is improved when I fill up 3 tanks after "M" flash.

Also, I got a blue sticker on my driver side door panel where it mentions when and what PCM calibration version I have. Last letter says "M". Yey Oaktree!

blue flash

just got my first oil change and M flash done yesterday, it seem like when you hit 6,000rpm's you have an extra gear can't believe the difference it made.i recall another member saying the dealer did not want do his reflash unless his 8 had flooded so he intentionaly flooded the 8 .that's not how it's should happen just tell them you have had long starts and hard starts that way mazda will pay them to do the reflash ,if you dont have a problem &just want it done then it come's out of your pocket or their's

cgrx

I'm getting mine done today. All cars should be at least flashed to "M" as per the TSB

Can't wait

huhsler

Getting my car overhauled (laundry list of problems) next Wednesday, so I should be getting latest firmware.

I'll let you know how things look like on the Auto side (for us poor minority).

DrComputer

Who said you have to be poor to have an AT RX-8?

huhsler

With all the power developments and info, poor referred to bad news, rather than income.

But, that being said...

I love my Auto RX-8!

"It's the car I've always wanted and now I have it. I RULE!"

Xyntax

Update:

Upon driving to work this morning, I noticed a couple of improvements:
- Smooth idling
- I shifted quickly to 2nd from 1st because I went up to 4000 rpms quicker this time.
- Smoother shifting (i got used to the stock form where I have to press on more gas for 2nd gear shifting compared to other gears)
- Acceleration is definitely smoother
- Here's the fun part: I usually go on the ramp of our parking lot building at 1st gear going up from 10 - 15mph. Well sometimes, I get lazy I just let it climb there to 15mph on 2nd gear. Before, 2nd gear would lug/jerk if the speed reaches below 13mph. That's when I need to shift back to 1st. This time (with the same habit) 2nd gear jerked at 9mph. I even ran 10mph with 2nd gear on and it was smooth. It has more power for the lower rpms! I could never do that before coz the 8 would start acting like it's gonna die.
- No more unburned fuel smell in the garage! That's a huge improvement there. I was always concerned when I pull out of the garage and it smelled like I was close to a gas pump at Chevron. Now it only smells like exhaust gas from common cars.

Gord96BRG

No need to make up stories - the lastest TSB (as of 2 weeks ago) tells the service dept that all RX-8s in for service must be flashed to the new version; no operational reasons needed.

Regards,
Gordon

blue flash

the dealer here in n.c told me if you do not have a problem it will cost to have this done maybe thet have not been informed yet

zoom44

print it and hand it to them with the section highlighted. i had to point it out and read it out loud for them. then the guy went and printed the whole thing himself before agreeing to do it this coming friday.

blue flash

just noticed that after the reflash it does not take the car as long to warm up

mikeb

I got my auto rx8 m flashed last saturday.

I brought the 12 page tsb and the service manager still made a big deal about it and wasn't gonna do it.

But the tech was really nice and listened to me and hooked me up.

kidcas

excuse my ignorance but what is the TSB? and where can i print it out at?

shebam

I've noticed that -- but also that warmer weather has arrived here .... So difficult to be scientific.

JimW

Kudos to Mazda for working on the power and mpg issue, even if they don't want to admit it. Were almost there.

RaceBannon

I had a reaccuring check engine light. The first time they said it was a miss-fire and they replaced the spark plugs because one was fouled. The second time I took it in and they said the light was caused by a program glitch. They "flashed" me the new software ,took about an hour, and now the 8 is working great. The self test comes up (oil pressure dip)- but i don't know which software change they put in. The gas milage seems to be better. I was geting about 13mpg.

elite

RaceBannon -

to the T exactly what happened to me.

1 got the light and they flashed my car.
2 got the light again they replaced the plugs
3 got the light again and im talking it in monday again to see what the hell thy will come up with this time.

so, im gonna tell then what happened to you....they reflashed the computer after the plugs right, and now all is well? My gas is still around 175 a tank, SUCKS! did after the last time you notice your performance back to par, mine is not doing well I dont think.

thanks for your help..I need it....very frustrating..

whosyourbaba

My dealer wouldnt do it at first, but i read the bulletin for them. And they flashed it and got an oil changed. M seems the same for me, but only had it for a day. Hopefully my 13 mpg would improve.

Nubo

So what was the manager's reasoning, even after reading the TSB? Curious, in case I run into same issue...

RX8Lover

aren't some people saying that it feels like they are actually LOSING power with the M flash? I thought I read someone say that there isn't a surge of power anymore at 6-7k RPMs.

Xyntax

Actually, I feel that it has more power even at the 6-7k rpms. I did a couple of runs at my favorite 1-mile strip w/traffic and I can see why some think they are losing power there. The sudden kick on that range seems to be gone because the preceding rpms already made the gap closer. So the acceleration to that level is like 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. Compared to the stock which is like 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9.... or so. (dont take those numbers literally) get the idea?

I bet if someone runs a stock 8 with "M" flash, we will see some performance gains.

TALAN7

I've had my 8 since late last July. (I was one of the 1st). Somebody tell me, will I loose power with the M flash. I keep reading that the earliest 8s make more power. I've read it here and on rotary Extreme's website where they say

"We have found that the 238 HP version RX-8 stock HP rating varies from 168 rwhp to 187 rwhp._ Mazda has reflashed the ECU several times and the HP rating variance has something to do with the ECU program. We have found the first batch of RX-8 produced the most HP on the dyno._ The recent batches have on average of 170 rwhp._ Regardless of the base HP, the intake produces almost the same kind of HP gain at 8-12 rwhp at high rpm."

Now less power may make the car feel smoother. As far as all of those who say the car feels faster I must say feeling is not proof. Many have stated they no longer feel a boost at 5k, That's power your missing! I believe Mazda is addressing the gas mileage issue and cold starting issue at the expense of power and that this whole thing smells funny. Why claim one mpg up front when the car clearly wasn't making it. They wanted to keep as much power as possible for the launch of the vehicle only to later, after the vehicle is on the market, retune it to make the mpg but lose power. I've one of two challenges to all of you M flashers... DYNO!!!!!! BEFORE and AFTER or 1/4 mile slips. DO IT
I AWAIT YOUR RESULTS!

JERCS

okay done.... https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...threadid=26143

anyway you could get to a dyno and do a before and after too? then we'd have some real results

mysql101

I saw the print out from the computer that they flashed my car with, it was several pages long, but the first page most definately stated flash version "M", clear as day.

RodsterinFL

hmm okay where is the ECU? I am looking under the hood right now and to the left of the battery. I have a plastic covered area and no numbers. I am trying to identify what flash I have. ANy help out there?