Owning my FD for the past 4 years has been a vastly different experience than owning my RX-8 over the past month. Aftermarket parts are widely more available for RX-7's versus RX-8's, but OEM parts are the exact opposite. However, the biggest difference in my experience (and to my disappointment) is the lack of aftermarket ECU and tuning options for the RX-8...especially the S2. From my research, I'm only seeing 2 available...MazdaEdit and Versatune.

From what I'm seeing, Versatune markets itself as an "one size fits all" tuning solution for the S2 RX-8. I know there isn't a whole lot to gain from tuning the RX-8, but for someone like myself who lives at 4500 ft above sea level, I have to believe there can be some minor tweaking to make the car run more efficiently...along with masking the CEL when running an aftermarket exhaust. With all that being said, I want to know your experiences.

I know the majority of you all choose not to bother with either option, just like a lot of guys with FD's choose to leave them stock...and I completely understand that. However, I want to know the experiences from the guys who chose to experiment with either MazdaEdit or Versatune. I know neither can compare to my Haltech Elite on my FD, but some options in my opinion are better than none. So what do you guys think? What has been your experience? Is it even worth it? Which is better? Thanks for the people who choose to respond and share their experience!

 

Does it need to pass OBD2 emissions testing?

edit; your post sort of implies it does, but I’m trying not to ***-u-me …
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Well, in my current location it doesn't. However I'm anticipating at my next location in the very near future, it will.

 

Been using M/E for 10 years on 100s of 8s ..... it's a good program IMO.

 

a full aftermarket ecu isn’t going to be an emissions option, so none being available is mute. Possibly might work in a piggyback scenario coupled with the reflash software, but then why bother.

The reflash software really is the best option. If Brettus recommends M/E then you can’t really go wrong with it. All my experience is with the Cobb AP, but that is S1 only and no longer an option regardless even with an S1.
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I appreciate your input fellas

 

Zero issues on my S2 with Versatune. Works great. Some stuff isn't intuitive, but it's the ECU and the same issues exist in ME. I worked with ME on my ND Miata so I'm familiar with both, I don't really have a preference.

Versatune's support is awesome, ME's is slower but also good in my reasonably limited experience.

 

S1 car with Versatune. So far so good. Very easy to use.

 

Hi is anyone aware of a dyno tuner in the southeast that is familiar with Mazda Edit? Building a new road race car and have access to the unlimited pro version with no VIN restriction and a base tune from a fellow racer but want to go to someone who actually knows the software.

 

I also have an S2 with VersaTune. So far, no issues but really just getting started. Will be making some intake and exhaust mods and doing some custom tunes afterwards. From what I have heard, VersaTune is much more user friendly than MazdaEdit.

 

I was able to remap my fan triggers with VersaTune and couldn't be happier with the change in Coolant Temp Control

 

I also flashed the Stock ECU tune and will flash the next level performance tune after some intake/exhaust upgrades

 

@kevink0000 or @wcs or @DocWalt

I see you fellows are using Verstune (overstate the obvious given this thread) and I have a question that is blocking my progress. Is there a way to convert the backup file created on initial loading of VersaTune from a bck file to a vtune file? I need to start over cause I’m not trusting the latest tune I installed nor the “canned” tune I built it from.

 

I am still using Versatune. Unsure if there's a way to convert it to a vtune file. I *think* if you just "Return to stock" then you'll be good to go.

Do you need a decent "stock" tune to work from? I can share what I have for stock intake (you'll need to confirm MAF scaling and such)

 

I went with the “new tune “ option and checked all the tables. They appear to match what I expected and other tunes that I saved (except where I made changes) so my hope is this new tune is ok. There might be trust issues between me and software….

I have the latest tune built and applied so now I await trims to stabilize. Just have throttle changed to linear and fan triggers lowered. Went away from one of the “canned” tunes to start fresh. Need to log data this weekend.

Edit: I am chasing what I think is an O2 sensor issue since all vacuum leaks have been chased down and (hopefully) confirmed with a liberal application of starter spray at every gasket and hose. Can’t calibrate the MAF with the high LTFT I see with my scanner when parked. No rpm jump ever happens and I put away the fire extinguisher unused (exhaust manifold heat was a concern).

Thanks for your help